《Ensemble Leveling》


 Chapter 1: Forgotten Melody

    One day, Gates broke out. Monsters flood from these dimensional breaches as they descend upon the world. People awaken power to take on against them and after the long war did, they restabilize to this new norm.


    These awakened individuals are called Hunters who are heroes of this new world order. However, not everyone managed to awaken, thus there are those who are unquestionably left behind by these changes.


    Jihoon Hyunwoon isn''t even the lowest rank Hunters, he was merely a normal human, both before Gates appeared and after. He had his position in the entertainment industry as a music composer in movies and video games. While he wasn''t the prodigy that shakes the world by storm or immortalized in history, he was considered unique and that alone makes him decent life.


    When Gates appeared, nearly everything collapsed as suddenly, everyone like him becomes dispensable or acceptable sacrifice. Many of his colleagues weren''t fortunate like him to see through the initial storm. And even when entered the restabilization era, the entertainment industry instead shifted its spotlights toward the Hunters and people like him are left within the shadows of those Hunters.


    Initially, he didn''t give up. He continued trying to compose music but the roar of monsters and the cheers for the Hunters were simply too overwhelming. He once at least had people who enjoyed his music but here, not a single person remembered him. He wonders, if he should have just died if the rest of his life is going to be miserable like this.


    The world had changed, not for the better, at least for Jihoon himself. A relic of the past, a remainder of a world that no longer existed. A music composer found himself in a world that has no time for music. Left behind by the world, left behind to die a silence death beneath the shadow of the Hunters.


    Jihoon stared toward the ceiling of his dim apartment. His savings are running dry, he changed home for like 5 times this year already because of Gate Breakout in the vicinity. Questioning what exactly he is living for.


    He remembered reading about all of these Hunters stuffs in webnovels like years ago before the Gates appeared but to be living in one is too awful for him. The protagonists have their cheats, he has nothing. A nameless mook in the background, that''s what he recognized himself as in this kind of story.


    Longing for the past that no longer existed, he starts to retrospect upon his entire life. He recalls the reason why he even started to compose music in the first place. It was that one random video on the Internet from like so long that it has two-digit age, using old video editing effects that only early software has. Those were basically musical equivalent of doujin.


    But that one music piece captured him instantly on the first note. The pluck of the harp instantly makes him nostalgic of a past that doesn''t exist. And it only gets better from there. And guess what, that was only the introduction leitmotif.


    Suddenly, he has an urge to recreate it on his computer. His life is terrible, but it simply won''t take away his only right left to enjoy music. Booting up his laptop that can only be considered a relic at this point, he opened the music composing program.


    ''These are legends that have passed down through the ages, and the melodies are long forgotten.


    They are the harmonic of the goddess''s harp, peaceful and far beyond reach.''


    Reminiscing the melody in his mind, recreating every instrument played within. The harp plucking at the beginning, the slow flute that accompanies it, the violin plucks. All to enhance that nostalgic reminiscence.


    And as he continues to recreate it, his mind recalls back to the time when he was in the entertainment industry. He did change his workplace many times but composing music was his joy.


    "Peaceful, and far beyond reach. How ironic". Jihoon said as he barely held his own tears while recalling. The taste of the past is bitter when you know that it can''t ever be retrieved again.


    Taking his gaze off the laptop, he noticed that he is in a magic circle which appeared out of nowhere. He thought that he is deluding himself due to loneliness but the sensation he felt doesn''t lie to him at all.


    "Wait... you can''t be serious-". Before Jihoon could utter his entire phrase, he vanished along with the magic circle as it suddenly become so bright that he can no longer discern anything.


    ...


    He opened his eyes again and this time met with only darkness all around him. Then a single light shone down illuminating the dark curtain around him. A graveyard of swords with white rose vines intertwining the blades, knee-deep flood in water.


    Then beneath the sole shining spotlight, a girl with a pair of wings on her back is sitting atop the water surface while surrounded by the sword graves. With her hands, she plays the small harp with that nostalgic melody similar to his that he just recreated on his laptop.


    Somehow, despite only the harp being played. It felt like an orchestra is following her melody despite only she is alone. The notes within contain mystical power that despite him having no power at all could feel the essence stirring.


    Jihoon realized one thing, he just got transported to the moment that he sees her invent the forgotten melody itself.


    ''They are the harmonic of the goddess''s harp, peaceful and far beyond reach.''


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    Feeling as if his soul could drift away if he embraced the nostalgic melody, he gathers himself as he tries to converse with the girl who is seemingly too young for her role. He has nothing to lose in his world, this is his only chance to turn his life around.


    Summoning all the courage he has, Jihoon approached the little goddess who is playing with her harp. His heart pounded with palpation, his sweat glance released its gate uncontrollably from stress. But with all the determination he has, he made his steps forward.


    "Excuse me..." A voice that barely above a whisper that is mustered with all the willpower that he has.


    The girl still continues to play but now with her eyes looking at him with inquisitiveness. A deep mystery within her eyes that he couldn''t completely describe even if he masters literature. "I... I heard your music. It''s... beautiful".


    No response from her but she didn''t turn him away so he must be doing something right at least.


    "I''m... a musician. Or at least... I used to be. Your music is similar to the one that I loved, similar which inspired me to become a musician in the first place. So please, I want to learn from you, the magic of your music!". Jihoon said with all the sincerity that he has left.


    A long moment has passed since his Jihoon''s heartfelt utter. The little goddess''s expression remains unreadable as always. Then, she spoke.


    "Very well, I shall impart my wisdom onto you under one condition. Promise to me, that when the time comes, you will come to change the fate of my realm by the power you have obtained with your own efforts". The little goddess said to him before she makes a hand gesture.


    Jihoon had an impulse to kneel down in front of her and then, she placed her hands on his head. Suddenly, arcane knowledge transferred into his mind as everything that is incomprehensible to him being inserted.


    Before he could withstand another second of it, his consciousness drifted away.


    ...


    He woke up again, this time on his bed. Body entirely drenched in sweat.


    "What a fever dream that I had. Must have been all the fatigue and stress that got to me at this point. Perhaps all of this Hunters and Gates bollock is probably just a dream that I conjured and that-". Jihoon said to himself before he turned toward his side and saw a floating holographic panel next to him.


    It was a System panel. He couldn''t mistake it after reading so many webnovels involving them in the first place. As he tried to reach out to the holographic panel that is floating in the air, he actually touched the thing. Upon realizing that it is real, he quickly tries to analyze it.


    The System''s text at first was in a language that probably doesn''t correlate to anything in this world. But when he focused, the unknown texts start to translate itself into his language in real time. It seems that the little goddess''s imparted knowledge did wonder for his subconscious even if he doesn''t consciously aware.


    "Alright, typical System check." Jihoon said as he fiddles around with the screen. He felt like he just has been promoted from nameless nobody to main character status in no time. Will he suddenly have invisible audiances throwing shade at him, too?


    First, there''s the typical RPG stat sheet that is similar to a game interface. Strength, agility, dexterity, whatever... All of them are listed at 3 which is the all-around average of a human being. However, beneath all of that numerical standardized stat is another one that is listed differently.


    Musical Prowess: Mid-Intermediate


    "Uh, System? Explain what exactly does that stat does?" Jihoon tried to converse with the System interface. After waiting for a while, another panel popped up.


    Musical Prowess: The ability of the user to write and use Song Magic.


    Divided into following ranks: Novice, Intermediate, Expert, Master, Grandmaster.


    -Early-Novice: Ability to recognize the differences in notes and tones. Comprehending the seven foundation music tones.


    -Mid-Novice: Ability to create a recognizable melody with an instrument and understanding its intricacies.


    -Late-Novice: Ability to write a pure music piece using an instrument and understand the melodies structured within it.


    Because he was already a music composer for movies and video games, he already has some experiences beneath his belt. But he hasn''t yet known what is the divide for the Intermediate rank. And speak of the details and it shows to him immediately.


    Intermediate Musician: The minimum qualification to use Song Magic effectively. One can weave magic energy (Mana) into melody itself to evoke the effects that the melody composition has.


    -Early-Intermediate: Ability to compose a complete song with multiple instruments, understanding the harmony and rhythm between them. The song can evoke simple emotions in the listeners.


    -Mid-Intermediate: Ability to weave magic into the song, creating a Song Magic that can have minor effects on the environment or individuals. The song can evoke complex emotions and thoughts in the listeners.


    -Late-Intermediate: Ability to evoke any emotion from any chosen instrument into Song Magic. Enabling greater range of effects.


    Jihoon stared at the System''s status window, his mind racing. He was already a Mid-Intermediate Musician, which meant he could already create Song Magic. He just needed to understand how to weave magic into his music. And for that, he needed to practice, to experiment, to explore the depths of his newfound ability.


    Then, he noticed that the recreated melody is still there in his laptop thus he tries to finish it if he could. He doesn''t know the exact method to pour Mana into his song but there was that one thing Musicians always do when making music pieces to make it stand out memorable.


    Pouring their heart and soul into it.


    The memories of his past resurged as the nostalgic melody played again. His subconscious taking its walk down the memory lanes, while his conscious acts continue to fill in the remaining of the song.


    The people he worked with before, those who making the art directions of the work they do. The satisfaction to see their works be enjoyed. The tiredness after a hard day at work. All the good and the bad of his past, although conflicting as they are, it was something he yearned.


    And he will never be there again.


    Before he realized it, he has already input the ending into the song. And just like that, he named it just like its original title when he first heard it.


    ''Forgotten Melody''


    The System panel popped up as it confirmed the creation of a Song Magic that he just made. And thus recorded within the System itself.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Forgotten Melody


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect:


    -Immunity to all negative mental status effects


    -+50% EXP gain.


    ''A music piece composed of a nostalgic past that can''t ever be returned to. The harmonic of the Goddess''s harp bring peace to the tortured souls but since long forgotten for eternity.''


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Upon seeing the recreation of the ''Forgotten Melody'', Jiwoon suddenly got the urges the get his life back together. Upon checking up on his financial status again, he saw that he could only keep up with his living expense for the next 4 months.


    Well, if he can still be a lazy ass even with the System, he simply has no right to live. Or even deserving of it in the first place.


    "Time to mix tapes, and change life around". Jinwoo said as he gets up with purpose for the first time since very long ago.

 Chapter 2: Exceed!

    Before he can register to be a Hunter to the Hunter Association which runs the organization of the Hunters in general, he made his first goal to train his body before anything else.


    The one aspect that most people didn¡¯t realize about having a System that tracks one¡¯s own stats is that it gave you motivation upon seeing progress being made. Especially when the System right now is being courteous to show his slow but sure progression in additional decimal separator.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon


    Level: 1


    EXP: 112/200


    Class: None


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 3.3


    -END: 3.5


    -AGI: 3.4


    -DEX: 3.1


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 4.2


    -CHA: 4


    -MAG: 3


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    At the beginning, all of his Physical Attributes are merely at 3 which is probably the average of any normal human being. And how did he earn EXP and increase his Physical stats?


    Well¡­ he has his first Song Magic, ¡®Forgotten Melody¡¯ which negates all negative mental status effects which can be surprisingly broad.


    Tired? Forgotten Melody. Exhaustion? Forgotten Melody. Worry? Forgotten Melody.


    One would genuinely think that he would have gotten sick of it after hearing it for weeks on end, but it having such a profound effect on his life in general and being his literal saving grace said of just how important it is to him.


    He lived with a much better lifestyle than before now. Cleaning his room making sure that he is having enough sunlight, training his body everyday to his best. Having a much healthier diet even if it is going to cut into his dwindling lifesaving. The major directive is that he must get his life together before anything else.


    And also, in the most clich¨¦ way possible. The System has generated a quest for him.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Get Your Life Together


    Difficulty: E


    Your life has been in a turmoil for a while from circumstantial changes


    beyond your reach. But time will not wait as you must prepare yourself


    to take back the life that you lost.


    Objective:


    -Raise all your Physical Attributes to 6 at minimum.


    Time limit: None.


    Reward: 2,000 EXP


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ¡°Thank you, little goddess. You really underestimate how hard it is to get 6 in all Physical Attributes.¡±. Jihoon said as he could make his gauge of his own stats by comparison.


    If 3 of all Physical Attributes make for a normal person, then 10 is the limit of an unawaken individual, probably extreme athletes or deadlifters, martial artists, anything that fit in the category.


    On the brighter side, he still gains EXP just for training alone. Running, push-up, lifting weights, anything as such increasing his physical stats gives him 1 EXP per standard session. And just that alone is motivating enough.


    There is one major problem though, with his current expense, his lifesaving will officially run out at 1 more month and he would not be at the minimum to register as a Hunter by then. Forgotten Melody did wonder for his mental, but he needed something to drive his growth forward more.


    Jiwoon¡¯s gaze turned toward the instrument of his old days again. He found it once more after he cleared his disheveled mess that was his belonging. A relic of peaceful time but no longer has its place in the new world.


    The electric guitar that he used whenever he would compose any action and fast-paced soundtrack back at his previous job as a music producer/composer. Speaking of his old profession again, his old studio colleagues were separated when the Gates broke out and never once able to contact one another again in the restabilization era.


    ¡°I wonder what happened to them. Perhaps in the same mire as me or having a much better life as a Hunter than their previous profession¡±. Jihoon said as he recalls the familiar faces of old.


    Strumming the familiar electric guitar again, it made its grand return as it has found its new purpose once more. The electric guitar has a unique tone and harmonic that no other classical instruments can emulate. The defiance and rebellious nature that it has makes one¡¯s heart races upon hearing.


    In fact, a lot of classical composers tried to emulate the what the electric guitar did with ease in their works but failed to do so. Only much later when the neoclassical is invented as a genre that the people learned by happenstance.


    Getting himself familiar with its notes and sounds again, it truly felt like he has returned to what he was meant for. Then, within his mind, Jihoon started to compose his own melodic as all the accumulated experience resurged.


    A Song Magic composed entirely out of electric guitar solo. Not his first rodeo but certainly one in an extended amount of time. His experience with his guitar may rust but as a musician certainly isn¡¯t.


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    Within Jihon¡¯s mind, an entire animated scene is enacted as if to represent the feelings he is about to transcribe into the Song Magic.


    Kickstarting with an opening riff full of dread, as if one has suddenly been beset with an onslaught of dangerous foes beyond their capability. With nowhere to return nor retreat, the only way forward is to fight against the danger head on with all one has. If their best isn¡¯t enough, then one must exceed their current limit or else!


    The battle then starts in earnest as the electric guitar play its melody in the background, the leading actor within the scene initiate his combat as he fought against the onslaught with all he has. Yet with great vigor that temporarily equal the onslaught, that initial headstart started to wane as desperation reared its head.


    Realizing the foreshadowing outcome if this is the direction this battle is heading toward, the leading actor started to recall everything that has led him this far. The experiences of the past flashback as they together converge with strength and defiance, together become fighting spirit. The melody progression shifted to reflect it.


    Temporarily overcome the tribulation once more, the lead actor hasn¡¯t yet out of danger as the guitar solo played displaying the tension still thick and suffocating.


    The melody picked up once more as the danger become ever increasing once more as the chord progression become higher until it reached a climax before falling again. And thus, the initial melody at the beginning repeated, unclear if the lead actor can triumph against the overwhelming odds this time around.


    The same desperation and threat of failure loomed again, when it seems that everything will fall to futility as the chord progression played. Instead of the usual momentary overclock however, as if an ember of hope started to ignite against the encroaching darkness as the chord played extremely high in comparison to the previous loop of overclock.


    This isn¡¯t just mere brief overdrive of fighting spirit anymore. It is the true exceeding of one own previous self! As if the lead actor can eventually overcome this dangerous onslaught that would have been lay him down low into the ground.


    The melody replayed itself again, this time from the very beginning. But instead of the usual dread that is felt, one instead felt the confidence that nothing can truly stop them if they try all their best. That there¡¯s nothing to worry about anymore.


    The song slowly dies down as if the conclusion is obvious, and it comes to an end. From here, it is just repeat.


    Jihoon opened his eyes once more, it felt like he hasn¡¯t been truly alive before until he composed this song with all his heart and mind put into it.


    The System notification pop up again, showing that he has made another Song Magic.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Exceed!


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect:


    +35% to all Physical Attributes


    ''A music piece composed of unyielding defiance. Even if one¡¯s circumstances have fallen into misfortune and ill-fate, hope only remains if one lives with determination. To surpass the previous self of yesterday, one must overcome challenges of today and tomorrow with confidence in self.¡¯


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ¡°Ah¡­ To think that I would one day unironically compose my own character theme.¡± Jihoon said as he saw his composed song registered as Song Magic to the System.


    Even if the increase of the Physical Attributes is temporary as long as this Song Magic is playing, it still means a lot when he needed strength to raise his strength. With the enhanced physical stats from it, he can train a lot more and effectively without worry. His growth will be evident in itself.


    After making his calculation of the Physical Attributes that he will have, he knew that he will only need to raise his stats a bit more to get registered as a Hunter without worry. Hell, he¡¯ll make a scene if it ensures his success.


    Imagining himself stepping into the Hunter Association¡¯s office branch will his theme blaring loudly, it normally would have embarrassed him to death back in his old day but now, he couldn¡¯t help but just feel proud no matter how insignificant he himself is.


    ¡°One day, I can look back with a smile on my face¡±. Jihoon said as he falls to his slumber with a peaceful expression on his face.


    A week later. This is the turning point of his life. Approaching an office branch of the Hunter Association, with the System about to play the Song Magic while he disguised it with an old music player that he carried on himself. With a deep breathe, he initiated his entrance.


    The Song Magic played as Jihoon can feel his Physical Attributes being raised accordingly. Taking advantage of the time that ¡®Exceed!¡¯ is still playing, he makes his entry full of pride as he strides toward the reception desk much to everyone else¡¯s annoyance.


    ¡°Uhm¡­ sir? What can I¡­ help you with¡­?¡±. The receptionist spoke as Jihoon¡¯s theme played in the background. It felt like she was part of a video game scene that she didn¡¯t ask to be.


    ¡°I want to register as a Hunter.¡±. Jihoon said without a hint of shame or embarrassment.


    Seeing his shamelessness, the reception can only sigh as she proceeds with the usual procedure.


    ¡°Follow me, we will test your aptitude as a Hunter to see if you¡¯re awakened or not¡±. The receptionist said as she guides Jihoon toward the testing area.


    To be fair, there wasn¡¯t a rule that you have to be an Awakened to register as a Hunter but even the strongest non-awakener can only attain F-rank at best. Mostly because actual Hunters can¡¯t be everywhere at once to resolve some minor Gates when more dangerous Gates are yet to be cleared.


    The reason why normal people can register as Hunters is because conventional firearms can fight up to D-rank Gates consistently. Anything else higher would have required heavy military equipment which most people don¡¯t have or in short supply. Yet not everyone can register unless they are clearly physically and mentally capable at minimum or else.


    No leader wants to drop a nuke in the middle of a metropolitan to solve a Gate Breakout, especially if it is one they reside in.


    ¡°This is a testing monolith which will measure your power output. All you needed to do, is to strike it as hard as you can¡±. The receptionist said as she really didn¡¯t want to stay near him any longer while his theme is still playing.


    Jihoon didn¡¯t really need to make himself exceptional anything. Just enough to receive his Hunter¡¯s certificate. With a punch prepared, he swung at the monolith with all he had.


    The monolith shook lightly at the impact, and he has scored about¡­ 5.4.


    ¡°Slightly above average for unawaken individual. It¡¯s fine¡­ we¡¯re short on volunteers either way. Let us return to the reception area to have your certificate made.¡± The receptionist said as she made her hurried return. Right conveniently when the Song Magic reached its end. With a relieved breath that Jihoon exhaled, he followed suit.


    After a rather uneventful turn of events, he left the Association¡¯s office with the certificate in his hand. Sure, it is F-rank, and he is certainly in for a world of pain that is the Hunter business. Yet at the same time, he couldn¡¯t be anymore glad.


    All journeys of a thousand miles started with a first step. And what Jihoon needed now, is a suitable weapon for him. Although he had an idea of a gun in mind, he decided that he may as well get himself accustomed to melee weapons once he becomes more powerful than any conventional firearm.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine¡­ It will all passing on¡±.

 Chapter 3: Glint of Cold Steel

    Visiting one of the closest workshops recommended by the Association, he could see that the demand for weapons from each of them is so immense that he could probably have to wait for weeks on end for his own order. By then, he is already running into debt with his living expenses.


    ¡°I should have trained and registered to become Hunter earlier¡±. Jihoon spoke with some regret, but it is too late for that.


    After having checked nearly all the Association¡¯s workshops, the endless waiting line separating him between everyone of them effectively deterred him from approaching any of them. If he had the time to wait, then he wouldn¡¯t have gone in such roundabout way as such, but he doesn¡¯t even have that either.


    ¡°The final place is¡­ this¡­¡±. Jihoon spoke as he checked the address again and see that this workshop is rather¡­ dilapidated and there¡¯s no one around at all. That doesn¡¯t bode too well for him either.


    But it gets recommended by the Hunter Association thus it must have some merit. Thus, he bravely enters the place. The inside is a little cleaner but not by much. Melee weapons of all kinds hung on the wall, but they¡¯ve been collecting dust for a while. The forge is cold which spoke of how long since the last time it has been put to work.


    He started to have the idea of just returning to the previous workshops but F-rank Hunters like him have no privilege or right to fast-forward the waiting line at all. Thus accepting his only way forward, he decided to ring the service bell that is placed on the reception desk that has no one behind.


    ¡°Coming!¡± An old voice spoken from the backroom. Jihoon however couldn¡¯t ignore the lethargy and listlessness within because he himself was once in that state before obtaining the power of Song Magic.


    An old man with a short stature came through the door. His muscle is well-defined showcasing his long experience with the smithery. If anything, the difference between him and a fantasy dwarf isn¡¯t so much at all.


    However, carrying with him is an unmistakable scent of alcohol which likely spoke of how seemingly down his spirit is.


    ¡°You¡¯re the first customer that I have had since a long while ago. What do you want?¡± The old blacksmith gets straight to the point, no one comes to a workshop to have idle banter after all.


    Jihoon was certain to take advantage of the situation, but his intuition spoke of how he shouldn¡¯t let the old man stay so downtrodden anymore or otherwise.


    ¡°Sir, I heard that your workshop has enough renown to be recommended by the Hunter Association, so why is it so empty here?¡±. Jihoon asked as he is unsure of how someone like him can¡¯t possibly have no customer at all while other Association-related workshops have lines that stretch across the streets.


    ¡°Oh, you¡­ It¡¯s nothing for someone like you to get involved with! You either come here to order something or get lost!¡±. The old man spoke with already bad temperament.


    Jihoon looked around his dimly lit surroundings and how it is decorated. From the way it looks, it must have been crowded in its heyday yet now it harbors only him and the old blacksmith right now.


    But catching his attention is the piano in the corner of the reception room. The only thing that looks well-preserved while nearly everything else is covered in a coat of dust.


    Without additional time spent thinking, he knew that piano carries some great importance to that old man. If it is anything melody-related, then he will be the expert that takes the step toward.


    Jihoon approached the piano in this dilapidated workshop. Gently running his hands through the polished woods.


    ¡°This piano looks immaculately kept, it must have been holding such great significance to you to keep it clean in a forge like this.¡± Jihoon made his inquiry.


    The old blacksmith¡¯s eyes flicker with emotions for a brief moment before he hardened his features again.


    ¡°Aye, that old thing¡­ it was my wife¡¯s most prized possession¡±. He sighed deeply before answering after a momentary pause.


    "If you don''t mind me asking, what role did it play for her? For an instrument to be so well-maintained in a forge like this, it must have held profound meaning." Jihoon said as he quickly seizes the opportunity.


    The blacksmith''s calloused hand reached out, almost reverently brushing against the piano''s surface. "She was the talent, y''see. Had a voice like an angel when she sang. This here piano was her favorite accompaniment."


    Gazing wistfully around the dimly lit workshop. The old man spoke of how this place was packed to the brim with folks coming here to listen to her music whilst he forges their weapons.


    There are no doubt better blacksmiths than him, but they still come for his masterwork regardless. Merry songs played while red-hot steel being reshaped. A melancholic smile crossed his lips at the memories.


    ¡°So, what happened to her? Don¡¯t mind me asking, since she must be so extraordinary to draw such a crowd to here¡±. Jihoon carefully pressed further as he can imagine the tender remembrance linger in the atmosphere.


    ¡°Accursed monsters, a Gate conveniently opened right in our beloved workshop during her usual performance. Before I could have done anything¡­¡±. The old smithy squeezed his eyes shut, not wanting to recall the details that transpired. Pain etches on the creases of his face.


    No further words were spoken as silence hung heavy. The outcome was obvious. Jihoon could feel the weight of the man¡¯s loss heavily as he himself lost many things before regathering the will to step forward again. Slowly, an idea took shape as he appraised the piano again.


    While he couldn¡¯t replicate what the old man¡¯s wife¡¯s specific style of her piano, he had an idea of how to create an uplifting piece of piano music. And with a dash of his signature electric guitar, an imaginative work slowly formulated in his mind.


    ¡°Mister, if you wouldn¡¯t mind. While I can¡¯t exactly formulate the spirit of her works, I can still reignite her musical spirit that still resonate.¡±. Jihoon said as he carefully select his words. ¡°My own ability are centered around magical prowess of music. Perhaps, a reunion of hammer and melody is needed to reforge your spirit once more¡±.


    Jihoon sat down in front of the piano again. He knew enough about music theory to play an actual piano without too much struggle. He isn¡¯t a master with it but even just the ability to play it is enough. The old blacksmith didn¡¯t stop him from doing so, thus Jihoon knew that he had been given his approval.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do this¡±. Jihoon said as his fingers placed in positions.


    The first few piano notes played in simplistic progression but fast-paced and upbeat. As if representing a new day has come and so too it its daily challenges. The usual kind that one has dealt and lived with so many times that it is normalcy.


    The following chords played with slowed pace by comparison, represented with the feeling that all this hurdles suddenly felt more difficult than usual despite it being the same. The reason behind didn¡¯t matter, what matters is that you can felt the weight more than ever.


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    Then the chord progression becomes lower and lower even with the upbeat undertone, it felt like you are stuck in a mire that only slows you down to standstill. All of it is only in the mind, but the impact felt so real that one would question if they have reached a plateau or not.


    With a brief defiance that follows, the notes played are much louder and higher than usual. The note progression is repeated a few times but each repeat lowered the height of the note. Signified how even the temporary resistance if not committed is going to just tire you out even faster.


    However, Jihoon himself reached a dead end here. What he wants to emulate in this piece of song requires two instruments played concurrently but he only has one pair of hands focused on the piano.


    Questioning himself whether he should forgo one of the instruments in favor of the others. This reflects into the composed song as the low notes of quite contemplation as he tries to drag out the piece a bit longer. This minute dilemma that he has is immediately answered with the System¡¯s response.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Doppelganger


    Classification: Illusion Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect:


    -Create a temporary clone that has no stats but can interact with mundane objects with equal proficiency as the user.


    Last for 15 seconds. Cooldown: 6 hours.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    The notification popped up right when he was wondering. And he just immediately knew that the little goddess was definitely observing him right now to give that skill in the heat of moment.


    ¡°Alright, time for the climax to go!¡±. Jihoon said as he moved into the crescendo of his composed song.


    Suddenly, a clone of Jihoon appears beside the Jihoon who is playing the piano. The old smith nearly has a fright of his day before seeing the doppelganger equipping the electric guitar out of thin air.


    Then together, the piano and the electric guitar played in combined crescendo. The electric guitar played with high notes of gritty defiance while the piano followed suit. A melody progression so inspiring and upbeat that it felt like all that grueling effort before suddenly paid off in due.


    It¡¯s like being reassured that even if today felt more difficult, they have already overcome similar challenges. Do not fret about being under-spirited in the present because as long as you draw breath, one should live with pride that they have not given up despite the daily challenges.


    The crescendo ended as the doppelganger of Jihoon disappeared into a shower of light as he played the beginning notes of the song again, signify the da capo point. After that, he slowed down before showing the old smith the result of his work.


    The designed philosophy of the song he composed is similar to that of a battle theme of a RPG game. The song that you always hear first at the start of any journey.


    Because of it, it must be impressionable, catchy and memorable so that one doesn¡¯t get bored of it even if listening to it for over a hundred hours consecutively. And that one can come across it again and listen to it with fondness instead of tired annoyance.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Glint of Cold Steel


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect:


    -+15% to all Physical Attributes to all allies within Song Magic¡¯s range.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    In other words, it¡¯s a damn good song. But Jihoon is ultimately unsure if it fits the old blacksmith¡¯s criteria or not. It might not be his taste and the old smith gets disappointed.


    When he turned around, however, the old smithy was holding himself from crying. It seems that Jihoon has touched something else inside the old man¡¯s heart, differently from his wife.


    ¡°Is there something wrong?¡±. Jihoon asked as he awaits his examination.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s alright. The way that you composed the song just now is similar to the way my daughter actually played the piano. The way she played was upbeat and uplifting, different than her mother a lot but I still enjoyed it the same. And it seems that you were more masterful with the guitar than you did with the piano right?¡±. The old smith said as he too is opening up to Jihoon too.


    ¡°Is she alright? Considering what happened to your wife¡­¡±. Jihoon asks carefully, unknown if he is going to step into the old man¡¯s sore spot or not.


    ¡°She¡¯s still alive, fine even. However, after the fallout of my wife¡¯s death, both of us become unable to communicate with one another due to how much our loss made us fixated on it. Eventually, we¡¯re unable to reconnect as she left this place. She got my talent for tool smithing and also awakened as a decently powerful Hunter too. Thus from what I heard, she is in charge of the arcane forge of the Association. Many top-class Hunters come to have their weapons made by her even¡±. The old blacksmith spoke fondly as he gazed around the weapons hung on the wall. From the looks of it, he has never recovered since then.


    Jihoon has never gotten himself up to date in Hunter¡¯s information at all. And that kind of information is probably withheld with some secrecy to protect their own talents. But still, he was interested in it should in case of the far future where he has climbed high enough to warrant her need.


    ¡°Can I see what she looks like?¡±. Jihoon asked. Even if partially aware that he might look like he is aiming for the old man¡¯s daughter.


    The old man in his bout of melancholy didn¡¯t particularly care for Jihoon¡¯s words or its context much as he took out an old and faded photo in his even older wallet that looks like it was taken about a decade ago. The girl in the picture however¡­ is a textbook description of a tsundere.


    Twintails, bratty face, a prideful expression and personality. If that¡¯s her as a child already then, he wouldn¡¯t be able to imagine what she¡¯s like now currently. With a deep sigh he breath, he unfortunately comes to aware that his future interaction will be interesting in both positive and negative ways.


    It¡¯s been a very long time ago so it might not be accurate. Either way, you said that you wanted a suitable weapon, right? Then come with me and we¡¯ll have something that you can rely on without fear¡±. The old smith said as he returns to his backroom, then he waits for Jihoon to follow him too.


    With a sigh of acceptance, Jihoon followed. Thinking back again, the reason why his workshop is still in the Association¡¯s recommendation list is probably because of his daughter¡¯s request. The last trace of filial connection that she had toward her own wayward father.


    Upon entering the backroom, he is met with numerous other weapons that even at amateur observation can tell that their quality is better than what is displayed outside in the reception area.


    Pick what¡¯s natural to you. Because of your performance, I decided to give you a piece of my work, free of charge¡±. The old man said as he appreciated Jihoon for allowing him to remember the old days that he will never be able to return to.


    Numerous weapons of different types awaited him to select yet he sort of already had an idea in his mind of what should be chosen. Amidst many with equally pristine quality, Jihoon chose¡­ the halberd.


    Ten thousand days to master the sword, a thousand days for the saber and only a hundred for the spear. The halberd has its natural versatility of a spear and is capable of covering all three forms of attack: slash, pierce and strike.


    ¡°Can I pick another side weapon, just in case that I can¡¯t use the halberd for some reason.¡±. Jihoon asked the old smith.


    ¡°Go ahead. Not to say just in case my weapon isn¡¯t up to quality or anything¡±. The old blacksmith hid his expression away as he permitted Jihoon.


    Jihoon¡¯s mind however interpreted what the old smith said like the following: ¡°It¡¯s not like my weapons that I made for you aren¡¯t up to your expectations or anything, baka!¡±. That tsundere-ness that extrapolated from seemed farfetched, but it would explain where his daughter gets that personality from.


    Picking up a hand-axe with spikes installed at both the back and top of the shaft, this would be his emergency weapon in case his halberd is out of reach. Can¡¯t be too safe when it comes to things Hunter related, as many webnovels in pre-Gate era love to prove.


    Once he is done with selecting his weapons and about to leave the workshop. The old blacksmith called out to Jihoon again.


    ¡°Kid, I see potential in you. Should one day that you climb to a great height and obtain the Association¡¯s permission to meet my daughter, remember to tell her that I was there at your foundational day. Tell her that I always loved her¡±. The old man said with all of his wholeheartedness. For many years, he was unable to express his true feelings until this fated meeting with Jihoon himself.


    Tragedy is built upon what¡¯s left unspoken. Even if it is too late to resolve anything at all, it is important to express your feelings to others so that all the lies made between can be erased.


    ¡°Yeah, see you again soon¡±. Jihoon thought that he may eventually return to see the old smith again one day.


    After a rather eventful exchange that occurred in this dilapidated workshop. He has finally obtained the weapons necessary to enter a Gate. Yet as he departure away, he can¡¯t help but give one last look toward the workshop.


    He wonders, just what this place would be had his wife is still alive. Still playing her melody that draws people in. Perhaps, there was still appreciation of music even in this world that had no time for it. Yet such fragility of life makes him realize just how important it is for him to become stronger, so that his wishes won¡¯t be snuffed out like a candle in the wind.

 Chapter 4: Your Song Tested

    Following the Association¡¯s guidance and the provided supply for first-time Hunter, he finally reached the gathering point of a local F-rank Gate where there are already some Hunters waiting around the place. He didn¡¯t get any real training besides the minimum basic with his chosen weapon so that he won¡¯t get himself hurt with his inexperience. Besides, he only has a few weeks left of lifesaving so he couldn¡¯t stall any longer.


    This is one of the marked Gates that the Association allows for new Hunters to train and familiarize themselves with what¡¯s beyond the Gate. Often with at least a D-rank Hunter accompanied to avoid unwanted scenario.


    Because apparently, F-rank Gates being secretly the most dangerous is a tried and misfortunately true thing that the Association is aware of. How F-rank Gates can often connect to much deadlier or random space due to its own instability.


    This can be either a lucky encounter or a death sentence although it isn¡¯t a certain thing. But it happened enough times that the Hunter Association acknowledged it and take proper measure regardless of the measured danger.


    Fortunately for Jihoon, he doesn¡¯t need any fortune to befall him to change his life or gamble with uncertainty since he has Song Magic in his disposal. He couldn¡¯t speak for the many who wanted to become protagonist of their own story, however.


    The Hunter assigned to overseer this Gate stepped in front of the said Gate. The certification of D-rank worn on his neck spoke his authority in place of him right now.


    "Listen up, greenhorns. This ain''t some lark in the park we''re heading into. The Gates don''t care about your unlucky hides or what silly notions you had about seeking glory and adventure." He jabbed the hafted end of his hammer into the hard-packed dirt for emphasis. "First rule - you follow my lead while we''re inside without question, understand? Hesitation or playing the hero will just get you and your mates killed quicker than a blink."


    The veteran Hunter slowly paced in front of them, his armor clanking with each heavy step. "Second rule - you don''t take anything other than what I specifically allow. No grabbing any shiny trinkets or "souvenirs" that catch your foolish eyes. More trouble than it''s worth, and it ain''t worth dying over."


    He stopped and fixed them with a steely glare. "And the third, hopefully unnecessary, rule? You run at the first sign of anything that punches above our weight. I''m not risking my neck for greenhorns too drunk on fantasy stories to use their pain stems."


    The D-rank Hunter slowly looked over each of the initiates, letting the weight of his words sink in. He could see the youthful eagerness and pavado wavering into nervous uncertainty on some faces. ¡°Good...a dose of reality may just save their skins.¡± His thought wrote on his face was not too apparent to Jihoon himself.


    "We''re going in, killing any riffraff in a clean sweep, and coming straight back out. Not one inch more, not one second longer than I deem necessary. You lot are here to get a feel for what you''ve signed on for. Any delusions of being some big damn heroes can wait for after you''ve grown a few more years on your baby-faced bones."


    Rapping his knuckles against his peastplate, the grizzled warrior shook his head. "The Gates don''t discern between pave idiots or honest fighters. They''ll chew you up and spit out your badges just the same if you let them. Remember that well before we start..."


    With a grunt of finality, the D-rank Hunter turned and began making his way towards the subtly shimmering Gateway, leaving the newly-blooded F-ranks to exchange uneasy looks before reluctantly following his lead into the unknown. Jihoon looked toward his halberd and hand-axe, and he already started to imagine the expense that is going to be required to clean the blood out of.


    He basically dressed in bare minimum for Gate-delving for any F-rank. Stab-proof vest, checked. Flashlight, checked. Emergency tools, checked. Some F-rankers also pought with them silenced pistols and he starts to wonder if this trip is going to end smoothly at all.


    As he inspects the Hunters that will be following, his mind registered a familiar face amidst the crowd. Yet before he could verify, he was immediately hurried to enter the gate before anything else.


    As the light piefly overwhelmed his vision as he enters, the other side of the Gate is¡­ a haunted mansion? He expected caves or middle of a forest but this is entirely new to him. Actually everything is new to him even.


    The team cautiously fanned out as they materialized inside the decrepit mansion''s entrance hall. Jihoon gripped his halberd tightly, senses on high alert for any signs of movement amidst the cobweb-draped chandeliers and rotting curtains.


    "Spread out in pairs, but stay within line of sight," the grizzled D-rank leader growled. "This place reeks of an ambush. Keep those blades ready."


    No sooner were the words out of his mouth than a shrill, inhuman screech echoed through the shadowy corridors. A skittering, multi-legged shape lunged from a cracked wall portal, mandibles gnashing wildly. The D-rank was already swinging his warhammer in a deadly arc, pulverizing the creature into an oozing spatter.


    "Here they come! To me, you maggots!" He roared, falling back to a defensive position as the first trickle became a flood of swarming, misshapen horrors. Spindly limbs and hooked appendages seemed to coalesce from every shadow and cranny.


    Jihoon felt his newly issued silenced pistol gripped in a clammy hand as a wave of gnashing, snapping things bore down on them. He fumbled for his halberd just as something sharp and bony raked across his thigh.


    "Keep them at range! Volley fire!" bellowed the D-rank, his hammer crushing another lunging fiend with sickening crunch. "You pansies want to live? Then stab anything that ain''t us!"


    Gunfire erupted in controlled bursts, felling the first few ranks of the horde. But for every abomination that fell, more surged forward in their undulating, shrieking mass. Jihoon''s finger tightened on the trigger, dropping one...two...before having to desperately fend off a trio of jagged appendages slashing towards his face with the shaft of his halberd.


    "Fall back in pairs!" Their leader was forcing an orderly retreat, smashing a path clear for the F-ranks to funnel into a hallway choked with depis. "We need room to maneuver! Concentrate fire!"


    Jihoon felt hands shoving him urgently as he stumbled back under the relentless onslaught. Weapon fire continued to strobe through the gloom as the D-rank bought them precious seconds to regroup. High-pitched shrieks echoed from countless nightmare forms.


    "Stand firm, greenhorns!" Their leader roared, smashing another abomination to pulp effortlessly. "First clash has just getting started! If you want to live, you hit them until nothing''s moving!"


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    With a steadying peath, Jihoon planted his feet and hefted his trusty halberd. Survive one week of Gate duty or perish in the first minutes. He gritted his teeth as the horde bore down once more - this trial was just the opening overture...


    ¡°Everyone, use your issued incendiary grenades! Control the enemy¡¯s movement and funnel them toward the choke point!¡±. The D-rank Hunter spoke as he himself act as a bastion against the horde. His hammer piefly points toward the direction he commanded before using it to swath away the approaching enemies.


    Upon his command, the backliners quickly tossed out the incendiary grenades as fire ignites inside the decrepit mansion. A retreating path is also prepared should things deadlier than expected arrive at the scene which becomes increasingly likelier with each moment.


    ¡°Curse the authors who wrote the F-rank Gate to be deadlier than even the supposedly higher-rank ones!¡± A voice spoke through the crowd of backliners.


    Honestly, Jihoon agrees with the sentiment. Although they have the advantage of established battlefield for now, nothing is concrete within the Gate after all. This makes him wonder if he should use one of his Song Magics right now or risk having a disaster occur due to his own inaction.


    Before he could even spend a second pondering. An immediate danger has arrived. A spider that looks larger than its own cohorts approached with fury. None of the F-rankers could handle it except for the D-rank Hunter.


    Even though the leader will hold the thing off, but without his guidance means the F-rankers will become more prone to mistake and that will lead to terrible outcome. Unable to withhold his hand any longer, Jihoon activated one of his Song Magic.


    ¡°System! Play ¡®Glint of Cold Steel¡¯ now!¡±. Jihoon yelled in his mind as his being resonates with the System.


    Masking itself as the forementioned music player that he carried on him. The first note progression of ¡®Glint of Cold Steel played amidst the shrieks and concussive impacts. The sounds of upbeat piano were wildly out of place that someone has to comment on it.


    ¡°Where is the music coming from!?¡± One of the backline Hunters has to say his words out loud.


    However, all of that confusion ceased when its effect took hold.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Glint of Cold Steel


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect:


    -+15% to all Physical Attributes to all allies within Song Magic¡¯s range.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Suddenly, all of the F-rank Hunters present felt a surge of adrenaline, a rekindling of that youthful fire that once drove them to seek adventure in the first place. Not all of them but one could make that similar comparison.


    Limbs that were growing leaden from exertion energized, reflexes sharpened to a razor thin. The surprise and doubt originally on their faces melt away as the piano¡¯s upbeat progression assures them that they will not fall here.


    Even the grizzled D-rank straightened, grip tightening on his warhammer as the electric guitar''s gritty melodies flooded his muscles with renewed vigor. His stance shifted, suddenly a solid bulwark ready to withstand any onslaught.


    With a bellowing war cry, he charged to meet the skittering spider-horror head on, each hammer blow landed with earth-shaking force. The lesser abominations swarming in its wake found themselves crushed underfoot or slashed aside by the F-rank blades. All as the crescendo section of both the piano and the electric guitar drives their fervor forward.


    Witnessing all of this, Jihoon has a grin on his face as he swung his halberd in tandem and cleaving apart the stragglers with full force. Vitalized by his own Song Magic, the melodic refrain reflected by the glint of cold steel reflecting from his own halberd, slicing apart chitin and flesh in tethering arcs.


    The dreadful atmosphere before replaced entirely by Song Magic as if this is just the usual thing that all Hunters who embarked on this path do. Don¡¯t let the first impression prevent you from taking the necessary step. By setting the mood the right way, the Gate raid team narrowly avoided its wipe out.


    As the song reached its fading end, Jihoon now cast his gaze toward suddenly silent carnage. The D-rank heaved for a moment, there was pief camaraderie between the F-rankers. His song even for a moment allowed the tide to change, to piefly overcome the original path that would have occurred.


    ¡°Kid, I don¡¯t know what that music of yours is doing and its effects but¡­ thank you, I supposed.¡± The D-rank spoke of his meager gratitude, not wanting to admit that he is grateful for Jihoon¡¯s Song Magic.


    He heard many other F-rank Hunters comment about his Song Magic although they have zero clue what is his exact ability. All they could assume that the song before is his Awakened ability.


    ¡°Alright, listen up! Gates are only cleared if we kill the Gate Boss. Otherwise, it would just continue to fill up with monsters and Gate peakout will occur. Although what we¡¯re doing right now is just pushing the clock black, it is a learning experience regardless. For now, we will leave the Gate and prepare further due to unexpected danger of this Gate¡±. The D-rank Hunter spoke as he knew that pushing forward in uncertainty with only these new-bloods is only going to ping further trouble.


    Upon hearing the D-ranker¡¯s word, many of the F-rankers sighed in relief as they are prepared to exit the Gate only for an inexplicable force to stop anyone from exiting to the other side.


    ¡°Damn¡­¡± Jihoon said as he sorts of expected something like this might have happened.


    One of the phenomena recorded by the Association when it comes to Gate is the Locked-in Phenomenon where once you enter a Gate, you can¡¯t exit it unless you kill the Gate Boss in which the Gate will collapse on its own and everyone who entered it are expelled out.


    Strangely, this phenomenon doesn¡¯t occur too commonly but enough that it takes people off-guard when it happens. Most records of Locked-in Gates are usually measured at F-ranks and people won¡¯t know until they enter it. Hence why Hunters of at least 2 ranks above measured grade are assigned when a new Gate is found. Even if there are not enough capable Hunters in overall, they would rather not have a Gate escalate in difficulty because they just kept feeding increasingly stronger personnel into it.


    A chorus of dismayed gasps and muttered curses rippled through the battered ranks of F-rank Hunters as the terrible realization set in - they were trapped. Trapped within this dilapidated mansion teeming with nightmarish horrors, unable to simply cut and run.


    "Oh god...oh shit!"


    "We''re gonna die in here!"


    "This wasn''t what I signed up for!"


    Panic was an insidious contagion seeping into their minds, fracturing their fragile resolves in the blink of an eye. Jihoon could taste the metallic tang of fear cloying the air as doubt and despair took hold. He had to act quickly before the situation spiraled completely out of control.


    ¡°System, play ¡®Forgotten Melody¡¯, now!¡±. Jihoon thought in his mind as from him, a nostalgic melody played as the tension started to fill the air.


    He couldn¡¯t play a harp song with an electric guitar. Even if he knows its own notes and keys, the harmonic and tone of the electric guitar is vastly different than that of a harp.


    The familiar melody that one felt like they had listened to somewhere before spilled forth. Seemingly at odds with the oppressive atmosphere that has become between these Hunters and the hallway still lit by incendiary flame. Yet its ethereal harmonies carried an inexplicable warmth and tranquility that washed over them.


    Their haunted and frantic expressions gradually softened as the Forgotten Melody worked its magic. Trembling hands start to still, ragged peaths slowed to a calmer cadence. Even the D-rank¡¯s grizzled and furrowed pow unfurled at the soothing melancholia that seeped the beleaguered souls.


    The distance snarl and skittering horror fade into insignificance. A poignant reminder of cherished memories, a more innocent time before the coming of Gates ruptured their lives asunder. A lot of these frightened Hunters have few aptitudes for this very line of work they¡¯re in for. Yet having no choice but to walk this path the same.


    The final quavering notes suspended, so too is the pallid and haunted panic that they have. A pensive determination edging out on the verge of dread that they all shared but no longer do they despair.


    "Get a grip, people," Jihoon said quietly, as he stood side by side with the D-rank Hunter. "We''re still peathing, which is a lot more than most can say when the lockdown hits. Besides, if a F-rank Gate is impossible to be cleared with only normal human beings then there would have been a lot more chaos than you would see".


    His gaze swept their surroundings, taking in the smoldering fires and mangled abomination remains.


    "The way I see it? We''re just getting started rocking this place down..."

 Chapter 5: Belief

    After having calmed down and persuaded the F-rankers to move further into the decrepit mansion¡¯s area. Every one of them has no choice but to begrudgingly move further into the dungeon.


    They¡¯re not in fear anymore as they are mad at the fact that they have no choice but to advance. Their anger overrides all the hesitation before as there is nothing more dangerous than a beast cornered. Given a man no escape and he would rather fight to his death. Even if despair had grasped their hearts briefly, humans are creatures of arrogance if nothing else.


    The D-rank Hunter has devised the tactic formation so that they can advance regardless of being surrounded or not. Scouting their ways through as they swept through the spider monsters with focus.


    Most of the time, F-rank Hunters don¡¯t have enough coordination to work with one another and if even one of them breaks, the panic would spread. But thanks to the Forgotten Melody that Jihoon played, the morale attrition is negated entirely as long as it plays.


    No Hunter ever clears the first Gate they delved into in a single attempt even if prepared because all the pressure and tasks required would overwhelm their ill-prepared mind. It would be difficult to take one step at a time when the constraint of time always avails them.


    The webs are becoming denser as they move. Suspecting it that following it will lead to the Boss Area thus the D-rank Hunter made his way while the others follow suit and clear whatever stragglers that the D-rank tore his way through.


    It is still a F-rank Gate to him, but he knew already of how overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer.


    Then, they approached the definite Boss Area of the Gate with how dense the cobwebs and monster density were but the D-rank Hunter acts as the impenetrable wall for all the F-rankers, allowing them to reach this far without any casualty incurred.


    A lot of them have become much more accustomed to Gate-delving compared to the initial entry. If there¡¯s the next time they enter a Gate, they won¡¯t immediately be afraid without the Forgotten Melody.


    ¡°Alright, listen here. I alone will deal with the boss. All of you will hold your ground and stay safe till I get out. Do not die, that¡¯s my order to all of you¡±. The D-rank Hunter spoke as he enters the Boss Room.


    "Sir, with all due respect, I''d like to accompany you to face the boss monster." Jihoon said as he stepped forward, gripping his halberd tightly.


    The grizzled D-rank Hunter turned, fixing Jihoon with a steely gaze. "You''ve got a decent head on your shoulders, kid, but this is no place for a greenhorn like you."


    "I may be new to this, but my Song Magic has proven useful so far," Jihoon replied steadily. "With me bolstering our strength, we''ll have a better chance of taking down the boss quickly and cleanly."


    The D-rank''s eyes narrowed as he considered Jihoon''s words. Finally, he gave a curt nod. "Alright, you''ve earned the right to prove yourself. But you follow my lead to the letter, understand? No heroics or you''ll get us both killed."


    Jihoon nodded firmly. "You have my word. I''ll hang back and provide support however I can."


    The other F-rank Hunters watched with mixed expressions - some envious, others relieved they weren''t the ones chosen. But Jihoon paid them no mind, his focus solely on the challenge to come.


    As the boss gate closes behind them. Jihoon takes out the electric guitar that he wrapped around in cloth. With a light strumming of it, he felt a great presence started to approach the two of them.


    ¡°Here it comes. Don¡¯t falter¡±. The D-rank Hunter said as he prepares to draw its attention toward him.


    The boss chamber shook as a massive, chittering form descended from the vaulted ceiling. A grotesque monstrosity of an arachnid the size of a siege engine. Spiked edges and jagged bone infused into its mandibles dripped in corrosive ichor.


    Jihoon took a steadying breath, the intro notes of "Glint of Cold Steel" beginning to play faintly in his mind as he prepares for the confrontation. With his hands moved into position, the battle begins in earnest as the D-rank Hunter made his charge toward the boss alone undaunted by the horror.


    The spider-horror let loose a deafening shriek that set Jihoon''s teeth on edge. Without warning, a volley of ossified spikes erupted from its underbelly, shredding the ground where they stood moments before.


    "Keep moving! Don''t let it box us in!" the D-rank roared, charging straight at the abomination.


    Jihoon broke into a sprint, electric guitar wailing, as "Glint of Cold Steel" swelled to a crescendo. His vital reinvigorated as the D-rank met the horror head on. Warhammer and mandibles clashed into explosions of sparks while the D-rank nimbly evading the sweeping of its barbed legs.


    Seizing the moment, Jihoon swapped for his halberd while its focus is solely on the D-rank. While the effect of ¡°Glint of Cold Steel¡± still lingers, the halberd¡¯s spearhead finds its mark toward one of the arachnid¡¯s eyes. A piercing screech shook the chamber as the monster recoiled, spraying its ichor wildly. It is still only a F-rank Boss Monster, but he can¡¯t overcome it by himself.


    The spider-horror regrouped with startling speed, charging them in a blind fury. Jihoon braced himself as rows of gnashing pincers closed in. Then the D-rank was there, a whirlwind of steel that battered the creature back, blows raining down with bone-crushing force.


    "Don''t just stand there gawking, kid! Put that magic of yours to work!" The D-ranker bellowed over the electric guitar''s soaring refrains.


    Jihoon stands up again, taking his halberd out as he observes the boss monster and its details. Then when the chance show itself as its focus is solely on the D-ranker, his halberd struck into the weak spots of the monster such as the joints or below stomach.


    He attacks rarely but when he does, he makes sure that it hurts. Taking the guerilla method, the boss won¡¯t know what hit it until too late.


    Their coordinated assault slowly whittled away at the spider-horror''s defenses. Jihoon''s opportunistic strikes deal critical damage while the D-ranker¡¯s warhammer continuously pound like a blacksmith¡¯s forge. Slowly with inch by inch, they scored rents on its armored carapace, foul ichor oozing from both critical and accumulated wounds.


    Before they could continue however, the boss monster¡¯s breaking point has been reached as it enters a state of frenzy. Jihoon can no longer approaches easily as its careful, probing strikes quickly devolved into a storm of snapping pincers and sweeping legs.


    Jihoon found himself pushed onto the defensive, the reach of his halberd barely keeping the gnashing mandibles at bay upon approaching. "This shouldn''t be possible..." he gasped, retreating from a volley of ossified spikes. "How is this just a F-rank?!"


    The D-rank gave a grunt of exertion, repeatedly smashing his hammer into the creature''s oversized skull to barely any effect. "Worry about that later, kid! Just keep it occupied!"


    Jihoon backpedaled furiously, the guitar segment of "Glint of Cold Steel" hitting a feverish gallop as he fought to evade the unrelenting assault. He could feel his Song Magic bolstering his reflexes, but even that was rapidly being outpaced by the boss''s berserker onslaught. At this rate, even one misstep would be fatal.


    All of this makes him realized that a generalized buff has worked wonder with a team that can deal with a horde of lesser enemies, this boss however is an entirely different caliber altogether. To make any headway, he would need to compose a Song Magic that is tailored specifically for this situation. Something more potent and focused.


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    It¡¯s like comparing a standard battle theme to an ¡®important boss¡¯ theme if he must make a short comparison.


    Risking a glance at the D-rank, holding the line through sheer stubbornness. Jihoon suddenly realized the inspiration for the Song Magic that he has.


    ¡°Sir! Do you believe in me?¡± Jihoon yelled to the D-ranker who has been enduring the frenzied onslaught up until now.


    ¡°Not the time right now!¡± The D-ranker said before something resembles to that of a spiked hand-axe struck the other eye columns of the spider-horror. It shrieked as its sense of vision were ruined severely. With that, there was a brief respite for him from all the battering that even his D-rank gear is at the brink.


    It is clear that a monster of such caliber to overcome difference of ranks like this can¡¯t be considered as mere normal F-rank anymore.


    ¡°Tell me, what¡¯s your belief?¡±. Jihoon said as he makes himself clear that this is a matter of life and death depends on the D-rank Hunter¡¯s answer.


    The D-rank wheezed, propping himself up on his warhammer as the blinded spider-horror screeched and thrashed. His armor was rent in multiple places, trails of blood seeping from the lacerations.


    "My belief?" He gave a ragged chuckle. "Kid, I''ve been beating my head against monsters like this for longer than you can imagine. Seen friends and comrades torn to shreds because they didn''t have the strength to endure."


    His grip tightened on the warhammer''s shaft, knuckles whitening. "But I kept putting one foot in front of the other. No matter how many times I got knocked down, I got back up. Because the moment you lose that fire inside, that unwavering belief in yourself...that''s when the real fight ends."


    Jihoon can see the fire within the man¡¯s eyes. A furnace of determination that refused to be snuffed out. This veteran has stared at death more times than he could count yet still stood defiant either way.


    "So you''re damn right that I believe, greenhorn," the D-rank stated, squaring his stance as the spider-horror reoriented on them. "I believe we''re going to smash this ugly bastard into paste. And if my hammer doesn''t get the job done, I''m putting all my faith in that magic of yours to light the path!"


    Jihoon felt those words resonate deep within his soul. Without a moment''s hesitation, he began plucking out the intro notes on his electric guitar. This would be no ordinary buff - it would be an anthem of unyielding conviction to raise the D-rank''s will to titanic heights.


    With a name already decided, he simply muttered its name only for himself to hear.


    Belief


    Kickstarting into an intro already with a refrain of face-melting riffs, each one higher than others before making them stabilized and transition toward the chorus.


    The D-rank snapped into action as the first scorching riffs rang out, warhammer whirling in lethal arcs. He met the spider-horror''s charge head-on, deflecting its gnashing pincers with bone-jarring blows. Each impact resonated with the steadfast belief channeled into his battered form.


    The chorus is then composed of a simple rising note progression before ending in a slight drop. Then it is repeated with its note progression key changed into lower scale, as if to represent melancholy.


    For a moment did the D-rank falter, the sheer monstrosity of his foe giving him pause. But the melody''s swelling cadence refused to let that seed of doubt take root, buoying his spirit even as it briefly touched the depths of fatalistic melancholy. His warhammer continuously found its marks in thunderous cracks of splintering chitin.


    Once the refrain structure is done, Jihoon performs a short bridge before repeats the refrain again. Due to the structure of the song in general only rises higher it progresses, the intensity only scales up indefinitely as the song goes on.


    The battle raged with renewed ferocity, each combatant giving as good as they got. Jihoon''s searing refrains fueled the D-rank''s frenzy of blows, forcing the spider-horror to yield ground inch by punishing inch. Gouged floor and shattered masonry littered the scorched chamber as the clashing of steel on carapace rang out in a deafening crescendo.


    Then once the refrain is repeated, he moves into the transition phase again as the song enters the interlude. Its melodic progression consisted of high notes and lower notes mixed together in the song¡¯s progression, as if emulating the feeling of self-conflict.


    Bloodied and battered, the D-rank staggered back under the weight of the monster''s relentless onslaught. Its pincers and barbed legs scoring deep rents in his armor with every failed block or desperate dodge. For a moment, the fires of his conviction flickered and wavered in the face of the soul-crushing dissonance, only for Jihoon''s anthem to crash over him in a rising swell of self-belief.


    The interlude¡¯s progression enters its crescendo phrase as the refrain of melody played again, and again as each refrain shifted the key upward. Finally, the chorus of the song comes as it rides off the crescendo of the interlude.


    Resolve flooded back in a tidal resurgence, banishing the whirlpool of doubt. The chorus swelled like a battle standard, and the D-rank was the unyielding vanguard rallying behind its defiant call. Each thunderous blow of his warhammer became a proclamation of unshakable faith in himself, in his cause and in the fight itself.


    The harmony of the chorus consisted of the constant rapid shift of chord progressions but generally rising in overall progression, like turbulent thoughts that conflict when one¡¯s belief is put to the test. Then Jihoon started to refrain from the previous harmony again in shifted higher key change before ending it in a high note.


    The shifting, soaring melodies refocused the D-rank''s mindset, vigor renewed awhole, aligning the maelstrom of his beliefs as an unbreakable whole. As the final, piercing high note rang out, his warhammer found its mark with a sickening crunch - burying itself deep in the spider-horror''s repulsive maw and silencing its foul shrieks forever. Belief, unshakable and unyielding, had triumphed over the dreadful abomination through storm of blood and fury.


    The song reached its post-climax as Jihoon played the very intro of the song. Marking its restart point had the battle gone any longer than it should. Slowly approaching its end, the song died down as he puts his electric guitar away as his performed song is registered by the System.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Belief


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect:


    -+25% to all Physical Attributes to self and one ally within Song Magic¡¯s range.


    Effect becomes +50% to all Physical Attributes if caster is performing this song directly.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    The D-rank not wanting to risk the chance that the boss suddenly rise from the dead, he crushes the head of the spider-horror until it becomes unrecognizable smear of paste. Jihoon also hands over the remaining incendiary that he brought with him as he also uses it to torch its remains to ashes. Forgetting entirely that they supposed to harvest the boss''s material but after such close call, they don''t exactly have the profit in their mind at the moment.


    ¡°So¡­ it is done¡­¡±. The D-rank said as a part of him felt all of the things transpired so far was unreal. Rapping his knuckles against his breastplate in a gesture of relief. "Don''t know about you, kid...but I could use a stiff drink after that mess."


    On cue, a shimmering portal opened in the far wall, beckoning them to return from behind the boss gate. As they limped through, they were immediately surrounded by the anxious yet exultant F-rank Hunters who had remained behind. A chorus of excited voices assailed them.


    "Did you really slay that monstrosity all by yourselves?"


    "I could hear the most epic battle music resonating through the gate!"


    "Seriously, what kind of ability lets you enhance people like that?"


    Jihoon waved them off with a tired grin, too drained to properly explain the intricacies of his Song Magic. The D-rank, however, silenced them all with an upraised hand as they passed through the dispersal chambers.


    "Save your breath, greenhorns," the D-ranker growled, leaning heavily on his warhammer. "Just be thankful you weren''t us poor bastards who had to take that unholy thing head-on."


    The chamber filled with a reverent hush as they emerged, battered but victorious, into the harsh fluorescent lights of the Association''s staging areas after they exited the Gate which are now closing on its own after there¡¯s no Hunters remain in there.


    Technicians and staffers immediately swarmed them, rebuffing the curious onlookers as they hurried them to the infirmary wings.


    It was only once they''d been properly seen and checked up that Jihoon had a chance to reflect on the harrowing events. Even as the medics checked him over and administered healing salves, his mind kept drifting back to that grotesque, nigh-unstoppable spider-horror that is too much for him right now.


    Something about the entire situation just felt...off. Skewed from what should have been a relatively straightforward F-rank gate delve. The sheer ferocity and tenacity of that abomination, effortlessly shrugging off everything they threw at it until Jihoon''s magic got involved. It made his instincts prickle with unease.


    As if sensing his preoccupation, the D-rank fixed him with a knowing look from the adjacent bed. "You''re thinking it too, ain''t you kid?"


    Jihoon could only nod slowly, recalling the spider-horror''s terrible onslaught with a frown. "How the ever-loving hell was that just rated as a F-rank? I''ve read plenty about Gates and the typical threats that come spilling out before making this Gate entry...but that thing we fought today was on another level entirely."


    The D-rank snorted, already anticipating the bureaucratic headaches awaiting them both. "Well, get ready to tell it to the briefers, because you can bet your ass there''ll be a report written up in triplicate about this clusterfunk."


    Leaning back with a weary sigh, Jihoon could only stare at the ceiling and ponder the questions swirling through his mind. What other impossibilities were waiting out there, lurking beyond the veil of the Gates? And if that was just his first Gate entry then... how much more does his Song Magic need to grow to match the threats surely lying in wait?


    Only one thing was certain - his journey as a Hunter had barely even begun.

 Chapter 6: Friends Past, Reunited

    By the time they exited the F-rank Gate, it was already nighttime. And not only Jihoon has to retell everything that has occurred so far to the Association¡¯s briefers while they make their report. He can only hope that the pay is handsome enough to make all these pains worth it.


    After a grueling session of talking and writing for like 3 hours on end. He exited the Association¡¯s branch office completely exhausted, and his limbs didn¡¯t even respond as they should. Jihoon thought as he definitely is going to take a break tomorrow.


    Well, at least that all of it wasn¡¯t just fruitless and all that. He also obtained the contact of the D-ranker so that if there¡¯s anything, he could ask for help within said capacity. Having a reliable connection is paramount in Hunter business in general.


    The night today was calm as the moon has never been so clear at all. The world around seemed unchanged at surface as he gazed into the hollow distance away while the cold wind of the night blew past him.


    While waiting for his cab to arrive, his phone suddenly rang as it received an incoming call from an unknown number. Questioning whether he should answer the number, he initially declined but he received the number again which means the caller is deliberate. Tired as he may have, he decided to get it done as soon as he can.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there¡±. Jihoon said as he placed his phone on the ears.


    ¡°Jihoon. It¡¯s been a while.¡± A familiar voice spoke through the line, but Jihoon remained cautious at this unknown contact.


    ¡°Don¡¯t try to fool me. Tell me something that only I would know¡±. Jihoon said as he doesn¡¯t let down his guard just yet.


    A moment of silence lingered before he received a reply. ¡°Arisen Studio. Meet me at the address that I sent you tomorrow and you will understand¡±.


    Jihoon groaned in annoyance. He hopes that he can delay the meeting time as long as possible because he is simply not in the right state of mind right now.


    The cab arrived and Jihoon listlessly climbed in. The rest of the day became a blur that he simply has no recollection of.


    The next day, in the afternoon. He came to the location that the message sent him. Of course, he didn¡¯t come in unprepared as he asked for the help of the D-ranker before. He is obviously annoyed that Jihoon used his request this early but, better safe than sorry.


    At their location is an office building. Looks like one of the many Association¡¯s branch offices that is established in this province. When Jihoon approached the place, the receptionist proactively invited him in as they guided Jihoon toward the upper meeting room of the office branch. Of course, this is only for Jihoon himself thus the D-ranker felt like he just appeared here for no reason at all.


    ¡°Sir, this way¡±. The receptionist guides him into the further part of the building.


    Arriving at the designated room, sat an empty meeting table. He simply placed himself in one of the empty seats and awaited the meeting with this unknown contact.


    Arisen Studio. Was his old place of occupation. It wasn¡¯t the most prestigious thing to exist, but he has enjoyed his time there making musical compositions and lived life like he should. Until all of it collapsed when Gates appeared.


    It is impossible for one to know exactly what it is unless one has worked there. Because of it, whoever is contacting him must be someone close enough to him back then to bother making contact.


    Finally, the one behind the unknown number appeared. And Jihoon recognized it even if time has changed them unrecognizably.


    ¡°Jin Sarae¡±. Jihoon spoke as he recognized the person behind it.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long while. To see that you have become an Awakener and joining the Hunter is an interesting development, isn¡¯t it?¡±. Jin spoke as if the two of them have never once lost contact with one another.


    Jihoon gazed at Jin as memories of the past flooded back toward him. The vision within his eyes started to move toward the past itself, back to the simpler time of his life.


    Jin was his assigned junior at the time. Already learning the acoustic guitar at the time, the two would have spent their time making melodies, discussing music theory and the like. If permitted, he too can join Jihoon with the composing. Sometimes, they get to work together as Jin layered the backing with his acoustic while Jihoon played the melody with his electric.


    Lots of the time, it was in the spirit of cooperative creativity more than competitiveness. No pride in being better than your junior.


    Jin returned the smile, though there was a melancholic edge to it. "Yes, those were...difficult times. Arisen Studio was one of the first casualties, I''m afraid. Most of us scattered to the winds, just trying to survive in the new world order."


    Leaning back in his chair, Jin appraised Jihoon with an assessing gaze. "But it seems you''ve found your new calling as a Hunter. An awakened ability involving music - how peculiarly fitting for you."


    Jihoon chuckled ruefully. "Yeah, you could say the universe has a weird sense of humor sometimes. I almost didn''t make it this far, to be honest. If not for a strange encounter..." His voice trailed off, wondering how much to pulge about the mysterious goddess who bestowed the Song Magic upon him.


    "Well, I''m just glad to see you''re still kicking, my friend," Jin said earnestly. "We composers and musicians have to stick together in this Hunters'' world, don''t we?" There was a sly glint in his eye that Jihoon didn''t miss.


    Sensing there was more to this reunion than just catching up, Jihoon raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "You''ve piqued my curiosity now, Jin. What exactly did you have in mind by calling me here?"


    Jin''s smile stretched into a grin. "How would you like to join a little...ensemble, shall we say? A musical partnership, but one with adventures and melodies unlike anything we knew back at Arisen."


    Jihoon sorts of knew that he had just gotten dragged into another job before he could enjoy the fruit of labor from the previous one.


    Exiting the branch office once more, he met the D-ranker who is waiting for him outside. This time, he has a lot more to discuss, particularly the peculiar traits that the previous F-rank Gate they cleared before.


    "A grimace flickered across the D-ranker''s grizzled features as Jihoon recounted the harrowing details of their Gate delve. "Knew there was something fishy about that bug-ugly bastard," he growled. "Ain''t the first time the eggheads at HQ got the threat levels screwed up."


    Jihoon nodded, falling into step beside the veteran Hunter. "It was like that spider horror shrugged off everything we threw at it until my Song Magic started landing blows. I''ve never seen anything so...tenacious."


    The D-ranker snorted derisively. "Gets worse the higher up you go, kid. C, B ranks - you''ll face abominations that''ll make that glorified insects seem like a stroll in the park." His gaze grew distant, no doubt revisiting unpleasant memories. "Me and my squad''ve had to put down our fair share of misidentified nasties before. The kind that chew through rookie Hunters like a yakitori skewer."


    Jihoon suppressed a shudder at the ominous implications. If that monstrosity they faced was just an opening salvo, stronger threats undoubtedly awaited. His brand new path as a Hunter, already perging onto rockier terrain than anticipated.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "In any case, this little snafu still needs to be properly filed, The Association hasn''t lasted this long by ignoring warning signs, no matter how small. You make sure to give a full, accurate account while it''s still fresh, you hear?" the D-ranker stated, turning to face Jihoon fully.


    "Don''t worry, I''ll make sure every detail is documented to the letter. Maybe they can cross-reference it against other anomalous Gate activities, uncover some larger pattern." Jihoon nodded resolutely.


    The D-ranker grunted in approval. "Smart lad. You''ve got the right mindset for this work - suspicious ''bout everything, but analytical too." A ghost of a smirk played across his weathered features. "Keep that up and who knows? Might just take you under my wing, show you a few tricks of the trade."


    While the nuggets of hard-won experience was appreciated, Jihoon couldn''t help but feel a slight sense of trepidation. He had barely taken his first fledgling steps into the wider world of Hunters and Gates, yet here was the cold truth - his journey was only going to become more arduous from here on out.


    Steeling his resolve, Jihoon gave the D-ranker a firm nod. "I look forward to learning whatever you''re willing to share, sir. After an encounter like that...I''ve got a feeling I''m going to need all the help I can get."


    Remembering that he still hasn¡¯t yet processed the reward from the clearing of F-rank Gate before, he opened his System panel discreetly.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon


    Level: 4


    EXP: 26/224


    Class: None


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 3.6


    -END: 3.7


    -AGI: 3.5


    -DEX: 3.4


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 4.2


    -CHA: 4


    -MAG: 3


    Attribute Points: 3


    +Musical Prowess: Mid-Intermediate


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    This is the result he obtained from clearing that spider den of a Gate. And as he ponders how to distribute the Attribute Points, something that nagged him from when he first entered that Gate resurfaced again.


    He recognized a familiar face then yet had no chance to confirm who it was. He couldn¡¯t tell if he could trust his own memory and its recall. He couldn¡¯t exactly make his accusation with just a hunch let alone a vague thought.


    After a moment of thinking, he decided to put one point into INT. Physical Attributes can be trained, no such chance with Non-physical Attributes without herculean efforts or pervasive treatment.


    Then, he immediately feels the effect of his INT increased by one suddenly. The difference between a 3 and a 4 in INT is like that of a normal human compared with someone who has natural learning comprehension. Then the difference between a 4 and a 5 would be that of a gifted to the previous mentioning.


    As if a veil was lifted from his mind, granting him enhanced cognition compared to before. Memories that were indistinct or hazy suddenly become sharp focus. Patterns and connections previously overlooked become more pronounced.


    Letting his mind¡¯s eyes perceive his own recollection, recounting each peripheral detail with heightened intelligence. There was no mistaking it, that instinct he felt when gazed upon the familiar face amongst the greenhorns rallied by the D-ranker.


    Jin, was whom he spotted amongst the ranks of F-ranker that day.


    Jihoon rifled through the events of the F-rank Gate and made his confirmation of Jin¡¯s presence throughout.


    But why? Why would Jin, his former colleague and friend from their Arisen Studio days, have any reason to become a newly-minted Hunter himself?


    Striding back into the Association building with renewed purpose, Jihoon quickly requested access to the personnel roster from that day''s Gate deployment. His eyes scanned the lists with laser-focused intensity, finally landing on the name he sought - Jin Sarae, registered F-rank Hunter as of three months ago.


    A maelstrom of questions and conflicting emotions roiled within Jihoon''s mind. Part of him was elated to have found his long-lost friend after so many years of paths perged from one another. Yet that elation was tinged with apprehension over the circumstances that could have possibly driven Jin, always the creative free spirit, to take up the brutal profession of Hunter.


    One thing was certain - Jihoon needed answers. He would get to the bottom of this puzzling reunion, one way or another. One month until the next Gate raid. It is also another F-rank but designated for subjugation instead of training. Not letting himself to be left behind so easily, he made his following plan of training until that fateful day to come.


    Also¡­


    ¡°Assign two remaining Attribute Points to MAG.¡± Jihoon commanded the System through his thought.


    Something spiritual is changing in him but he can¡¯t put it into words. The transformation was minor by comparison to increasing of INT. But he could feel that his pre-existing Song Magics have become stronger in its effect than before.


    He needs information about Jin and what he was doing in the past before their reunion, so an information broker is also needed. The comparison between him during their reunion and at the Gate was stark that Jihoon couldn¡¯t tell where to proceed from.


    Where did he get the money to rent an Association¡¯s meeting room when he has to enlist as a Hunter in the first place?


    Jihoon knew that he was bound for a brand-new kind of suffering.


    ¡­


    ¡°Alright, this is the place that the D-rank Hunter recommended me to train my halberd skill¡±. Jihoon said as he looked at the dojo atop the mountain and a stairway that lead to it. Supposedly, he is to stay here to train and there will be instructors who will guide him along the way.


    Seeing the length of the stairway alone is almost enough to deter him but, if he wants to have the strength to protect what belongs to him then he must not hesitate. With a deep breath, he marched the entire length toward the dojo undaunted.


    Bless that he has ¡®Exceed!¡¯ to enhance his own Physical Attributes. He thought to himself of how he is quite pathetic that he needed such motivation boost to climb a flight of stairs.


    By the time he reached the actual dojo, he was already feeling exhausted despite all the exercise and training before that he booked the room first before any actual training can be done. Apparently, this is what a lot of trainee Hunters done to accustom themselves to the future of their careers.


    Without a hint of restraint, Jihoon collapsed to his slumber. Yet as deep into his sleep as he could be, his body was restless all the night long while his mind steered itself toward the past. The last time that Jihoon and Jin talked to one another, right before Gates appeared.


    Memories of Arisen Studio resurface. Jihoon stared frustratedly at the electric guitar in his hands, unable to compose the perfect ending song he envisioned. The bright, metallic tones of the electric guitar clashed against the melancholic, wistful emotions he hoped to convey.


    Jin observed his friend''s struggle from across the studio, idly strumming his own acoustic guitar. "You seem to be hitting a creative block there, my friend," he remarked.


    Jihoon sighed heavily. "It''s this blasted electric guitar. I can''t get it to capture the bittersweet feeling of an ending, of saying farewell. The sounds are too..." he waved his hands vaguely, "bold and in-your-face, if that makes sense."


    Nodding sagely, Jin set down his guitar. "The acoustic definitely lends itself better to introspective, elegiac pieces," he agreed. "But don''t sell the electric of yours short just yet."


    He moved to sit beside Jihoon, resting a hand on the electric guitar''s body. "Think of it this way, an ending isn''t just about sadness or melancholy. It''s a culmination, a final crescendo of all the energy and emotion that came before it. The electric guitar so too has the power to embody that complexity like any other instruments. That¡¯s what I learned, saw and believed."


    Jin''s fingers danced across the strings, coaxing out a series of bright, vibrant notes that morphed into a more somber melody as the tones stretched and bent. All just on his intuition and experience with his acoustic guitar.


    "It''s all about how you shape the music, how you blend the different emotional textures together. With the right touch, you can make this so-called ''bold'' instrument sing of heartache and closure just as authentically as any acoustic ballad." Jin said as he felt the expression of emotions a bit more natural than Jihoon did.


    He has only come to Arisen Studio for like 4 years and under the tutoring of Jihoon as a musician and composer. But his talent is undeniable as he guides his own senior with his own enlightened wisdom.


    Jihoon follows the path that Jin treaded but ultimately unable to replicate the same feeling that Jin did.


    He smiled encouragingly at his friend. "You have that artistic vision, Jihoon. I''ve no doubt you''ll find a way to make the electric guitar cry its own unique farewell song."


    Then, Jihoon¡¯s recollection ceased as he opened his eyes wide. As his back stood up and gazed toward the distance ahead despite being in the confine of his room, the thousand-yard stare within his eyes can¡¯t dissipate so easily.


    ¡°Jin¡­¡± Jihoon said as the vivid recall likely come about as a result of his enhanced INT.


    When the Gates occurred, it took humanity itself and its Awakeners 5 years in total to restabilize the world order into something stable from the chaos and destruction.


    Yet within those 5 years, so many unspeakable losses were inflicted that one can change unrecognizably within that time span. And it was another 5 years since then into restabilization era thus marking the full 10 years since the Gates broke.


    Jihoon himself was in a slump until he came across that fated encounter that give him the ability of Song Magic. It was only that he managed to change his life around.


    Then what about Jin who has nothing but only his human being? By that point, he couldn¡¯t speak for him anymore. Unless he hears the story directly from Jin¡¯s side, he will never know the depth of suffering that Jin endured to live until now. And his joining of the Hunters as a F-rank only reinforces it.


    Silence permeated Jihoon. Finally, with a slow inhalation to center himself, Jihoon rose and made his way to the training grounds, his movements tinged with a solemn heaviness.

 Chapter 7: Blood, Sweat, Tears

    Within the dojo¡¯s training ground, Jihoon sweats heavily as he stabs the training dummy in front of him with his halberd. A lot needs to be done and time unfortunately isn¡¯t on his side even if it appears abundance at the first glance.


    Juggling a lot of things in concurrent reminds him back at the Arisen Studio when there are multiple projects that the studio handles from all the contracts all the time. Composing on the computer while practicing the instruments the same, and he thought that would be the hardest his life would ever be. Until the Gate occurred.


    ¡°Mind your form, trainee! If you kept your thoughts wandering nowhere, it will be your demise very soon!¡±. The instructor that Jihoon selected to train his halberd yelled with stern.


    Jihoon focused himself as he kept stabbing the dummy with his halberd. Getting his weapon path consistent is the first step to creating derivative paths by one¡¯s own volition. That is when he transitions from Inferior to Flawed.


    Mastering the martial ways was an arduous journey divided into distinct stages of progression:


    Inferior - The starting rank for any novice initiate, before one could even achieve a consistent weapon path, let alone formulate their own techniques.


    Flawed - Once a foundational weapon path was set through repetitive practice, minor personal derivations could begin branching off that established root.


    Standard - With a solid understanding of the fundamentals and their own original weapon paths developed into proper martial forms, a disciple attained the baselines of true skill.


    Excellent - After years of accumulated experience and insight, one could derive an entire self-crafted martial art tailored to their strengths and combat philosophy.


    Superior - At the profound level of understanding, a master could seamlessly adapt their art to even ill-suited weapons if the need arose, consistently defeating adversaries of comparable prowess.


    Peerless - The paramount echelon, where one''s martial capabilities manifested as pure intent, fluidly translating across any weapon or unarmed combat with no disconnection between mind and body.


    Although martial prowess alone can''t directly increase one''s Hunter rank, it effectively enable one to utilize their own power with far more effectiveness than otherwise. It''s a useful thing to have and no one makes any objection so far.


    Jihoon strove to ingrain the halberd''s fundamental paths into muscle memory. Only then could he progress toward the Flawed rank and start exploring personalized derivatives to suit his awakened Song Magic abilities.


    The instructor''s gravelly voice cut through Jihoon''s thoughts. "You''ve got potential, kid, but potential means squat if you can''t apply it! Now stop woolgathering and give me twenty more repetitions, form perfect this time!"


    Gritting his teeth, Jihoon renewed his focus, halberd blurring in a flurry of thrusts and slashes. Agony may be ever presence on this road of torment but he would not falter until he commanded the halberd''s lethality with the same proficiency as his musical compositions.


    The arduous training of the day has passed as the night falls once more without notice. His body ached all over as Jihoon checked his status screen once more.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon


    Level: 4


    EXP: 64/224


    Class: None


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 3.8


    -END: 3.8


    -AGI: 3.7


    -DEX: 3.5


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 5.2


    -CHA: 4


    -MAG: 5


    Attribute Points: 0


    +Musical Prowess: Mid-Intermediate


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Jihoon knew that he is going to become a lot stronger in the future. But he would never know if it would be enough or not in the future subjugation. That alone gave him the irk knowing that the strange phenomenon of misclassed difficulty can happen at any time. But if it happens in that subjugation then it confirms his suspicion of deliberate sabotage by an unknown mastermind.


    Reaching out for his phone, he contacted the D-ranker and the investigation of the mismatched difficulty of the F-rank Gate Subjugation before. After all, he only just started and has no choice but to rely on his few and scant connections.


    With a weary sigh, he reached for his phone and contacted the grizzled D-ranker, knowing he was likely just as troubled over the inexplicable difficulty spike they''d encountered.


    "Yeah, kid, you read my mind," the D-ranker''s gruff voice came through the line. "I''ve been hounding the eggheads down at HQ about that spider abomination ever since we filed that report."


    There was a pause, then an audible grimace. "And you were right to be concerned. Turns out there''ve been several other cases across multiple


    anches of Gate incursions being misidentified and throwing up a lot tougher opposition than first projected."


    Jihoon felt his stomach clench at the ominous implications. "You''re saying whatever happened on our run...it wasn''t an isolated incident?"


    "''Fraid not," the D-ranker confirmed grimly. "At first, they tried writing it off as a few unlucky outliers, happenstance errors in the initial threat assessments. But the pattern recently has become too widespread, too consistent to be mere coincidence or sloppy recon work."


    There was an agitated pause, as if the veteran was struggling to voice his next words. "From the way I hear it, there''s suspicions starting to get voiced about...well, sabotage. From the inside."


    Jihoon''s blood turned to ice in his veins. "You can''t be serious... You''re implying there''s a mole or informant working with the enemy?" Rogue Hunters willing to undermine the system were a terrifying prospect.


    "Like I said, just rumors at this stage," the D-ranker said carefully. "But the irregularities are there, kid. Too many for it to be pure happenstance anymore. Someone or something is screwing with the threat assessment protocols, understating the dangers in a way that''s getting people killed out in the field."


    There was an audible exhale, as if expelling a long-held


    eath. "A small joint investigation task force has been made in order to look into this whole mess, see if they can sniff out the root causes. Gonna have to go through old Gate records with a fine-toothed comb, line ''em up against reported encounters, try and find discrepancies in the pattern."


    The line went quiet for a moment, and when the D-ranker spoke again, there was a grim resolve in his tone. "I''ll be honest with you, kid - this could get real ugly before it''s all said and done. You ever need another set of eyes or an extra blade watching your back on your runs, you just give me a holler."


    Jihoon felt a cold knot of trepidation settle in his gut. If what the D-ranker suspected was true, it meant their fledgling careers as Hunters had just become exponentially more perilous. Not only did they have to worry about the deadly threats spilling forth from the Gates...but also the specter of betrayal from within their own ranks.


    Glancing at his status screen again, Jihoon knew there were no shortcuts to increasing his strength, his mastery over the Song Magic that had become his greatest asset. He would have to dedicate himself to training with an intensity like never before.


    Because if saboteurs truly were at work, understating the horrors lying in wait. Then the next Gate delve could be his last if he isn¡¯t properly prepared to face the true monstrosities lurking beyond.


    Why does he get stuck in a conspiracy right when he was about to start his new career? With a sigh of resignation uttered once more, he lets himself adrift to rest once more. Today is only the beginning, a whole journey is still ahead.


    After a week of incessant training of stabbing the dummy with his halberd, he managed to achieve his consistent weapon path although more practice is necessitated to reinforce the foundation. This time, he is demanded to exchange duel with his instructor to obtain some measure of combat experience.


    The goal is to exchange 50 consecutive bouts between him and the instructors. Fail any in-between and he must start all over again.


    "Alright, greenhorn," the grizzled halberd master barked as they took up stances across the practice ring. "You''ve got your forms down solid, now it''s time to pressure test ''em against a live opponent. Fifty bouts, back-to-back. You fail to last ten exchanges in any single one, we start the whole damn count over from scratch."


    Jihoon''s grip tightened on his halberd''s shaft, nodding in understanding. He could already feel a trail of sweat trickling down his back just from the prospect of enduring fifty consecutive live skirmishes.


    "We''ll be pulling no punches, so you''d best come prepared to bleed, boy!" The instructor launched himself forward in a furious flurry of thrusts and slashes.


    Barely managing to deflect the opening strikes, Jihoon fell into the practiced footwork patterns, sidestepping and counterattacking with controlled jabs. He could already feel the burn in his shoulders and thighs from the sheer force being exchanged.


    Over the next few hours, Jihoon fought through waves after waves of simulated assaults, each bout becoming a white-knuckle endurance test. Time blurred into a haze of clashing steel and bellowed reprimands whenever his technique faltered.


    "Widen your stance, keep that guard up!"


    "Speed''s worth shite if you telegraph your attacks!"


    "You leave an opening like that against a real threat, and it''ll be your last mistake!"


    Battle by battle, Jihoon started picking up the nuances of live combat. How subtle shifts in footwork and grip could open up new angles of attack. When to sacrifice defense for an offensive burst. How to seamlessly flow between halberd paths in the heat of the moment.


    But his weapons training didn''t stop there. Upon achieving the fiftieth successful bout, the halberd instructor gestured for Jihoon to retrieve another implement from his rack - the wicked, spiked handaxe he''d used so devastatingly back in the F-rank Gate, Spider-infested Mansion.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    "You''ve got a knack for pulling off surprise maneuvers, so we''re going to polish that skill to a razor''s edge," the instructor said, tossing Jihoon a padded sparring vest. "Your new regimen? Lather, rinse, repeat - only this time you''ll be working rapid weapon transitions between your main arms and that mean little shredder."


    Jihoon could only let out a ragged exhale, his limbs already feeling like leaden weights from his earlier exertions. But he nodded resolutely, knowing there was no other path forward except to push himself harder than ever before.


    As the two resumed their deadly dances, Jihoon silently sent out a prayer of thanks that at least his passive Song Magic abilities would help offset some of the fatigue. He was going to need every ounce of fortitude this training could instill.


    For if that conspiracy theory proved true, and Gates containing even deadlier monstrosities lay ahead, he would have to be utterly prepared - mind, body, and soul ¨C to overcome whatever unholy horrors emerged when the veil was finally lifted.


    Even if he is going to shed his blood fighting for what he believed in until its last drop.


    Tonight marks his second week at the dojo, and he is still rather miserable with his halberd and hand-axe once the instructor goes serious with him. Only last like 5 bouts thus if any stronger Hunters have killing intents toward him, he won¡¯t last that long either.


    Checking his System status again, checking his progress that is made so far.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon


    Level: 5


    EXP: 78/255


    Class: None


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 4.5


    -END: 4.3


    -AGI: 4.4


    -DEX: 4.3


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 5.2


    -CHA: 4


    -MAG: 6


    Attribute Points: 0


    +Musical Prowess: Mid-Intermediate


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    He managed to level up just from repetitive training duration alone as he still gains EXP from each training standard session which vary. And clashing with the instructor show him just still how vast the differences just now.


    Jihoon swiped through his status, seeing his physical and magical attributes had ticked up incrementally from the constant training. But the numbers represented little more than minor increments - the vast gulf between himself and the seasoned instructors made abundantly clear just how far he still had to go.


    Gritting his teeth, he pulled up his contacts and fired off a message to the grizzled D-ranker now immersed in the joint investigation task force. The disparity in his own abilities aside, the true threat may lie in the shadows - saboteurs willing to understate the dangers for some unknowable reason.


    As the dojo night fell quiet, Jihoon placed another call to the grizzled D-ranker who had been assigned to the internal investigation task force. If there were truly conspirators understating the Gate threats, he needed whatever insights the veteran could provide.


    "Kid, you''re not gonna like what I''m about to tell you," came the D-ranker''s gruff voice. "But the more we dig, the uglier this whole mess gets."


    There was an audible sigh, like a man preparing to reveal an unpleasant truth. "You know how boss-tier monstrosities get exponentially stronger and more dangerous the longer they''re allowed to persist in their domains, culling any hunters foolish enough to take them on?"


    Jihoon nodded, recalling the tactical briefings about the terrifying "boss leveling" phenomenon. As apex predators continued to slay and devour souls whether of the Gate''s original environment or Hunters who failed to slay them, their physical constitutions mutated in tandem with their growing reservoir of power. What started as a formidable threat could potentially escalate into an unstoppable juggernaut if left unchecked.


    "Well, turns out some real sick bastards in our ranks have been deliberately downplaying boss strengths at certain Gates," the D-ranker growled. "Sending in teams of greenhorns like lambs to the slaughter, letting these big uglies power up by feeding on their souls."


    Jihoon''s blood turned to ice at the implication. "You can''t be serious... They''re sacrificing new Hunters, just to farm higher level bosses for better loot drops?"


    "Wish I was just blowing smoke, kid." There was a tremor of barely contained rage in the D-ranker''s tone. "Records show entire rookie teams going dark without a peep from their minders. Way more unexplained losses than should ever happen, even with normal attrition rates."


    Jihoon felt ill just contemplating the depravity. To not only betray the Hunters'' code, but to knowingly trade innocent lives away as sacrificial fodder...it beggared belief.


    "We''ve got anthro-forensic teams going back, reanalyzing site data from previous boss clears," the D-ranker continued grimly. "And the numbers just don''t add up right. Energy fluctuations inconsistent with official threat assessments, ambient power traces spiking way too high for the stated boss levels."


    There was a tense pause, and Jihoon could envision the veteran''s jaw clenching, knuckles whitening around his clenched fist.


    "Whoever''s behind this, they''re damn well going to pay. No one sacrifices my people and gets to walk away clean. You focus on getting as strong as you can, kid - because this is looking like it''ll get real ugly before we''re done hauling these bastards into the light."


    The line went dead, leaving Jihoon with a gnawing pit of dread festering in his gut. He knew becoming a Hunter meant risking his life against the unholy hazards emerging from the Gates. But to have the danger compounded by depraved human greed and malice from within their own ranks...


    His gaze drifted back to his halberd, streaked with nicks and scoring from the day''s training bouts. No shortcuts to true mastery, no easy paths to power. If he hoped to survive the storm to come, he would need to temper his body, mind and soul into an inviolable blade - because the alternatives were too abhorrent to consider.


    Gripping the weapon''s shaft with renewed determination, Jihoon vowed to push himself harder than ever before. He would grow strong enough to overcome any threat, no matter its source or nature. Those responsible for perverting the Hunters'' tenets would face justice, one way or another.


    Even if all of his sweat flows away in exhaustion, trying to go up against the oncoming storm itself.


    The third week of his time in the dojo started as Jihoon managed to achieve proficiency with his halberd and hand-axe. Striking at length with his halberd and if they get too close, use the hand-axe. It¡¯s simple but nailing that aspect down is harder than saying it.


    So far, he has managed to last for about 12 bouts of exchanges this time against his instructor. Not something significant but at least he won¡¯t die an immediate death should something arise.


    Not only with just dueling with instructors, he is also put into many different kinds of training. Such as field recon, breach and defense, environment adaptation. The many things that are required due to how diverse the environment in which a Gate can manifest.


    Also thanks to his training before, his END stat is now high enough that he isn¡¯t totally exhausted after all the training during daytime. Instead, he is still in great fatigue but otherwise functions normally. Now that he has a bit more time, he decided to do the following.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Doppelganger


    Classification: Illusion Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect:


    -Create a temporary clone that has no stats but can interact with mundane objects with equal proficiency as the user.


    Last for 15 seconds. Cooldown: 6 hours.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    A clone of his appeared again as it wields the same halberd in Jihoon¡¯s hands. He didn¡¯t want to use it in


    oad daylight lest he revealed his hidden ace. In the worst-case scenario, his doppelganger can be his last line of defense by deceiving his enemy away from the real him.


    With his doppelganger moves into combat stance, Jihoon does the same as he prepares to duel against his own illusion. The true test begins now as there is no better dueling examiner than himself.


    If he could last the entire duration of Doppelganger, then Jihoon can consider himself as capable. Then as the duel between the two of them unfold, Jihoon himself managed to last for about 4 seconds before being hit.


    Turns out, even if its proficiency is the same as his, its independent decision making, judgment stands out above him. But because it has no stat, he didn¡¯t receive any damage at all but the result was obvious which one was the victor as the doppelganger dissipated away once its 15-second timer run out.


    This very pattern goes on for the entire week as Jihoon slowly bridges his way toward the strength he yearned for.


    At the end of the third week, Jihoon made his summary assessment of his progress so far.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon


    Level: 6


    EXP: 155/268


    Class: None


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 5.2


    -END: 5.1


    -AGI: 4.9


    -DEX: 4.8


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 5.2


    -CHA: 4


    -MAG: 7


    Attribute Points: 0


    +Musical Prowess: Mid-Intermediate


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ¡°I guess that is¡­ decent?¡± Jihoon made his assessment of his self-improvement so far in this training. He has one week left before the coming Gate Subjugation so any stat gain is paramount.


    Suddenly, his phone rings instead as he is the one receiving call from the grizzled D-ranker. If he is making the call here, then the situation must be dire.


    Here is an extension of the story with the D-ranker''s update on the investigation and Jihoon providing his upcoming Gate Subjugation location:


    At the culmination of the third grueling week, Jihoon pulled up his status screen to assess his hard-won progress.


    The modest stat increases across his physical attributes were a tangible testament to his efforts. His Endurance and Strength had risen markedly, better equipping him to wield his halberd''s weight through prolonged engagements. Agility and Dexterity too had sharpened, allowing for more fluid weapon transitioning between strikes.


    "I guess that''s...decent?" he murmured, trying to temper his self-critique. Every incremental gain mattered on the path toward true mastery.


    His reverie was interrupted by the ring of his phone - a call incoming from the grizzled D-ranker. Jihoon felt his stomach knot. If the veteran was initiating contact, it could only mean critical developments had arisen from the investigation.


    "Kid, you''re not gonna believe the gut-punching mess we''ve uncovered," came the D-ranker''s gravelly voice as soon as Jihoon accepted the call. "We''ve got concrete proof now - actual bio-samples recovered from anomalous Gate Sites."


    Jihoon felt the hairs on his neck prickling as the D-ranker pressed on in a heated growl.


    "Those sick fucks were right, elite boss-tier monstrosities, artificially overleveled far beyond their baseline threat assessments. Energy signatures practically dripping with ambient soul residues from...from harvested victims."


    There was an audible, shuddering inhalation, as if the veteran was struggling to maintain his composure.


    "I''ve seen some depraved, unholy shit in my time, kid. But essentially soul-farming our own green recruits to exponentially boost these unholy horrors? That''s a new level of foul I can scarcely wrap my mind around."


    The horrible implications rippled through Jihoon''s consciousness. Conspirators within the Association''s ranks had indeed been understating the threats, then sacrificing unsuspecting junior teams to those very same amplified horrors. All to cultivate the resultant overpowered bosses into loot-pinatas ripe for the plundering.


    It was an almost unthinkable degree of depravity. To turn their own loyal Hunters into grisly tithes to geometrically increase the slaughter. Jihoon''s fists clenched as wave of impotent fury washed over him. He may have bolstered his abilities considerably, but how could he ever hope to stand against such malign malefactors if they proved strong enough to perpetrate this grand, soul-rending deception?


    "Listen up, kid," the D-ranker''s voice dragged him back to the moment, low and thrumming with cold determination. "I need you to share the details on whatever Gate Subjugation run you''ve got lined up next. We finally have enough grounds to move, but we''ll need to bait these scumbags out into a containment op..."


    Jihoon''s mind stilled into crystalline focus. The path forward was clear, even if it courted extreme peril. He quickly relayed the specifics of his imminent F-rank Subjugation - location, projected environment parameters, targeted monstrosity profiles.


    If the investigation team''s suppositions rang true, then this next delve might very well tear the veil from the grand deceits festering the Association within. Jihoon could only hope that whatever formidable threat awaited them proved surmountable after all...and that the perpetrators would finally face the reckoning so long in coming.


    With grim resignation, Jihoon disconnected the call and turned to collect his weapons. One way or another, everything was hurtling toward a brutal crescendo. And he would need to be battle-ready to face whatever unholy clarion was soon to be unleashed.


    Even if all his tears shed until he can¡¯t cry anymore.


    The final week of his training past in solemn emptiness. It is a summarization of everything he has learned so far. Training his dueling capability, going on a training diet, learning different kinds of environment, and practicing against simulated foes. Theoretical tests of how to fight monsters which is proven to be too numerous to remember.


    And when the final day comes when he must come to the site of his imminent Gate Subjugation. All of his equipment in tows, only the waiting of the cab that takes him there. Yet, the silent felt crushing as he knew that he is deliberately stepping to Hell¡¯s Gate.


    He could have easily just waited for the storm to pass and he would have nothing to lose. But¡­


    ¡°Jin¡­¡± Jihoon spoke as his old friend is the one suggested him to go there.


    He wanted to hear what Jin has to say. His story that led him to this point, and his role in this disgusting affair that Association is moving to eradicate.


    He¡­ only wanted to know what happened to Jin.

 Chapter 8: Lurking Darkness

    Jihoon made it to his F-rank Gate Subjugation site as he can see many other F-rankers like him awaiting their entry of the Gate. Amidst the crowd, he saw Jin who is calling out to him as he waved his hand to catch Jihoon¡¯s attention.


    Jin looks more confident this time around, and other than carrying his Association-issued blade is also a guitar case on his back as if to make himself stand out.


    ¡°Hey, you¡¯re finally here! With you here, I can tell that this Gate is going to be breeze with you¡±. Jin said with unabashed enthusiasm, unaware of the severity of the situation they¡¯re in.


    Jihoon can only reply with a wry smile on his face. Since this is a Gate designated for subjugation instead, it is possible that the Gate Boss at the end of it is going to be extremely powerful compared to its actual registered difficulty.


    At this point, he doesn¡¯t know who is registering the difficulty of the Gate, is it just whatever the Hunter who found it said and the Association just accept without further checking?


    For some reason, Jihoon can feel an ominous aura irradiating from the Gate itself. Is it the effect of his MAG stat being higher than otherwise that he can detect irregularity just by sensing? Either way, it hard confirms that something wrong is going to occur in this Gate.


    The fact that this Gate¡¯s subjugation is set for one month makes it far more suspicious now that he realized the conspiracy behind. The mastermind has just done feeding the Boss of this Gate and is about to harvest its bloodsoaked loot drop. And the Association¡¯s investigation team has yet to make their appearance at all for reasons unknown.


    ¡°Listen here! We¡¯re about to enter this Gate with the purpose of subjugation. I will not be held responsible for any mishandling or casualty arise due to personal negligence or defiance of order¡±. The leading Hunter of this Gate spoke, they are supposedly also a D-rank which is obviously unusual for an F-rank Gate.


    Jihoon felt his unease mounting as he regarded the unusual deployment. For a mere F-rank Subjugation, having an elite veteran Hunter spearheading the operation seemed...excessive. A concerning portent, especially coupled with his unsettling premonitions surrounding this particular Gate.


    Jin seemed oblivious to the subtle discrepancies, eyes alight with anticipation as he hefted his Association-issued blade. The battered guitar case slung across his back only reinforced his almost cavalier nonchalance about the mission.


    Jihoon mustered up a strained smile in return, lacking Jin''s unbridled enthusiasm. So much seemed askew - the ominous aura suffusing the Gate itself, the bizarrely over-qualified handling of a supposedly minor Subjugation, and now the conspicuous absence of the D-ranker''s investigation team who should have been lying in wait.


    Could it be...they''d already fallen prey to whatever malign machinations were afoot? A ploy to draw in additional lambs for sacrificial culling before the Association exposed the apparent conspiracy from within? Jihoon''s stomach twisted sourly at the thought.


    The lead D-rank Hunter was issuing final instructions, his graven voice cutting through Jihoon''s churning doubts and reservations. "...stay in formation, stick to your assigned fire teams. Jung-wha, Kyung-sam, you''re with me in the vanguard pushing the spearhead. We hit hard and fast, don''t give them bastards a chance to dig in its heels!"


    Two hulking warriors outfitted in elite armaments stomped forward, flanking the D-rank with grim determination writ across their brutish features. Just their presence alone seemed to cast an oppressive pall over the milling rookies.


    Jihoon swallowed past the lump in his throat as the Gate''s pulsing wickedness reached an ominous fever pitch. Whatever''s lurking within, it was no mere mook to be trifled with - of that much, he could be certain. But the true source of his disquiet laid in the unknown - just who among these assembled Hunters could be dealing from the same stacked deck as the sacrificial operations overseer?


    Surely the grizzly D-ranker and his task force wouldn''t leave them completely twisting in the wind...would they? Jihoon could only hope his trust in the grizzled veteran hadn''t been tragically misplaced as the Gate''s corrupted light flooded over them and the dimensional breach yawned open once more.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Entering¡­ Derelict Courthouse of Judgment


    Difficulty: F (D+)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Apparently¡­ the little goddess that blessed him with Song Magic just also give him the ability to recognize Gate¡¯s name and its difficulty upon entering. And seeing the adjusted difficulty add in beside didn¡¯t bode him very well. A little amount of unknown has been lifted and he wasn¡¯t sure of what to feel.


    They found themselves standing in the shattered remains of what appeared to be some ancient judicial hall. Towering columns lay strewn amidst piles of rubble, their intricately carved facades pocked and scarred by eons of decay. Tattered banners depicting somber masked visages flapped lifelessly in a spectral breeze.


    But it was the figures shambling throughout the ruin that made Jihoon''s gut clench. Decrepit armored husks, remnants of some long-fallen order of sentinels, now reanimated into a vicious mockery of their former sworn duty.


    Their helm-capped skulls twisted in eerie unison toward the intruding Hunters as the team fanned out into formation, baleful crimson pinpricks flaring within those empty eye sockets. Rust-etched blades and polearms rasped against their battle-scarred breastplates as the undead sentries staggered forth in stiff, inexorable strides.


    Inhaling deeply, Jihoon started plucking out the opening refrains of "Glint of Cold Steel" in his mind as the first skeletal horrors closed the distance - harsh, defiant power chords to imbue them with sharpened lethality. If these grotesque undead were but the vanguard of whatever malign forces conspired against them, they would need every advantage Jihoon could provide to persevere.


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    The battle of their lives loomed ahead - and Jihoon swore his allies would not want for fortitude when the reckoning finally came.


    Jihoon swung his halberd into a wide arc, and with his trained martial form established after that one month training, he doesn¡¯t flinch or hesitate as he cut down the swathe of undead with some ease.


    The mobs in this Gate didn¡¯t become difficult much like the Spider-infested Mansion before but the boss will be another headache that he has no easy answer to as its danger has been artificially raised.


    He only has one tactic and that is to stall the raid team until the Association¡¯s investigation task force arrives. Not too powerful that they breeze through the Gate but not too weak that they suffer casualty.


    ¡°Jihoon, you alright?¡±. Jin asked his old friend as the intensity of the battle is already greater than the back at the previous Gate.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine but¡­ I don¡¯t know how much I can trust the veteran Hunters here. If this F-rank Gate really is just what its difficulty suggests then they have no reason to enter along like this. They would spend their resources somewhere else¡±. Jihoon spoke as his acuity is sharp when it comes to matters like this.


    The raid team pushed deeper into the decrepit judicial hall, wading through scattered rubble and the desiccated remains of the undead sentries. Jihoon kept a wary eye on their supposed veteran leaders, Jin''s guitar case thumping against his back with every measured stride.


    As they navigated the crumbling ruin''s maze-like interior, Jin leaned in close. "Hey, you see how unstable this whole place looks?" he murmured, chin angling upward.


    Jihoon followed his friend''s gaze, taking in the worrying cracks and fissures snaking across the vaulted ceiling high overhead. Many of the supporting columns were eroded down to mere stumps, while others teetered precariously atop piles of age-old detritus.


    "One good shockwave from a detonation or ground-shaking attack could bring the whole structure tumbling down on us. The whole place is as stable as a house of cards" Jin observed grimly. "We''ll need to be careful about collateral during the inevitable boss fight."


    Nodding tightly, Jihoon scanned their surroundings with newfound trepidation. Jin was right - in such compromised environs, even a glancing blow that missed its intended target could trigger catastrophic structural failures. Entire sections of flooring had already given way, exposing shadowy pits that plunged into dilapidated sub-levels below.


    Everywhere Jihoon looked, the architectural decay and accumulated ravages of time leered back at them. With the Gate''s difficulty artificially amplified to unknown degrees, the slightest misstep could spell outright calamity for the entire team.


    The two F-rankers shared a loaded look, a silent acknowledgment of the graver stakes now confronting them. Whatever horrors awaited at the delve''s climax, they would need to exercise the utmost precision and control to overcome the threat without succumbing to the ruin''s treacherous deterioration.


    As they pressed onward through the labyrinthine complex of listing archways and toppled masonry, Jihoon found himself wondering just how far their supposed veteran leadership was willing to push them all. His gaze drifted toward the D-rank Hunter marching at the vanguard, mouth settling into a grim line. If their suspicions proved true, the very Hunters swore themselves to safeguard them could soon become the deadliest hazard of all.


    Suddenly, the floor in front of them gave away as it collapsed into the darkness below. The original trajectory path devised toward the Gate Boss as fast as possible was cut. The leading D-rank growled in annoyance before commanding others to take the alternative path they may lead them toward the Boss Room.


    And so, taking their path, the raid team by chance come across the grand courthouse where its massive size suggested something of importance once taken place here. But the focus of the Hunters placed upon a singular figure kneeling in the middle of the courthouse.


    A knight clads in full-plated armor, which is still intact in comparison to the other undead that roam the judicial hall. However, the decay of time lies apparent as there is nothing to identify this knight at all. Even then, the might instilled beneath the armor and the halberd it wields still lingers as if one wrong step and it will hurl its warpath toward them.


    With all the carefulness that they have, the knight still caught them as its gaze suddenly revealed once any of them are in proximity to it. Due to the design of the grand courthouse, they have no choice but to approach the knight who is at the center of this room.


    The knight gave a glancing look at the raid team and when its eyes finally laid upon the veteran Hunters, all hell broke loose. It immediately moved into its standing position. The halberd moves hand in hand as it lunges toward the leading Hunters.


    In that instant, Jihoon''s enhanced senses kicked in and the little goddess¡¯s passive blessing takes its effect. Carried on some frequency only he could perceive. The comprehension of the goddess''s arcane knowledge also extended to these forgotten syllables that armored vigil of husk is saying.


    "Defilers...steeped in sacrificial rites...you dare stained these hallowed grounds dripping in the echoes of the slain..."


    The judicator''s hollow revulsion washed over Jihoon like a cold wave. It clearly recognized the conspiratorial markings borne by the D-rank team, marks no doubt accrued through their soul-harvesting atrocities.


    Then, in a blinding flurry of motion, the ancient horror charged - halberd blurring as it led with a thunderous overhead chop aimed squarely at the veteran Hunters. They barely had time to interpose their own weapons before the bone-jarring impact sent them staggering back.


    "Engaging boss entity!" the D-rank leader snarled, even as fissures cracked across the tiles from the shockwave. "All units, subdue with extreme prejudice!"


    What followed was a ferocious melee of clashing halberds and ringing steel as the judicator fought with the cold, merciless fury of the dishonored dead. Again, and again as it singled out the conspirator cell for its most brutal attacks, heedless of any injuries it sustained from their retaliatory strikes.


    Jihoon quickly takes out his electric guitar as he strums his selection of Song Magic at disposal. Unfortunately, only Glint of Cold Steel is the one that carries the most effectiveness right now as a team. Yet as every blow that the knight swung, the catastrophic structural failure only rippled and spread further outward.


    Masonry fracturing, support columns buckling, the entire courthouse struggled to contain the violence that this judicator is mustering at his target.


    At one point, Jin was nearly crushed beneath by a falling balcony until Jihoon¡¯s hasty motion boosted by his own Song Magic dragged him out of the danger zone. Even though a grateful look been shot to Jihoon, the judicator continues to fragment and divide the formation of the Hunters apart.


    "For every innocent life you siphoned...a thousandfold penance shall be wrought..."


    The harbinger''s threats carried the weight of ancient, grim justice as it hewed through their ranks with implacable precision. Entire sections of the courthouse were collapsing now, choked with thick clouds of pulverized masonry.


    Holding onto his own friends¡¯ hand, Jihoon knew that things have gone beyond salvageable already. As he deliberately separated him and Jin from the scattered party, the floor beneath them ruptured as Jihoon and Jin was separated once again.


    With only a nod, the two of them can only hope that they can come across each other on their path again as they leave the collapsing courthouse for their own fate. Every man for themselves, that¡¯s how the situation has devolved for them.


    The ceiling then collapsed as the grand courthouse divided into unsurpassable sections. What happened to the F-rankers, the D-rank party, the knight, Jin is all but a mystery.

 Chapter 9: Exceeding Again

    Outside the F-rank Gate, Derelict Courthouse of Judgment. Is the investigation task force of the Association, having finally reached their destination after they have been intercepted by the conspirator¡¯s force. No actual death on their side but a lot of them ended up have to retire from their duty due to how brutal it was.


    They wouldn¡¯t have much of their own force left if it weren¡¯t for one of the Association¡¯s rising stars to be also included in the task force¡¯s line up. Having dispatched their opponents, they made their haste toward the designated Gate that Jihoon has given the coordination.


    The grizzled D-rank looks with dismay at the F-rank Gate. He can only hope that he isn¡¯t too late.


    ¡°Sung Jiwoon. You will rout any Gate monster that comes your way. Your task is to eliminate the leading Hunters who planned this subjugation, save the F-rankers who unknowingly joined this Gate unaware of the danger. And most importantly, find this guy in the picture¡±. The D-rank Hunter said as he presents the picture of Jihoon to the rising star.


    A girl with long jet-black hair, dressed in modest jeans and a shirt. Wielding dual daggers in both hands and a belt of throwing knives across her waist. She looked at the picture with familiarity as if she somewhat remembered the person in the picture but returned to the usual cold demeanor that she has.


    "And the turncoats responsible for orchestrating this massacre?" Her tone remained carefully measured, but carried a razor edge.


    The D-rank''s face twisted into a mask of disgust. "If they''re still among the living, we bring them in by any means necessary. Extreme prejudice is authorized and encouraged."


    He braced his warhammer, giving Jiwoon a sidelong look. "You''re our best shot at cutting through that unholy ruckus and getting to Hyunwoon before it''s too late. I''ll rally what''s left of the task force in order"


    With no hesitation, the task force made their entrance.


    A thunderous explosion drowned out his words as a massive section of the Gate ruptured outward in a billowing shockwave of rubble. They dove for cover, shielding their eyes against the debris maelstrom until the worst had passed.


    As the dust settled, they caught sight of a horrifying scene - what remained of the rookie Hunters scattered in battered disarray, cowering from an implacable titan of antique steel amid the ruins. Its halberd moved with the inexorable finality of a executioner''s blade as it advanced, clearly singling out specific individuals among the hapless rookies for its wrath.


    "By the god..." the D-rank swore, recognizing the telltale markings and gear born by the judicator''s targets. "That''s no mere rampaging boss monsters. It''s gunning for the turncoats behind this whole soul-harvesting debacle!"


    Jiwoon was already in motion, knives whirling in a blurred cyclone as she charged headlong toward the chaos. The D-rank quickly followed suit, hammer leading true alongside his most capable Hunters.


    No matter the collateral damage compounding this situation, one thing was clear that their reckoning had arrived, and truth and justice would be met this fateful day. No matter how high the cost it may be.


    Back to Jihoon, who is now separated entirely from everyone else can only walk his way through the ruined judicial hall. He can only pray that Jin is alright. Yet, the undead are unusually absent from here onward and he couldn¡¯t think of a reason why.


    The surroundings changed once more as down the hall is a line of armored suits by the wall, each armed with the same halberd as the knight in the grand courthouse before. But unlike before, there is no one in these decayed armors.


    Jihoon lets out a sigh of relief until someone just crossed his path. Of all the people, it has to be that sinister leading D-ranker. His body is stained in blood that doesn¡¯t belong to him which is impossible when the monsters here are all undead.


    And as if to dispel any doubt, the D-ranker¡¯s killing intent is aimed directly at him. As if to drop the fa?ade now that the raid team has been broken apart by the judicator, the apparent malice and greed unbound beneath has completely erased any trace of humanity in that D-ranker.


    Jihoon draws his halberd against the D-ranker¡¯s maul. He knew that his record against such an opponent wasn¡¯t so stellar, but a stand has to be made and it is now.


    "So, the little songbird has found his way into the shadows," the D-ranker sneered, hefting his wicked maul. "I have to admit, I didn''t expect one of you feeble-minded rookies to catch on to our operation."


    Jihoon''s grip tightened around his halberd''s shaft as the haunting memories of the gate delve resurfaced. The anomalous threats, the conspiratorial air surrounding the deployment itself - all had pointed to this sick, depraved truth.


    "You sacrificed your own people," he bit out, jaw clenched. "Traded innocent lives away like cattle just to amplify those boss monsters into sick loot pinatas!"


    The D-ranker threw back his head with a bark of cruel laughter. "And for that, I''ll be living like a king when this is all over!¡± His smile was a rictus gash, cruel eyes glittering with unfettered malice. "You really think a worthless scrap like you is going to stop us from reaping what we''ve sown?"


    Jihoon tensed as the fallen Hunter rushed him, maul swinging in a lethal arc. Their weapons met with a bone-jarring clang, the impact staggering Jihoon back a step. Every ounce of his being strained against the D-ranker''s inhuman might as their blades ground together.


    But Jihoon refused to falter, calling upon the wellsprings of his magic. The dreadful introduction played as his character theme ¡°Exceed!¡± played, lending steel to his resolve to overcome this twisted being. The sanctity of the Hunters'' creed pitted against as this has become personal to him with Jin¡¯s involvement.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Exceed!


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect:


    -+75% to all Physical Attributes of self.


    ''A music piece composed of unyielding defiance. Even if one¡¯s circumstances have fallen into misfortune and ill-fate, hope only remains if one lives with determination. To surpass the previous self of yesterday, one must overcome challenges of today and tomorrow with confidence in self.¡¯


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Blow by punishing blow, their duel raged. The abhorrent depravity its traitors had descended into made his disgust apparent. Again and again, Jihoon weathered the D-ranker''s berserker onslaught, his halberd weaving in time with the soaring refrains of fighting spirit.


    Somewhere in the distance, the echoes of fresh combat reached Jihoon''s ears. He could only hope against hope that reinforcements were arriving, that this malignancy festering within could still be excised before it was too late.


    Until then, his steadfast belief would have to light the path - a bastion of stalwart principle amidst the surrounding darkness. No matter how his muscles screamed in protest, Jihoon refused to yield even an inch against this twisted embodiment of corruption.


    Jihoon felt his body screaming in protest with each parry and riposte, the D-ranker''s inhuman might slowly overwhelming his defenses. A hairline fracture formed along his halberd''s shaft from the relentless impacts. Gritting his teeth, Jihoon dredged up every last ounce of fortitude, fueling his retaliations with the thunderous refrains of "Exceed!".


    Without realizing it, the grueling exertions of their duel were steadily pushing Jihoon''s physical limits. His Strength edged up another increment as he deadlifted the halberd to deflect a bone-crushing overhand smash. Endurance crept higher with each ragged inhalation, stoking his battered body''s reserves. Agility and Dexterity honed through the dance of evasions and reflexive counters.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon


    Level: 7


    EXP: 252/281


    Class: None


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 5.9


    -END: 5.9


    -AGI: 5.9


    -DEX: 5.9


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 5.2


    -CHA: 4


    -MAG: 8


    Attribute Points: 0


    +Musical Prowess: Mid-Intermediate


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    -STR: 5.9 -> 6


    -END: 5.9 -> 6


    -AGI: 5.9 -> 6


    -DEX: 5.9 -> 6


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Quest completed!


    Get Your Life Together


    Difficulty: E


    You have managed to get back to where you originally belong.


    But remember, this is still only the beginning. Even still, any progress


    meaningfully made is still deserve of celebration.


    Objective:


    -Raise all your Physical Attributes to 6 at minimum.


    Reward: 2,000 EXP


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Suddenly, a well spring of power burst within him. That quest from like a month ago which he has nearly forgotten after the incident of his first Gate delve, the meeting of his old friend Jin and the sacrificial operation that he got caught in its thrall. The reward effectively grants him 7 level up thus 7 Attribute Points to use in this instant.


    Jihoon then proceeds to assign all of them into MAG stat, the number of the stat then swelled up into 15 which is the first to break into the double-digit threshold. Feeling the power of his Song Magic becomes stronger by nearly double. Jihoon takes action once more.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Exceed!


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect:


    -+155% to all Physical Attributes of self.


    ''A music piece composed of unyielding defiance. Even if one¡¯s circumstances have fallen into misfortune and ill-fate, hope only remains if one lives with determination. To surpass the previous self of yesterday, one must overcome challenges of today and tomorrow with confidence in self.¡¯


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Talk about a literal main character moment.


    Immediately, the reverberating chords of "Exceed!" swelled with redoubled intensity, a crimson ember igniting into an incandescent inferno within Jihoon''s soul. His body flooded with preternatural vigor, halberd strokes growing faster, heavier, more precise with each passing second.


    The D-ranker''s momentary lapse gave way to a snarl of frustrated rage as he realized the tables turning inexorably against him. Jihoon had shattered through his own mortal shackles as his calculated stat combined with ¡®Exceed!¡¯


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    -STR: 6 (+9)


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    -END: 6 (+9)


    -AGI: 6 (+9)


    -DEX: 6 (+9)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    One stat alone isn¡¯t much. If 10 is the maximum of an unawakened individual such as deadlifters, sub-2-hour marathon runners or martial master pre-Gate. Having a 15 even in one attribute puts one into the threshold of E-rank Hunters.


    However, having all 4 Physical Attributes being 15 makes them far more than the sum of their own parts. When an attack is imbued with all combined physical stats of 15 land, even that is going to retire a D-rank if it lands a critical blow.


    The D-ranker barely had time to raise his maul in a desperate guard before Jihoon''s halberd lashed out in a blur of exponentially amplified might. Steel rang against steel with a thunderous concussion that made the entire chamber quake.


    But Jihoon''s assault didn''t relent, each empowered strike carrying the concentrated potential to shatter bone and pulverize armor like tinfoil. He battered aside the D-ranker''s frantic blocks and parries, steadily breaking through his defenses with relentless, unstoppable force.


    Finally, Jihoon saw his opening - a fractional gap in the D-ranker''s guard as his foe made his misjudgment as he overcompensated for an overhead slash. Pouring every ounce of strength, speed, and precision behind one focused swing, Jihoon wrought his halberd''s wicked blade straight into the traitor''s midsection.


    There was a sickening crunch of rending plate as the halberd punched through the D-ranker''s defenses like they were papier-mach¨¦ and his halberd ruined equally on that forceful impact. Jihoon could feel the solid impact tremor up his arms as the corrupted Hunter''s armor buckled and burst apart in shredded fragments, bloodied steel sinking deep into his abdomen.


    A gargled scream tore from the D-ranker''s throat as he stumbled back, hands clutching the impaling shaft in vain. Jihoon twisted the embedded blade with merciless finality, threatening to bisect his foe entirely at the waist as he glares into the D-ranker''s wild, anguished eyes.


    "You sacrificed your own to feed the boss monsters..." Jihoon hissed through gritted teeth. "Traded innocent souls like cattle to amplify them into loot-drunk pinatas. All for power and greed."


    The D-ranker could only claw weakly at the protruding halberd as his lifeblood poured forth in torrents. "M-Mercy...I beg you..."


    But Jihoon''s stare was as cold and pitiless "You tried to corrupt everything the Hunter''s Creed stands for...twisted it into some sadistic self-fulfillment for your own self-serving ends."


    "My friend is somewhere out here because of your machinations...and who knows how many died sating your vile hunger." Jihoon said as the halberd''s broken edge moves, further agonizing the crippled D-rank.


    With a heaved motion of his entire body, Jihoon pulled the halberd out as blood flowed incessantly. Unable to move at all due to crippling pain that drowns out every faculty, the D-rank Hunter can only await his demise approach in slow motion as Jihoon prepare for an upward slash of his halberd.


    As his halberd cleaved into the stone flooring itself, flexing every amplified muscle fiber to its utmost limit. Grinding sparks and screech of tearing alloy with just mere strength applied. The shaft itself bends as the potential kinetic force builds up within his halberd¡¯s end.


    Then once the halberd¡¯s blade leaves the ground, it moved in an upward swing that left no room for observation. The D-rank¡¯s body is bisected in half vertically with the sheer force applied. The halberd itself snapped from its shaft as it lodged into the D-ranker¡¯s torn body.


    Nothing left to say to the disgraced D-rank Hunter, Jihoon stared at the corpse strewn across the floor along with the rubble as a spreading pool of viscera formed underneath. And just as his enemy¡¯s life ends, so too is the final cadence of ¡®Exceed!¡¯.


    ¡°I need to find Jin, fast¡±. Jihoon said as there is nothing left to recover of his broken halberd either way. Quickly leaving the scene as he tries to navigate the ruined hall that only becomes further broken as this delving goes on.


    Back to the investigation task force, Sung Jiwoon having punched the judicator to death until the helmet crushed. Thus, terminating the remnant persisting life force within its undead husk. It is proven that it has been targeting those using the ill-gained equipment that gained from sacrificial boss.


    But even with its death, the Gate didn¡¯t terminate which proves that this isn¡¯t a Gate Boss. If anything, it was only a or Elite Monster or a mid-stage boss in video game terms. Yet such a thing caused numerous damages to the dilapidated judicial hall and now the investigation task force has to be a lot more careful navigating the ruined hallway.


    The grizzled D-rank made his inquiry of the remaining F-rank survivors about the situation and what happened.


    The D-rank quickly gathered what remained of the battered F-rank Hunters, his grizzled features etched in a deep frown as he surveyed their bloodied, shell-shocked states.


    "Alright, I need full sitreps, people. Don''t leave anything out - we''re dealing with powers way beyond anything you nuggets signed up for."


    The F-rankers shared haunted looks, but one spoke up, voice wavering. "S-Sir, we were deployed as usual for a standard Subjugation op. But that damned knight...it singled out the veteran leadership like it could sniff out their corruption!"


    The D-rank''s frown deepened further. So the depraved turncoats'' sacrificial operations had indeed tainted them in some perceptible, damning way. No wonder the ancient judicator had lashed out with such single-minded fury.


    Another rookie piped up, nursing a badly wrenched arm. "It devastated our formations, divided us up like it was herding sheeps. We just kept getting separated further and further apart as the whole place started collapsing."


    "Casualties?" The D-rank''s tone was grim, already dreading the answer.


    The F-rankers looked around at their diminished numbers, expressions haunted. "...We''re all that''s left, sir. The rest were cut off, buried under the rubble, or..." A tremor ran through the speaker''s voice.


    "We hunkered in what was left of the antechambers, just trying to stay out of that monster''s path." The young man shook his head slowly. "Wasn''t until your team breached through that the killing frenzy finally stopped. And that was just the opening bout by the looks of it..."


    A deafening silence fell over the shattered hall. The D-rank worked his jaw tightly as he processed the foreboding implications. He exchanged a loaded look with Jiwoon, her knives already slipping back into her hands.


    The D-rank grunted, gaze drifting to the path ahead where the courthouse ruins showed only increasing disrepair. "Then it stands to reason there''s gotta be one concentrated hellhole up ahead. The focal point of corruption this whole place has been built around."


    His eyes narrowed to blazing slits. "Jiwoon, take point and cut us a path to whatever malignancy is waiting at the heart of this place. The rest of you greeners, stay on my six and keep your wits about you. We''re ending this perverted operation once and for all."


    The D-ranker¡¯s grip on his warhammer tightened. If his glove was off, one would see his wielding knuckle turned white from all the repressed fury.


    Back to Jihoon, as he made through the decided path again. The supposed route that led to where the Gate Boss is. Then another courthouse that he just came across but smaller by comparison. And there¡¯s another judicator knight at the center with its halberd stabbed into the ground.


    Not wanting to go through the same ordeal again, Jihoon carefully makes his way around as he approaches the other exit away. Then when he opened the door, Jin was about to open it from the other side.


    ¡°Jin! Thank heaven that you¡¯re alright. I do not want to imagine the scenario that I lose you forever¡±. Jihoon said as he tried to hold onto Jin.


    ¡°I thought that I lost you too¡±. Jin said that although he looks dirty, he is far from any harm that befalls him. Lucky simply didn¡¯t cut it for the two of them to cross path again so soon.


    And just as when they were about to leave the courthouse behind uneventfully. Jihoon suddenly felt a sharp gaze staring at him from the back, penetrating through even the wall itself. He knew that something just triggered that judicator but he was sure that he has none of such thing on him.


    Before he could say anything to Jin. The judicator burst through the door as its halberd threaten to struck Jin down on the spot. Jihoon played ¡®Exceed!¡¯ again through his System as all of his physical attributes converged to barely deflect back the judicator¡¯s powerful strike with his spiked hand-axe. The result sends him back reeling, but it has activated and designated them as sinners.


    ¡°Jin! Did you loot anything from the deceased D-ranker or special geared Hunters!?¡± Jihoon said as he utilized everything of his physical stats of 15 across the board to withstand the judicator.


    Jin didn¡¯t respond with anything as he seemed paralyzed in fear but that doesn¡¯t seem to be the right description. The pallid complexion, the slightly too-wide eyes, the tremors wracking his limbs - it wasn''t mere fear paralyzing his friend, but something far more insidious.


    In that haunted gaze, Jihoon saw the reflection of his own private torment. A soul bearing scars invisible to the naked eye, psychic wounds inflicted by unfathomable cruelties and losses. Just what unspeakable trials had Jin endured to reduce him to this haunted shell of the man Jihoon once knew?


    But as his friend remained frozen in that haunted, thousand-yard stare, Jihoon felt a pit of dread expanding in his gut. Disparate clues started clicking together like tumblers in a cosmic locked.


    ¡°Is your guitar case...¡± Before Jihoon could complete his question. Jin already replied.


    ¡°No¡­ The guitar case is genuine but¡­ I¡¯m just as far gone as you can guess. 10 years, Jihoon, that amount of time can change someone by a lot¡±. Jin said as he seemingly grasps for something in his own shadow that cast by the ambiance light.


    A breech-loader cartridge rifle emerged from the shadow as Jin extracted it. Already moving into standing firing stance, the judicator had no chance to retaliate as a streak of cerulean lanced forward like a runaway freight train. All that left behind is a cauterized tunnel-wound still sizzling that same cerulean flame.


    The judicator crumbled, its immortal vigil ended by Jin¡¯s shadow-wrought firearm.


    Jihoon can feel his own psyche reeling as the spectral item¡¯s description rolls into his mind¡¯s eye.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Der Freischutz (The Freelancer)


    Classification: Firearm


    Rarity: Legend


    ATK+: 108


    An accursed firearm that changed forms numerously across history. Wrought by a promise that will only result in further misery. Seven bullets are dealt, six will fly true as its shooter¡¯s desire and the last shot will be the devil¡¯s.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Jihoon''s mind reeled as he stared at the accursed firearm in Jin''s grasp. As a composer who inevitably have to go through a lot of story to get their theme correctly, he can¡¯t possibly not know about that Germanic folklore about the bullets that grant preternatural accuracy at a soul-rending price it has.


    "Jin..." he started, voice trembling. "How...?"


    His friend''s expression was haggard, haunted. "You want to know the story, Jihoon? Fine, I''ll give you the abridged version."


    Jin''s grip tightened around the shadowy rifle as he gathered himself. "Ten years ago, the Gates descended and tore our lives asunder. Arisen Studio was one of the first casualties, our entire livelihood snuffed out in an instant."


    A muscle twitched in his jaw. "I tried to stick it out, make an honest go as the world came apart at the seams. Tried to make myself useful with what skills I had - because what else was there?"


    He laughed then, a hollow bark devoid of mirth. "I got conscripted as a grunt laborer, part of teams sent to clear rubble, set up refugee camps. Pretty quickly, we became nothing more than bait for the encroaching monstrosities..."


    Jin''s gaze turned inward, reliving dark memories. "One such sweep, our entire convoy got ambushed. It came out of nowhere, this...abomination. Hunter teams already on site were getting butchered left and right before they could even mount a counterattack."


    "I was the last one standing after it mowed through my squad. Just pure, blind luck that it has become weak enough after numerous sacrifices were made to it." His voice grew quieter. "It was toying with me at that point. Wanted to make the last soul it reaped suffer, I suppose. Didn¡¯t expect that I found an anti-tank rocket launcher to do the thing in at the last moment."


    Jihoon could feel the bile rising in his throat as Jin pressed on in a flat monotone. "I found this rifle just...lying there, in its blown up corpse. I didn''t care at that point as I just wanted it to end. But little did I know that there really is a life worse than death await me when I take it"


    A tremor passed through Jin''s frame. "Just like that, a conscripted laborer had felled a boss-tier threat that butchered entire Hunter teams without breaking a sweat. And somewhere in the back of my mind, that depraved part of me thought - if I could do that by sheer chance, just imagine what I could achieve if I really tried..."


    Jihoon''s insides twisted as the terrible realizations crashed over him. Jin''s harrowing brush with death, the way Der Freischutz appeared before him with seemingly impossible odds. Could that singular event have driven his friend down such a dark, winding path of obsession?


    Jin seemed to read the horrified realization in Jihoon''s expression. "I''m not asking for your forgiveness, old friend." His tone was laced with weary resignation. "After the things I''ve done to feed my hunger for power...I don''t deserve it."


    "Just know that I didn''t want to drag you into this sick saga." He jerked his chin toward the open doorway. "Get out of here while you still can, Jihoon. I''ve already strayed too far into the abyss to ever find my way back."


    Jihoon felt his throat constricting as a maelstrom of emotions warred within him. Part of him raged at Jin''s descent into depravity, howled to bring his former friend to justice for whatever unnamable atrocities he had perpetrated.


    Yet another part couldn''t bear to simply abandon Jin to his self-appointed damnation. Not after everything they''d been through together, the bond forged over years of creative collaboration and musical kinship. There had to be a way to reach him, to pull him back from that bleak, shadowed brink...


    Steeling himself, Jihoon stepped forward - only for Jin to raise Der Freischutz in rebuke. "Don''t try to stop me, Jihoon. I won''t have your soul weighing on my conscience too."


    Before Jihoon could protest further, Jin turned and fled through the shattered doorway, the shadows swallowing his retreating form. Left in his friend''s wake, Jihoon felt a profound sense of loss welling up as it mingles with his anger and dismay.


    He gazed at the fallen judicator''s weapon lying amidst the wreckage. The halberd¡¯s description burned itself into his mind once more.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Judgment of Light (Decayed)


    Classification: Polearm


    Rarity: Heroic


    ATK+: 35


    A sacred relic wrought by an order of noble paladins, now diminished to a decayed fragment of its former glory amid the tides of corruption. Perhaps in the hands of a virtuous soul, it may yet be reforged into its original splendor once more...


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Jihoon''s fingers closed around the shaft of the dilapidated halberd as a sense of purpose solidified within him. If confronting Jin was now an inevitability, then he would have to be prepared - mind, body and soul. No weapon seemed more fitting for such a daunting trial than this faded emblem of justice and righteousness, no matter how lofty its requirements.


    A tight nod to himself, and Jihoon turned to seek out the path ahead. The investigation taskforce had to be made aware of Jin''s involvement, of the true depths his friend had plunged in pursuit of that damned firearm''s profane power. Only then could he take the first steps toward redeeming Jin...or stopping him once and for all should redemption prove impossible.


    No matter how this grim road unfolded from here, Jihoon vowed to walk it with the same fortitude and conviction that had seen him through so far. He owed Jin that much, at the very least.

 Chapter 10: Der Freischutz

    The investigation task force navigated through the broken judicial hall as a section of Hunters continued their exploration. In eventually, the recon of the task force managed to ascertain a way toward the Boss Room.


    And naturally, the courthouse where Jihoon is waiting for them to come is in their way. Upon seeing Jihoon still alive, the grizzled D-rank immediately approached in relief that he was still fine.


    Of course, things didn¡¯t exactly go as planned but Jihoon shared his findings with the investigation force with great details. Of how this sacrificial operation has likely existed long ago but only reared its head recently until now considering Jin only registers as a proper Hunter like 3 months ago. But secretly hid an ace that doesn¡¯t reflect his status as an F-rank.


    The investigation task force listened with rapt attention as Jihoon relayed the harrowing tale of his friend Jin''s decent into depravity. He spared no detail - the cursed firearm Der Freischutz and its perverse bargain, Jin''s obsession with acquiring ever greater power after his harrowing brush with death a decade prior.


    "According to the lore, that infernal rifle should have killed Jin long ago, or at the very least, its effects would have become glaringly apparent," the grizzled D-rank said, features creased in a deep frown. "Misfiring with that dreaded seventh shot, putting allies in the line of fire - there should have been signs of its corrupting influence all along."


    Jihoon shook his head slowly. "By all rights, Jin should have been consumed by its corrupting energies almost from the outset. Either killed outright by the weapon''s fell power...or driven utterly mad by having cheated death so profanely."


    The D-rank''s craggy features tightened grimly. "You''re implying he''s been staving off its malign effects through sheer force of will? Centering his entire existence around that damned gun''s curse?"


    "And that''s just the half of it," Jihoon continued heavily. "From what little Jin confided before his escape, it seems this obsession has been nearly a decade in the making. Ever since the initial Gates descended and tore our world asunder..."


    Jihoon recounted the harrowing tale - how Jin had survived an infamous boss-tier ambush that butchered entire rookie Hunter teams, only to find the Freischutz amidst the monster''s remains. How that single, improbable victory had planted the seeds of ambition which blossomed into unholy pursuits of power at any cost.


    "He thinks everyone else he knew back then perished in those dark days," Jihoon said somberly. "That self-blame belief enabled his dependence on the Freischutz to keep spiraling further and further into depravity without anything anchoring him."


    His jaw tightened. "Until he crossed paths with me again during that first disastrous Gate delve. I think...part of him realized he can''t keep treading that path any longer without losing his soul completely."


    His gaze met Jihoon''s with cold resolution. "We shut this monstrosity down here and now, kid. No matter what it takes - we''ll save your friend from himself if we can...but that devil''s bargain bullet-chuter gets dismantled permanently. You read me?"


    Jihoon could only nod tightly, renewed determination tingeing his words. "Understood, sir. Jin may have fallen into darkness...but I''ll be damned if I don''t try dragging him back into the light, one way or another."


    His fingers curled around the shaft of the aged halberd as the task force pressed on toward the heart of this dungeon. Whatever profane power awaited them, Jihoon would confront it head-on - his steadfast convictions the only bulwark against the encroaching end.


    Following the route to the Boss Room, Jihoon and the rest of the task force saw more and more judicate knights slain with well-timed shot through their body. And what looks like an entire group of them slain in a unified firing volley despite there being only one shooter.


    The D-rank can only gauge what the ability of Der Freischutz really is. Jiwoon¡¯s thoughts converged toward of how to fight such an opponent who can always accurately hit you no matter what.


    "Kid wasn''t lying about that hellgun''s accuracy. Bastard must have taken them all out with a single volley, rounds striking true even at obscured angles and distances."


    Jiwoon''s lips pressed into a tight line as she evaluated the grisly scene. "At least we finally have confirmation he hasn''t burned through all of the Freischutz''s ''true'' shots yet. Otherwise, this whole place would be cratered from that dreaded final, round."


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case then a conventional assault would be no different that a suicide charge. That lunatic could theoretically nail half a dozen crits on us before that wildcard failsafe even kicks in. We''re gonna need to limit his firing angles, blanket that rat with enough suppressive firepower to keep him on the defensive." The D-ranker spat out a coarse curse


    ¡°Sir! I used my Awakened ability to create a miniature 3-dimensional holographic map of the area ahead. In front of us is a narrow chokepoint of 3 ways that was supposed to lead us to the Boss Area but I could sense a presence awaiting at the choke point. Other than that, these passages are also on verge of structural failure and can be collapsed with a demolition charge regardless of placement¡±. The recon of the investigation task force made his report.


    ¡°So, we could definitely breach our way through between the path then and if desperate enough, collapsed the entire route. Der Freischutz only retains its unerring accuracy if the target is in direct sight of the shooter.¡±


    Jiwoon piped up, her dual blades already in hand. "I''ll run point then, blur his sightlines while you big guns lay down the heavy ordnance barrage. If I can keep him guessing where the next thrust is coming from, maybe buy enough split-seconds for solid hits to start landing." Her lips peeled back in a predatory grin. "After all, even a god-shot couldn''t account for random buckshot spreads at pointblank."


    "Easier said than done with whatever''s ahead still lurking in wait," the D-ranker growled. "But you''re our best bet at overwhelming this psychopath''s skills. Just don''t get overconfident and charge in recklessly."


    His gaze fell to Jihoon, softening minutely. "You''re on backup duty, kid. From what you''ve described, your Songs might be the only counter we have against your old partner going full-tilt with that hex-barrel of his. You''ll need to lay in priority buffs where you can as you try tilting the scales in our favor."


    Jihoon nodded understandingly. The mission priority come first much as he wanted to save Jin, but he can¡¯t allow his newfound allies to die due to his obsession with the old one. With a deep breathe, Jihoon shadowed with the recon.


    Then he suddenly realized one thing. If Jin¡¯s gun could indeed hit any target anywhere with impossible accuracy, his danger would have been far more presenting than how it should appear. Yet, he never used it despite knowing Jihoon himself is here.


    "Everyone, I think Jin can only detect us with his visual range and if he sees us clearly, otherwise he wouldn''t waste his shot at all with Der Freischutz. We''ll take him by insurmountable force once all the gambits piled up and pulled off.¡±


    Because after all, Der Freischutz in its original folklore never have its shooter fired at a target he doesn''t even aware of


    The D-ranker nodded grimly at Jihoon''s analysis. "Sharp eye there, kid. That cursed rifle may grant your friend ungodly marksmanship, but it can''t overcome basic laws of optics and line of sight."


    His gaze swept over the holographic map projection, carved features etched in concentration. "Which means we can use the environment against him, at least initially. That chokepoint''s gonna be our killing field, but we need to control the engagement from ambuscade."


    Jiwoon cracked her knuckles, a feral grin playing across her lips. "I can lead the flanking maneuvers, use those side-tunnels to hit him from angles he won''t be expecting. Keep him pinned and pivoting until the big''uns have their demolition charges laid."


    "Exactly," the D-ranker grunted in approval. "We splinter your crazed former partner''s field of view, disorient him just long enough for our main force to lock down escape routes."


    He pointed at two of the larger Hunters, their bulky frames outfitted with breaching charges and heavy ordnance. "Samil, Jong-hu - you''ll be our demolitions muscle alongside me. We punch through the access tunnels here and here, set the perimeter charges to channelize everything toward the kill zone."


    The grizzled veteran''s finger traced a path through the hologram''s heart, the central nexus where all routes appeared to converge. "Once the rat''s boxed in with nowhere to run, hit him with everything you''ve got. Zero-hold barrage, max stopping power." His steely gaze fell on Jihoon once more. "And you, kid. Can you play your Song Magic to increase our overall capability?"


    With an agreeing nod, he already has such a thing in his store already. In fact, Jin is already partially aware of it too.


    Even if it meant putting Jin down for good should he refuse to surrender his dark path. The unspoken words hung heavy in the air, an oath sealed without need for further voice.


    The D-ranker regarded Jihoon appraisingly, seeming to weigh the younger man''s measure. At length, he gave a curt nod of acceptance. "All right then - final checks on field gear and munitions. We breach and secure that chokepoint in two minutes, people!"


    Jihoon made his agreement. He¡¯ll bring his friend back no matter the capacity. Simple and concise as that.


    Slowly approaching the chokepoint by his lonesome self. If there¡¯s anyone that could stall Jin¡¯s from immediately firing Der Freischutz then it would Jihoon himself. Then with the strumming of his electric guitar, the piano played by the System followed in sequence.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Glint of Cold Steel


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect:


    -+75% to all Physical Attributes to all allies within Song Magic¡¯s range.


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    If Jin can hear it, then he knew Jihoon is within the area. However, without being directly in his line of sight, Jin would not take potshots with a perilous weapon as his. His gaze however, didn¡¯t separate from the hallway where the sound is coming from.


    While Jihoon draws attention of Jin through his Song Magic, everyone else is moving to position. Fire team Hunters with their anti-material rifles, the demolition team and the grizzled D-rank calculating the effect of the demolition charges to their own advantage. Jiwoon and the vanguard prepared to move and enclose. All three teams divided to the selected path


    Even if Jihoon himself has base stat only of F-rank, all the task force¡¯s personnel around is about D-rank in general strength and Jiwoon is likely higher by a slight margin.


    He isn¡¯t the one to bring the end to it, but he is no doubt the crux of the operation.


    ¡°Now!¡± The D-rank in the shadow of the hallway spoke through the squad communicator as the fire team Hunters heed his command.


    Only one opening volley was needed. As the fire team Hunters fired only their first shot toward Jin which he immediately shifts their attention toward them. Right when the gun was about to be fired however, the grizzled veteran who observed through the holographic map immediately activate the explosive.


    The area in front of the fire team blew up in a cloud of dust, covering their position as the firing team hastily retreated. Before Jin can rescind his decision, the gun has fired but having no mark to lock onto. Its power simply stray into nowhere as it caught nothing in its path. Then the hallway collapsed in entirety as nothing can traverse it.


    All of it to draw out one magic bullet from Jin, so that he is getting closer to the seventh bullet. But there is one more important objective beneath them all, make sure that none of the task force operatives here die or Jin¡¯s case will truly become inexcusable.


    ¡°Activate every other charge! Don¡¯t hesitate! Go! Go!¡±. The grizzled veteran said as he commands one of the demolition Hunter.


    Moving with unnatural swiftness granted by Jihoon''s Song Magic, the breachers hurled their payloads toward the out of the darkened hallway as Jin¡¯s focused attention immediately noticed the something incoming. With his Freischutz on the prepared, the moment something stepped into the light means he immediately fire Der Freischutz.


    Except he just fired at the payload of explosive that the demolition team had thrown. Another of Der Freischutz shot spent just to nearly ruin things on his end as the damage started to spread from the hallway toward the ceiling above him. Then rubble avalanche upon as Jin navigates the falling debris. Even if Jin didn¡¯t fire, the demolition team would have detonated the payload remotely.


    Taking advantage of the situation, Jiwoon rushed into the fight as she started with her barrage of throwing daggers. Combined with Jihoon¡¯s ¡°Glint of Cold Steel¡±, the thrown dagger carved deep into the stone masonry with the mere applied effect on her stats as she controls the battlefield on her initiative.


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Jin is still merely F-rank, a lot of these should have killed him already. However, he didn¡¯t need to use Der Freischutz as only as a gun. Quickly opening the loading breech of the rifle, a magic bullet manifested in its loading slot. With a large chunk falling toward, Jin batted the said chunk with the gun itself as the magic bullet detonated, technically didn¡¯t fire thus avoiding the constraint of firing at all. After all, it didn¡¯t say that he can only fire the gun.


    As the detonated magic bullet collided with the rubble, said chunk immediately blew up and fragmentated toward Jiwoon with great force. With enhanced DEX and AGI thanks to Jihoon¡¯s ¡°Glint of Cold Steel¡±, she who is already fast become even faster. All these scattered fragments become nothing to her as she deflected all of those incoming rubble as sparks create upon her daggers¡¯ swift motion.


    Though once she cleared them out, Jin was already prepared for his following fire of Der Freischutz with its aim locked onto Jiwoon, unclear of how she can escape its imposed unerring accuracy.


    ¡°Even if she could deflect it, the damn magic bullet will still redirect itself to hit her wherever Jin wanted to be.¡± The D-rank spoke in the split-second that separates between life and death.


    Without any hint of fear or worry, Jiwoon was already in motion, preternatural reflexes honed to a razor¡¯s edge. Riding the amplified physical boosts of Jihoon''s Song Magic, she launched herself into a sideways arcing leap just as Der Freischutz barked its dread report.


    A line of devastation lanced across the rubble-strewn floor as the magic bullet detonated against the stonework, sending debris shrapnel spraying in all directions. But Jiwoon was already transitioning into her next evasive vector, daggers whirling in blinding cylinders to deflect any secondary projectiles.


    Hitting the ground with a crouch, Jiwoon burst forward as she proceeded to knee Jin¡¯s face before Der Freischutz could proceed to fire another shot. As a result of such critical hit, the rifle flew away from Jin¡¯s hand but immediately disappear into the shadow before Jin¡¯s retrieved it again despite blood dripping from all of his orifices.


    With the magic bullet detonated again as he swung into another fallen rubble, the hail of frags unleashed toward Jiwoon as she weaved and deflected her way through as if making her own brand of lethal artistry. With split-second foresight, she needled her way through the storm of fragmentation.


    "You shouldn''t have come here!" Jin howled as Der Freischutz primed for another shot . "I don''t want to kill you too!"


    Before his words can be heard, the D-rank entered the fray as his warhammer batters across the broken nexus. The fire team and vanguard combined their force as hails of explosive ordinances started to rain with precision thanks to the increased DEX granted by Jihoon¡¯s Glint of Cold Steel.


    Jiwoon pressed the assault, flowing from one angle of attack to the next in an endless feint and thrust combination. Her daggers were everywhere at once, scoring long crimson rents across Jin''s form even as he attempted to line up Der Freischutz''s sights through the smoke and shrapnel cyclone.


    However, Jihoon who stood in the further back supporting the investigation task force felt an awful feeling about to occur. Recalling the state of judicator knights slain on the way toward here, Jihoon realized that wasn¡¯t all of Der Freischutz being displayed in the moment. Just as he was about to yell a warning, Jin gritted through bitter agony to fire the fifth bullet.


    Der Freischutz ¨C Fifth Bullet [Sound of Silence]


    Magic circle formulated from the muzzle of the gun and a volley of magic ballistics was fired from a singular shot. Seeing the emergency of the situation and Jihoon¡¯s mind entered a state of overdrive. Desperately trying to formulate a solution yet he is stumped already at the first step. Jihoon realized the first limitation of Song Magic.


    He can¡¯t play more than one Song Magic concurrently. If he disengages ¡°Glint of Cold Steel¡±, it would have become too late to switch into something else. Beside, there¡¯s nothing else that can do better than Glint of Cold Steel when it comes to group-based combat and he couldn¡¯t compose a new Song Magic in just a few seconds remaining.


    Wracking all of his mind for a solution, he started to delve into the memories of his past. Looking for anything that he has missed, anything that can salvage the situation. Looking far back enough, he has returned to his days in Arisen Studio again. Faint echoes of instruction filtered back, his voice guiding a fresh-faced rookie through the finer points of dynamic soundtrack composition.


    Adaptive Music Soundtrack


    "Adaptive Soundtrack is all about creating an immersive, evolving experience through purposeful musical transitions," Jihoon''s past self explained. "You establish your core melodies and harmonies, your foundational motifs. But you also craft bridging sections that can overlay those building blocks, adding or subtracting instrumental layers on the fly."


    He mimicked conducting an invisible orchestra, cueing non-existent players through a series of deft gestures. "That way, as the on-screen action shifts between phases - exploring, engaging enemies, hitting climactic moments - the soundtrack can fluidly adapt in real-time. Swelling one moment for dramatic emphasis, then ebbing back to set a new tense atmosphere."


    The idea of composing a smooth transition of one Song to another depends on the situation. A lot of video games utilize it as dynamic background music enhances the experience by reflecting the environment around. The weaving of both calm and intense soundtracks in seamless manner despite the differences of tones in real time.


    Even if it isn¡¯t a necessary thing, Jihoon indeed learned about it as he has composed a decent number of soundtracks to learn about it. But after such a long time since those days, that piece of knowledge never again found its use until now.


    Even if he couldn¡¯t keep more than one Song Magic active, he can easily shift the tone dynamically into another Song Magic as if those two were one part of another. Thus, by extension, those two Song Magics were connected to one another by dynamic connection. Because of it, both effects of the two Song Magics will be applied.


    Jihoon¡¯s recalling come to an end as his fingers instantly moved into high gears. The strum of the electric guitar shifted its way toward ¡°Belief¡± as if those two songs were connected. However, Jihoon can tell that the transition he made isn¡¯t perfect but the only thing needed was the link between.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Glint of Cold Steel -> Belief


    Classification: Linked Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Linked Effect:


    -+200% to all Physical Attributes to all allies within Song Magic¡¯s range.


    Effect becomes +400% to all Physical Attributes if caster is performing this song directly.


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    That boost is no doubt the most sickeningly unfair and broken that he has ever seen. Even if he isn¡¯t a game designer, he just knows that is a cheat if he sees one in a game. However, this is reality and Jihoon is holding such power in his hand. And life is inherently unfair considering the way things have transpired for both him and Jin.


    Jihoon himself isn¡¯t the target right now thus he immediately plays ¡®Belief¡¯ to his best. As the rapid-firing chord played, the linked effect of the two Song Magic takes place. The volley of cerulean flame approaches the fire team and vanguard team as the hail of magic bullets struck them.


    Instead of instant death however, all of them are still alive despite getting shot by it because Jin believed wholeheartedly that only the D-ranker and Jiwoon can withstand his fifth bullet of Der Freischutz and the rest will perished regardless thus their trajectory has struck at the least critical area for them.


    Jiwoon felt the explosive force of Jin''s devastating volley slamming into her, the magic bullets tearing through her defenses with contemptuous ease. White-hot agony lanced through her body as the cerulean flames seared her flesh, the sheer concussive trauma threatening to overwhelm her fortitude.


    Then, like a tidal surge, Jihoon''s linked Song Magic washed over her in an unstoppable crescendo of empowering harmonic vibrations. She could feel the incredible melodies fortifying her very atoms, bolstering her against the brink of annihilation with preternatural resilience.


    Gritting her teeth, Jiwoon pushed through the scorching pain as her body''s physical limits expanded immensely. Ruptured organs mended, shredded muscle fibers knit back together in mere heartbeats. Even her tattered flesh reconstituted with shocking swiftness, the monstrous augmentations of Jihoon''s linked "Belief" briefly overwriting the debilitating damage inflicted by Jin''s firearm.


    With a feral snarl, Jiwoon surged back to her feet, daggers already whirling in a blurred cyclone of warded steel. Her strikes carried the amplified mass and momentum of a warship''s broadside cannons, each blow potent enough to shatter boulders into gravel.


    Beside her, the grizzled D-rank veteran weathered Jin''s barrage with similar grit-toothed tenacity. Charred rents in his heavy armor sizzled and cooled as the linked Song Magic rejuvenated him, mystic melodies fortifying his very bones against shattering force.


    Hefting his warhammer with almost casual ease despite its staggering weight, the veteran bellowed a challenge of his own. "Didn''t think we''d fold so easily, did you turncoat?! Your devil''s pact may grant hellish firepower - but we''ve got the power of pure conviction on our side!"


    Seeing that it is up to them now. Jihoon created his Doppelganger to play the Song Magic in his place as he draws out his decayed Judgment of Light and enters the fray.


    Jin¡¯s body looked like it should have fallen apart a while ago yet his hand still gripped Der Freischutz tightly. A look of maniacal desperation appeared in his eyes.


    "I walked too far into the abyss for this damned curse..." he gurgled through bloodied froth. "I can''t...stop now!"


    The warhammer of the veteran drew back once more with an air of finality. Jiwoon braced herself, already mapping out the defensive weavework needed to overcome the dread sixth shot at point-blank range.


    Jiwoon felt the resonate energy wash over her in pulsing waves, imbuing her form with a transcendent sense of purpose and conviction. Scars accumulated over years of strife seemed to fade into insignificance as Jihoon''s mystic cadences harmonized throughout the chamber.


    Even Jin faltered, his grimace of bestial rage fracturing to reveal a fleeting glimpse of the man buried underneath. Jihoon''s voice echoed, rich with yearning entreaty:


    "One melody, two kindred spirits astray - only lasting bonds can light the way..."


    Time seemed to be still as the linked Song Magic reached its inexorable crescendo. Their eyes met in that suspended moment as Jin''s reflecting stunned vulnerability before hardening to slit hatred once more.


    "Don''t try to reach me with your na?ve melodies!" he spat defiantly. "I''m long past the point of no return!"


    But as the Linked Song Magic held firm. Jiwoon started to understand the dreaded mechanism of Jin¡¯s Der Freischutz and from there, a method to overcome the hidden flaws.


    As if his step were light like the shadow beneath. Jin started to teleport straight to the shadow farthest away from them. With his gunsight aimed toward them as they try to close the immense distance, Jiwoon even extracted her throwing knives and throw with that same enhanced strength granted by Jihoon¡¯s linked Song Magic toward Jin. And yet, he refused to go down no matter how much in pain he is.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that anything we¡¯re doing to him will ever hurt him as much as the total accumulation of his past 10 years¡±. The veteran Hunter made his saying because he felt like Jin was pushing even his broken body like this.


    Jin¡¯s aim locked onto them as he pulled the trigger again.


    Der Freischutz ¨C Sixth Bullet [Complete Erasure]


    Instead of just one singular magic circle, an array of them manifested and extended from the central circle of Der Freischutz¡¯s muzzle. Like numerous gear pieces linked and interconnected with the central gear shaft.


    Jihoon can already tell that the incoming barrage is to be even worse than the fifth bullet that they endured before. Even Jiwoon and the D-rank veteran can tell that they¡¯re likely won¡¯t be able to evade the incoming blow. It starts to become questionable if they can even survive with Linked Song Magic that Jihoon is using.


    As both Jiwoon and the veteran assumed defensive stance. Jihoon immediately shifted the Song Magic that is playing toward Exceed making this the triple-linked Song Magic.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Glint of Cold Steel -> Belief -> Exceed!


    Classification: Linked Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Linked Effect:


    -+355% to all Physical Attributes to all allies within Song Magic¡¯s range.


    Effect becomes +710% to all Physical Attributes if caster is performing this song directly.


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    A flood of cerulean lights unleashed as the full wrath of the sixth bullet unleashed at them. Despite the effect of the linked Song Magic, its diminishing gain has unfortunately proven clear to Jihoon in the calculation. Knowing this, Jiwoon and the veteran decided to protect Jihoon with all they have as the barrage come approach.


    The torrent of cerulean destruction crashed over Jiwoon and the veteran D-rank like a tidal wave of annihilation. Even empowered by Jihoon''s triple-linked Song Magic, the sheer overwhelming force of Jin''s onslaught still threatens to reduce them to atoms. The judicial wall behind torn apart as the wave of deep blue continue its warpath unhindered.


    Jiwoon moved with preternatural swiftness, her daggers blurring into impenetrable cyclonic shields that deflected and redirected the howling maelstrom. But the punishing barrage refused to relent, each detonating round carrying the mass of a collapsing skyscraper behind its unstoppable momentum.


    Gritting her teeth until blood trickled from the corners of her mouth, Jiwoon poured every fiber of her molecularly-reinforced being into weathering the cataclysmic firestorm. Her daggers grew incandescent, their very alloys straining against structural disintegration from the absurd kinetic impacts.


    Beside her, the grizzled D-rank dug his heels into the fracturing stonework, warhammer planted like a bastion before them. He angled his hammer''s broad head into the howling blast furnace, ancient steel glowing from the obscene thermal blooms as round after round detonated against its sculpted contours.


    Together, they became an unyielding bulwark shielding Jihoon from the raging inferno. Their bodies, reinforced to the very molecular strata by Jihoon''s harmonic empowerment, withstood impact forces that could shatter city blocks. But even transcendent fortitude had its limits as hairline fractures spread across Jiwoon''s daggers and the D-rank''s warhammer, their seamless flows faltering under the ceaseless, apocalyptic bombardment.


    As the last few errant cerulean bolts ricocheted off into oblivion, Jihoon witnessed the aftermath ¨C Jiwoon on her knees, daggers shattered into molten shards around her. The veteran D-rank struggled to retain his footing, his warhammer buckling from the shockwaves it had absorbed.


    Scorched, battered, their flesh seared black in places, the two warriors somehow still drew breath despite taking the full brunt intended to extinguish them. But their defiant stares showed the toll such exertions had wrought ¨C even Jihoon''s transcendent empowerment had only barely preserved them.


    Coughing up a thick gout of vitae, Jiwoon managed a pained smile in Jihoon''s direction. "Heh...one last...trick up his sleeve, huh?" Her ruined daggers clattered to the shattered floor as she slumped forward, consciousness nearly winking out.


    The D-rank wasn''t faring much better, his gravelly voice a strained rasp. "Didn''t...think...we''d make it that far, honestly." He braced the remains of his hammer, knuckles bone-white from the grip. "It''s...all you now, kid..."


    Both warriors'' gazes fell heavily upon Jihoon then, a silent entreaty burning in their eyes. They had borne the brunt, shielded him to the last...but the time for his own conviction had arrived at last.


    Because looming through the dissipating smoke and debris, a solemn figure emerged. Jin, his coat tattered, his very flesh flayed and burned in places by his own infernal firearm''s energies. But in his grip, Der Freischutz remained as steady and unerring as ever, its baleful cerulean glow deepening in portentous overture.


    Jin''s gaze found Jihoon''s, naked anguish warring with grim resignation in those haunted depths. "One shot left, my friend..." His voice sounded brittle, hollow. "Just one final round for Der Freischutz before this terrible vigil can finally end..."


    His finger caressed the trigger guard with dreadful intimacy. "I don''t know if I can miss, even if I try. The devil''s aim is too true... More that he enjoyed my misery than ever."


    Jihoon felt his gut clench at the naked torment in Jin''s words. But he was right, if he truly couldn''t avoid landing that dreaded seventh shot, the unstoppable projectile would carve through Jihoon''s empowerments like a scythe through wheat. He had to move, had to counteract that power which has reduced nearly everyone to their crippled mess.


    Drawing his fortified breath, Jihoon moved into his starting stance of the halberd. The decayed Judgment of Light still in his hand now aimed at his old friend. Behind Jihoon himself after the judicial wall shattered utterly, is the sun slowly setting after the sixth bullet of Der Freischutz cleared the dark sky that hung in this Gate for so long.


    Jin dropped the guitar case on his back as if he truly makes himself feel like there¡¯s no burden left on him. With the cerulean gun aimed at his old friend, Jihoon knew that this might be their final chance together.


    The decisive collision approaches.

 Chapter 11: Price of Freedom

    The seventh bullet is about to be fired. And Jihoon, can only wield the decayed halberd in vigil of what¡¯s to come. He continues to assess the firearm in Jin¡¯s hand and seeing its description all over again.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Der Freischutz (The Freelancer)


    Classification: Firearm


    Rarity: Legend


    ATK+: 108


    An accursed firearm that changed forms numerously across history. Wrought by a promise that will only result in further misery. Seven bullets are dealt, six will fly true as its shooter¡¯s desire and the last shot will be the devil¡¯s.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    There was that one detail that knacked him for a while. What is it that determines the Der Freischutz¡¯s rarity at all? Sure, it was a gun making its appearance in a well-known folklore that any video game writer loves to include or make references of when the opportunity arise. But, if that¡¯s the case then¡­


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Judgment of Light (Decayed)


    Classification: Polearm


    Rarity: Heroic


    ATK+: 35


    A sacred relic halberd wrought by an order of noble paladins, now diminished to a decayed shard of its former glory amidst the tides of corruption. Perhaps in the hands of a virtuous soul, it may yet be reforged into its original splendor once more...


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Why does his Judgment of Light is graded as Heroic? What is the ranking scale that determines them? And what makes those halberds that the fallen judicator used that determine their quality as such. In fact, all of them were of a story that simply never existed in his world.


    Time is slowing down again, the sign of a decisive moment draws close that requires his answer. His mind sorts of developed in this way due to the nature of his work in his previous life were.


    What makes something Heroic? What makes something a legend? Jihoon thought for a little while that is being stretched to the eternity of his perception of mind. Then, he muttered an answer.


    ¡°Through action, a man becomes a Hero. Through death, a Hero becomes a Legend. Through time, a Legend becomes a Myth. And learning from Myth, a man takes action¡±.


    Jihoon grasped the nature of how these relics are graded. His musings on heroism, legend, and the cyclical nature of myth coalesced into a profoundly simple truth:


    Actions defined the worth of artifacts and relics, not the other way around. An ordinary blade could become "legendary" by the heroic deeds it enabled. Likewise, even sacred regalia succumbed to the eroding tides of time without virtuous hands to wield and maintain them.


    As his gaze fell upon the decayed halberd and broken sanctuary that this final battle stood. Jihoon felt an ethereal resonance stir to life deep within his soul. This relic, this "Heroic" embodiment of faded glory, seemed to answer his own spirit''s call in a way he couldn''t fully articulate.


    Even the brightest flames guttered if left untended. As that knightly order''s righteousness waned over generations, ceding to mortal failings of greed and insularity, their relics'' essence slowly dimmed in turn. The halberd had fallen into shadow, its brilliance tarnished until only a sliver of primal conviction flicked within its darkened heartwood.


    Yet in Jihoon''s grasp, that all-but-extinguished spark found new purchase to flare against the engulfing night once more. His own unbowed spirit called out to the relic''s remnant virtues in a harmonic chorus, each feeding and amplifying the other in a symbiotic resonance.


    It was the same phenomenon that had allowed Jin''s depravities to intertwine so dissonantly with Der Freischutz''s cursed energies. Where the firearm found perverse kinship with Jin''s obsession for power at any cost, the decayed halberd saw its own distorted reflection in Jihoon''s resurgent heroism - the indomitable will to protect the meek and preserve justice, no matter how the odds arrayed against him.


    As Jihoon''s fingers closed around the haft in a white-knuckled grip, ancient runes burned like searing brands along its length. The halberd''s dreaming ember roused in answer to his soul''s resounding clarion, its potent resonance cascading in glowing aura surrounding its decayed form. Yet its warm glow looked as brilliant as the heyday before.


    Meeting his former friend''s haunted stare with an unwavering look, Jihoon spoke in tones that carried the weight of prehistorical inevitability.


    "No more, Jin. No more darkness, no more profane bargains struck at the cost of your soul..." He leveled the ancient halberd, its rusted yet shining edges burning like a newborn star. "Your desperate hunt for power ends here, where mine untrodden path begins anew. If you can''t find your way back into the light..." Jihoon''s grip tightened around the thrumming haft, his next words coming out in a resonant proclamation that shook the Gate''s deepest foundations.


    "THEN I''LL CUT A PATH FOR YOU MYSELF!"


    Jin¡¯s first expression upon hearing it was denial as he made past the hesitation to fire at his old friend. As the trigger for the seventh bullet is pulled, no one knows what will follow anymore.


    Der Freischutz ¨C Seventh Bullet [Bullet of Despair]


    Instead of a barrage of cerulean bullets, the magic circles cascade as they layered with one another in front of Der Freischutz¡¯s muzzle. As if a multi-staged artillery is about to fire its entire payload toward Jihoon, the muzzle brightens with a dangerous glow as if signaling the finality that is about to come.


    Jihoon took a deep breath as if he is feeling awfully calm despite the danger and crisis he is in. Yet, it felt like it will be alright to him. He wonders if this is the state of zen that so many martial masters proclaim about. And with all honesty, he accepted it.


    The air seemed to still as Jin squeezed the trigger for the dreaded seventh shot. Instead of a focused projectile, a rippling shockwave of cerulean energy erupted from Der Freischutz''s muzzle. The magic circles cascaded outward, their geometric matrices rapidly breaking down as the bullet''s power grew exponentially. Jihoon knew this was the manifestation of Jin''s final anguish, his decade-long obsession with Der Freischutz reaching its dreadful zenith.


    As the beam erupted forth toward him, Jihoon felt the halberd thrum in his grasp, as if resonating with his own indomitable spirit. Something much more primal beckoned as it draws upon the last remaining essence, to let its radiance fuel his conviction. No further warning is made as the glowing runes along the shaft flared. Imparting its final technique as it imprints into Jihoon¡¯s subconsciousness.


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    In that moment, the world seemed to still as Jihoon pivoted, muscles coiling like taut springs as he channeled every fiber of his being into one earth-shattering stroke. His muscles, his mortal coil, his soul, everything that made his existence. The halberd''s edge sheared through the air, trailing glow of gold contrails of holy light gathering in inverse crescendo to the onrushing cerulean demise.


    Realities crashed together in a thunderous detonation that made the entire chamber quake. The despair bullet deformed against the sacred slash, its vile energies distorted and rebounded.


    Judgment of Light ¨C Breaking Dawn


    With an explosive noise like the universe aflame, a recoil that threatened to tear him apart despite the harmonic blessing that played in his presence. The deflected shot rebounded upon its source. Der Freischutz buckling in Jin¡¯s shell-shocked grip as the cursed projectile itself making its way toward Jin¡¯s heart.


    For an endless instant frozen in time, Jin''s eyes registered a thousand harrowed emotions writ large. Denial at what Jihoon did, anger at himself for taking up this cursed gun, bargaining of what he could have done despite the circumstance, depression of how he shouldn¡¯t have picked up this accursed weapon if he had known his path would eventually cross with Jihoon, and finally...acceptance, as the cursed projectile found its mark.


    A strangled gasp left his lips, lifeblood blossoms from the mortal wound.


    As the ethereal cerulean glow of the deflected seventh bullet faded, its path of destruction left behind still in wake. Jin fell to his knees, vitae blossoming across his tattered coat. His trembling fingers fumbled at the clasps of his guitar case, a lifetime''s worth of regret and resigned longing writ large across his ashen features.


    "Jihoon...my friend..." Each word came labored through gritted teeth as he finally worked the case open. There, nestled in faded velvet, lay a battered acoustic guitar, dusty and old - the very same one they had composed so many cherished melodies upon all those years ago at Arisen Studio.


    Jin''s calloused fingers caressed the worn wood and tarnished strings with a tenderness bordering on reverence. "This...this was all I had left of the life we once knew. Before the Gates tore everything apart..."


    His breath hitched, a wet cough splattering his lips with a fresh gout of blood. Still, Jin persevered, settling the guitar into the familiar cradle of his embrace.


    The guitar stroke that he played was full of melancholy. And yet with each note he played, Jin¡¯s already deteriorating body suffered in backlash. The chord progression was melancholic, regretful as the original song that he played was an entire band¡¯s effort yet easily replicating with only clapping of the body and strumming of the string.


    Soon the incapacitated task force started to wake up as the notes of acoustic guitar continued to play.


    ¡°The price of freedom is steep, isn¡¯t it?¡±. Jin said as he references the song¡¯s original name. One that no one remembers since all of it was gone with the Gates.


    The task force members treated their injury as the veteran Hunter and Jiwoon started to rise up from their brief slumber.


    "I thought you were long gone, like everyone else..." he rasped. "That''s why I let my pursuit of power twist me into...into this..." A tremor laced his tone as he continued the strumming of his guitar, the melody that he clung onto obsessively like he did with Der Freischutz.


    Jihoon decided that he can¡¯t let his dying friend to bear more suffering than he should thus Jihoon takes out his electric guitar as he played together with the sorrowful notes that Jin is playing. Of course, its gritty sound didn¡¯t suit at first yet as his heart comes to share Jin¡¯s plight, even the emotion within the chord starts to reflect his own heart.


    Once the crescendo came, Jihoon temporarily took Jin¡¯s place as he played that regretful melody in his stead until the decrescendo took place and Jin resumed his acoustic guitar again.


    As the familiar melodies drifted through the ruined chamber and the task force personnel became their audiences, it was as if the last decade of tragedy and damnation had simply...unraveled, leaving only two friends performing together once more.


    ¡°After so long, you finally managed to evoke your emotion into the song that you made. Regardless of the instrument that you¡¯ve chosen. You finally know the right notes to play after so long¡±. Jin said as his life ebbs slowly to everyone¡¯s mournful presence. ¡°I wish that I could say the same with that accursed thing¡±.


    Jin''s fingers continued to move along the fretboard, each note laced with hard-won wisdom and regret. "After Arisen Studio fell, after that first harrowing encounter with Der Freischutz, I became consumed by the pursuit of power at any cost. I told myself it was the only way to survive, to avoid becoming just another casualty in this world that had become utterly mad."


    His playing grew more impassioned, the melancholic chords swelling with anguished intensity. "But that obsession drove me to darker and darker means. I started taking jobs as a mercenary Hunter, throwing my lot in with anyone peddling an opportunity for greater strength, no matter how unscrupulous. If innocents had to be sacrificed to make me more powerful...well, I deluded myself into believing it was a necessity, all in the name of survival."


    Jihoon''s electric guitar wove a mournful counterpoint to Jin''s lamentations, their combined melodies casting a nostalgic resonance throughout the chamber. The task force personnel remained solemnly transfixed, their eyes downcast as they bore witness to this gut-wrenching musical play.


    "By the time I truly understood what a monster I had become, it was far too late," Jin whispered, his strumming hand trembling ever so slightly. "Der Freischutz had sunk its claws into my soul so deeply that I was trapped, doomed to an eternity of damnation if I failed to sate its hunger for greater atrocities."


    A trickle of vitae leaked from the corner of his mouth, but Jin pressed on relentlessly. "When I learned you were a Hunter as well, Jihoon...some last vestige of humanity must have sparked within me. I reached out, foolishly hoping that reconnecting with my oldest friend might somehow redeem me after everything I had done."


    Jin let the final, mournful chord bled out into deafening silence, his breath coming in pained rasps. "But I see now...there is no redemption for me. Not after willingly allowing myself to be twisted into such an abomination. My soul is too stained, too far gone down this path of damnation."


    With a tremor of finality, Jin set the guitar aside and met Jihoon''s compassionate gaze. "All I can do now is beg forgiveness from you, my brother in all but blood. I failed you in the worst way imaginable by succumbing to darkness...and I have no right to ask you to walk that same path in pursuit of saving me."


    His eyes glistened with unshed tears as his life slowly drain from his features. "So promise me this, Jihoon...promise that you will never lose sight of the light, no matter how bleak the path ahead may become. Carry on the melodies and virtues that we once cherished together at Arisen Studio. And maybe, just maybe...some tiny shard of my fractured soul can find peace, knowing that the true essence of our bond endures in you."


    Jin managed one last, tremulous smile, tinged with wistful acceptance.


    "Thank you...for never giving up on me, my friend. Even until the bitter end."


    As his eyes slid shut for the final time, a profound silence descended over the ruined chamber. Task force Hunters alike stood in solemn witness of Jin''s passing, the faded notes of their impromptu composition still ringing with poignant resonance.


    Jihoon gazed upon his fallen friend, the electric guitar clutched against his chest like a mournful lover''s embrace.


    Tears started to drip across his cheek, feelings welled up for a decade of separation, anguish. A brief reunion followed with an eternal departure. Jihoon while far from the most emotional being, let his floodgate of emotions unleashed.


    AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!


    A scream of confusion and sorrow let out by Jihoon himself. All stretching out as long as it can until even his vocal cord gives up on him. Yelling it out loud to the heaven above as the sunset in the distance slowly descent for the night to come.


    All until Jihoon becomes too exhausted mentally and collapses.

 Chapter 12: Sarajinae (Passing On)

    Jihoon wakes up again, this time he is in a hospital bed. He can still remember himself yelling to the sky above after Jin¡¯s passing. Then, at the corner of the room, sits the veteran D-ranker who has been waiting for him all this time.


    ¡°You¡¯re finally awake, kid. Quite a dramatic scene that befit some soap opera that you just performed there though I understand your sentiment. Now, we have a lot to discuss about everything that has transpired in the meantime¡±. The D-ranker said as a lot of things have transpired in the meantime.


    Jihoon situates himself properly for comfort. A lot of things that has happened.


    "You''ll be relieved to know that the collateral damage from your...deflection of Jin''s final shot actually worked in our favor," the grizzled D-ranker began, settling into the visitor''s chair. "When that corrupted energy discharged, it tore straight through into the Gate''s inner sanctum and obliterated whatever monstrosity was waiting as the boss."


    Jihoon absorbed this numbly, his mind still reeling from Jin''s tragic demise. To learn that his final, desperate gambit had inadvertently solved the Gate crisis almost seemed like a hollow victory in light of such loss.


    "As for your friend..." The D-ranker''s expression grew somber. "We''ve traced Der Freischutz''s origins back nearly a decade back into the time of chaos, cross-referencing cases where entire Hunter teams were overwhelmed by mysterious, high-threat entities. Seems Jin somehow stumbled into one such encounter while doing civilian conscription work during the initial Gate events."


    "What''s more, our investigation has uncovered deeply disturbing connections between Jin and the cell of corrupt Hunters overseeing these sacrificial atrocities," the D-ranker continued gravely. "Seems they were using his obsession with Der Freischutz, manipulating him into serving as their go-to solution for the most catastrophically mutated Gate bosses."


    The veteran''s face was etched in disgusted outrage. "Those soulless bastards treated your friend like an expendable munition, luring him into compromised Gates under false briefings, then leaving him to fend off the empowered aberrations alone with that devil''s gun of his. All to mitigate their own risks and losses."


    He shook his head, jaw clenched. "Jin was just the latest in a long line of compromised souls they''ve exploited and discarded over the years. And by god, if we don''t burn out this diseased rot from within, there''ll only be more victims caught in their web of sacrificial rites, fed to the ever-escalating Gate threats."


    "We''re just scraping the surface of this conspiracy''s tendrils, kid. Gonna take a lotta more work before we can uproot the whole dammed thing for good." He let out a weary sigh yet his fist clenched white-knuckled. "Kid must''ve gotten his hands on that accursed gun amidst the chaos, started down his dark path right then and there without even realizing it. The investigation''s still ongoing, but one thing''s clear - that firearm''s woven a trail of misery and sacrifice across its entire bloodstained history. Jin was just its latest...victim, I suppose."


    Jihoon felt a lump form in his throat, his chest tightening with a fresh surge of grief and regret. But he knew that by the time of their reunion, it was all too late either way.


    His jaw tightened grimly. "But you did the next best thing - you honored his wish to confront the truth, to not lose yourself to the same corruption. That''s damn heroic in my books, however small a consolation that might be right now."


    A firm hand clasped Jihoon''s shoulder, the D-ranker''s stare boring into him with an intensity that allowed no argument. "What''s important now is how you choose to carry on from here, kid. Jin''s story might be over, but yours has only just begun. The question is, what path will you walk from this crossroad?"


    "I''ll honor Jin''s memory by staying true to the values and dreams we once shared," he said, barely registering the renewed resolve thrumming in his voice.


    The D-ranker smiled then, a rare gesture that made his weathered features seem years younger. "Well said, lad. Looks like we managed to forge a true Hunter out of you after all."


    He rose from his seat, straightening his coat. "The Association''s top brass has already begun instituting new oversights and personnel vetting procedures in light of this whole fiasco. Should help mitigate anymore ''enterprising'' individuals from compromising operations for their own self-interests again."


    His gaze sharpened meaningfully. "But even with those new policies in place...it''ll be Hunters like you holding the true line against the darkness lying in wait, Jihoon. Staying vigilante, keeping your morals and codes uncompromised no matter what fresh hells emerge from the Gates."


    With a solemn nod, Jihoon accepted the unspoken charge. Jin''s tragedy would not be in vain - it would serve as a constant reminder to always walk the higher path, no matter how temptations of expedience and easy power shadowed his steps.


    The D-ranker cleared his throat, a thoughtful look crossing his weathered features. "Speaking of connections from the past...I couldn''t help but notice Jiwoon''s reaction when you were brought up during the initial briefing."


    Jihoon stilled at the mention of the formidable knife-wielder, his brow furrowing slightly.


    He exhaled slowly, allowing the memories to resurface. "Back during my Arisen Studio days, Jiwoon had just been hired as a fledgling composer and musician. She showed incredible raw talent, but also quite a fiery temperament to match."


    A wistful smile played across his lips. "We only worked together briefly before...well, before the Gates turned everything upside down. But I remember her being full of vim and passion, so very much the antithesis of the icy persona she projects now as a Hunter."


    Jihoon''s smile faded as he considered Jiwoon''s transformation. "I can only imagine what nightmarish trials she must have endured to trade in that spark of emotion for such calculated detachment. She''s fortunate in a way - at least she managed to persevere and forge a new path, unlike poor Jin."


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    The D-ranker grunted in reluctant agreement. "She''s one of the most capable Hunters in my unit for a reason. Jiwoon''s made of sterner stuff than most, I''ll give her that."


    His expression turned pensive. "Although now that you mention it, maybe there''s a sliver of her old self still flickering under that frosty exterior. Could explain her...determination during the op, pushing all the way through to you no matter the odds."


    Letting the thought hang, the D-ranker rose and moved toward the door. "In any case, I''ll make sure her files are updated with your status. Could be she''ll want to hear the full story from you herself at some point, process whatever memories are resurfacing."


    He paused in the doorway, jerking his chin toward the bedside table where Jin''s battered acoustic guitar rested. "I''ve also gone ahead and released your friend''s remaining effects into your custody. Figured you''d want to properly look after that one link to your shared past."


    Jihoon felt his throat tighten at the sight of the beloved instrument, a profound melancholy washing over him. "Thank you...I''ll ensure it''s well cared for, a proper legacy honoring Jin''s unfading passion for music."


    The D-ranker grunted again. "Sure you will, kid." His gruff tone softened ever so slightly. "Now get some rest. You''ve more than earned a reprieve after the hell you''ve been through. We''ll be in touch once you''re discharged and ready to go over your next deployment briefing."


    With those parting words, he was gone, leaving Jihoon alone with the lingering silence and his kaleidoscope of swirling memories and emotions.


    His fingers traced reverently over Jin''s guitar, feeling the worn wooden grain and slightly frayed strings. He could almost picture his friend hunched over the instrument in their studio, entirely lost in the midst of a creative trance as a new melody and lyrics flowed through his fingertips.


    A lump rose in Jihoon''s throat as he recalled the requiem Jin had played in his final moments, each mournful note weighted with the full gravity of a life''s worth of hardships and regrets. What he wouldn''t give to have one last jam session with his dearest friend, chasing the fleeting joys and artistic fulfillment they had once shared so freely...


    Before he could stop himself, Jihoon''s fingers began picking out the bass line of Jin''s requiem, the melody''s sorrowful strains filling the air. Yet even as the mournful tune spilled forth, part of Jihoon instinctively began layering a countermelody over the top, brighter and more uplifting tones offering a counterpoint to the melancholic lament.


    Jihoon''s fingers stilled over the guitar strings as he gazed out the window, fresh perspective warming his eyes. Today, it may have been sorrowful turn of events but he would not allow himself to be disheartened any longer. Jin wouldn¡¯t have wanted that.


    The past may never return again. But from the ashes of Arisen Studio, Jihoon will build something greater in commemoration of its memory. An ensemble of like-minded people who shared their passion for music together much like he did then.


    Leaving the bed while carrying his possession again. Even though he wasn¡¯t in mortal danger or that he miraculously healed, he just finds more solace in his old apartment than here right now. After making his registry to discharge, Jihoon left the hospital.


    The night wind blew serenely as he took in the sight once more. It was similar to when he first received Jin¡¯s message. Awaiting at the hospital¡¯s bus stop, a single bus whose route that will take him to his home conveniently comes for him and he is the sole passenger on this ride.


    ¡°That¡¯s fine¡­ I have a lot of things to keep to myself right now¡±. Jihoon said as he broad the bus.


    Sitting on the furthest back while gazing contemplatively toward the outside. Both electric guitar and acoustic in possession, what¡¯s there left for him to do?


    A duet, one that he and Jin never had a chance again. The last song that they made together back in Arisen Studio, never able to show to their own client.


    Jihoon used his Doppelganger skill again and thanks to the recent expenditure and transpire of events, that skill of his ranked up and removed the duration limitation out of it. Unfortunately, it still doesn¡¯t have any stat at all but that¡¯s not the main use that he has of it in the first place.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Doppelganger


    Classification: Illusion Magic


    Rank: Advanced


    Effect:


    -Create a temporary clone that has no stats but can interact with mundane objects with equal proficiency as the user.


    No duration limitation. Cooldown: 6 hours. Can''t deploy another clone when one already existed.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Because after all, he needed a partner for a duet and he simply only has his lonesome self. The doppelganger took the acoustic guitar while the real him played the electric. Without any further words to say, the duet started in earnest.


    The acoustic guitar first played in melancholic backing chord while the electric guitar played in countermelody with an unyielding hope before its chord progression come to a decrescendo.


    The old days of chasing down shadows


    All that remains are vain memories


    As if a great fire swept over me


    All that remains in my hand are ashen gray


    The scenery around him change, the neon billboards, the buildings showcasing, all of that glamour before felt so distant from what has transpired to him.


    As both him and the doppelganger performs their duet, the acoustic guitar still playing melancholic underneath. The electric guitar picked its pace as the introspective melody played together with acoustic melancholy.


    I have run for so long without rest


    Those times gone by got me choked up.


    Will I end up missing them too?


    A very long, long ways from now


    When I look back upon those memories again


    I sure hope that I can smile.


    The electric guitar entered its climax as the melody progression is composed of numerous chord progressions, all expressing self-reflection and introspection. As if expressing all the unspoken words and emotions should have been expressed earlier but too late. And then the chord progression continuously rise until it ends on a hopeful note.


    The song entered its verse section as the electric guitar paused its playing momentarily, letting the acoustic guitar have the spotlight as Jihoon continues to sing. Then, the electric guitar returned to its role as central instrument again.


    With whatever time I have left to me now


    I need to take my steps forward


    Burning myself up until I''m no more


    I must look just like a candle


    Without a moment to breathe


    I was thrown into the turbulent days


    I can only hope that I can take on my path


    A very long, long ways from now


    When I look back on those memories again


    I sure wish that I can smile.


    Jihoon made it home as the bus journey takes him close to where his apartment complex is. Still playing his instrument as his doppelganger disengaged. Leaving him to himself as he continues the song. It felt parallel to what has happened before that Jihoon felt the irony behind it.


    The song entered its decrescendo again as only the electric guitar played its nostalgic chord in the background. All of this to setup the following climax.


    Let me, let me! Fly far so far away!


    Jihoon climbs the stairwell as the song proceeds its climax.


    So I can reach the stars like¡­ a bird upon the night sky.


    Reaching the front door of his apartment, Jihoon grabbed his key, one hand is still in playing the instrument but now only he hears.


    The instruments paused so that the vocal can accentuate. Then the instrument proceed its crescendo again.


    This night, this night. Will visit me again, I''m sure. but... It''s alright, since I can live on


    Everything briefly stopped but the passing ticking of a nearby clock. Jihoon enters his room in solemn.


    It''s alright.


    The door to his apartment closed as the song came to an end.


    Somewhere unseen to him, his hard work is recognized for what it is.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Musical Prowess: Mid-Intermediate -> Late-Intermediate.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------

 Interlude 1: Rising Stars

    Meanwhile, at the Korean Hunter Association HQ


    The somber conference room fell into a tense silence as the holographic briefing displays flickered out, leaving only the harsh fluorescent overheads to illuminate the gathered directors'' ashen features. The debriefing vids from the classified operation had laid bare the full, gut-wrenching extent of the treacheries uncovered of how the boss monstrosities overleveled by sacrificed Hunters. Of a concerted conspiracy to illicitly cultivate such abominations for nefarious gains when harvested if they could.


    Director Han Seokjin, a grizzled veteran of more campaigns than he could count on both hands in his 10 years ever since Gates first appeared, worked his jaw in a pained tic as he absorbed the harrowing revelations.


    "I had feared the worst when the initial reports started filtering in...but to have our own people profaning the Hunters'' creed to this degree?" He shook his head, eyes flashing dangerously. "The reckoning meted out upon those facilitating these atrocities was more merciful than they deserved."


    Rogue Hunters, Scavengers, Scrapers, Villains... many titles but only for one designation. Of the people who didn''t report their awakening to the Association but instead resort to illegal and illicit activities for selfish interests. Most of them are treated as criminals by the Association for their refusal to follow the laws but to commit to such atrocity is beyond abhorrent.


    They expected nothing of them and still get disappointed.


    "We had codified terminologies for them all, petty demarcations we could assure ourselves of moral high ground against. But to have such unrestrained malignance gestating within our own house?" His jaw clenched until the tendons of his neck strained taut. "It makes even those dregs seem principled by comparison." Director Han said as he shows weariness since a very long time ago.


    "Indeed," rumbled Director Kim Dohyun, knuckles whitening around the sheaf of after-action reports clenched in his fist. "Burning out this cancerous insurrection from within was our first, gravest priority. But even with the prime conspirators apprehended, I fear the repercussions are only now beginning to reverberate out."


    "We had allowed ourselves to grow too complacent, too convinced of the righteousness sheltering us," Director Kim said somberly. "A harsh awakening was required, no matter how scouring the revelations proved. We cannot afford such self-deceptions about our vulnerabilities in the times ahead."


    His fist clenched around the damning reports until the papers crumpled. "The turmoils unleashed by the Gates have only just begun in earnest despite this brief peace that is being maintained right now. If even the stalwart few we entrusted to safeguard humanity could be so utterly compromised..." He left the ominous implications unspoken, a pall and harrowing shadow cast over the room.


    They know that these 5 years since rebuilt have been the most important part of history passage so far since it proves that human can overcome any challenge and risk with enough willpower. This incident is nothing new to them and perhaps would just be another a sordid spot on the passage of time. However, until it can be resolved completely, its fallout still affecting them for the foreseeable future ahead.


    All they could do was absorb the lessons carved in ice about the depths of human malevolence. Steel their resolves against whatever corruptions and failings yet laid in wait for them.


    Kim Dohyun gaze fell pointedly upon the final still-frame frozen on the main projector wall. That of a battered, soot-streaked Jihoon Hyunwoon clutching Jin Sarae''s acoustic guitar in the aftermath, eyes hollow from the soul-rending crucible he had endured. Kim''s expression grew more solemn still.


    "Jin Sarae''s death did not put this matter fully to rest, I''m afraid. The consideration now falls to us about what shall be done about this...unforeseen emergence? A rookie who displayed not only incredible fortitude, but an innate attunement to one of the Gate''s item and use it to such degree?"


    A decayed halberd. That''s what the report making it out to be but Jihoon''s attunement to it sorts of awakened the remnant power linger within. Even if it is meant as a last-ditch effort, it was still miracle that enacted by his own effort.


    "The kid''s got one helluva future ahead, that''s for damn sure," Director Han grunted, leaning back in his chair as he appraised the frozen visuals with a veteran''s critical eye. "Not even a full month as a fledgling Hunter, thrust into the deep end of this whole disgusting affair...and he still managed to endure where even elite teams get chewed up and spit out."


    Kim Dohyun shook his head in wry disbelief. "Guess that old saying holds true. ''Cometh the hour, cometh the man.'' We''d best keep both eyes trained on this rising talent before someone else gets...ill-advised ideas about exploiting his abilities."


    The other directors traded grim nods of consensus. For good or ill, Jihoon''s shocking emergence had irrevocably recalibrated the playing field in ways they dared not yet underestimate completely


    The conference room fell into a contemplative hush as the directors digested the full implications of Jihoon''s extraordinary abilities laid bare during the operation debriefings. Though his overt martial prowess remained relatively green compared to the Association''s vanguard, it was the unconventional manifestation of his "Song Magic" that gave them all deepest pause.


    "The kid''s no front-liner, not yet at least," Director Han allowed with a speculative frown. "But did you get a load of those after-action reports? How his music-like channeling managed to amplify and even outright harmonize with his teammates'' own abilities out in the field?"


    He shook his head in frank wonder. "I''ve witnessed all manner of bizarre awakenings over the decades, but this almost reads like one of those cheesy tabletop RPG character builds. A real-life bard of all things, using melodies and rhythms to inspire greater martial feats."


    The directors leaned back in their seats, letting the weight of Jihoon''s unfolding testimony sink in. His revelations about wielding the "Song Magic" hinted at abilities far beyond a typical Hunter''s combat applications.


    "Empowering melodies that can imbue allies with preternatural might?" Director Kim mused, stroking his chin. "He''s like a real-life bard straight out of those classic fantasy tales."


    "More than that, I''d wager. We''ve seen Awakened individuals manifest some pretty extraordinary talents before. We''re talking about literal saintess with extraordinary healing power, someone who has guaranteed boss drop rate which is pretty ironic about the incident just now, someone who grows stronger the more he teaches and then a literal RPG-style leveling up that our brightest aspirant, Sung Jiwoon" Director Han grunted, nodding slowly.


    But this Jihoon''s musical enchantments seem to operate on a whole other level entirely to their assessment.


    "Indeed," Kim agreed grimly. "The potential tactical advantages of having such an...inspirational force multiplier deployed could be staggering. Especially if Jihoon''s attunements allow him to harmonize unique properties from the artifacts and relics his Songs interact with."


    The other directors traded loaded looks, realizing the implications. If Jihoon could essentially attune to the very essence of relics into transient but utterly devastating force with melodies...he could well become one of the most powerful assets against the escalating Gate threats. And that was just one application of his Song Magics alone.


    "We''d best keep his development under very close observation then," Han said, lacing his fingers together atop the briefing table. "The kid''s already displayed incredible fortitude, managing to overcome his personal tragedy that would break most souls in similar circumstance to his. With his talents properly nurtured, he may just be the inspirational icon we need to rally our forces for the conflicts lying ahead."


    A grim silence fell over the room as they contemplated Jihoon''s immense, if still nebulous, potential. Whether a beacon of hope or an instrument of terrible power, it was clearer than ever that his emergence would irrevocably reshape the very future of their struggle against the Gate-bound darkness. All that remained was to see what kind of hero or terror he would ultimately become once his full capacities finally blossomed to fruition. The directors could only steel themselves to guide that destiny toward the best of all outcomes when the true crucible beckoned upon him.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Meanwhile, somewhere in the Association HQ''s Training Facility.


    Jiwoon was testing the extent of her awakened power. By her projected calculation, she would have become a C-rank after taking down the boss of the Derelict Courthouse of Judgment but Jihoon''s deflection of Der Freischutz''s Seventh Shot toward it delayed her initial plan for a bit. When she first saw his picture when the leading D-rank presented during the initial brief, she thought that her own senses are deceiving her. She had never once thought that she would be able to meet him again, not after 10 years since separation.


    Pivoted on the training room floor, her daggers flashing in dizzying arcs as she flowed through her training regimen. Even alone, she moved with a dancer''s grace, her lithe form seemingly untouched by fatigue despite hours of relentless exertion.


    As she transitioned into a blindingly fast flurry of slashes, Jiwoon''s mind inevitably drifted back to memories of her brief stint at Arisen Studio all those years ago. She had been little more than a raw talent back then, all unfocused passion and youthful fire. Jihoon as someone who was simply ahead of her in those days, had an aura of seasoned artistry, his musicianship and compositional talents marking him as an expert of the field.


    "Hey, are you alright?". A girl with blond hair spoke to Jiwoon, something that stood out considering where they are.


    "Nothing... Just that I come across something a little unbelievable considering the circumstances". Jihoon said as she recollects her bearing.


    Her expression tightened minutely as flashes of memory from Arisen Studio resurfaced. When she was a mere new blood, still passionate and temperamental about contributing as a composer and musician. It felt like it was a previous life just because how distance it felt and perhaps that description isn''t too wrong after all. And Jihoon, was easily the most passionate that she has seen then, he might not be the best but he certainly one that bear the spirit the most. However, 10 years of tribulations and suffering is more than enough to change someone entirely. Jin Sarae was unquestionably the posthumous example of the forementioned statement.


    The fiery spirit of that old day found itself again in this changed world. Whether or not it can withstand is up to Jihoon himself. However, she found his awakened ability intriguing as his obtained power is simply catered to his old profession. And within just one month since his registry a Hunter, his progress has already surpass numerous of his peers given years ahead. It''s simply quite astounding to see it in action and under its effect even.


    A fleeting smile tugged at the corners of Jiwoon''s lips as she recalled watching him work, entirely absorbed in coaxing forth the melodies from his electric guitar. And shifting toward the grim, burdened warrior she had encountered during the recent operation, pushed to the very brink in his struggle against a former friend''s damnation. Those two looked distinct without connection but... the heart in both of them are unquestionably the same.


    Yet even overshadowed by such harrowing loss when the Gates befall, the spark of Jihoon''s creative spirit had definitely burned defiantly bright when he awoke those mystical Song Magics during the fight against Jin. Jiwoon could still feel the caress of those harmonic vibrations as they bolstered her physical form to nigh-supernatural extremes. The sheer, visceral force behind each amplifying cadence had been like nothing she had ever experienced before.


    Jiwoon''s eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she pondered the trajectories laid before them. The path of a Hunter was one of constant struggle and escalating turmoil, of pushing one''s body and soul to the uttermost limits in defiance of the endless horrors emerging from the Gates. Few managed to persevere for long before their fire burned out, leaving them as husks devoid of passion or drive. Many saw the brilliant spotlights that the media shined upon the top-class Hunters without realizing the darkness of the path that one has to take to reach the same height. By then, regret or disillusion was simply too late.


    "You''ve been training your dagger skill since morning already. If you''re going to keep ignoring me and recklessly train, might as well let me heal you a bit before you continue". The blond girl said as brilliant light manifest from her hand. Jihoon felt the roughness of her dagger after such long session fade away even if temporarily.


    Jiwoon looked at her own hands for a moment as if she doesn''t ever get used to receiving help ever even if it is supposed to be a natural part of the Association.


    "Appreciate the courtesy, Seohyun," Jiwoon replied, sheathing her daggers temporarily. She could feel the micro-fractures and fatigued muscles in her hands knitting back together under the restorative radiance.


    Kim Seohyun, often called the ''Saintess'' in hushed tones by the newer recruits, was one of the Association''s brightest rising stars alongside Jiwoon herself. Her awakened ability granted her the power to heal and restore her treated patients from the most grievous injury. Almost as if the title didn''t lie and that she was the reincarnation of some actual saintess in some fantasy story.


    "You looked pretty deep in thought over there," Seohyun said lightly as her healing aura faded. "Don''t tell me you''re still hung up on that Jihoon Hyunwoon guy and his crazy bard powers?"


    A faint smirk yet mostly unseen played across Jiwoon''s lips at her friend''s blunt observation. "You could say that, I guess".


    Seohyun arched an eyebrow. "You''re telling me. I heard the kid''s melodies could amplify physical attributes to frankly absurd levels during that last op. Temporarily imbuing people with the power of roughly multiple times of their own or some such. The mystical melodies didn''t exactly give them power but instead drawing it out from the very recipient themselves"


    Then after thinking a bit more about Jihoon''s ''awakened'' power, she shook her head in bemused disbelief. "At this rate, they might as well officially title the guy as an inspirational singer rather than just a plain Hunter. Can you imagine - ''The Bard'' belting out power ballads while the rest of us try not to get mulched by the next kaiju-class monstrosity?"


    Despite her cold demeanor that let nothing through, Jiwoon chuckled at the fanciful image. "Well, when you put it like that...I suppose it does seem a bit outlandish, doesn''t it? Then again, we''ve all seen our fair share of ''outlandish'' after everything the Gates have thrown at us."


    Her expression sobered as she considered her own awakened capabilities - the ability to effectively ''level up'' her physical attributes through display of spiritual conviction. "Who''s to say Jihoon''s musical power are any more unbelievable than you manifesting your healing light shows, or my own character sheet-style level-ups?"


    Seohyun inclined her head in reluctant agreement. "Fair point. We''re probably still just scratching the surface of what''s possible with our awakened states. For all we know, Jihoon''s inspired melodies are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to expressions of his attunement."


    The Saintess then had a hearty laugh as Jiwoon returned with a simple smile beneath demeanor. Seeing that she had spent enough time discussing, Jiwoon decided to test her how far she has gone with her awakened skill. The testing monolith that is installed in numerous Association''s office branches to test the newly-registered Hunter''s strength. This one in particular is built to withstand even attack of S-rank Hunters and Jiwoon puts her all into the following attack as the dual daggers collided with it.


    After the resounding clash and a moment has passed, her result is shown on the monolith itself.


    "75.3. That''s like roughly about than 7 times stronger that even Peak-physique unawaken individuals. It seems that C-rank is within reach after all". Jiwoon said as she didn''t even utilize her prowess properly, or otherwise the number would have become higher.


    Hunter''s Rank is determined about how powerful their output attack can be made. Although exception and different measurement is made for support-type Hunters, this is the most simple way for any combat-type Hunters to measure their power.


    Even the best of unawakened individuals have never once measured above 10. A 9mm pistol bullet has roughly about 6.5, 5.56mm assault rifle is about 10. And 12.7mm anti-material is measured about 100.


    The threshold of becoming an E-rank Combat-type Hunter is to output an attack that surpass the score of 10 or stronger than the firing of a 5.56mm assault rifle itself. Hunters of these degree and the mass-majority of the awakened but not fortunate with the diversity of their power. The only way to become stronger is to utilize their own awakened ability far more creatively which is definitely beyond most awakened.


    The threshold of becoming an D-rank Combat-type Hunter is to output an attack that surpass the score of 50 or about stronger than .338 magnum rifle. The strength of these awakened individual can typically dispatch any giant-sized animal with only their strength alone and typically more capable than a lot of common threats from Gates. It is common to see D-rank Hunters use anti-material rifles with ease due to their enhanced strength. Although those with more ambition tends to stick to their melee and hone their innate strength to greater degree.


    Then the C-rank of Combat-type Hunter is to output an attack that surpass the score of 100 or stronger than 12.7mm anti-material rifle or .50 BMG. Remember how conventional weapon can only stood up to Gate-borne threat that is about D-rank? It''s because C-rank Hunters aren''t just mere brawn but also wields abilities that overcome many threats from above the rank itself. Crumbling reinforced materials like tinfoil with bare hands, stopping behemoths in their tracks with only stance and force. They''re sort of the vanguard and first-respond to any truly dangerous Gates that the Association recognized.


    However, their true value emerges when confronting Gate-entities imbued with preternatural abilities and overwhelming physical distortions that shrug off conventional weaponry. The most-efficient tactic so far when it comes to C-rank threat is actually one C-rank Hunters and numerous additional conventional weapons that are capable of dealing C-rank damage like anti-tank rocket launchers. The C-rank Hunters expose their enemies'' weak spots one at a time then the rest finishing the exposed enemies off. Dangerous? Certainly but C-rank Hunters doesn''t grow on tree either.


    The only good fortune here is that a Hunter''s power doesn''t remain static for too long but only Jiwoon''s growth is noticeable in short time due to the nature of her awakening ability.


    And the rank is only going to keep increasing and Jiwoon can see herself rising the ladder consistently. After all, being recognized by the Association and getting everything of her invested is certainly one way to encourage her.


    "I just know that I will eventually met him again." Jiwoon thought in her mind as she strayed toward Jihoon at the confrontation stage just now. What he displayed was certainly commendable if anything else.


    It makes her wonder, if she could meet the rest of the Arisen Studio again. Regardless of the fate that bestowed upon them or not.

 Chapter 13: Memories of Absence

    The new day has arrived. After that harrowing tragedy yesterday, it truly felt like a life of his passed away before he realized.


    The acoustic guitar case that once belong to Jin still lay there and as Jihoon recovers his bearing again after a long night. Though he could have remained wailing in despair of his passing for weeks on end or that he could have sidestepped the whole ordeal with Forgotten Melody, he decided that this feeling of his has to be resolved and overcome by his own measure in a swift and timely manner.


    Not given infinite time or resources, he can only resort to the most tried and unfortunately true method of "It is simply what it is". Beside, he had a lot more to do now that the matter of his living expense is resolved for the foreseeable future.


    He checked his status again, noticing the advancement of his musical prowess from Mid-Intermediate to Late-Intermediate.


    Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon


    Level: 16


    EXP: 7/296


    -Forgotten Melody


    -Glint of Cold Steel


    -Belief


    -Exceed!


    Technically, the boss kill was his doing thus he received the EXP for doing so even if dirty at the time. Can''t exactly be proud when it was precisely that deflect that has killed his wayward friend.


    Seeing the Late-Intermediate of his musical prowess being show, Jihoon takes his electric guitar for a try. His fingers ran across the strings, initially of aimless progression and pondering, not describing to any feeling he has in particular.


    Then mournful notes followed, hung heavy in the air, each plucked string reverberate with depth and technical skill. Without conscious thought, the gritty sound of that once conveyed the somber atmosphere shifted to that uplifting melodic, bright tones that embody hopeful spirit and stalwart determination. As if moving beyond just mere musical theory, he gave voice to the most raw and unfettered emotions. From complex mixtures of emotions into nuanced melody that anyone can feel and understand.


    How one can make heavy metal sound pleasant and at ease to the spirit can definitely be considered a forbidden art of equal measure.


    The harmonies flowing through him with natural ease, his mind capable of naturally knowing what progression should it make to move to evoke the harmonic ambiance that he desired. What is merely just intellectual exercise in theory and composition can now be done as an intuitive process. To make the music the artistic conduit of his emotions itself.


    He closed his eyes, losing himself in the ebb and flow of the music as it carried him through an entire panorama of human experience. From heartrending melancholy to empyreal joy, righteous fury to serene tranquility. Each note, each chord change became imbued with palpable emotional resonance under his dexterous touch.


    When Jihoon finally stilled the strings, a profound sense of catharsis washed over him. His prowess had indeed improved to a higher level, granting him mastery over one of music''s most elusive properties. The ability to stir the soul itself through the evocative language of pure sound and silence.


    With these insights gained, he knew the full emotional range of his repertoire now lay before him, awaiting opportunities to be woven into the spellbinding fabric of his Song Magic. Although the display before felt lacking not exactly because of his prowess but because it felt empty due to being a mere electric guitar solo.


    "Okay, then. Let us see what''s necessity to reach Expert Musician according to the little goddess herself". Jihoon said as he flicks the System screen in front of him. Then an explanation of the system shown much like the very beginning when he first received the power to compose Song Magic itself.


    Expert Musician: The composer has intuitive understanding over their core instrument thus has great control over the effect of their own Song Magic. However, a true composition can''t have only one instrument unless its composer knew very specifically of what they need to do. The next stage of Song Magic involves harmonizing multiple music instruments together.


    +Early-Expert: Harmonizing at least 2 instruments together, with neither overshadowing one another. Song Magic of this rank can have 2 effects at once.


    +Mid-Expert: Full mastery over instrument harmonization and interplay. Song Magic can layer 3-4 distinct effects together synergistically without dissonance. The melodies stir the soul on a primal level, allowing the caster to precisely sculpt any desired emotional resonance within their audience.


    +Late-Expert: Achieve connection between their inner emotional landscape and musical expression. Their Song Magics become representation of emotional archetypes. Song Magic can harmonically layer 5+ effects, drawing upon primal psychic resonances. Melodies stir the depths of the collective unconscious, and can quite literally manifest the harmonized landscape in the minds of their audience.


    Seeing the description of Expert Musician, he started to think about real-life composers and musician that can qualify for this criteria and... not a lot that he can imagine even with the legendary composers whose legacy still lingers even until now in this world that doesn''t have a moment to rest.


    But the step required of him to move into Expert-territory is that he must at least know how to play 2 musical instruments innately, which is something that Jihoon himself doesn''t have a lot of time to spare otherwise.


    Strumming the acoustic guitar thoughtfully, musing over the System''s criteria for progressing to Expert Musician status. While his newfound prowess allowed him to coax stunningly emotive melodies from the strings, he recognized that his skill essentially mirrored his long-cultivated mastery of the electric guitar. The physical techniques and music theory carried over, even if the timbres and voicings differed between the two instruments.


    Therein lay the crux to harmonize multiple instruments together into the transcendent compositions required of an Expert, he would need to develop an equally intuitive rapport with a second instrument distinctly different from his stringed foundation. The thought gave him pause. Even with his current accelerated rate of understanding, truly mastering an entirely new musical discipline from basics to virtuosity could easily consume years of dedicated study under normal circumstances.


    But these times were anything but normal. The chaos wrought by the Gates meant his path as a Hunter allowed no such luxuries as becoming a conservatory student once again. If he hoped to attain the exalted rank of Expert within any reasonable timeframe, he would need to explore more...expedient options.


    Arisen Studio, the only place that he could have confidently call them as a second family beside his birth parents. The place where the vibrant ensemble of musicians once gathered. While their paths may have been strewn apart across the decade of upheaval, he knew some of those tremendously gifted artists must have also awoken to their own latent abilities in the interim. Perhaps he need only reconnect some of those severed ties, forge new harmonies with those who could lend their own instrumentals.


    But seeing how Jiwoon with her cold demeanor instead of the vibrant spirit that she once had, he can''t imagine that time has been kind to them. And seeing how she made no effort to look for them even with the Hunter Association at her own beckon to do whatever she demands to do, being their rising star and all, he can only think that finding them is probably more difficult than any imagination and being fruitless at that.


    Disheartened again that his thought gotten absolutely nowhere, he lies on the bed again facing down as he questioned where to even begin. With some idle thoughts, he suddenly realized that this was indeed very similar to that faithful day when he received his power to compose Song Magic. When the recreation of the ''Forgotten Melody'' sent him to that world where the little goddess reside.


    He vividly recalled the surreal graveyard of swords, the ethereal little goddess plucking out that hauntingly nostalgic melody upon her harp amidst a sea of white rose vines. In that singular moment, his life''s purpose had become startlingly clear and profound, imparted through the mystic resonance of those spellbinding notes. If his path to becoming an Expert Musician lay obstructed in this world sundered by the Gates, then perhaps...perhaps the answer lay not in reconnecting his past, but in forging an entirely new destiny through worlds yet unexplored.


    A strange sense of clarity stole over Jihoon as he reached this little realization of his. While chasing down the scattered embers of Arisen Studio''s shattered ensemble remained an appealing prospect, he could not discount the possibility that this turbulent reality had left even former prodigies like Jiwoon irreparably changed. Unmoored from their passions, perhaps as adrift as he had once been not so long ago.


    Or he could just test his luck and keep taking on Gate subjugation until he come across his old colleagues by chance much like he did with Jin. But knowing his luck, it could be either months or never at all. And if he was a storyboard director, it smelled like bad writing from even half the world away.


    No, if he had truly hoped to harmonize the instrumental voices necessary to become an Expert, he may need to cast his gaze towards realms entirely removed from this one. Worlds where music and its creators had not been so mercilessly displaced and discarded by the cruel march of hostile evolution.


    Looking for the old laptop that has constantly been begging for its eternal rest. He opened the composing program once more as this is his only access to any other instruments. Placing notes into an arrangement doesn''t necessarily make him a proper instrumentalist but he knew clearly of what he is doing thanks to all those years of musical theory and practice in tandem.


    The recreated ''Forgotten Melody'' still in his file folder. But when he played it, no such miracle transportation has occurred at all. It seems that he will be called upon by the little goddess when the time truly come from him. After verify that he couldn''t exactly reenact the world-transporting phenomenon with the same melody more than once, he isn''t out of options yet because he still has more aces under his sleeve.


    This laptop is quite literally a relic of the old world that he once lived in. It was his personal work laptop that he carried around for like years on end and containing numerous other files that has existed. Then, he found one of the downloaded music files with dating year into two-digit itself. If ''Forgotten Melody'' worked its magic, then this will also do the trick. Its name, ''Memories of Absence''


    He heard about the doujin music culture before and how the composer would create a soundtrack but have no story or additional media in particular to convey it. This song is no different as it relies entirely on the music and one would interpret the story within it. To him though, it was a shame since such a thing deserved to have more things related to it than just the soundtrack alone.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    The introduction played with the note of a violin stretched while slowly increasing in volume, as if setting the atmosphere of a colorful world about to be told. And then, the piano chimed in as it plays its prelude and the flute taking the center stage with its soothing melody. And then the violin followed the flute''s melody while the piano took backstage.


    Then the beating sound of a drum played, all while the flute playing its soothing melody in a much higher tone than before, setting the stage of a grand world to be taken in.


    And finally when everything the diminuendo of the orchestra completed... the piano played its sorrowful melody, as if bitter regret coalescing in each note. Then the violin orchestra strum at the sorrowful note of piano as their progression become higher and higher. Until it reached the climax and as the piano slamming its note down as the final decrescendo finished this very brief introduction song.


    Jihoon closed his eyes, letting the evocative melodies of "Memories of Absence" wash over him in cresting waves. The lilting flute lines conjured visions of vibrant, sun-dappled meadows and whimsical realms alive with effervescent energy. Yet the melancholic piano refrains tugged at his soul, speaking to some fundamental absence or loss that hungered to be reclaimed.


    As the crescendo-ing violin swells built to their shuddering climax, it was as if Jihoon glimpsed the very world this composition strove to encapsulate. He could almost see the majestic visions that had inspired the composer''s imagination, their hearts and experiences seamlessly translated into symphonic evocation through each soaring note.


    While he listen to the enchanting melody itself on repeat, he recreate each and every detail by just ears alone on the composing program. From the flute, piano, violin, every emotion that instilled into the melody itself as he faithfully recreate the song itself. Imitation is the greatest flattery after all, if whoever once made this is still alive in this world.


    As the lingering harmonics slowly faded to silence, a sense of profound loss and emptiness settled over him, mirroring the melancholy that had underpinned the entire composition. Before he could fully process the almost mystical experience, a familiar radiance bloomed around Jihoon once more. He startled fully awake just as the magic circle flared brilliantly and its size surround the entire bed that he situated himself on.


    "Here we go again..." Jihoon said as he hurriedly grab all of his essential before his departure to another world away from here again.


    Grabbing his electric guitar that is encased and the battered acoustic guitar that once belong to Jin. Dressed himself whatever may suit wherever he goes but most importantly is his Hunter gear. Even if his destination is peaceful, he can''t be too careless with the way things always go. And the end result is that he looks like an overprepared traveler and that he didn''t get encumbered is due to all the training before.


    "Thank the heaven that I took up the environment adaptation class...". Jihoon said as the world around him dissolved into blinding light, all as the magic circle beneath transport him to the world where this song reverberate.


    ...


    The flash within Jihoon''s vision dissipate away as he slowly descends upon the environment around him. All while the ''Memories of Absence'' still play without any discernable source within range. Jihoon found himself soaring high above an extraordinary cityscape that seemed to merge fantastical and futuristic elements into one cohesive, dreamlike scenery. Below him stretched an immense metropolis comprised of towering spires and elongated buildings that twisted impossibly into the heavens, their forms almost organic in nature yet clearly constructed from advanced materials and technologies.


    Shimmering rays of pale moonlight played across gracefully arcing bridges and suspended transit ways that bound the sprawling megastructures together in an intricate, web-like lattice. Small pinpricks of warmly glowing lights winked across the vast cityscape, giving it an oddly inviting coziness despite the imposing, nearly gothic architectural grandeur


    Jihoon''s ears were met with a faint susurration of activity far below - the indistinct hum of urban life and technologies intermingling with what sounded like intermittent strains of music drifting up from the metropolis'' vibrant heart. Lacking the tiny compression of a mere recording, the familiar melodies of "Memories of Absence" still resonated all around him with breathtaking fidelity and depth.


    As he slowly descended toward one of the taller central spires, iconic architectural details emerged with greater clarity. Witnessing the ornate stained glass windows and fantastical statuary intricately woven into the glimmering metallic facade, all capped by an elaborately decorated dome that almost reminded Jihoon of the domed churches gracing the historic cities of his Earth. This soaring, dream-like edifice seemed to mark the convergence point where futuristic and classic aesthetics coalesced into one harmonious, paradoxical whole.


    As the magic circle beneath him is only a few feet distance away from the rooftop courtyard. Jihoon braced himself for the landing as he takes in the scenery around him. People literally die to get isekaied to another world and here, all he has to do is to recreate the introductory melody to it. And by the time of his landing, the ''Memories of Absence'' ceased as the world around returned to its natural ambiance.


    Jihoon couldn''t help but feel a sense of childlike wonder wash over him as he took in the breathtaking sights of this otherworldly cityscape. True, the fantastical cyberpunk aesthetic alone would have been enough to captivate anyone plucked from the relatively mundane confines of Earth. But it was the seamless, seemingly organic convergence of magic and technology that truly staggered him.


    As someone still acclimating to the revelations of supernatural worlds existing alongside his former reality, he had half-expected this new realm to adhere to more conventional fantasy tropes from the way that ''Memories of Absence'' has gone. Perhaps a sprawling medieval realm governed by arcane orders, or towering spires of sorcery secluded amidst uncharted wildernesses. Yet this world boldly defied such neatly delineated classifications from the outset. Its very existence challenged the notion of dividing lines between the mystical and technological, the ancient and future-borne.


    The magic circle''s radiance faded, leaving Jihoon gently deposited atop the elegantly tiled rooftop courtyard, his newly awakened conceptual senses expanded outward in tune with this world''s unique frequencies. The little goddess''s imparted wisdom allowed the jumbled indecipherable of overheard conversations to rapidly decrypt into coherent language. Scripts that he can''t even start where to learn the basis of automatically translated and understood within his vision. He is thankful that the little goddess has that much foresight knowing he would start to departure into other worlds on his own.


    If push come to shove, he could probably advertise himself as a translator. Can''t go wrong with that at the very least.


    Jihoon took a deep breath, letting the wondrous sights and sounds of this vivid new realm wash over him. While awestruck by the seamless convergence of magic and technology on display, he knew his priority must be establishing a foothold here if he hoped to progress toward becoming an Expert Musician.


    "First, I need to establish my foothold here, learn about the culture of this place, societal norm. And then getting any occupation to obtain a source of income and housing.". Jihoon made the general outline of his plan''s initial step. This is going to be a long journey and he knew that he likely won''t see to it''s end in close future.


    His skills as a musician and linguistic intuition granted by the System could potentially allow him to find work as an entertainer or translator. However, he would have to be mindful about overtly revealing his other abilities related to Song Magic until he better understood this realm''s perspectives on the mystic arts.


    Carefully slinging his guitar case containing both of his electric and acoustic guitar inside, Jihoon slowly made his way down the spire as inconspicuously as possible. Meanwhile, he keeps his own sense attuned for anything that resembles public musical performances, taverns, or conservatories where skilled instrumentalist may congregate. While seeking such places, he would also need to inquire about any legends or myths revolving around entities like the little goddess when he recreated the Forgotten Melody.


    Uncovering ties between this world and the mystic realms she seemed to oversee could prove invaluable even if this investigation is going nowhere at all. Anything that is related to her when so much is shrouded in mystery is tantamount.


    Most critically, Jihoon remained alert for any gifted musicians who radiated the same depth of passion and spiritual connection to their chosen instruments as he did. Such virtuosos would not only make ideal candidates to help unlock the harmonization required of an Expert, but could perhaps relate to the higher realms of emotional evocation and psychic resonance that the System''s descriptions hinted at. With a spirited mind and his heart still burning for musical enlightenment, Jihoon made his way down with haste.


    Thankfully, that the spire that he chose to land on isn''t something too critically important. As long as he doesn''t intrude, no one would bother him and it seems that it was the equivalent of skyscraper offices in his world that many large Hunter Guilds make use of. Something doesn''t change much and he was glad that it stayed that way.


    As Jihoon descended into the vibrant streets, he was almost immediately approached by a friendly looking man wearing simple yet finely tailored clothing. The man''s appearance was disarmingly human aside from slightly elongated ears peeking through his neatly combed hair. He guessed that the elves.


    "Well now, I don''t believe I''ve seen your face around our fair city before, traveler," the man said with a warm smile. "Actually, your garb and accoutrements seem quite exotic to my eye. Please, allow me to extend welcomes - my name is Karim, a humble merchant in Avanthal''s Grand Bazaar district."


    Jihoon returned the greeting politely, quickly realizing this Karim assumed him to be some sort of distant world traveler rather than an impossibility from an entirely separate plane. Erring on the side of caution, he simply played along with the mistaken identity for now. Whether or not people would believe him being a planeswalker is not something that he would gamble on for a lifetime of his.


    As the two makes their pleasant small talk, a young woman with striking features suddenly flew overhead with a her magnificent feathered wings. Jihoon couldn''t help but gape in awe at the sight of her effortlessly soaring between the tall spires. How they go unnoticed at all during his descent into this world was a burning question that he would never found an answer to.


    Karim chuckled at Jihoon''s stunned expression. "Ah yes, I see the Harpies still never fail to capture the eye, no matter how many times one witnesses their enchanting flight. They are definitely the target of envy of many unfortunate groundbound folks like us, those winged maidens."


    Regaining his composure, Jihoon asked about the woman''s apparent mastery over the winds. Karim''s expression turned contemplative.


    "Well, you see, the Harpies have held dominion over the aerial domains since the days of ancient lore. It''s not so much sorcery that allows their flight as it is an innate symbiosis with the elemental flows that grip our world. We surface-wise folk may wield magics to mimic such effortless aviation, but it pales next to their inborn celestial grace."


    Jihoon listened raptly, seeing how this realm''s inhabitants encompassed a wide range of supernatural races and abilities far beyond what can be conceived back on Earth. Him being a composer having diverse knowledge of fantasy races making this isn''t the most surprising thing yet to see however. Initially, his theories about music''s psychic resonances and sculpting of primordial forces may have sounded like mere fantasy there, but could potentially hold profound significance in this world.


    "I do not wish to keep you from your travels and businesses any longer, good sir," Jihoon said politely. "But might you be able to direct me toward any districts where I may find centers of musical education or performance? I am but a humble wandering minstrel in truth, and seek to expand my artistic repertoire however I can during my sojourn."


    Karim''s face lit up with understanding. "Ah, I see now! Why, you''ll certainly want to make your way toward Avanthal''s heritage conservatories then, located in the city''s artisanal heart..."


    As the merchant provided Jihoon with the directions, Jihoon had some thought when he compares the Harpy that he saw before with the little goddess. Having wings on their back is definitely a similarity but that''s certainly the furthest he can make with his assumption.


    Karim noticed the inquisitive expression on Jihoon¡¯s face as he could already tell that his thought still hung up and linger toward the Harpy before.


    "To paraphrase one of the ancient murals that are even held in Absence''s largest cultural museum, The Harpies are one of the existences closest to the Heaven, for their unfettered freedom over the sky"


    <div>


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    <div>


    Jihoon''s ears perked up at the metropolis''s name - Absence, much like the nostalgic Forgotten Melody that led him to the knowledge of Song Magic. Perhaps its appellation truly carried a double meaning, this entire nightless metropolis representing an absence of the boundaries separating mortal and celestial existences.


    And Avanthal, the vibrant district Karim had referred to, was but one slice of Absence''s vast, dream-like cityscape according to the merchant''s descriptions. Jihoon found himself amazed nonetheless continuously at what this metropolis that he would find himself residing in. With anticipation, he awaits whatever may come.


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>

 Chapter 14: RiET-949

    Kindness, isn''t something that he even expected to be given so easily when he remembered how things always were in his world. Even before Gates appeared, charity wasn¡¯t without strings attached to them. But here, having a free ride on one of those transit railway trains to the heritage conservatories of Avanthal has likely expended all of his fortune accumulated, and it will be all adversity from here onward.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind too much about it since I have to be on the way there eventually¡±. Karim said as he is also onboard of the train.


    After their initial meeting on the streets of Avanthal, Karim had insisted on treating Jihoon to a light meal while gleaning more about this curious traveler''s background. Though wary of revealing too much about his interdimensional origins, Jihoon was able to spin a plausible tale about journeying from a distant, music-starved land where danger coming out of the thin air in search of greater artistic enlightenment. Knowing the fantastical nature of this world, it is probably acceptable.


    Karim, being a merchant with a keen ear for untapped business opportunities, immediately sensed potential in aiding this skilled but financially destitute minstrel. He proposed connecting Jihoon with Avanthal''s prestigious conservatory circles, where his talents could be given proper evaluation and training. In return, the merchant hoped to secure a small courtship fee from any prospective nobility or patrons who may take the young artist under their wing. Jihoon doesn''t even feel estranged or confused because any business relationship has to start with trust much like he did back when he was a full-time composer/musician.


    However, upon learning that Jihoon currently possessed little more than the clothes on his back and his beloved guitar, Karim''s mercantile instincts were quickly outweighed by an uncharacteristic pang of empathy. He found himself moved by the lengths this passionate musician had journeyed, enduring untold hardships, all in stalwart pursuit of his artistic calling.


    Thus, the canny merchant had unexpectedly offered to sponsor Jihoon''s transitfare to the storied conservatories residing in Avanthal''s central district, no strings attached. Karim reasoned that currying a modest amount of goodwill by enabling the lad''s dreams could beget him more fortunes down the road than any short-sighted profiteering scheme.


    So it was that the two dissimilar individuals now found themselves aboard one of Absence''s elaborate public transit railways. Jihoon marveled at the sophisticated, quasi-organic designs gracing the high-speed conveyance as it soared through sweeping viaduct arches and tunneled thoroughfares. All the while, Karim good-naturedly deflected the newcomer''s awkward gratitude, insisting his aid was but a modest investment in cultivating new wonders for Absence''s cultural landscape to bloom.


    "Fine... I suppose that the initial is the make-or-break of every grand plan either way". Jihoon thought in his mind as he observes the sight outside the high-speed transit railway.


    If there''s any constant that Jihoon noticed in the vast expanse that is the metropolis of Absence, it is the massive towering spire in the distance that is penetrating through the cloud line effortlessly with just a third of its own height alone. From his own inspection, he could see it from anywhere in Absence. Obviously knowing very little about this world, Jihoon asked Karim about the gigantic spire that stood out from the rest of everything else.


    "I see that massive spire over there caught your interest. The Citadel that you saw is the heart of the entirety of this metropolis.". Karim made his explanation as a resident of this metropolis. If you live to see such a thing in sight anywhere you go, you are bound to learn something about it regardless of how much you want to avoid it.


    "The ancestral residence and governing seat of the Absence''s Harpies, the winged overseers that you just see one of them earlier".


    The merchant remained his neutrality but can''t exactly hide the revering expression in his tone. As if begrudgingly accept that Absence''s prosperity wouldn''t have been possible without them.


    "Probably a few hundreds year ago, Absence was merely an outpost at the edge of the known world at the time. But with the help of the Harpies, this place slowly becoming the place of dream that so many come to make their own become true. Before you would have known it, from a mere backwater place turned into this massive sprawling metropolis that is the place where millions of threads of fate intertwines". Karim said as his hand gestured outside the transit car.


    At the direction of his gesture, indicating the dizzying network of aerial bridges and elevated transit-ways crisscrossing between the Citadel and Absence''s innumerable towers and districts.


    "From those privileged Heights, the Harpies coordinate all major administrative and logistical operations keeping our metropolis functioning in harmony. They may lack any formalized caste hierarchy, yet those winged ones'' ancestral devotion to overseeing Absence''s interests remains an unquestioned fact of our existence."


    The merchant stroked his chin contemplatively. "Mind you, I''ve no experience traveling the The Citadel''s uppermost sanctums myself. But it''s said the atmospheres grow increasingly aetheric the higher one ascends. Entire cloudborne ecosystems and paradisial fieldscapes thriving amidst channeled elemental streams only traversable by our winged overseers."


    His expression grew tinged with wistful melancholy. "We groundbound folk can only gaze upon such uplifted wonders from afar, I''m afraid. Still, the Harpies have ever proven benevolent custodians, ensuring their grace continues nourishing the lands as much as their own empyreal demesnes."


    Jihoon nodded thoughtfully as Karim described the Harpies'' role as custodians of Absence. Though a lingering question still nagged at him from his own world''s mythologies portrayal of the Harpies. "If you don''t mind my asking, are the Harpies an entirely female race, much like the legends of my homeland portray?"


    Karim smiled knowingly. "A perspicacious inquiry. Yes, the Harpies are indeed an all-female lineage, inheritors of an unbroken matriarchal legacy stretching back to the genesis itself, let alone Absence at all. Their winged forms have become iconic representations of feminine grace and empyreal sovereignty over the ages."


    "While rare, it is not unheard of for a mortal man to be chosen as a Harpy''s consort," Karim went on. "However, such unions require far more than just wealth or social standing as a dowry. The suitor must prove himself possessed of exceptional merits of character, intellect, and spiritual purity to be deemed worthy of joining an ancient bloodline steeped in celestial mystique."


    The merchant''s expression took on a teasing glint. "And yet, any daughters produced by such exalted pairings are inevitably born bearing the winged splendor of their Harpy mother. The same cannot be said for any sons, I''m afraid. A certainly cruel trick of genetics which preserves the ascendant feminine lineage in perpetuity."


    Karim chuckled lightly. "Still, mere mortal men receiving such an honor remain vanishingly rare at least by statistic since the Harpies have to maintain their numbers somehow. Most can only admire the elevated glories of the Harpies from the perspectives of humbler perspectives, as I''m sure you''ve already gathered during your brief stay thus far."


    Though as Jihoon ponders about the connection and the power that the Harpies wield, that the quality as a consort sought by a Harpy is determined as such makes him wonder if one day, he would receive such an opportunity at all. Of course, casting away from such thought because he simply know that such a thing can''t just occur out of nowhere to someone who just arrive at this place.


    Turning his gaze toward the outside once more to take in the scenery for the journey is still long. As much as Jihoon wished that this trip remains uneventful, his trained senses as a Hunter still remained as he could feel an inquisitive gaze finding its place upon him. Unable to just bear it any longer, he turned his look directly toward the culprit responsible for the irk he felt.


    The only human that Jihoon met so far in this world, an old man dressed in black suit and hat. Has a huge body frame and with his white beard speaking of his seniority. By his side is a massive case of... something... but it was large enough to contain a compact piano if Jihoon estimated the size. It doesn''t take long for him that this man means real business and if Jihoon can use his world''s terminology to describe, he looks like a Russian Godfather.


    "He''s a musician, yeah... a musician who carries around a literal compact piano just for the authenticity". Jihoon tries to deflect his own thought from going down a dangerous road. And how he also missed such a conspicuous sight initially at all is beyond him even though everything is new to him here.


    "Hey, Karim, do you know who that old man in black behind me is?" Jihoon asked as he doesn''t feel particularly comfortable with such a menace looking at his back intensely.


    The elvish merchant simply shrugged as although being merchant required him to remember a lot people and contacts, this old man was simply new for him.


    Trying to distract his mind from the accumulating dread, Jihoon posed a hypothetical question. "So if there were suddenly to be, say, a music duel on this train, would that be breaking any rules or causing a disturbance? Not that I''m expecting one to take place, but I didn''t get the chance to look over the transit bylaws."


    Karim raised an eyebrow at Jihoon''s hypothetical query. "Impromptu musical performances aren''t exactly prohibited on public transit," he replied thoughtfully. "However, they are strongly discouraged unless one has proper permits and makes prior arrangements, lest it disrupt the efficient flow of commuters."


    The merchant eyed Jihoon''s guitar case. "I gather you were not anticipating putting on any unplanned concerts during our voyage at least?" He chuckled lightly.


    Little did Jihoon know, his path was determined to cross with that of the imposing old man regardless of Karim''s answer. Then standing up on his own seat, the old man approaches Jihoon as his menacing figure cast its shadow over him.


    "Hey, kid... You''re a musician?" The old musician in black asked him as if a fateful confrontation is about to take place.


    Jihoon remained silence for a while. Not because he was in fear or something but because of a certain someone has nudged him toward a decision already.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    A Sudden Challenge


    Difficulty: D+


    You have come across someone who is interest about your capability as a musician.


    To prove your skill as a worthy musician, prove that the confidence and trust that you have isn''t misplaced.


    Objective:


    -Successfully earn the audiences'' recognition in the music duel against the old man.


    Time limit: 1 hours.


    Reward: 4,000 EXP


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    It seems that a musical duel is about to take place. And if the little goddess believed in his capability then he won''t disappoint her. Since he has nowhere to run either way, might as well face his fear head-on.


    "You have permit to perform or else?" Jihoon said with all mustered confidence against the initial dread. Both of their thoughts aligned briefly.


    Taking out what seemed to be this world''s version of a smartphone, the old man displayed a record of conversation granting him permission to perform virtually anywhere, by virtue of his evident renown.


    A hush fell over the railcar as the other passengers picked up on the palpable tension between the two musicians. Excited murmurs rippled through the crowd as they realized an impromptu duel was about to commence before their eyes. Some shifted in their seats, eager for the unexpected entertainment, while others looked on with trepidation, uncertain of the mystical melodic forces about to be unleashed. These people are all carrying some innate spiritual quality thus they know that they''re in for a good performance.


    Jihoon''s mind raced as he assessed his grizzled opponent. The old man carried himself with a gravity that spoke volumes of his mastery and experience. He could sense an almost overwhelming reserve of magical energy simmering beneath that wizened exterior, like a banked furnace awaiting the bellows'' stoke. All that attribute points he dumped into MAG did its work in his ability to detect magic.


    As the musician''s gargantuan case unlatched, Jihoon''s eyes widened. Instead of a single instrument, the container revealed an entire portable arsenal within. A multitude of woodwinds, strings, percussion instruments and more, more than Jihoon could easily identify. This was no mere musical novelty, but a mystical repository enabling the old man to channel a virtual orchestra''s worth of melodies and harmonies.


    He knew that picked a fight with a very difficult opponent but if the listed difficulty doesn''t lie then his ability complete the quest isn''t low either.


    Steeling himself, Jihoon reached for his sole conventional instrument, the beautifully aged acoustic guitar Jin had bequeathed him. Yet his other hand still hovered inside his guitar case, fingertips brushing the sleek polymer body of his electric guitar. His music theory foundations as a composer were hardly lacking, and he knew combining the tonal ranges of both string instruments could unlock stacking advantages.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    There would be no retreating from this pivotal crossroads, no ducking his head against the evaluation of a true master. The little goddess had spurred him onto this path, and Jihoon would not disappoint her mandate. With a steadying breath, he grasped both guitar necks and stepped forward, ready to let his fingers weave their first audition upon this world''s stage.


    The first instrument that the old musician took out seems to be a piano to Jihoon and its size is any standard electronic piano that he knows in his world. Him playing a introductory refrain of suspenseful melody to set the stage for this very duel. Then, by the very command of his mind, the few assorted instrument moved telekinetically on their own as they assist in reinforcing the atmosphere of the duel even further. The chime of the bell, the rumble of the drum followed his command.


    By the few refrains into the duel, the violin then also joined despite there''s only one man behind the entire orchestra. As the volume become increasingly greater and the crashing force of the orchestra battered into Jihoon. The combined melody that the old man played moved into crescendo phase as it already make him presented as an overwhelming foe that has no perceivable way of surpassing..


    Then, just as abruptly, the symphonic swell tapered off into a brooding lull. His eyes boring into Jihoon as if testing whether the young upstart still possessed the fortitude to persist against such staggering odds.


    Karim watched the unfolding confrontation with a mixture of awe and trepidation. As a merchant more attuned to the commerce than of magic, he could still feel the fundamental forces being manipulated through pure musical weaving due to his innate being. The air itself seemed to tremor with the old duelist''s opening sonata, rife with portents of savage grandeur yet to be fully unleashed.


    The elvish merchant''s gaze flitted between the two musicians, his nerves steeling in anticipation of Jihoon''s response. While impressed by the young man''s confidence thus far, Karim could not deny the vast delta in evident mastery between the pair. He knew a decisive counterattack would be required to keep this duel from ending as a lopsided rout.


    Around them, the other passengers'' expressions ranged from wonderstruck exhilaration to outright apprehension. Some leaned forward, eyes rapt with strings, while others recoiled as if the very nature of reality was straining against the old man''s onslaught. All knew they were witnessing something far beyond a mere musical performance - a pitched battle of wills in which the loser''s dignity as a musician could be forfeit.


    For his part, Jihoon stood resolute, both guitar necks gripped tightly as the echoes of that fleeting orchestral tempest faded to a near silence.


    Then, he strummed his guitar with persistence melody, slowly building up to the climax that is needed to overcome the orchestra that the old musician established. As the chord progression moved with consistency, the old man played the flute personally while the violin still played to keep the oppressive atmosphere going, the sound of flute which supposed to be soothing turned full of tension which proves that he is at very least Late-Intermediate as a musician.


    As Jihoon''s mind driven into hyper-focus as he tried to process the impromptu melody that he supposed to keep up against. With too little to go off on, he could only maintain a defensive hold at the very moment. His heart was beating very fast and he could feel the adrenaline rushing in his veins, all seemingly on the last leg as the old musician perceived his state of desperation as his weakness.


    With a sigh, the old man moved into full-offensive as he played on the piano keyboard with focus, adding more pressure to Jihoon than already is. The background instruments adding on to the onslaught that seemingly is going to end this entire duel with Jihoon''s completely rout. Then, moving into suspense state as the orchestra on his side lulled briefly like the calm before the storm. While Jihoon still maintain the melody of his acoustic against the relentless offense.


    To the spellbound audience, it appeared the duel''s conclusion was now simply a formality. Karim watched with scarcely concealed awe as the old duelist''s fingers arched for one final, triumphant flourish. Surely no neophyte, no matter how tenaciously they clung to desperate hopes, could withstand the onslaught that is about to be unleashed.


    Like sealing his demise, the old man''s hands surged into furious motion as it slides across the ivory keys of the piano. The background instruments prepare to unleash like rolling thunder. Then the climax chorus played into crashing concordance as the horn and bagpipe played the first refrain of the psychedelic climax while his fingers dancing on the piano, then the trumpet followed up as it played the refrain again loudly in triumphant as if declaring his sweeping victory.


    To the enraptured passengers, fixated upon the seasoned veteran''s apparent mastery, it was all but over. Yet as Karim''s eyes flitted between the duelists, he realized Jihoon''s acoustic had never faltered but the young upstart''s fingers still playing those humble strings with grim determination. A spark kindled in the merchant''s expression as he realized the climactic turnabout had not yet been fully consummated after all.


    Despite all evidence to the contrary, Jihoon had not surrendered. Somehow, amidst relenting lesser musicians to outright capitulation, this defiant upstart had formulated his counterattack even as the crowd wrongly presumed the contest''s decisive conclusion. A smirk appeared on Jihoon''s face as the old musician''s triumphant climax was what given him the necessary key to overcome this gross disadvantage between them until now.


    The old musician''s brow furrowed as he realized Jihoon''s acoustic guitar had not surrendered to his thunderous orchestral barrage. Even as the triumphant chorus proclaimed his apparent victory, that lone, resolute melody persisted in defiant counterpoint. The wizened duelist''s tense flute refrains took on a questioning lilt, as if struggling to comprehend what desperate gambit this upstart possibly had left to unleash.


    In that singular moment of overconfidence and questioning, Jihoon made his move. Suddenly abandoning the acoustic, he seized his electric guitar and broke into a blistering reverie of sound. The triumphant riffs erupted as scorching tributes to the old man''s climactic melody. But where that symphonic cadence had portrayed finality, Jihoon''s take reimagined it like the spark lighting a fuse.


    Jihoon immediately switched to high-gear as he played the electric guitar with doubled down fury. The climax melody that he played is in fact the triumphant chord that the old musician has played. But instead of just outright copying it, he elaborated on its melodic structure, all climbing continuously as high as possible that the electric guitar could physically carry. The electric guitar''s searing leads ascended in soaring waves, transcending the grounded refrains as if clawing their way up towards the empyrean through sheer, mortal exertion.


    What had begun as an echoing rejoinder built inexorably into a rapturous ascension, each blistering arpeggio dragging the original melody into greater height beyond what can be written on music sheet. Jihoon''s impassioned performance transformed the old man''s culminating cadence from a declaration of victory into the overture for something far more transcendent.


    As the audience looked on in stupefied awe, Karim''s mercantile eyes rapidly reassessed the unfolding paradigm. The old duelist''s earlier dominance had indeed set the stage for a reckoning to be carved into the annals of memory. But contrary to all assumptions, it was the young upstart busker, not the venerated master, who had ultimately shaped that crescendo into a true conclusion of his own.


    The spellbound passengers could only gape as Jihoon''s frenzied yet impossibly sublime fingerwork of his. With each transcendent surge across the fretboard, they swear that they can heard the angels cry.


    The old man could only gaze on, utterly transfixed, as his once dominating symphonic armada was rendered into mere ambient accompaniment, a prelude honoring Jihoon''s ultimate climax in this very railcar itself. As the final, earth-shattering crescendo reached its terminal apogee, Karim reflexively gape as he himself can''t believe the melodic that Jihoon displayed by his own musical virtue. Even without any theoretical learning, he still know just how outstanding Jihoon''s comeback really is.


    The triumphant melody on Jihoon''s side ended as only the strumming of his acoustic returned. Everyone left baffled and unclear which was the victor. But there was one thing undeniable is that Jihoon''s ultimate climax was so sublime that everything else preceding it doesn''t matter anymore.


    Both the old man''s orchestra and Jihoon''s acoustic come to terminal silence. Within the eternal few breathes that has taken, the old man too come to an admittance that what Jihoon did is something that he couldn''t imagine himself committing to despite all the years of seniority ahead. With his approval, the quest that the System given is completed with flying color. Lifting his hand up for a handshake, Jihoon looked at him with weariness but knew that this is respect between musicians themselves.


    Jihoon reached out to the hand of the old musician and grasp it firmly.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Sudden Quest completed!


    A Sudden Challenge


    Difficulty: D+


    Despite the impromptu and meager preparation that you were given. You have successfully


    overcome great odds with your own effort and determination combined your brilliant creativity


    and intellect in the heat of the duel.


    Objective:


    -Successfully earn the audiences'' recognition in the music duel against the old man. (Completed)


    Reward: 4,000 EXP


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    You have leveled up! x5


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon


    Level: 21


    EXP: 240/344


    Class: None


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 6


    -END: 6


    -AGI: 6


    -DEX: 6


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 5.2


    -CHA: 4


    -MAG: 15


    Attribute Points: 7


    +Musical Prowess: Late-Intermediate


    +Skill:


    -Doppelganger.


    +Song Magic:


    -Forgotten Melody


    -Glint of Cold Steel


    -Belief


    -Exceed!


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    The stunned silence was then immediately be shattered by the passengers'' thunderous roars of applause and cheers. Many leapt to their feet, eyes bright with awe and utterly captivated by the artistic musical duel that taken place. Karim meanwhile looked on with a prideful grin on his face, reassured in his faith that throwing a little modest support behind this prodigy of a musical talent would prove to be the most fortuitous investment he did so far, and it wasn''t even his main profession in the first place.


    As the ovation continued to swell, the old musician raised a hand to quiet the exuberant crowd. He fixed Jihoon with an appraising look, any traces of his former arrogance banished by the upstart''s sublime performance. "You have thoroughly bested me on my own stage, young minstrel," he rumbled with grudging respect. "In fact, I was so enraptured that I took the liberty of documenting our entire duel for posterity." He patted the enchanted recording device at his side. "We must give a name to the unique collaborative opus you have made on this day through sheer passion and ingenuity."


    Jihoon blinked, caught off guard by the request to title their spontaneous artistic creation. Delaying the answer as long as he can because this is likely what going to be remembered in this world for a very long while as he stay in this place, it would better be something that both good and thematically fitting. At his own wit''s end, Jihoon accidentally dropped his transit train ticket on the floor as he reached out to pick the thing up.


    Then, he looked at the train''s serial ID, RiET-949. Then, it just immediately click on him of a suitable name. Without any further hesitation, he just spoke it out loud although that seems to be reflexive action than a conscious choice. It matters little to the old musician though.


    "Then let this piece be forever known as ''Rhapsody in Ether Transit 949'' - a commemorative inscription encapsulating the singular time and place where our fated duel unfolded." The old musician said as he accepted the name without a shred of doubt.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    RiET-949


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 15):


    -+50% to all Physical Attributes of self.


    The closer the song is to the end, the stronger the effect. (Max: 300%)


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    The System pop-up that is only perceivable to him. Showing that it has recorded the song composed between the two as a valid Song Magic. Jihoon felt like his own knees are going to collapse on the floor at any moment from the intense stress as he return to his seat. And suddenly, all the commotion before ceased to be as if the trip was going normally and that the duel has never taken place. The old musician returned to his seat, indifferent as always but the air around felt changed like usual.


    "Do you think that I have become a celebrity too early?". Jihoon asked as he doesn''t feel like having his daily life surrounded by too many rabid fans of his own.


    Karim let out a hearty chuckle at Jihoon''s remark about premature celebrity. "Fear not, my friend. While your singular talents have certainly turned more than a few heads today, Absence''s artistic circles run unfathomably deep. Unless you proceed to actively court the limelight from here on, this impressive debut will remain merely a whispered legend relegated to the transit-line''s veteran commuters for now."


    The merchant''s expression turned contemplative. "However, if gaining recognition as an officially sanctioned musician of Avanthal is your goal, then some formal registration and sponsorship will be required. The heritage conservatories guard their admission criteria quite stringently against dilettantes seeking easy fame and fortune."


    Karim stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Fortunately, I''ve an acquaintance who oversees the music faculty at the Scholium Academy - one of the most prestigious developmental institutions for promising artistic talents. If you''d permit me to convey some recordings of today''s...inspired happenstance, I could likely secure you an audition opportunity on their hallowed stages. From there, the scope of Absence''s musical world would lie before you to navigate at your own daring."


    The merchant fixed Jihoon with an expectant look. "The choice is yours, of course. But after witnessing your sublime skills first-hand, I would be remiss not to extend whatever meager assistance I can to welcome a new virtuoso into our fair city''s artistic embrace."


    Jihoon makes his thoughtful pondering before making the decision to release some partial truth of his reasoning to be here. Finding like-minded individuals that together forming the greatest ensemble ever seen by anyone. So that together, they can share the passion for music unimpeded with one another with their truest self.


    A faint smile played across Karim''s features as he regarded the young man''s idealistic fervor.


    "An admirable dream, to be sure," Karim said at length. "Though I suspect the path toward realizing such grand aspirations will be fraught with no small number of challenges to overcome."


    He stroked his chin contemplatively. "Avanthal''s conservatories are highly exclusive havens, each do fiercely guards their own insular artistic traditions against perceived encroachments from outside methodologies. Uniting disparate musical philosophies into a singular, cohesive artistic vision? It would require not only supreme talent, but an ability to transcend long-fostered cultural divides through the language of music itself."


    Karim''s expression took on a sly glint. "Though if your ambitions toward forming the ultimate ensemble are sincere, might I hazard a guess as to the first collaborator you''d seek to recruit?" He leaned back with an exaggerated look of innocence. "Surely an inquiring minstrel of your determination must have had his eyes upon enlisting one of our peerless Harpy overseers into such a lineup that he had in mind?"


    Jihoon can''t exactly deny it. When he saw one for himself, he was thought was immediately captured by their majestic appearance and beauty that transcend words. While hiding his momentary stunned surprise, Karim simply chuckled.


    "Why so stunned? Tales of the Harpies'' ancestral mastery over the ethereal wind-streams have echoed through Absence''s lore since time immemorial. What better foundation for an ensemble aspiring toward unity of natural energies and mystical harmonies than to include their empyreal vocalists and woodwinds from its inception?"


    Karim''s mirth faded somewhat as pragmatism reasserted itself. "Of course, gaining an audience with any singular Harpy, let alone proposing such an audacious collaboration, would likely prove a herculean endeavor even for one of Absence''s established luminaries. For an untried prospect just beginning to ascend our fair city''s vaunted artistic ranks?" He shrugged helplessly. "I hesitate to even contemplate the sheer improbability of such an overture finding success. The Harpies'' detached stewardship of Absence is unquestioned, but their cloister from our world''s yearnings remains all but inviolable as well."


    Despite his skeptical cautions, Karim''s eyes betrayed a glint of wry respect. "Then again, if today''s stunning debut taught me anything, it is to never underestimate the tenacity of those blessed with true artistic genius. Who can truly say what unified grandeurs may one day be possible through sheer, impassioned resolve toward achieving the improbable?" He extended his hand toward Jihoon in an amiable gesture. "At the very least, you can count me as amenable toward supporting whatever grand ambitions may blossom once you''ve found firm footings among our esteemed conservatory circles, my friend."


    Jihoon smiled with confidence that there''s someone who believe in him in this strange world that he landed in. That alone is enough reassurance.


    The rest of the journey goes as uneventful as anyone has guessed.

 Chapter 15: SPIKA

    "Arriving at Lengsel Culture District of Avanthal. Please remember to carry your belonging if you leave the transit". The automatic announcement voice spoke throughout the transit train.


    Jihoon stepped outside to the ornate platform as he takes in the scenery of the destination. Though still underpinned by Absence''s signature blend of futuristic and classical aesthetics, this central cultural district seemed to almost hum with a vibrant, whimsical energy all its own.


    Gracefully arching walkways and promenades wove between eclectic architectural exhibits and open-air plazas where impromptu performances appeared to be unfolding at every turn of the route. Verdant gardens overflowing with fanciful topiary and bubbling grand fountains lent an air of organic enchantment amidst the district''s otherwise sleek, streamlined design that it shared otherwise with Absence as entirety.


    Colorful pennants and banners displaying each institution''s heraldic crests fluttered proudly from towering edifices that looked to house grand amphitheaters, scholarly forges, and even what appeared to be an entire crystalline biosphere enclosing lush arboreal expanses within its embrace.


    "What a breathtaking sight, isn''t it?". Karim said as he lets Jihoon taking in the sight for himself. Not everyone gets the chance to just enjoy things for it is.


    Lengsel, is one of the culture nexuses of Absence. A place where artisans, philosophers and visionary architects congregate to elevate their personal craftsmanship collaboration or scholarly exchange. With how large Absence is as a whole, there are numerous culture districts events where exchange programs are made to further diversify one''s view and knowledge of the world around. Absence isn''t the entire world but it may as well truly be the place where the spirit of it reside.


    The merchant gestured toward the myriad performances unfolding around them as they began making their way along the promenade. "As you can see, public demonstrations of one''s artistic virtuosity are not only accepted but actively encouraged here. In fact, many students and apprentices seek to gain notice by staging guerilla showcases amidst Lengsel''s plazas, hoping to impress potential benefactors or esteemed master artisans into taking them under tutelage."


    Karim''s expression turned wistful. "Of course, such practices are a mere overture compared to the grand rehearsal chambers and amphitheaters housing each noble institution''s officially sanctioned expositions. Alas, those sacred stages remain cloistered from public viewing, their audition criteria as meritorious as they are uncompromising." He threw Jihoon a conspiratorial wink. "A fact which, thanks to your incredible debut performance, should no longer pose much of an obstacle for you, my friend."


    The two of them continue to walk further toward their destination. The flow of magical energy which suffusing every aspect of the spirited environment of Lengsel clearly. He knew that he has come to a right place and that without help, he wouldn''t have make it this far already.


    Through certain somewhere in this place, he may found someone that will be an important part to the making of his musical ensemble.


    Moments later at the auditorium test site, both of them have apparently underestimated just how many people can there be participating. When the received their numbers, their designated time of attendance was at dusk of today. The fact that some had said that they were lucky that they didn''t have to wait till the next day is also another moment that Jihoon''s luck kept playing for his side despite his disbelief otherwise.


    "So, what now?" Jihoon said as the suffocating atmosphere of roughly hundreds of people in the hall at the same time makes him remember of those bad memories of entrance exam before Gates. It''s Korea that he lived in and the amount of cram school made him sickened to the core. The fact that he utilized none of them as a music composer spoke of how worthless all of them are.


    "Welp... It seems that the competition is indeed way higher in stakes than I have imagined". Karim said as he eyes the teeming crowd with a mixture of concern and resignation. "From what I''ve heard... the audition parameter this year is rather unforgiving as a whole. Even Lengsel''s graduates here admitted as such".


    The elvish merchant gestured for Jihoon to join him off to the side, away from the milling throngs. Once they had a semblance of privacy, he continued in a low tone.


    "Allegedly, candidates are to be sequestered alone for one hour''s time to compose an entirely original musical piece from scratch, without any preparatory materials or prior compositions to reference brought along with into the antechamber. Then, after that grueling creative whirlwind, we''ll have a mere ten minute window to perform our masterwork before the audition council and have our artistic merits evaluated."


    "I''ll not mince words, the prospect of conjuring even a decent composition compelling enough to sway Lengsel''s audition examiners seems a Herculean task even for a lot for what supposed to be just registering aspirants. I''m not part of this artistic academic myself but even I can see the hurdles already piling up." Karim grimaced. He spread, his hands helplessly. "Well, let''s simply say it wouldn''t be wrong if we have to begin steeling for the likelihood we may need to pursue more...unorthodox avenues toward getting your foot into Absence''s musical world."


    The merchant''s expression turned contemplative as he regarded the youthful Jihoon. "Although, there are...persistent rumors I''ve overheard about the audition judges'' particular artistic leanings that could potential play to your benefit, however slim its prospects may seem."


    Leaning closer, Karim''s tone took on a conspiratorial air. "Word has it the audition panel cultivates an almost obsessive penchant for assessing each applicant''s ability to harmonize disparate musical elements into a grand, multifaceted unified composition. Simple solos or limited instrumental pieces, no matter how well-executed, are said to invariably garner failing marks from these esteemed critics."


    The merchant arched an eyebrow meaningfully. "Of course, such rigorous standards seem tailor-made to ruthlessly weed out all but the most transcendent of virtuosos prior to even setting foot upon Lengsel''s hallowed conservatory stages. Yours, however... Based on the impromptu opus you wove earlier, one could argue harmonizing multiple motifs into a seamless, evocative whole could already be considered your forte, would it not?" Karim smirked, placing his unconditional faith in Jihoon. This venture might be minor in its initial investment but he can already perceive the treasure troves that Jihoon will lead to with his musical prowess.


    If a little trust goes a long way then Karim will simply ride it to the end.


    "Since there are still a lot of time left until attendance, why don''t we enjoy ourselves until then. Who knows if we will come across some inspirations along the way". Karim said as he made his suggestion to rewind while possible. After all, it has been a straight journey to here without rest for him. And in reality, Karim has put up his tiredness just to keep his appearance up until now. After all, it was night before and now it was already early noon, the public train does little to make him well-rested.


    While out of Jihoon''s sight, he attempted a stifled yawn hiding beneath. Every ounce of mercantile poise used to maintain the usual affable front. Though the long journey from where he was clearly taken its toll, he still absolutely refused to show any sign of fatigue that will undermine the unwavering confidence that he projected himself.


    "Why, the audition isn''t for several more hours yet. Far too premature to start stewing over technicalities when we''ve this entire wondrous cultural expanse laid out before us, ripe for exploration!" Karim tried his best to steer the direction of this whole conversation toward its swift and early end. Forcing a tone of energetic agreeability while hurriedly finding an excuse to leave the current premise by himself for the moment.


    Karim gestured grandly at the vibrant surroundings, his showmanship kicking into high gear to deflect any potential scrutiny toward his own weariness. "Surely a man of your prodigious talents could benefit from imbibing some of Lengsel''s artistic ambiance firsthand? Who knows what hidden muses or struck fancies may reveal themselves simply by immersing yourself amidst the district''s spirited performances and exhibits?"


    He clapped Jihoon heartily on the shoulder with a roguish wink. His gaze strayed toward a nearby guest house, its rustic facade radiating an inviting warmth that promised of simple comfort. Reflexively, he caught himself before the longing revealed itself too openly on his features.


    "As for myself?" The merchant quickly recovered with a disarming grin. "Well, I suspect my humble services may be better purposed attending to some...logistical preparations on your behalf while you''re free to wander unencumbered. Securing accommodations, perhaps making some professional inroads toward your sponsor for when you inevitably wow the judges into a state of stupefaction later tonight."


    Karim waved his hands airily. "Boring bureaucratic whatnot, I assure you. Nothing that need detain Absence''s newest blossoming virtuoso from reveling in fertile artistic pursuits, hmm?"


    Throughout the entire bravado-laden display, Karim focused every possible iota of his willpower. The last thing he wanted was for this brilliant young protege to suspect his supporting champion had already hit the limits of his own stamina so early in their partnership''s tenure. Better to tactfully defer to restorative respites behind the scenes while unfettering Jihoon to prime his creative wellsprings for the pivotal audition still to come.


    After all, Karim mused to himself, the indelible faith he''d instilled in Jihoon''s potential was worth ensuring through any exhaustive lengths, regardless of it being figurative or literal.


    Jihoon looked at Karim as he wades his way toward the guest house. With a long sigh released, he realized one thing that he has busied himself away from so long. It is the fact that, he didn''t know what to even do with his given free time at all.


    Sitting beneath the shaded alcove, fingers idly plucking the strings as the vibrant activities of Lengsel unfolded all around him. Despite all the effervescent energy of the district permeating at every corner, his own artistic spark completely remain bereft no matter what. Inspiration completely abandoned him as Jihoon realized the whole crux of his problem.


    Inspiration didn''t come to his mind no matter how long he tried to focus at his instrument, but he couldn''t even wait the period out at all no matter how much he tried to steer his thought away from the awareness of time. Something in him just refuse to comply no matter what. While the peaceful scenery outside and his expression remained the same as always, contradicting it is his inner spirit in turmoil because Jihoon realized something about himself.


    This emptiness... is the same feeling that has plagued him for 10 years ever since the Gates appeared. 5 years stranded amidst the chaos as apathy and despair overtook him then another 5 years mired in his own depression and sloth as he can''t ever return to his previous profession anymore in the changed world.


    His mind inevitably drifted inward upon itself. He''d convinced himself that obtaining the System''s boon from the little goddess of Forgotten Melody, awakening to his potential for Song Magic, had reignited the long-dormant passions that once set his soul ablaze. However, now basking amidst this sprawling conservatory''s celebrated muse-grounds, a sobering realization took hold.


    He had never left his past after all. Everything he had done so far, was all just because of the System''s guidance and mandate for him to ascend the musical prowess, propelled with external objectives and imposed trails rather than any internal compulsion rekindled by this newfound power. The revelation in that white rose sword grave had imparted profound wonders for him but... it didn''t resurrect his once vibrant spirit that once lived and breathed naturally with the flow of music.


    All show, no substance. That''s what Jihoon''s music at its core right now. Only theoretical knowledges applied but the spirit is nowhere to be found.


    Jihoon recognized this awful truth with a pang of dismay, the years following the calamitous advent of the Gates had calcified his spirit in hardened layers of disillusionment and cynicism far more deeply than he''d ever realized. His situation was similar to Jin during the initial 5 years of chaos, just that he never has any power during his anger phase to exact his self-destructive loathing upon. In hindsight, that too was a fortune amidst myriads of curses.


    A composer who once made music out of passion in his heart, now lay as an empty husk amidst the wellspring of artistry. An endeavor to compose from obligation itself rather than any freely manifested spark of inspiration or muse.


    Minutes slipped away toward his reckoning audition. Jihoon seemingly stared toward the reflection of himself in the aged acoustic guitar that Jin bequeathed to him. His fixation reached its critical extreme as he looked at the person that he himself has become. Trying to use his Song Magic as a metagame exploit, a cheat that would allow him to trample upon the world that has left him behind. Completely divorced from his own artistic sense from the process of song creation itself.


    Until he rediscovered that transcendent, unbridled joy of musical expression for its own sake that he once has, no amount of external prodding or encyclopedic theorycrafting would unlock the emotional undercurrents required to harmonize a true masterpiece.


    The System''s boons could elevate his technical foundations to staggering heights, yes - but unless Jihoon''s inner resonance rekindled from the embers of love toward music making rather than ambition of its power to be coveted, one step behind will be what he forever become.


    Hell, the examiners of Lengsel''s audition chamber would probably expelled him the instant he played the first false note the moment they detected the hollowness of his being.


    As the gravity of this existential realization settled over him, Jihoon felt the urge to become as carefree as his spirit can truly become if he wanted to reawaken to himself of that old day. Not because it is the right course of action that his mind dictates but because that''s what his heart and spirit truly yearned in the moment.


    He could no longer simply wade through the System''s checklists in complacent detachment. If he wanted to reach the realm of Expert Musician, then the first soul that he needs to stir is his own. No longer care about the audition that he must participate, he must simply lived in the moment itself without worry of the future.


    As the realization sank in, Jihoon made the decision to rebel against the strictures that he once blindly adhere. Feelings aside, he could no longer allow himself to remain as a passive passenger if he wanted to reclaim his creative birthright from his halcyon days.


    With absolutely no regret to bear in his heart, he decided that he must embrace the lively and carefree atmosphere that Lengsel without restrain and obligation. Determination burns fiercely, moving past any internal insecurity that would have prevented him from doing so. A man can''t turn back on his own enlightenment and and his chance to live true to himself.


    At high noon, Jihoon abandoned himself to the district''s spirited undertows. He joined roving troupes of free-spirited performers, lending his guitar''s melodies to their carefree musical outpourings without agenda or conscious compositional craft.


    When afternoon approaches, poetry cyphers encircled by aspiring bards saw Jihoon riffing evocative melodic refrains echoing the verses'' soaring cadences. At one point he even found himself accompanying a troupe of whimsical mummers, their satiric street theater taking on transcendent undertones through the interplay of music and narrative.


    By eventide, as the day''s waning rays cast Lengsel in resplendent warm glows, Jihoon found himself before a grandiose fountain. His reflection rippling across the crystalline surface. All around him, the vibrant sights and sounds of Lengsel''s artistic whirlwind carried on unabated - spontaneous performances, guerilla showcases, even an allegedly historic paint-flinging taken place and ended with a kaleidoscopic mess left behind.


    Yet for all the chaotic levity Jihoon had willfully immersed himself within over the past few hours, a faint sense of removed melancholy still clung to the corners of his expression. He had gamely flung himself headlong into the district''s effervescent cultural hurricane, participating in every imaginable manner of artistic celebration and hijinks.


    Collaborative jam circles to flash-choreographed dance-offs, improvisational poetry slams to an inherently doomed attempt at reinterpreting the plasmatic physics underlying a renowned metallurgist''s famed thermo-reactive alloy forge.


    If it promised even the faintest glimmer of rekindling his once natural passions, Jihoon had fearlessly pitched himself into its midst of them all.


    And the final result... was admittedly mixed at best. Despite the brief relief that he enjoyed. Flashes of nostalgic glee and carefree expression would flicker to life like distant fireflies amidst the festivities, only to gutter out just as swiftly beneath the accumulated weight of years lived meaninglessly.


    He had indeed reconnected with the boundless spontaneity and whimsicality that carried Lengsel''s very atmospheres ¨C but the uncaring years had etched their tolls too indelibly upon his soul to be so easily unmade within just a single noon. Trauma recorrection is a lifelong process that Jihoon unfortunately will never have the time to spare.


    As twilight''s first rays glanced across the fountain''s iridescent sprays, Jihoon cradled his head in his hands, unkempt hair falling across his brow in feral disarray. The face reflected back at him within the rippling pool''s depths was nearly unrecognizable from the fresh-faced youth who had first stepped out into the wider world.


    Gone were the sparkling, idealistic eyes and easy smile - replaced by a haunted, almost hollow weariness speaking to loss and resignation far beyond Jihoon''s unspoken years.


    He had told himself that hurling his entire being into Lengsel''s manic celebration of the artistic spirit would be enough to rekindle his long-repressed muse from its self-inflicted coma. Yet as the audition''s appointed hour loomed ever closer, Jihoon recognized the futility of such desperate measures. The carefree, wide-eyed dreamer he had once been was gone, an ember snuffed out amidst endless years of devastating upheaval and disillusionment. No amount of feigned whimsy could unmake that fundamental severance between his present mindset and his once blazingly passionate disposition.


    And yet...as his fingers traced the hollowed contours of his reflection, Jihoon did not feel the soul-rending despair that revelation should have heralded. Instead, an odd sense of acceptance - even determination - settled over him like a willfully-donned mantle. If his formerly incandescent spirit could not be resurrected from its extinguished ashes, then he would simply have to forge anew.


    The idealistic person that Jihoon was, is forever gone with the past. But, in his place remained a man who has withstood all harrowing trials and tribulations into something much more resilient than before. His passions retemplated around an inextinguishable will to overcome and create rather than just frivolous whimsy.


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Sometimes, the hardest decision that one can make, is to let go of their past even if it was a crucial part of themselves.


    "I wondered how Jin could face his death so calmly with such acceptance. Guess this must have been the same for him too". Jihoon said as emotional wound still lingers but he has now fare much better than before.


    Where youthful enamor had once nourished his muse, now steeled resolve and an unwavering drive to establish something enduring from the ruins of his creative spirit would fuel his compositions with an even more primal power.


    As the bells began to toll in the hallowed terraces above, beckoning all duly registered artistic hopefuls to assemble for their judgement hour, Jihoon rose steadily to his feet from the reflection of himself. He can no longer remember who he were before the Gates have befell for too much has change. He may no longer be as carefree as he used to be but... what mattered is that he had yearned for it.


    A slight smirk played across his weathered features as he turned toward the inner sanctum, guitar case slung casually over his back. Let Lengsel and its assembly of empyreal aesthetes make what verdicts they deemed justified - he would meet their exacting scrutiny with the harmonies of a newer, fiercer passion that the tumult of a decade could not break.


    In the spaces between each solemn bell''s peal, the unnamed melodies of an unbroken soul''s resurgence were beginning to take form.


    As dusk settles in, Jihoon entered the amphitheater, only a few remaining here as it seems that he is amongst the last of today''s examination. Guided through the soaring archways and polished corridors toward a secluded antechamber sequestered deep within Lengsel''s scholastic heart. As the vaulted doors swung open, present to him is an array of fantastical instruments and symphonic apparatuses.


    Complex brass and woodwind arrays intermingled with strings and percussion implements that Jihoon could scarcely identify the connection that binds them, all surrounding an central orchestration plinth governed by an ornate music programming terminal. Interface design-wise, it is similar to the compositional software that he has back on his world. The fact that such advanced society even go such length with all of these proves that they valued authenticity more than just mere practicality. Whether that is a good or bad things can''t be answered by Jihoon himself.


    This was to be his audition arena, where he would have one hour''s solitude to channel every ounce of his rekindled artistic drive into an entirely original orchestral masterwork from absolute scratch. Drawing a steadying breath, Jihoon moved toward the controls, fingers automatically mapping the interface with an intuitive ease imparted by years of compositional software experience.


    "Let''s do this..." Jihoon said as the countdown chronometre began its inexorable cycle, he casts all of his hesitation and fear away. The lesson that he learned will guide in place of his inspiration.


    Suddenly, time has become so fast that it flew by with his compositional trance. Instead of the usual crawl that plagued before, he transcribed all of his feelings across the fateful afternoon with all that is given. The seeking of the carefree spirit that he once has and the ultimate realization at the end of the beaten path.


    One hour... gone in a flash. Jihoon didn''t care about the result anymore, just that he wanted to get this feeling and lesson committed to his mind with clarity.


    The antechamber''s chronometer finally chimed, signaling the cessation of the allotted composition period. Jihoon''s eyes fluttered open, his consciousness gradually rematerializing from the trance-like creative fugue. He regarded the ornate music terminal and saw his completed orchestral work queued, awaiting performance evaluation before the audition council''s esteemed ranks.


    As he then heads toward the grand auditorium stage of this theatre, Jihoon instinctively realized one thing that is still missing from his orchestrated work. His signature instrument that is basically the imprint of his creative element and the grizzled sound that the electric guitar would provide will complement well to what he made his work in mind.


    In reality, his ''orchestral'' work is far simpler compare to the grand pieces that many aspirants would try their mettle with. Jihoon didn''t need that many instruments to evoke the sentiment that he tried to convey and anymore would just dilute the melody into meaningless noises. Thus making this piece of his more simpler by comparison yet emotionally more comprehensive because there''s a clear expression of what it tried to be other than being grand for its own sake.


    Lengsel''s vaulted primary staging sprawled out before Jihoon, the vast amphitheater''s arched terraces climbing up alongside ornately sculpted buttresses toward an improbably distant crest shrouded in perpetual gloom. An eerie, portentous silence hung throughout the impossibly massive space as Jihoon strode forth alone, each echoing footfall amplified manyfold by the sheer, reverberating immensity of the chamber.


    Arrayed before the performance platform sat the audition council - a stern-faced contingent of maestros and artisan-savants who had devoted their entire lives toward artistic enlightenment and preservation of Lengsel''s vaunted cultural traditions. By dint of their impassively judgmental expressions alone, it was all too evident the examiners were rapidly losing patience with the steady parade of subpar applicants they''d been obligated to endure throughout the day.


    Their critical energies flaring toward him with almost palpable force, mercilessly evaluating every aspect of his outward disposition and bearing even before the first note had been struck. He met their imperious scrutiny with an implacable calm, dimly aware that most emerging prodigies would have already wilted beneath such an overwhelming atmospheric weight.


    Without a moment''s hesitation, he made an unusual request of the judges themselves.


    "If it''s acceptable, I''d like to supplement the orchestral performance with my own instrumental accompaniment," Jihoon stated plainly. "My personal guitar is not currently incorporated into the programmed work, and I feel its inclusion is essential to properly convey the complete resonance I aimed to achieve."


    The examinees exchanged uncertain glances, clearly taken aback by the unorthodox request which deviated from standard audition protocols. Though after a brief, murmured conference, the senior examiner finally acquiesced with a curt nod. While unorthodox, Jihoon''s proposal did not overtly violate any criteria - and after suffering through nearly a hundred thoroughly underwhelming audition pieces already, the judges likely welcomed any potential respite from mediocrity that their jaded sensibilities could receive.


    More importantly, he sensed the council''s wearied appraisal stemmed not from cynical contempt, but rather a nostalgic yearning - however deeply suppressed. To be genuinely stirred from their jadedness by a true masterwork''s transcendent raptures.


    Satisfied with their, Jihoon retrieved his beloved electric guitar from its travel case, fastidiously ensuring every last tuning and connection was optimized to perfection.


    Jihoon offered the audition council a simple nod of readied finality. With a final steadying breath, he gripped his guitar''s neck and waited for his part in the opening. The music terminal played the pre-arranged notes before first and Jihoon simply is the backdrop for its main melody.


    The first introductory note was the sliding of the piano notes in ascending progression, setting the whimsical tone that Jihoon has considered as the foundation of his composed piece. Then, the central motif of the song is performed by the flute while the piano continues as the nostalgic backdrop of the song. A chord progression that evoke the free-spirit that everyone has. This chord is then utilized as a refrain of the central melody that will be used throughout the piece.


    As the introductory movement built toward its crescendoing climax, Jihoon could sense the examiners'' scrutiny intensifying tenfold. The council members stiffened in their seats, concentrations fully focused upon evaluating and dissecting every nuanced transition and interplay of motifs he had meticulously woven together.


    On the surface, their expressions remained an inscrutable mask of impassive judgement. But Jihoon''s intuitive attunement toward artistic emanations could perceive a series of minute shifts and fluctuations crackling across the examiners'' collective energies with each unexpected modulation.


    The first refrain goes slightly higher at the end, the following refrain goes lower and the next one after it goes higher. All as the harp has joined the backdrop unexpectedly at some point and the flute started to pick up its pace, when the expected lower progression were to come, it instead ascend even higher as it brings the finality to the refrain.


    Like life itself, it may has its up and down consistently. One''s innate candor of youthful innocence and carefree essence though often suppressed by tribulations at a time, can''t be extinguished easily if given proper attention.


    Then the violin takes place of the flute''s central instrument place as the percussion assisted, granting the greater-than-life thematic feeling as the violin elaborates the refrained chord progression into something grander before slowly diminished. Then the accordion took the central position as it plays the carefree melodic notes all while the violin played together until they reached a finalized diminuendo while backdrop harp continues to play for a little moment toward what seemed like silence. Of course, all of this was merely introductory verse to set the atmosphere of the piece.


    The first few times the central melody refrained from anticipated patterns only to surge in unanticipated ways, there were telltale flickers of resigned skepticism and faint scowls. As if dismissing the subverted expectations as mere trifling gimmicks employed to garner undue novelty.


    However, as Jihoon''s orchestration seamlessly navigated each instrument into taking up the thematic baton without losing the core resonance, furrows of consternation began replacing those initial dour affectations. When the soaring violin elaborated upon the carefree essence into even grander aspiration before ebbing back into the nostalgic harp''s wistful diminuendos, a few examiners who had started shifting restlessly in their seats suddenly stilled.


    By the time the audacious accordion joined the fray, counterpointing yet harmonizing in perfect tandem, the entire audition council had taken on a palpably arrested quality. A profound hush fell over the amphitheater''s terraces as Jihoon''s masterful compositional narrative commanded their complete attention despite themselves.


    As the final refrains tapered away into silence, leaving the aural canvas briefly blank in preparation for the full work''s overture, not a single examiner made any move to prematurely condemn or praise the performance. Judging from their continences alone, a singular truth resonated - regardless of any forthcoming impressions, Jihoon had irrevocably transcended the opening movements'' make-or-break litmus.


    Whether personal assessments ultimately leaned toward masterful transcendence or pedestrian mediocrity, the unified consensus was clear. This recital demanded witnessing through to its entirety before any verdicts could be rendered, lest crucial artistic contexts be missed or any unearned judgements proven foolishly premature.


    For Jihoon''s part, he simply drank in the charged atmosphere like an elixir. The pressure that would have shattered lesser artistic aspirants held no sway - this was merely the opening salvo in a resonant campaign to win over the examiners'' attentions and appreciations. With calm assurance, he readied himself upon the true compositional odyssey to come.


    Holding his guitar tightly, he played the electric guitar''s refrains of brutal riff while the acoustic guitar of the musical terminal played in complement. The grizzled sound of the electric guitar that was entirely new to them as it shook them out of the reverie. From here onward, the main melody that was introduced become the chorus that the song will continuously reprise upon.


    The accordion then played in its free-spirted harmonic while the electric guitar complement in the backdrop. Then, it fell silence suddenly as the flute played the initial refrain of the main melody in total absence of anything else. Then the following the refrain with the assistance of the harp and accordion before passing its conductor baton to the violin.


    Although it is still the same free-spirited melody of the beginning, the changed key however makes the more attentive ears start to notice the longing undertone that so benign that one might as well deluded themselves into thinking so if they didn''t hear carefully enough. Once one start to perceive it, it becomes much more glaring in a way that the difference between a maestro and the students can be separated here.


    After the longing flute done its role, the violin played the same refrain chord progression again in a frantic undertone as the subtle key-change. Desperately trying to keep the free-spirited nature it once has from changing into anything else as the flute in the backdrop played in assistance.


    All of this minor details are all deliberated by Jihoon himself.


    The flute played the chorus in hurried pace, seemingly contradict the calm and carefree tone that it once wields. And with each of its climax of each refrain that it moved past, the bagpipe makes its wailing as if signify the desperate cling onto the cheerful past before inevitably stripped away from it. Then the violin joined the crescendo of the last refrain of the chorus as they together played in franticness of that same once-carefree melody as if hiding the mourning with facade of that once cherished frolic.


    As Jihoon poured his rekindled passion into orchestrating each new movement, the melancholic undertones woven throughout the initially frolicsome main melody grew increasingly apparent. With every cyclical reprise of the motif, the formerly carefree refrains took on shades of yearning melancholy and somber nostalgia, like rose-tinted wistfulness inevitably surrendering to the sepia tones of cherished memories fading from their vibrant primes.


    Bittersweet wisdom etched into his soul over the decade since the Gates'' cataclysm shattered his former self. The lighthearted innocence and carefree abandon once inseparable from his artistic core could never be truly recaptured for only echoed and eulogized remains through these unforgettable harmonic refrains laced with longing.


    With each searing violin swell, the unbound jubilance of his abandoned past burned brilliantly once more like a star in its last gasp, if only for fleeting transcendent instants amidst the gathering poignant diminuendos. Instead of looking at his long-gone past with sorrow, he chose to let its ember scatters as the last farewell toward his new departure.


    By audaciously juxtaposing effervescent nostalgia against somber resignation within a unified compositional framework, Jihoon''s masterwork encapsulated the very essence of moving onward while still honoring one''s irretrievable roots.


    The conductor baton passed to the accordion, now that the longing apparent on its melodic key and progression as it played the chorus from the very start again. The song is composed only of this very chorus but the changed key kept each progression unique in emotions and tones.


    As the backdrop flute accompanying the melancholic nostalgia, the fast-paced rhythms no longer carry the free-spirited nature at the very beginning, yet the joyous spirit of the previous chorus still shine too brilliantly to let go so easily. Then the violin joined as the trio of accordion, flute and itself together perform the last stretch of chorus, as if performing the last farewell toward their once spirited root.


    Jihoon clapping his hands along the way as the song continued onward through the suspenseful bridge toward the climax. The violin plays in its tensed and rememberance progression despite all the high-notes all around. Then the bagpipe unexpectedly took the baton play parts of the refrained melodic but unable to completely fulfill the end before the violin and every background instruments so far joined together to complete the last progression of the refrain.


    As if the last desperate attempt of reclaiming the carefree spirit fails, it truly dawned upon them that the only way forward is acceptance. Represented through the solo piano recreation of the original melody in hurried pace. Once it fulfilled its duty, the flute carried onward while the piano continues on the background. Then the climax approaches, as every instruments so far joined in to perform their last moment. The flute, violin, accordion, bagpipe, piano, acoustic guitar and electric, together playing the last verse of the chorus.


    And then slowly only the trio that took centered stage of the song played remain. The flute played as the main instruments while the violin and accordion played the backdrop. Then the baton passed to the violin, and then the accordion, and finally all three of them played the last diminuendo together as the song comes to an end.


    The flute''s achingly bittersweet refrains ceded fully to the violin''s stalwart resilience, harmonizing rather than competing with the accordion''s intrepid progressions. Together, these motifs intertwined into an understated yet undeniable defiance within. One honoring the throes of Jihoon''s innocence lost while celebrating the inextinguishable embers that had stubbornly endured. Like coming to a cathartic and wistful acceptance.


    As the finale crested and ebbed into lingering silence, Jihoon allowed the cathartic atmosphere to simply hang in the amphitheater''s vaults. He knew, deep within his soul''s harmonics, that his recital had transcended the opening salvo''s promise. No mere technical showcase to garner philistine approval, but a searing affirmation of his reforged artistic spirit now tempered into something undauntedly resilient.


    Now, he awaits the examiners'' verdict, come hell or high water.


    As Jihoon''s composition unfolded across its multifaceted movements, the examiners found themselves increasingly enraptured despite their initial guarded skepticism. With each seamless harmonic transition and revelatory modulation, their collective thoughts underwent a metamorphosis akin to Jihoon''s own during the creative act itself.


    At first, the council members'' expressions remained an inscrutable rictus, armor-plated against any undue novelties or charming trifles that might otherwise sway less experienced critics. When the joyous, nostalgic opening phrases first blossomed, a few derisive smirks and sidelong glances seemed to dismiss the work as yet another saccharine indulgence pandering to unrefined sentimentalities.


    However, as Jihoon deftly subverted those apparent overtures with emotionally rich counterpoints yearning with melancholy undertones, the smug smirks faltered from their expression. Furrowed brows and profoundly furrowed contemplations replaced their prior condescension as each layer''s nuances implored upon deeper deconstructions.


    By the time the poignantly metamorphosed variations on the main melody had thoroughly pervaded, the audition council''s demeanors had become completely transfixed on the performance itself. A few elders sat ramrod straight, eyes slightly widened as if beholding a revelation. Younger adjudicators leaned forward in their seats, moved by the interwoven sensations aroused.


    When the finale''s crescendo peaked before ebbing into bittersweet closure, a heavy silence endured throughout the amphitheater''s hushed terraces. Exhalations gradually emerged from the ranks, unmistakable sighs of awestruck release as if breaking free from profound trances.


    In that profound quietude following the work''s cessation, the examiners'' thoughts yearned to coalesce into coherent assessment. Yet to a one, their usual forensic energies felt oddly becalmed, mastered by the lingering resonance within their very beings.


    It was as if Jihoon''s evocative opus had not merely stirred their jaded critical sensibilities, but outright rekindled vital essences thought long extinguished by years of dispassionate erudition and perpetual dissection of artistic strivings. Faculties trained to scrutinize, evaluate, and render judgement instead found themselves laid bare before an unexpectedly transcendental experience.


    In that rarefied expanse between moments that last eternal, what judgements could mere words render upon something that had irrevocably reminded them of their original youths'' unbridled awestruck wonder toward music''s profoundly archetypal powers? The courage to dream, create and feel without compromise?


    Perhaps for the first time in memories too calloused to quantify, these exalted masters had felt sublimely, inarticulably young once again through Jihoon''s masterfully guided sojourn into the soul''s harmonic. Any final critique, whether glowing or scathing, would ring superfluous before the overarching truth to which they had all borne breathless, reverent witness.


    The examiners shuffled in their seats, exchanging sidelong glances as the reverberating silence endured. For several long moments, it seemed none could find the diplomatic preamble to initiate their obligatory critique. Finally, the senior-most adjudicator amongst them cleared his throat, leaning forward with a measured countenance. His eyes, however, betrayed an unmistakable glint of...wonderment? Begrudging respect? The elder braced himself before speaking.


    "Well then, young musician. We had expected little more than yet another neophyte''s trifling mimicry gracing our stage this eve," he stated plainly, foregoing any pretenses of preamble. "A perfunctory dalliance amusing enough to pass the time, perhaps - mere untutored copper awaiting the forge''s elevated alchemies to reveal any true artistic essence within."


    The examiner''s gaze hardened, though his eyes remained conspicuously alight. Jihoon couldn''t tell which race he is explicitly but he looked wizen in the same vein that genius scientist is.


    "Yet against all our seasoned expectations, you have presented a masterwork that can only be described as..." He hesitated briefly, seeming to weigh the impact of his forthcoming judgement. "...Mithral-spun virtuosity of the highest caliber. An effortlessly seamless integration of euphonious craft and soulful evocation that transcends its mere composite elements."


    "It seems... that we really can''t find any fault in your piece". One of the virtuous maestro, whose appearance is that of a standard Tolkien Elf said the most understated statement he ever thought and spoken out.


    Murmurs of ardent consensus rippled through the gathered council as the elder pressed on, undeterred.


    "It truly felt like I was alive again. Carefree, not a worry in sight. Singing to all my heart''s content. Oh where did the old days go?". One of the female examiners spoken her thought. She looked deadly pale with long black hair that cover both of her eyes and a siren-song voice comes from her vocal, Jihoon''s closest estimation tell that she is a banshee.


    "In our arrogance, we had prepared ourselves to render critiques and enumerations toward your own edification, young maestro." A faint, rueful smile played across his withered features. "Yet witnessing the sublime harmonies you have unveiled this eve, I find myself askance. For you have awoken resonances within our very beings that we had long feared burned to calloused ashes by years of cynical, soulless dissection. As I''m speaking for all the examiners here, I would like to apologize for having distrust you before you showed your performance"


    Now that the shadow that has casted all the examiners were removed, he noticed that a lot of them belong to fantasy races but ultimately still resemble human with traits to show that they were of that fantasy races.


    It''s called races, not species now that he thought about it. The divide that supposed to separate them didn''t exist here considering interracial relationship were proven with the Harpies for some reasons. Ensued one-gender race and breed equal race.


    "You did not merely compose a piece to satiate our criteria. What you have imparted is an allegory, crystallizing the fundamental essence of the artistic spirit itself." The senior-most examiner trailed off, lost in private epiphany for a fleeting instant before recovering himself with a dignified nod.


    "We can proffer no insipid ''corrections'' toward a masterwork that has. This night, reminded us of the reasons we once ventured forth upon the endless odyssey toward perfecting our songcraft to begin with. Tonight, you have surpassed being our student..."


    As other numerous fairy-like beings joined in the compliments toward him. A pixie who dressed sharply whose size equal to his palm spoke goodwill of him to no end. A dryad comparing his composition piece to that of a lustrous beauty of the forest in nature, Then there''s also an orc who looks having no business here dressed in such stylized-suit to fit his huge frame.


    As the murmurs goes on, Jihoon started to realize something as he receives everyone''s words toward him. Snapping out of the emotional trance that allowed him to perform and compose such a piece after all.


    "Shit... did I gone overboard?". Jihoon said as he didn''t expect the extent of what his composition goes.


    The night goes on with the compliment of him.

 Chapter 16: Alvorna

    ¡°You did what!?¡± Karim said as he didn¡¯t expect such success immediately after he crashed from mental exhaustion the day before.


    ¡°Impressed the audition examiners so much that none of them could really teach me anything new under the sun. Said that there¡¯s very little that they could give beyond constructive criticism at best or waste my time with meaningless tasks at worst.¡± Jihoon said as he retells everything that occurred in between.


    Jihoon explains everything that happened during his audition.


    "It was as if my composition transcended being a mere technical showcase," Jihoon explained, his eyes alight with the memory. "From the opening phrases evoking carefree nostalgia, to the slow but eventual layering of yearning melancholy over effervescent joy. To finally end it with bitter acceptance - I sure have wove an entire emotional odyssey into the harmonies that night."


    Jihoon didn''t wrote that many masterpieces during his time still as a video game composer but him striking gold and write such heated composition is still an appreciated occurrence every now and then.


    He described how the examiners'' initial guarded skepticism gradually melted away with each revelatory transition, their stern masks of judgement faltering as his masterwork''s nuances wormed into their souls. Jihoon''s evocative orchestrations rekindled feelings and resonances within the critics that years of academic dissection had seemingly burned to calloused ash.


    As Jihoon''s tale unfolded, Karim found himself leaning forward in his seat, utterly enraptured. He had been saw many countless prodigies'' recitals over his mercantile decades first hand, yet rarely had he witnessed a debut so transcendent as to silence Lengsel''s infamously uncompromising adjudicators.


    "When the last lingering harmonics faded, you could have heard a pin drop across that entire amphitheater''s hushed terraces," Jihoon continued, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "The elders exchanged sidelong looks for what seemed an eternity, their hardened masks giving way to looks of...wonderment. Begrudging respect. It was as if I had reminded them of the very reasons they had first ventured upon refining their songcraft to begin with."


    Karim let out a low whistle, awestruck. "So not a single critique or callous dismissal, then? Just unquestioned admission to Lengsel''s hallowed ranks on the basis of your soul-stirring virtuosity alone?"


    Jihoon gave a slow nod. "More than that, if their words held any truth. They claimed I had surpassed mere ''student'' status before them, having awoken their forgotten melody within the core of their artisan beings."


    He shook his head, still seemingly stunned by his own achievements. "At this rate, I may have transcended formal institutionalized instruction entirely with just that single recital. The eldest examiner intimated that rather than labor under their tutelage, I should seek my artistic edification through forging new bounds - both musical and personal."


    Karim''s jovial countenance broke into an enormous grin as he clapped Jihoon heartily on the shoulder. "Well I''ll be doubly damned! Not only granted admission by those fickle purists, but essentially elevated to their ranks on the merits of your sheer talents and spirit alone?"


    "Why, with an auspicious debut like that, I wouldn''t be surprised if the wider cultural ministers went outright berserk once word of your existence spreads from their musty conservatories. Can you even imagine the prestige and possibilities that being celebrated as an unprecedented prodigy amidst the entire grand nexus of Absence could bring?" The merchant spoke with his eyes positively twinkled with barely restrained glee.


    Karim released a low, rumbling chuckle that bordered on boyish snickering. "Hoo boy, just wait until the rest of those ivory tower snobs and self-appointed gatekeepers hear about this! I can scarcely fathom the shockwaves your very existence is about to send rippling through polite artistic society, my friend. Why, it may just be the kick in the pantaloons this stagnant institution has desperately needed to dislodge a few too many heads from their comfortably clenched posteriors!"


    Jihoon didn''t fail to pick up on Karim''s disdain. Although he certainly wanted to hear the reason for his disposition, it doesn''t seem like he will get any word out of him soon.


    The merchant barely managed to contain himself, practically vibrating with excitement on Jihoon''s behalf. His features shone with the unrestrained pride of a mentor seeing their most brilliant protege blaze past all expectations in a single, fell swoop. Jihoon''s accomplishments were sure to reverberate through every echelon of Absence''s vibrant cultural scenes like a clarion call for transcendence.


    "And to think, I had mentally prepared myself to wage an uphill guerilla campaign against scholastic conservatism just to get your talents recognized," Karim said, shaking his head in bemused resignation. "But it seems the very first foray exceeded all our grandest hopes! Jihoon my friend, what you''ve achieved here tonight is nothing short of a revolution waiting to be unleashed upon Absence!"


    As he returned the smile at Karim, the first person to unconditionally assist him in the path forward so far. Although things have certainly gone accordingly to their intents, Jihoon knows that his actual objective here is to find a partner that he can trust with his back to unconditionally and having the same passion for music like he did. He saw many playing their instruments but none so far actually resonated and stick to their instruments like it is their flesh and blood.


    He knows that no one could really commit to such a thing in the first place.


    "So what''s the song name you decided for it?" Karim asked as he is interested about the masterwork that Jihoon created.


    Jihoon called to the System in his mind and a notification pop-up appeared only in his sight.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    SPIKA


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 15):


    -+50% to MAG


    This effect can only be stacked once and is overlapped by stronger similar effect.


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    Jihoon has felt closely the power of a Expert Musician because he managed to harmonize the instruments together on that music composing terminal. However, just because he could arrange notes on a sheet of paper, that doesn''t make him a true instrumentalist of the chosen instruments. In practical scenario, he wouldn''t be able to carry such a thing around in the heat of battle thus making his access to Expert Song Magic is still out of reach for him until he could find someone like him to harmonize their Song Magic together.


    Still pondering about Karim''s question of how he come up with such a name at all, he decided.


    "SPIKA... that''s what I have chosen after the audition with Lengsel''s examiners after all that." Jihoon said as the lingering feelings of yesterday can still be felt.


    "Certainly a unique name for a song to have, does it stands for anything meaningful or just all there is to it?" Karim said as he arched an inquisitive eyebrow.


    "It stood as a personal epiphany for everything that I have poured into its making. It''s... not something that you would understand because the language barrier that separates the meaning it has from all of you. Just think of it like my distant land''s unique dialect". Jihoon said as he thought that he didn''t have enough skill in literature to start out from the simplest etymology where he drawed it from.


    S - Saudade. That melancholic longing for cherished moments and states of being forever departed, yet still burned into one''s memories. Origin, Portugese.


    P - Perseverance. Honoring the unyielding determination to overcome all tribulations through sheer force of will.


    I - Innocence. Celebrating those sparks of untrammeled joy and whimsy that even dire adversity cannot fully extinguish within the soul.


    K - Kenosis. Self-willed act of self-emptying and surrender, of shedding all burdens and pretenses to embrace one''s unvarnished essence. Origin, Greek


    A - Acceptance. The courage to let go of the past, and boldly move forward into the future with one''s spirit reforged anew.


    The thought of explanation lingers in his mind but Jihoon was still too ashamed personally even if there''s nothing shameful about it.


    "I see, it''s always that language barrier that separated us again, isn''t it? Don''t worry about it since if it is something you kept dear to yourself then I won''t dig any further". Karim said as he listened to Jihoon''s excuse.


    "Speaking of language barrier, did you know that we achieved unity because we managed to create a unified language that all the races could converse with one another with ease, right? Before Absence even existed, we had our own racial dialects that is often a bitch to translate for other races." Karim explained as he spoke of a trivia of this world''s history.


    Karim leaned back, his expression turning contemplative as he delved into the history behind Absence''s unified language.


    "You know, there was a time long before this great metropolis had even taken shape when interracial communication was an incredible challenge," he said with a shake of his head. "Back in those days, each race jealously guarded their unique linguistic traditions as both a point of cultural pride and means of maintaining societal mysteries from outside understanding."


    Jihoon knows that worlds and realms don''t spontaneously exist for story sake and often have its untold history behind. Some fictions often skimmed past it for wish-fulfillment sake so this is both expected and unexpected thing for him. After all, Absence is a post-scarcity society and it is certainly an enticing prospect to just ditch his original world and stay here as musical prodigy but... that''s the most selfish act he would have done and no different than a frog deliberately jump back into the well.


    The merchant chuckled ruefully. "Why, I''ve heard tales of diplomatic envoys practically tearing their hair out trying to negotiate the simplest of treatises between different realms. Every cordial overture bogged down by endless cycles of misinterpreted nuances and unintentionally provocative phrasings born from the language barriers."


    Of how trading enterprises between elven foresters and dwarven metallurgists alone could descend into farcical games of linguistic charades if the proper consecrated translators weren''t retained. Once of how ancient orcish warlords negotiating contracts alongside each other who insisted on bellowing every guttural syllable as if it were a challenge to mortal combat!


    Despite himself, Karim chuckled at the memories. "Suffice to say, productive interracial discourse could be...challenging in the era before the Great Conclaves ushered in linguistic unification. Nothing short of a historiographical and cultural renaissance was required to develop the common vernacular we now take for granted across Absence''s boundaries."


    He talked about the multi-generational efforts that many linguists and philosophers working together to make the impossible dream become real. And how a lot of resistance occurred in-between before the effect of language unification showed undeniable results.


    The merchant''s expression turned sly as he arched an eyebrow meaningfully at Jihoon. "Of course, even to this day, certain elite institutions and aristocratic lineages still cling stubbornly to ancestral linguistic traditions, even if only for ceremonial purposes and to shroud sensitive correspondences behind archaic cipher-scripts incomprehensible to the uninitiated."


    Karim leaned forward with a conspiratorial air. "Why, I''d wager even the esteemed maestros presiding over your audition last evening likely also maintain entire archival tomes of classic symphonic masterworks enshrined in their race''s ancestral tongue. An unbreakable cryptolect ensuring that each note''s deepest metaphysical resonances remain occluded from any but the most devoted scholars'' eyes and ears, hmm?"


    Honestly, the ordeal does reminds him of his world but much worse. But adversity builds character for all of these people it seems. And seeing how well-off they are then all of sacrifices and hardwork must have paid its due.


    "Either way, I still have to wait for another few days for my Maestro certification and profession card to be issued. No one would ever believe that someone gone straight from an aspirant into maestro in just one single day after all." Jihoon said as he intends to calm down any excitement before any path could have been scouted and recon.


    Academic ranks is divided into the following: Aspirant, Student, Assistant, Docent, Maestro, Professor, Headmaster, Luminary. Rising through these ranks took efforts and a lot of proven renown in the academic world such as scientific-application of mystic, music, arts and similar and et cetera. One could become a Docent after graduating but to become a Maestro require a lot of proven thing.


    Aspirant is the starting baseline for all prospective students seeking admittance and training, essentially prospective students undergoing the admissions process, like my own audition for Lengsel''s conservatory.. They must pass rigorous entrance criteria before even being allowed to enroll under accredited instructors as a proper Student in their chosen discipline.


    From there, those who distinguish themselves through prodigious studies and contributions can hope to attain Assistant status - granted responsibilities as educators'' aides while continuing to deepen their own expertise.


    Docent signifies a scholar fully credentialed to lecture and instruct lessons of their own under their department''s sanction. While still considered academic juniors, Docents oversee the educational development of subordinate assistants and students beneath them


    Maestro denotes a master artisan or researcher who has expanded the boundaries of their craft through groundbreaking theory, application or creative works. They are the preeminent thought-leaders helping guide the future evolutions of their respective field.


    Beyond that lies Professor and Headmaster, they who governing entire institutions and cultural ministries overseeing standardized academic disciplines across all of Absence. And at the very zenith of this path. Luminary. An immortalized visionary and trailblazer whose revelations have reshaped the very foundations of multiple scholastic and philosophical fields.


    An example of Luminary can be given as the linguists who united all of this world''s languages together, so that this world can develop the way it is today.


    "Sweet celestials above... Considering the sheer intellectual pedigrees and artistic excellences required to attain even Assistant or Docent status, I can scarcely fathom how your debut masterwork singlehandedly vaulted you straight into the ranks of Maestro out of the blue!" Karim let out a low whistle, clearly impressed by Jihoon''s feat.


    "A distinction that carries more symbolic than practical meaning for me in truth. I have no intentions of lingering indefinitely amidst Absence''s scholastic circles. My path ultimately lies elsewhere, building toward the greatest ensemble to be seen across all" Jihoon gave a rueful half-shrug, knowing that the end of his artistic path isn''t lie here.


    "Although..." Karim tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Now that I consider the implications of attaining Maestro certification, I imagine the mere conferring of such an exalted rank carries with it certain...privileges beyond academe''s hallowed halls, does it not?"


    Jihoon understands what Karim is speaking. Money can''t buy happiness outright, but it certainly solves a lot of problem that would befall him or caused by his lack of it otherwise.


    "With that pedigree officially enshrined alongside Absence''s premier cultural luminaries, I wager even the grandest opera houses and institute forges would gladly fling open their doors for your artistic residencies. Why, the entire metropolis could potentially become your working canvas to channel your orchestral marvels upon!"


    The merchant''s eyes danced with the prospect. "Not only unparalleled creative liberty, but from what I''ve overheard, the upper echelons automatically receive rather...considerable quarterly endowments from certain ministries to help subsidize their scholarly and performance endeavors. All essentially granting one the freedom to sojourn wherever inspiration may strike without want of worldly encumbrances, if my understanding is correct."


    Jihoon smirked unapologetically, he deserved that right after such performance. "My aims extend far beyond mere academic accreditation, as you well know. But I''ll not turn my nose up at any provisions that grease the path toward of a true Expert, however obliquely."


    "Well, there we have it then! While you await your fancy new parchments being scribed out, we''ll simply content ourselves scouting about Lengsel''s wondrous sight and plan accordingly, yes? Best not to count any drakes before they roost and all that, hmm?"


    "Now if you''ll excuse me, I''d best be off applying a bit of my own professional mystique to help...ease certain logistical transitions in advance, let''s say. Oh, and perhaps sourcing a new set of vestments better befitting your newly-minted stature wouldn''t go amiss either, I suspect?" Karim said as he rose to his feet with his customary mercantile flourish.


    Though before he left, the merchant''s eyes sparkled with sly cunning. "Though try to retain a shred of humility whilst surrounded by such hallowed privileges, eh? Can''t have that brilliant young head of yours growing too large before you even find chances to put your newfound resources and clouts to proper use, now can we?"


    And Karim left the guest house. Jihoon thought to himself of where should he find his first member of the ensemble. Someone with equal talent and passion for their music instrument like he did. Which will be insurmountably difficult to sieve through millions of life in the entirety of the metropolis of Absence.


    After spending a little moment of self-pondering, Jihoon had an idea. The System registered his thought immediately opened a panel of regarded information for his convenience.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Exceed!


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 15):


    -+155% to all Physical Attributes of self.


    ''A music piece composed of unyielding defiance. Even if one¡¯s circumstances have fallen into misfortune and ill-fate, hope only remains if one lives with determination. To surpass the previous self of yesterday, one must overcome challenges of today and tomorrow with confidence in self.¡¯


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    The first Song Magic that he composed for himself and for his own sake from the very far beginning when he received the power of Song Magic, other than the Forgotten Melody. Composed using only his signature instrument, the electric guitar,


    He mused of how it is technically his own character theme song but now that he thought about it, is there a better measure of a musician that he is looking for is their capability to compose their own theme? Like how certain video game soundtracks have their own character themes for said defined moments for them?


    Realized that it is a valid method and a perfect gauge of one''s talents and emotional depth, Jihoon can''t believe his own brilliance at a time. With his newfound renown as Absence''s newest and fastest anointed Maestro, Jihoon could leverage the artistic privileges that entailed to stage a metropolis-wide call for such virtuosic character compositions.


    Performers of all disciplines would vie for the chance to have their personal themes scrutinized by one of the capital''s preeminent cultural voices now carrying Lengsel''s official imprimatur.


    Under the guise of scouting fresh talents for collaborative artistic initiatives, Jihoon could precisely filter for those whose personal resonances aligned with the emotional depths required of an Expert''s ensemble through their thematic masterworks alone. Simultaneously cementing his reputation while identifying ideal instrumental cohorts with a single, audacious venture befitting his newly-elevated rank.


    Beside, Absence is a place where the classical and futuristic converged then... this place must also have an equivalent of Internet here or metropolis-wide network at least and accessible for everyone. Getting all the samples needed will be swift and it will be up to him.


    With his newfound stratagem beginning to take shape, Jihoon felt a renewed sense of vigor coursing through his harmonics. The path toward forging his ultimate ensemble had become a little bit clearer. All he need is to do, is commit himself to embrace this newfound station as his genius demanded.


    "It seems that I''m going to be busy in the next few days". Jihoon said as he can already list a lot of things to do in the foreseeable future.


    Within days, whispers of an unprecedented artistic phenomenon began rippling through Absence''s cultural circles like a shockwave. Tales of a mysterious virtuoso who had attained Maestro rank through a single, sublime masterwork used in a recital. Which soon proliferated amongst the metropolis, each retelling more fanciful and embellished than the last as the anonymous prodigy''s legend propagated.


    While Jihoon''s precise identity remained judiciously obfuscated by Lengsel''s ordinances for the time being, his remarkable feat captured the metropolis''s imagination. Respected musicians and jaded critics alike buzzed with speculation over who this enigmatic genius could be, and what unconventional forces had conspired to elevate them so meteorically.


    Seizing upon the growing furor, Jihoon wasted no time in staging his first official "online concert" as a credentialed Maestro. Leveraging Absence''s metropolis-wide networks, he issued an open call for all musicians of skill and passion to submit personal "character theme" compositions - singular emotional motifs intended to represent their innermost artistic essences and character.


    The numbers of response was absolutely staggering, with submissions flooding in from every district and conservatory across the entire city. Jihoon had expected a reasonable sampling''s worth at most from Lengsel''s graduate pool - but instead found himself inundated by a monumental deluge of diverse musical statements from Absence''s entire creative population.


    As he cycled through each audition with critical focus, Jihoon gradually recognized the true scope of his stratagem''s potential... and daunting logistical realities. While the online venue provided him unparalleled access to exponentially more prospective candidates than could ever be accommodated physically, the sheer volume of entries rapidly proved overwhelming for discerning evaluation.


    There are about literal millions of songs registered for him. And he only has himself to evaluate a literal mountain ahead of him. He could just force his way through ''foolish old man moving mountain'' style but that is falling to the same footfall of learning a new instrument. Time that he simply doesn''t have.


    With a wry smirk, Jihoon realized he may have underestimated the shockwaves created by attaining his new scholastic pedigree so abruptly. This exercise in "getting his feet wet" now seemed more akin to drowning beneath an unanticipated tsunami of artistic ambition, like scattering his sorrow to the heartless sea.


    But what else can he do? After sorting his plan over, he has two options. Sort through these by himself and pass the judgment after grueling years, or... have the community rate each others'' submitted themes. Which from what Jihoon knows from his experience back then in his world, it would be a massive dumpster fire that Jihoon will inevitably get caught up in it.


    Somehow both encouraged and discouraged, Jihoon starts to open the first file and prepared for the longest music assessment session that this world ever seen. But before he could even play the first one, a sudden commotion outside catches his attention as the sound of it overwhelms anything in this room. Decided that he must first saw whoever it is, Jihoon left the guest house and saw the source behind.


    At the center of the crowd''s attention is a Harpy, with long flowing blonde hair whose color hue resembles of dark vanilla. The color of her hair also extends to the pair of wings on her back. Her eyes of emerald complement with the ornate green dress with intricate floral design that she wears, and a soft smile on her face seemed ever dreamy and serene. All as if she stepped out of an artist''s dreamy portrayal.


    An entire crowd of admiration hush around her, parting before with awed deference. Their expressions awash with unabashed adoration as she steps gracefully through their midst. It was abundantly clear that this winged figure commanded a level of admiration and respect from Absence''s citizens.


    As Jihoon watched the raptured crowd make way, he found the Harpy''s emerald gaze inexplicably settling upon him. For a brief and disorienting moment, he felt pinned beneath that ethereal stare while regarding him with indecipherable intensity, as if the world around them had fallen away into an ethereal silence.


    Then, with a delicate cough that somehow carried the ring of subtle command, the throngs instinctively parted further to allow her an unimpeded path toward where Jihoon stood. The enraptured onlookers seemed to shake themselves, hastily dispersing to leave Jihoon and the Harpy regard one another across the now-cleared pavilion.


    "The Matriarch of The Citadel''s daughter herself..."


    "What business could bring one so exalted here today?"


    "Perhaps word has already spread of the mysterious prodigy..."


    As she drew nearer, whispers rose speculating upon her reasons for gracing this particular gathering with her celestial presence. Jihoon''s racing thoughts scarcely had time to process the rising murmurs before the Harpy herself sealed the distance between them. Up close, her delicate features and ornate emerald gown seemed to shimmer with an almost otherworldly luster, perfectly complementing her beatific countenance.


    Jihoon quickly realized this was no mere chance encounter. There was an unmistakable sense of purpose behind all of her actions. Behind the winged overseer''s focused attention upon him specifically. While most Harpies were renowned for their musical magic with the breath of life they blow into woodwinds and angelic singing voice that makes many held their breath in listening. But she herself seems to carry an ornate violin case in her hand.


    "Greetings, honored guest," she began to speak at last, her soft tones resonant yet tinged with inscrutable depths. "Forgive my unannounced intrusion, but the most intriguing tales have been filtering through the ranks regarding your...uniquely swift ascension amongst Lengsel''s hallowed conservatory."


    Though her words remained cordial, Alvorna''s gaze intensified as she appraised Jihoon with what seemed almost a hint of personal scrutiny layered beneath her diplomatic veneer.


    "The mysterious virtuoso whose sublime debut before Lengsel''s examiners has quickly become the talk of all Absence''s cultural circles..."


    "He must be the one they call the Prodigious Maestro."


    The crowd murmured at the distance, seeing the interaction between the two like an entire forbidden drama play that many would never get the chance to see again. The scenario was practically writing itself to them.


    She favored him with a slight, enigmatic smile that somehow managed to be simultaneously warm yet laced with undercurrents Jihoon couldn''t quite decipher exactly.


    "I am Alvorna, daughter of The Citadel''s esteemed Matriarch. Howsoever unlikely the tales proliferating about your sudden transcendence, I find myself...intrigued to discover the truths dwelling behind such an unprecedented phenomenon first-hand."


    Alvorna''s features remained serene, yet Jihoon couldn''t shake the distinct impression that her motivations extended well beyond mere artistic curiosity. There was something far more personal. Perhaps even fated as underlying the Harpy''s insistence upon validating his talents and renown directly.


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Just as Jihoon was pondering how to respond to Alvorna''s probing words, a familiar figure emerged from the dispersing crowd. The grizzled old musician Jihoon had crossed paths with aboard the RiET-949 transit express - the one who had challenged him to an impromptu musical duel which birthed that very same named composition, has also made his appearance amidst the dispersing crowd.


    "Well now, if it isn''t the quick-fingered maestro who matched my melodies note-for-note on that fateful train ride!" the old man exclaimed, his tone awash with theatrical flair, a far cry from his imposing appearance that was Jihoon''s first impression of him. "Who could have predicted our serendipitous reunion would be overseen by none other than the esteemed Daughter of the Citadel herself?"


    The old man favored Jihoon with a sly wink before turning an appraising look towards Alvorna. There was clearly a dynamic of long familiarity and mutual respect between the pair that transcended their contrasting ages. Honestly, Jihoon too thought that they might cross-path again one day but not this soon.


    "My dear Alvorna, I''d wager even your mother''s keen instincts detected the reverberations of a true musical phenomenon manifesting amidst these hallowed avenues," he said with an artful sweep of his hand. "Though I confess, having experienced the young maestro''s talents firsthand already, I can''t say I''m terribly surprised by his meteoric rise hitting wider notice so swiftly."


    "Maestro Prodigy, allow me to finally make formal introductions," the old man continued with an exaggerated flourish. "While most simply call me ''Big Band'' due to my comprehensive instrumental repertoire, mastery over many musical instruments, and often one-manned orchestra. But for today, you may consider me something of a sanctioned tutor to Absence''s most rarefied overseers."


    The Citadel''s Lower Sanctum is accessible to all, but obtaining access to the higher floors require accumulative priority granted by the Matriarch herself. And the amount of non-Harpies who has access to even the highest Sanctum of The Citadel can only be counted in two hands. That being the betrothed of the Matriarch herself, Absence''s highest region governors, and finally Big Band himself.


    Alvorna regarded her apparent mentor with a serene nod and faint smile. "The old master''s faith in your unparalleled talents is not misplaced, it would seem," she mused in that lilting, almost dreamlike cadence. "Still, I would have your prodigious gifts put to a rather...unconventional measure of assessment, if you''d indulge an admittedly unorthodox request."


    With an elegant flick of her wrist, Alvorna produced a hand-calligraphed folio and proffered it to the wizened Big Band. The old man thumbed through its pages with a considering expression before eyeing Jihoon meaningfully.


    "A collaborative character theme the young mistress herself has personally composed," he explained with an arched brow. "One complex enough to demand both technical precision AND emotional resonance to render its full harmonies. An...audition of sorts, you could say."


    The implied challenge hung in the air like a silken gauntlet between them. Alvorna''s expression remained inscrutable, yet Jihoon sensed deeper undercurrents swirling just beneath - as if something pivotal rode upon how he responded in this singular moment.


    Well... he didn''t have a say in the matter to deny this request that Alvorna had for him. Because someone else has spoke for him already.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Expression of Self


    Difficulty: B


    You are now at the pivotal moment that will decide the way


    things will go for you in this world. Listen attentively for any detail


    and capture her heart with your understanding of the song she composed.


    Objective:


    -Complete the music duel between you and Alvorna (Incomplete)


    Reward:


    -Depends on your performance and the outcome which will be rated by the mission.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    No turning back, he draws his acoustic guitar while hiding his electric as he prepares to meet her expectation. However, the difficulty of the quest being B-ranked compare to the old man''s being ranked D+ makes him uneasy about the hidden footfalls that may hidden not with her but depends on his own action. Either way, he held his head up in anticipation of the duel.


    Big Band will play the background instruments while Jihoon will play his acoustic and Alvorna plays her violin. It is simple as that. Yet...


    Jihoon regarded the ethereal Harpy and grizzled old mentor arrayed before him, their expectant expressions leaving little room to demur from this singular demand. Though outwardly he maintained an air of calm determination, inwardly his thoughts raced.


    The System''s unexpected pronouncement made it abundantly clear this was no mere artistic exercise. Alvorna''s personally-composed "character theme" represented a pivotal crossroads moment imbued with consequences that could profoundly impact his journey''s trajectory through this realm of Absence.


    As he thumbed the taut strings of his faithful acoustic guitar, Jihoon pondered the outlined quest''s deceptively simple directives overlaid with that ominous Rank B difficulty rating. Ordinarily, he would have relished such an opportunity to harmonize with another dedicated virtuoso without a second thought. Yet the System''s weighted categorization hinted at deeper, unseen complexities layered within the winged songstress''s commissioned melodies.


    Still, he was committed now. There could be no turning away from this silken gauntlet once laid before him. Jihoon swept an assessing gaze over the dismissed crowds, now maintaining a respectful distance with rapt anticipation writ upon their features. Whatever pivotal moments awaited, he would have no choice but to face them before the eyes of all Absence''s masses.


    This was to be more than a basic recital or mere test of technical prowess. Alvorna''s composition likely represented an encoded emotional cypher of her truest self that he must attune to on an almost innate level as if he was there when she composed it. Nuances of motivation, personality, perhaps even destiny itself woven into the rising and falling cadences awaiting his interpretation through sympathetic harmonies.


    Jihoon particularly aware that this entire scenario was in fact an audition unlike any other. Not for him to prove his artistic merits overtly, but rather for HIM to discern the full breadth of HER deepest essence through the veils of symbolism and abstraction only a masterfully-rendered character theme could convey.


    Drawing a fortifying breath, Jihoon conjured his signature acoustic guitar with a resolute strum. He knew relying solely upon his customary electric rhythms would only skim the musical surface thus to delve into Alvorna''s deepest harmonic intentions, he''d need to shed his usual bravado completely.


    No, this demanded an instrumental resonance more traditionally unvarnished and stripped back to its fundamental essence, just as he would need to lay his own innermost self bare to interpret her thematic truths in turn.


    "I appreciate you indulging an admittedly unorthodox request, Maestro Jihoon," Alvorna spoke in that same measured cadence, as if echoing the very thoughts he''d just had. "For this is no mere parade of technical prodigies, but rather a rendition intended to reveal one''s innermost Symphony of Self for those perspicacious enough to hear it resonate."


    Her beatific features remained an impenetrable mask of serenity, yet Jihoon could have sworn he glimpsed fleeting eddies of raw yearning swirling in those fathomless green pools. As if this was far more than just another performance. More akin to an answering of some intrinsic call her avian soul could no longer deny.


    There was no doubting the weight of her words now. This was to be no mere playful musical parry, but quite literally an allegorical unveiling of Alvorna''s innermost Self made soulful sound. If Jihoon''s intuitions rang true, then to falter here was to not only admit artistic mediocrity, but existential discordance on a fundamental level.


    As Big Band made final preparations, eyes twinkling with impish delight at whatever grand performance lay in store, Jihoon forced himself to center. He could afford no distractions from wandering thoughts, no mentally getting ahead of the present crescendo. This will be the make-and-break of his career, once again.


    Big Band plays the introduction of her theme as the flute kickstart with a nostalgic and tune and melody as Jihoon provides the backdrop with his acoustic. And the melody is reprised once more by Alvorna''s violin with its note progression extended compare to previous.


    With the introduction ended, Big Band moved to play the accordion while the piano still play the notes on its own. The chords bear a reflective emotion that simply can''t be put into words. Then Alvorna reprised what Big Band played with a violin solo. And as Jihoon continues to play along with them, wondering where and what is even his role in this song. He felt like he is interfering with them than actually playing with them.


    Then as his thought ponder on the melody that they just played. Jihoon immediately remembered where he first heard it. The same note progression is in the very beginning of the Memories of Absence which Jihoon could tell. But the way that Memories of Absence portray those chords were with longing and melancholy, not in celebratory that they''re doing right now.


    However, the moment Jihoon realized it, he can no longer unheard those melancholy in the same melody that Alvorna is playing. While everyone blissfully unaware of it as they listen to the performance, only hearing and interpreting the notes she is playing in the way they heard themselves. Not the undertone that she express.


    It''s as though she wove an entirely separate emotional substructure beneath the ensemble''s joyful overtures. One to which he alone remained attuned while all others basked in the surface harmonies.


    As his eyes met the Harpy''s during a lingering violin trill, Jihoon saw her lips quirk ever so slightly, as if acknowledging his sensitivity to the underlying subtext. In that fleeting moment of shared knowing, he understood that she had identified a kindred spirit. Not simply revel in the shallow delight of a melody''s obvious aesthetics, but its buried poignant nuances.


    Once the introduction verse is completed, an interlude of low piano notes played by Big Band before the main . Alvorna then prepared with a slight cough which he knows that is when the song is about to have its vocalist making the stage. All while she is still playing the violin.


    However, once he heard the lyric that she would sing, Jihoon realized the actual true details that determine the difficult.


    An angel with a pair of dark wings


    Invites you beyond the memories shrouded in darkness.


    A sad future is awaiting for me, in the breach of the forgotten space-time


    Jihoon heard her sung the lyric clearly to him yet the crowd goes ecstatic as they listen to her angelic voice. With a melancholic voice that supposed to make the heart wrench yet as if completely blind, they celebrated at her singing in the most tone-deaf manner possible.


    "She is singing in the Harpies'' ancestral language, although I can''t really decipher any meaning behind, it is such a beautiful voice that I can''t help but expressing my joy". One of the more well-versed expressing his compliment amidst the crowd. In which Jihoon didn''t fail to catch on.


    "I heard that translating from ancestral Harpy to common language is very difficult and even more so conversing directly. Glad that we''re live in such unified era, isn''t it".


    And yet, the little goddess that blessed him with the System also given him language comprehension for him just so that he doesn''t have to manually hurdle through such a problem on his own, is now translating her ancestral tongue in real-time. The fact that she deliberately wrote the lyric in ancestral Harpy means that she doesn''t want its content to be understood by anyone else upon hearing but she certainly wouldn''t expect him to understand either.


    I ask the shooting stars under the dead night sky,


    why was the tomorrow lost? Why was it destroyed?


    As Big Band''s percussion goes on and Alvorna continues her singing. Jihoon comes to analyze more and more of her song. This whole song structure isn''t anything too special because it is composed of reprises of the introduction verse in different key changes with bridges to connect them all around. Although phrasing it like that is over-generalizing for a lot of songs too.


    As Jihoon continued playing along, his mind raced to analyze the implications behind Alvorna''s encoded lyrics. If this song truly represented her innermost "character theme" as proclaimed, then its melancholic undertones and shrouded verses amounted to an entire autobiography sung solely for his discerning ears alone.


    He wouldn''t have dwelled on the peculiarities if it was a mere artistic showcase. But the stakes established by the System''s judgement made it clear that this was far more than that. Alvorna''s unspoken personal truth woven into the fabric of her commissioned harmonies. A confessional inner world that the winged songstress had perhaps never dared voice aloud ever.


    Under the starry sky at dusk,


    let''s hold hands and dance together,


    let''s sing and surrender our hearts.


    To the song of the sad fairy


    As he matched cadences with Big Band''s various instrumentations, Jihoon began perceiving Alvorna''s circumstances through a new perspective. One of personal yearning perpetually at odds with the serene, ethereal perfection demanded of a Harpy born to Absence''s highest echelons of culture and tradition.


    For all the adulation showered upon her angelic countenance from the enraptured crowds, he now glimpsed existential isolation lingering behind that porcelain facade. Alvorna likely led a life as ceremonially meticulous as the ornate compositions she was expected to render flawlessly upon command. Every nuance of her creative and personal expression scrutinized to embody the Harpy''s ideals with uncompromising grace.


    Yet here, through these encoded lyrical lamentations, an anguished inner voice had finally found resonance beyond that gilded cage.


    He remembered the last time he acted blindly and paid the price for it. Although he was likely too late to save his old friend Jin already, but has he acted decisively and not with ineptitude then Jin''s ending wouldn''t have been as cruel as it is. This time, he wouldn''t remain passive anymore. Then with swift motion of his body, he swapped out the battered acoustic once bequeathed by Jin with his signature instrument, the electric guitar.


    He must harmonize with her instrument now, or there will be no opportunity for him to connect with her again.


    From beyond the dawn star, turning


    our backs on the coming oblivion,


    let''s open our hearts and talk


    about the memories of the sad fairy.


    As Jihoon continues to play backdrop with his electric guitar, grasping the melodic structure so that he can alter its trajectory path for his own sake. The lyric''s mournful verse continued to reverberate as the fanciful yet somber imagery belying the unvoiced laments. As he slowly formulate his counterpoint, his voice within an already established composition, Jihoon extrapolates the entire allegory within every phrase.


    Under the starry sky at dusk, let''s hold hands and dance together. A simplistic desire for personal connection beyond the celestial pedestal that she was bound to. How many connections that she isn''t under scrutiny of those around her? How many of it isn''t to just relish the same heaven that the Harpy resides? The answer is that a lot that to speak otherwise is a rarity. And why getting close to the Harpy required immense test of character to even approach.


    To the song of the sad fairy... He couldn''t shake the sense that Alvorna likened her very existence to some intrinsically melancholic fable. One where beauty and grace ultimately served as isolating prisons walling her off from any prospect of relationship. And even if allowed, it would ultimately be artificially manipulated one-sidedly for her. More of someone who serves her than actually close to her.


    From beyond the dawn star, turning our backs on the coming oblivion... Alvorna really viewed her preordained path as some form of inevitable surrender to the void? An oblivion of self-actualization that the "sad fairy" forever and inexorably drew nearer with each sunrise despite her attempt to fled?


    Let''s open our hearts and talk about the memories... A plaintive plea for someone, anyone, to finally see and acknowledge the contemplative inner depth lingering behind those emerald eyes. To embrace her not just as an untouchable icon, but a kindred simply yearning for transparency.


    Slowly, he managed to find a foothold in the song amidst the ongoing symphony without causing disharmony. That alone is already a respectable feat to a lot of musicians but that isn''t what matters to him right now. As his electric guitar find its way to intertwine with her violin''s lingering refrain, any further denial of the pervasive dissonance surrounding them is unthinkable. The enraptured crowds whooped and cheered with jubilant energy utterly at odds with the composition''s core disquietude, as if deliberately reveling in their own obliviousness.


    They spoke of Alvorna in grandiose, lofty tones yet remained blind to the dolorous autobiographical truths spilling forth from her very lips. Each exultation of her "celestial gifts" and "embodiment of the artistic spirit" only further highlighting their detachment from the stark personal fragilities woven into every anguished verse and conspicuously concealed beneath aesthetics.


    This entire unorthodox performance amounted to a singular soul crying out for deliverance - a desperate sender of encoded confession begging for reception upon the same existential wavelength of spiritual honesty. How a once vibrant, youthful spirit steadily dimming beneath the gilded cage until all that remains... is a ''sad fairy'' singing out to uncaring emptiness.


    A pretty fairy sings sadly


    beyond the dark memories


    In the sky of oblivion, falling stars...


    Sobbing, crying out in my heart


    Give me back that youthful wish,


    the bright sky I believed in.


    Give me back that youthful tomorrow,


    that child''s wings.


    Jihoon couldn''t help but envision a younger, undiminished Alvorna whose dreams and passions burned with the same incandescent fervor he''d once possessed. Only to then witness that achingly familiar fire dim behind a shroud of isolation and disillusionment as the years marched on without reprieve. Until all that persisted was the wearied resignation now pouring forth in soulful lamentations.


    Much similar to him when his dream ended in fire as the Gates appeared. Then wastefully spend his 10 years in lament of circumstances beyond control. He was all alone trying to confront with that reality and he couldn''t imagine Alvorna capable of surpassing that insurmountable challenge on her own. Trying to wrestle and reclaim her happiness that was fading with each passing second.


    For one elevated to such a lofty, reverential pedestal from birth, yet even the most fundamental of mortal liberties like personal fulfillment and uncompromised expression were privileges to be enshrined rather than lived authentically. Alvorna''s very birth as Absence''s "celestial embodiment" represented an inherent denial of her own intrinsic identity outside that rarefied station.


    Then, everything ceased as both Jihoon and Alvorna respectfully stopped playing their instrument so that Big Band''s solo piano chords can be accentuated. Jihoon has been processing everything of the song she made until now and he knew that this is the moment to change the song''s progression entirely. He could no longer bear silent witness while Alvorna''s hope cried out so vehemently against the strictures that he too had evidently suffocated because of it for far too long already.


    With a resounding strum, Jihoon''s electric guitar unexpectedly swelled alongside Alvorna''s lingering violin refrains. Harmonizing seamlessly yet distinctly from her melodies, his improvisational accompaniment steadily interwove affirmations of solidarity with her. No longer toiling just to aesthetically supplement and flatter as expected, he unleashed his unfiltered melodies surging in unprecedented, heartfelt counterpoint.


    Where Alvorna''s verses of violin melody beseeched of lost and lament, Jihoon''s retort of his electric guitar echoed back in waves of reassurance. Empathic strums of guitar intertwine with her lamenting violin, all of it serves as a continuous reminder for her that no, all is not lost yet. Even if she has nothing left in her spirit, even if she can no longer believe in herself, then...


    Believe in him who believes in her! Then from there, finding your own belief in yourself again.


    Jihoon had gone mad briefly tried to find a solution to his state of mental being all alone. And the best answer that he could provide himself is to rebuild it from the rubbles. But Alvorna hasn''t yet reached that point as her own sadness hasn''t yet paralyze her ability to make change for herself. Do not tread the same mistake that he once did, Jihoon loudly screamed in his own heart toward her, but she couldn''t pick up on such a subtle cue.


    The enraptured crowds stilled in bewildered uncertainty as the two virtuosos'' unified harmonies billowed in emotional crescendos. No longer neatly confined to archetypal melodies and structures that she set before, but unbound improvisational exchanges overflowing the once-predictable compositional boundaries completely. Alvorna finds herself deviating from the sheet as she wants to reply to Jihoon''s reassurance through his melody to her but... she couldn''t bear the idea as she tries to metaphorically fly away as the violin''s chord that she plays ascend higher, distancing his encouragement from her.


    Jihoon not giving up as he also immediately chase after her as if taking flight the same way she did as the electric guitar''s gritty tone ascend in the same manner. The violin has easier transition to higher chord while the guitar required a more complex movement by comparison. It''s like trying to pursue her who is flying away to heaven while he can only climb toward it with his mortal exertion.


    But because both of their destination being the same, Jihoon would eventually caught up to her as there''s a limit to how high her violin''s chord progression can be while Jihoon can improvise his way. And as both of them reached their bridge''s terminus. Alvorna comes to an acceptance that she can''t run away from what she truly desired no matter how afraid she felt.


    As the violin progression slowly grounded, she returned her feeling with her own heartfelt strings of violin.


    Under the starry sky at dusk,


    "Let''s join hands and dance together. Let''s sing,


    entrusting our hearts to the song of the sad fairy."


    From beyond the dawn star, with our backs to the coming oblivion,


    let''s open our hearts and talk about the memories of the sad fairy.


    As Alvorna''s violin soared into the reprise of the introduction verse again, Jihoon immediately sensed the understated yet momentous key change lacing each resolute note. Though subtle, that modulation spoke volumes as imbued the once-mournful introduction with newfound inflections of determined acceptance. Of not succumbing to melancholic inertia any longer now that her soulful lamentations had at last found harmonious reception and understanding.


    Where before the opening strains had channeled wearied resignation at life''s burdens, they now swelled with an unmistakable resilience regaining foothold. Shaking off the oppressive weights that had worn her down so mercilessly for far too long in favor of newfound reinvigoration kindled by Jihoon''s relentless compassion and solidarity. The sadness still lingered, certainly, yet it no longer overwhelmed as it once had.


    Jihoon lets his own melodies swell in empowering kinship alongside Alvorna''s ascending strains. Two kindred artistic souls intertwining in symbiotic affirmation of their deepest truths finally being witnessed without pretense. The sad fairy and the wandering virtuoso finding inexplicable solace and belonging within one another''s exultant harmonies.


    With each mellifluous reprise, Jihoon sensed Alvorna''s long-sequestered vulnerabilities finding steadier grounding and reinvigorated articulation. Rather than taking flight once more from confronting her pained lamentations, she seemed to embrace them fully. Yet now intertwining those fraught admissions with bolstering melodies of perseverant self-belief.


    The entire song''s structure has changed and Big Band didn''t fail to pick up on it. He even expected something will occur once Jihoon swapped out for his electric guitar that kept playing miracle each time drawn. Yet, he didn''t say anything as he allows the two of them to stay in their own little world, free from any constraint and self-doubt as they continue being their truest self.


    Under the starry sky at dusk, let''s join hands and dance together... No longer just a wishful thinking or doubtful abstraction, but in its place is an achievable eventuality for anyone should they extend their metaphorical hands through the faint resonance between. An entreaty for shared experience and connection. For someone to intrepidly journey alongside her into the very depths of her own cathartic remembrances without flinching.


    Let''s sing, entrusting our hearts to the song of the sad fairies... The invitation to completely unveil their vulnerabilities echoed louder than ever. Not just lyrics to be performed dutifully, but existential catharsis through shamelessly baring the diversity of their experiences, both joyous and agonizing alike. Still pained, still melancholic to confront, yet empowered through empathic revelry rather than solitary dismay.


    From beyond the dawn star, with our backs to the coming oblivion... They would no longer merely lament life''s encroaching despair helplessly. But turn as unified kinships to face it head on without faltering, drawing strength through their interwoven shared stories.


    Let''s open our hearts and talk about the memories of the sad fairy...


    The heartfelt beckoning for spiritual communion went unanswered no longer. Jihoon had already linked into Alvorna''s harmonies with every fibrous strand of his being and vowed to cease at nothing until those plaintive recollections found lasting resolution.


    Jihoon glimpsed Alvorna''s facade steadily giving way to a previously concealed wellspring of relieved vulnerability. Her eyes shone with unbridled emotion catalyzed by his persistence in purely witnessing her essence. In affirming every melancholic confession, tracing each lost part of herself back to its existential source, and ultimately reforging the disjointed fragments into a cohesive whole once more through the perfect spaces between their unified resonances.


    Alvorna had sought a kindred spirit who could perceive her unseen emotional depths without flinching. And in turn, Jihoon had looked for a collaborator whose impassioned artistry could harmonize seamlessly alongside his own.


    Both of them had something they wanted in one another but as Jihoon assesses it, he knew that he would get far more in this deal between them than she would receive. And if he were to accept this lop-sided deal, he would only just be another bastard who took advantage of another. Just like those corrupted Hunters in his world that took advantage of Jin''s fractured mental state with that accursed gun.


    And so as the composed piece between the two reached a lingering finale, as Big Band¡¯s backdrop piano notes become higher until there¡¯s nothing left to process, as Alvorna¡¯s violin come to a halt and as Jihoon also ends his counterpoint with the last strum of the acoustic.


    He wanted to announce that if the two of them were to stay connected with one another, he would not accept her devotion one-sidedly but as equal standing. Through hell or high water, he would not let her down no matter how many voices of resistance that decried that he can¡¯t because of rules or traditions.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me that the sky is the limit when there¡¯s footprints on the moon¡±.


    His words hung in the air, echoing across the hushed pavilion. To the enraptured crowds, it sounded like a bold, impassioned confession of love and devotion to the celestial Alvorna herself. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the onlookers as they sensed a pivotal moment unfolding before their very eyes.


    Jihoon, however, paid the gossiping masses little mind. His words carried a deeper meaning for something else, a solemn vow that no limitations, whether imposed traditions or external doubts, would deter him from walking alongside Alvorna through whatever personal odysseys lay ahead. A promise to be there as a kindred spirit she had cried out for amidst the loneliest strains of her heartfelt composition.


    As for Alvorna herself, the winged songstress made no move to deny or rebuff Jihoon''s declaration, seemingly transfixed upon the human virtuoso''s unflinching resolve. Though her expression remained outwardly serene, those fathomless emerald eyes shone with ineffable emotion. As if deeply moved that someone had finally heard her truest harmonic essence resonating beyond the icon''s facade she was burdened to embody.


    In that suspended, ethereal moment, the world around them fell away into insignificance. All that mattered were two artistic souls intertwined through the catalyzing medium of song that they both master. Unveiled, understood, and inextricably linked through their mutual unveiling before the other. Jihoon''s bold declaration had irrevocably forged a connection, no matter how Absence''s masters of tradition and ceremony may have sought to circumscribe it.


    For now, at least, Alvorna seemed content to simply bask in what had transpired between them. The "sad fairy" cradled in the steadfast leaning of the "wandering virtuoso"


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Alvorna


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Expert


    Effect (MAG 15):


    -+150% to all Physical Attributes of all allies in range.


    -+100% to MAG to all allies within effect range


    This effect can only be stacked once and is overlapped by stronger similar effect.


    Required performers: Jihoon Hyunwoon (Guitar), Alvorna ''Absence'' Lucifera (Violin).


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Musical Prowess: Late-Intermediate -> Early-Expert


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    Jihoon looked at the received notification of the completed Song Magic as a result of the collaboration between the two. And that he has stepped into the threshold of an Expert Musician. To be honest, he expected to reach said rank at the end of his journey in this world but... guessed that confronting his state of being early did help immensely with forming connection and resonance with other musicians.


    Expert Song Magic is categorized as having multiple effects active at once when cast. Or as it follows as the System categorized:


    +Early-Expert: Harmonizing at least 2 instruments together, with neither overshadowing one another. Song Magic of this rank can have 2 effects layered at once without clashing.


    But the most important part is...


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Quest completed!


    Expression of Self


    Difficulty: B


    You have complete the shared performance together with Alvorna.


    Depends on the final evaluation of the quest based on your action and


    the subsequent result, your trajectory path in this world might be altered.


    Objective:


    -Complete the music duel between you and Alvorna (Completed)


    Reward:


    -Depends on your performance and the outcome which will be rated by the mission.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Final Evaluation: (Calculating)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Final Evaluation: SSS


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Jihoon looked at the evaluation result on the System notification and looked agape in his eyes at the result that he just achieved. He has simply tried his best and commit all he has into fulfilling the quest but... He simply didn''t imagine that this is the final result that he gets.


    If there''s one thing that he knew about, is that it is possible to suffer from success itself. Given how much he managed to sway Alvorna''s heart by his side and how there''s no back down from the declaration he just made, all he can do... is to accept the consequence of his action.


    The System''s crisp text continued unfurling before Jihoon''s eyes, further detailing the pivotal significance behind that coveted SSS rating.


    An SSS evaluation marks an extraordinary achievement that transcends conventional metrics. By harnessing complete mastery of your musical prowess, you unveiled Alvorna''s innermost symphonic essence and forged a profound personal resonance.


    In doing so, you have irrevocably entwined your journeys together through an empathic bond no obstructive authority can ultimately circumvent. Alvorna''s unspoken yearnings stirred by your harmonious compassion have profoundly realigned her destiny alongside yours, for better or worse.


    Be warned, however - the path you have set upon by accepting her as an indivisible component of your burgeoning ensemble carries incredible challenges and adversities yet to be faced. You essentially extend an open entreaty for the celestial overseers themselves to defy immutable traditions and surrender one of their own sacrosanct emissaries to an outsider''s quests, no matter how prolific your prodigious gifts are.


    Convincing the Harpies'' esteemed Matriarch to even consider such an unfathomable proposal will likely spark a monumental ideological upheaval throughout all Absence''s highest circles. Be prepared to stand unflinchingly at the vortext of a cultural maelstrom that will invariably engulf you both in great conflicts of ideology and tribulation unlike any other seen in the entirety of Absence''s history.


    Yet persevere through these adversities as you have vowed, and the rewards shall be greater than anything this world could give you. For in irrevocably binding Alvorna''s destiny alongside your odyssey, you stand to potentially add far more than just a skilled instrumentalist to your ensemble''s ranks.


    By awakening her to sojourn beyond Absence''s marbled confines in pursuit of unfettered self-actualization, Alvorna may prove the living embodiment of unchained inspiration itself. A muse whose celestial melodies can elevate your every composition into masterworks, touching upon the sublime in ways yet unimagined so far together.


    Whether or not you have the fortitude and unshaken spirit to navigate such a mythic, all-consuming path remains to be witnessed. But always remember - by the solemn vow spoken before all Absence this eve, you have opened the doorway to an journey possessing transformative scope beyond your wildest imagination, with Alvorna as your fated celestial consort.


    His entire being resonate with the sheer gravity conveyed by the System''s portentous proclamations. He had taken a pivotal step down an unprecedentedly monumental road that would likely reshape Absence''s entire cultural identity before all was said and done. But when his eyes met with Alvorna''s across the pavillion''s silence once again, her expression radiated tranquil acceptance, he knew that whatever upheaval awaited him on the horizon, he would remain unswerving in his conviction.


    "So... it seems that you performed miracle once again with guitar of yours. Congrats". Big Band said as he extends his hand for the handshake again. To make the someone already so skillful with the instruments captivated not once but twice is another feat of talent that would make so many green with envy at what Jihoon did. To him, all of this felt like natural conclusion of what he supposed to do as a musician, not some prodigy insight that so many proclaim about.


    Jihoon simply accepted the handshake again but the crowd''s intense look after his declaration to Alvorna felt like a lynch mob is slowly being formed in his mind. How dare he court the daughter of the Matriarch of the Citadel, that''s what Jihoon thought in his mind while looking at the crowd around.


    Despite the System''s affirmations that he had awoken something profound within Alvorna''s spirit and the soon arduous path that he had taken, he was still just a newcomer to this realm. An outsider staking the arrogance of intimately entwining his path alongside one of Absence''s most hallowed figureheads, traditions and formalities be damned.


    He stole a sidelong glance at Alvorna, seeking any reassurance from her serene countenance. Yet the winged songstress''s expression remained unreadable, giving no hints whether she registered the rising dissonance of resentment encircling them.


    Just as the uneasy atmosphere felt like it would swell into outright hysteria. He half-expected pitchforks and torches to materialize from those sidelong, increasingly suspicious glares. However, Alvorna extended her hand towards him, delicate yet reassuring in its unhesitant grasp. An imperious yet understated gesture that somehow stilled the hushed crescendo of judgment momentarily.


    Her lithe fingertips intertwined with his own in a tender yet resolute grip conveying complete solidarity. An inscrutable half-smile creased Alvorna''s porcelain features as she smoothly unfurled her magnificent wings in a single fluid motion.


    And before he realized what happens next, the world beneath him disappeared from his sight.

 Chapter 17: Restia (Regret)

    Before any of the raptured masses could react in time, Alvorna has brought Jihoon along as he held as tightly as he could to her extended hand. Whispers of voiceless reaffirmation carry him aloft as they ascend into the sky above them.


    Shouts of dismay and panicked cries echoes upward from Lengsel''s amphitheater court beneath as her wings beat in decisive and powerful stroke to carry their weight. Yet all of that protest faded into irrelevancy as Alvorna only continues to fly higher and higher as they flew past the cloud line. Beyond the numerous spires that sprinkled across Absence.


    The metropolis of Absence looks small underneath him, as if everything beneath is under their figurative dominion.


    Their upward momentum reached its final limit amidst violet-tinged clouds burned by the eventide''s fiery hues. Jihoon genuinely lost his track of time with that sudden performance that Alvorna brought him into as he has never once ever been this high-up since long ago. Ever since the safety and freedom of the sky in his world was taken away by the Gateborne monsters.


    In this breathtaking sanctuary amidst the sky, Alvorna''s wings slowed to an ethereal glide as she met Jihoon''s gaze with that emotional intensity that still tinge like white-hot metal freshly out of the forge.


    "No words or judgments will sever our intertwined harmonies now. My path is forever realigned to yours from this eve onward, wandering virtuoso. Therefore let all those earthbound dissenters howl their dismay against inescapable eventualities ". Alvorna said with that dreamy cadence, now underscored with subtle rapture.


    Before they would touch the cloud once more, Alvorna took her liberty to extend this session between them.


    Unified Aerokinesis Theory - Intermediate-class Spell - Cloud Step


    And suddenly, the clouds beneath coalesce into a solid load-bearing platform. As much as he already expect some magic spells in a fantasy world, it is still an amazing thing to see with his own eyes. As his feet lands on the cloud''s surface, Alvorna landed as she retracted her wings behind her once more, favoring him with an inscrutable half-smile.


    "We Harpies wield dominion over the sky, and the very wind that billows across it" Alvorna explained in a melodic lilt. "The atmosphere bents to our resonance, and anything that involve the winds themselves are natural to us".


    The clouds around her whirled and circulated at her beckoned gestures. Soon, they have a stage only for the two of them to share their intimacy together.


    As Jihoon looked and marvel from their vantage point high-up, overlooking the vast part of Absence so wide that this height alone can''t encompass it all. Various spires and avenues appeared miniaturized into intricate models laid out in immaculate details. All shone upon by the waning light of dusk as the scenery unfold in its splendor.


    But for all that panoramic grandeur, Alvorna''s features truly exceed all of it. Now freed from all the shackles of constraint and expectation, her emerald eyes shone in unguarded warmth and attunement to the resonance that they performed together with one another.


    The pivotal juncture approaches, Jihoon knew that if he wishes to deepen this blossoming relationship between them, he must comprehend the depth of her spirit and essence. In other words, learning more about her. Simply put as that.


    Gathering his thoughts again, Jihoon met her emerald gaze evenly.


    "Your people''s command over the very skies themselves is indeed breathtaking to behold," he began, keeping his tone respectfully measured. "Yet I find myself even more enraptured by the profundities hinted at through the anguished refrains you shared with me earlier."


    No need to mince words or bury his intentions beneath artistic pretenses. Not after the soul-stirring resonance they had achieved together through the catalyzing medium of song. They both knew what each other wanted and there''s no need to hide behind flowery words for what they wanted to express.


    The saga of the ''sad fairy'' that she sung and poured all her harmonies into it. The personal journey and inner laments that he has barely glimpsed so far into what''s likely surface-wise to what she actually undergo.


    "If we truly wanted to remain empathically-connected in the future then we must understand each other more. I think we should talk about our past before this point onward". Jihoon said solemnly.


    His words hung heavily amidst the vaporous silence surrounding them. An entreaty for Alvorna to shed any facade or metaphorical veil in favor of uncompromising vulnerability, just as he had in turn during their shared performance.


    Jihoon held Alvorna''s unflinching gaze, allowing the weight of his request to reverberate along the winds swirling between them. No obfuscation or artful dodge, just the truth of her backstory without ornamentation.


    Alvorna''s serene countenance remained unbroken for a lingering moment before soften at his request. Emerald eyes shimmering with the first and few glimpse of unguarded vulnerability. Drawing a contemplative breath, the winged songstress begins to recount the memories of the "sad fairy".


    "In my earliest childhood memories, when the world seemed so vibrant and unconstrained - a boundless canvas of life awaiting the brush strokes of my spirit''s artistry," Alvorna spoke in a wistful and dreamy cadence.


    "I can still vividly recall my very first experience awakening to the Harpy''s aeromantic birthright, how the sensations of the wind embracing my outstretched wings filled me with ethereal bliss beyond any mortal word could capture."


    Alvorna''s gaze drifted upwards, as if revisiting those long-departed moments of youth amidst the swirling cloud around.


    She extended one hand, allowing errant zephyrs to eddy and coalesce into sweeping, formless shapes in her upturned palm. Remembered visions of her giggling with childhood delight while conjuring those first rudimentary breezes and gusts to uplift her exploratory fluttering.


    "Back then, I reveled unabashedly in each new awakening of my avian heritage''s mystic gifts," she reminisced with a wistful smile. "Every flight through Absence''s sun-streaked skies amounted to breathless liberation and freedom to wholeheartedly embrace my inborn celestial graces."


    Yet that beatific nostalgia swiftly turns into more bittersweet taste laced with solemn nuance. Alvorna''s expression sobering as the swirling zephyrs in her grasp stilled, then dissipated like receding dreams of peaceful days.


    "My first pang of disillusionment came upon being instructed in the traditional instruments meant to channel our Voices and resonances into purest melody," she continued, a melancholic undercurrent lacing her words. "While every other fledgling wasted no time embracing the customary woodwinds and chimes, I was inexplicably felt drawn to an archaic stringed relic gifted from some distant realm beyond our celestial purviews..."


    Alvorna summoned the sleek, ornate violin once more. Cradling the beloved instrument of her against her cheek with tender intimacy, she then elaborated on why she resonated with its unconventional metallophonic properties rather than the harmonious woodwinds prescribed the Harpies'' convention.


    "I can still hear the dissonant murmurings that greeted my passionate embrace of the violin in those formative days. Our people''s affinities have long been stereotyped towards the woodwinds. The flutes, oboes and clarinets whose intimate melodies harmonize seamlessly with our command of the atmospheric tempests."


    Alvorna shook her head slowly, a hint of old indignation finally bleeding through her serene mask. "To many, my instinctive gravitation towards the violin''s tones represented an almost blasphemous defiance of our ancestral traditions. A squandered potential and wasted giftings that should have been lent towards more ''suitable'' musical vocations."


    She favored Jihoon with a sardonic arch of her brow, one that conveyed a simmering undercurrent of past rebelliousness. "Of course, none dared voice such indictments outright to the Matriarch''s daughter. But I sensed the undercurrents of mild disapproval hovering all the same. The pitying glances wondering why I so stubbornly pursued what is considered as an ill-fit mismatch against my aeromantic birthright."


    The winged songstress''s expression turned rueful as she extrapolated the sobering impacts that politely concealed societal judgment had steadily taken against her idealistic passions over the years.


    Jihoon however, didn''t fail to recognize something is missing in the story that she retell.


    "If the path of the violinist was met with such dissonant reception amongst your kindred, I find myself wondering why the instrument was even presented as an option to begin with," Jihoon interjected, his brow furrowing slightly with thoughtful curiosity.


    Alvorna''s expression softened further at his query, a fond twinkle entering her emerald gaze as old memories of cherished mentorship resurfaced.


    "Ah, the violin in question did not originate from our people''s ceremonial assemblages, but rather the personal repository of my beloved musical instructor. The very same wizened maestro who oversaw our fated performance earlier," she explained with a wisp of a melancholic half-smile


    "Big Band, as how that irreverent soul insists upon being addressed, took personal charge over nurturing my formative artistic awakenings from the earliest days," Alvorna continued, a hint of impish humor lacing her regal tones. " And in studying under his tutelage, I was bestowed the singular liberty of selecting any instrument that resonated most profoundly with my spirit''s innermost symphonic essence."


    "The instant my fingers caressed those taut strings, I knew the instrument had chosen me just as adamantly as I had it." She shook her head ruefully, recalling those distant trials of integrity and self-determination from her adolescent journeys. "Of course, once I unflinchingly gravitated towards the violin''s strings, the first undercurrents of politely concealed dismay rippled throughout the attending Harpy conservators."


    "Yet that incorrigible maestro steadfastly shielded my personal truth from any and all detractors - mortal and celestial alike who doubted the authenticity of my musical path. With an almost brazen audacity, he championed my freedom to explore the violin''s harmonies as a sovereign right superseding all societal expectations." Alvorna said as her eyes shone with flickers of old defiance.


    Jihoon is met with an intense gaze that conveyed just how pivotal that unconditional support had been to her. "How a mere mortal human have such prerogative over our sacred sanctum still remain a mystery to me even in this day. Perhaps my mother has an insight toward Big Band''s musical prowess and depth of his spirit to entitle him such indivisible trust where the celestial can''t intervene with his methods".


    ''That''s a lie''. Jihoon thought, his first encounter with him is scary beyond description of words for him. His chalking Big Band like a Russian Godfather wasn''t wrong although he likely put on a different front for her sake. And that people have multiple aspects to them even if contradictory at first.


    And the fact that he''s being good with his instruments still is something verified either way.


    "And so by that old maestro''s steadfast faith, I''m still allowed to play the violin despite the protest that supposed to have taken place. All thanks to him..." Alvorna said as she looked wistfully with respect an fondness of her stalwart mentor.


    A favored look land upon Jihoon with intense serenity, wordlessly conveying the other half of his request that he has yet to fulfill. Having already spoken of her past to him, it is now Jihoon''s promise that he must uphold.


    Jihoon took a deep sigh before recalling everything that has occurred to him up until now.


    His profession as a musician in Arisen Studio, the day when Gates first appeared, 10 years living in despondent and separation when there''s no place for musician like him, and regathering his will to stop living meaninglessly again.


    "In a distant place, far away from beyond Absence''s boundary. Lies a realm that I reside in. I''m already a music composer already just has yet to arrive and made my name known in this realm. Once passionate, it was inscrutably the same as my lifeforce that course through my body, establishing connections that would have taken too many words to express". Jihoon said contemplatively as he starts from the furthest meaningful past that he has.


    Alvorna''s emerald gaze shone with empathetic understanding as Jihoon described the all-consuming creative of the nostalgic day long past. And the darkness soon starts to gather at his clouded thoughts. The day when Gates arrived at his world.


    "Then... the Gates emerged without warning," he said gravely. "Interdimensional rifts unleashing tides of horrific monstrosities upon an unsuspecting populace. In the face of such apocalyptic upheaval, society transformed overnight. Normal lives shed like carapaces as people eventually awoke to extraordinary supernatural abilities as a result of the Gates. Thus becoming ''Hunters'' destined to battle this existential threat."


    Jihoon''s expression turned desolate as he reached the crux of his anguished plight amidst that chaotic memory. "Yet for every hero elevated to preternatural planes, just as many were left behind as utterly mundane... hollow shells devoid of purpose or calling."


    He swallowed hard, shadows of past desolation and emptiness flickering across his eyes. "I was one of the forsaken... an ordinary human, bereft of combat prowess or special powers. A relic from a bygone era whose passions and pursuits now rang hollow amidst civilization''s upheaval into a perpetual warscape."


    Jihoon paused, features tightening as he relived the decade of bleak despondency and loss of self - a hollow husk merely persisting, yet scarcely living. When at last he found his voice again, it was tinged with bitter irony.


    "For years, I lived in a state of perpetual adrift aimlessly... my artistic dream shattered, my talents rendered impotent relics by a world reshaped into an endless bloodsoaked crucible." He shook his head slowly. "Imagine all of this, Alvorna. What pragmatic value could a mere composer hold in the face of civilization''s existential twilight? My life''s passions then had become... utterly meaningless."


    Trauma etched into every word hung heavily between them like a suffocating shroud. Jihoon''s jaw clenched as he pressed onwards, determined to recount the imaginary turning point from which his resurgence had stemmed.


    "Within the lightless depth of despair that I was sunken in, a sudden calling reached toward me as I was urged once more to recompose my original calling to this path of music composing in the first place. I''ll let you guess what happened to me after that". Jihoon said as he couldn''t exactly believe that what he said next would convince her at all.


    Alvorna remained silent for a moment as she ponders the harrowing journey and the transformative catalyst that brought Jihoon back from the brink.. The answer wasn''t necessarily right but... perhaps the most suitable for just how miraculous it is for Jihoon to overcome such despair like that.


    "It''s a divine revelation, isn''t it?". Alvorna asked while maintaining her supportive stance for him after listening to his side of the backstory. It is easy to imagine how such upheaval could crush any lesser spirit already but Jihoon by all measure of his reignited determination managed to climb back from deeper than rock bottom.


    After hearing her answer, Jihoon let out a smile because technically... the little goddess''s blessing of Song Magic for him is a divine revelation. Her perception is surprising that she could get so accurate with so little information.


    "Your intuition is sharp indeed. Very close to the truth that I was about to divulge for you". Jihoon said as he favors her with an admiring look. "Suffice to say, that if it wasn''t for some divine grace bestowed upon me when I recreated that original inspiration that I had, I would have remained in that mire till I completely waste away in the dark".


    "That divine grace, is the power to instill supernatural imbuement and effects unto the melody that I create. Yet the exact identity of that empyrean entity underlying my awakening still remain shrouded in myriad mysteries."


    Jihoon already sense Alvorna''s burning curiosity that quickly intensified. He then pressed onward before she could interject with any more question that he himself couldn''t given satisfactorily. Weaving just enough ephemeral allegory into his tale to sate her intrigue without becoming outlandish or incredulous in details.


    "All I can say with certainty that by recreating the cherished melody from my spirit''s earliest resonance, I come to awaken this dominion over the preternatural forces". In a hushed tone, Jihoon continued.


    Jihoon waved one hand and ethereal motes of iridescent light coalesced above his palm, circulating in complex permutations as though choreographed by invisible directions.


    "More than just resounding in material plane, it resonates with the spirits of the audiences and bring out the potentials that lay dormant within everyone. At least, that''s what I believed it to be because one supposedly can''t just ignore or overcome the boundary of self-limitation so easily without consequences. But the proofs of its effects remained as undeniable as one may see". Jihoon said as the possibilities underlying his words.


    Some of the most brokenly overpowered supportive powers at his fingertips and he was merely just uncovering its potential. And combined with his experiences and knowledges as a music composer and designer, there simply can''t be a much more synergistic skill set available anywhere else.


    Jihoon''s words hung in the air like a half-glimpsed revelation as he could sense Alvorna''s boundless curiosity aching to delve deeper... yet knew this was not the time nor place to divulge every intricate truth and complexity his powers entailed. For now, let the shroud of celestial mysticism to tantalize her imagination as it had his own upon first awakening to them.


    So instead of dissecting the finer nuances, he remained silent. Letting the transcendent implications reverberate between them amidst Absence''s still winds as Alvorna''s mind raced to grasp the full magnitude of what he''d intimated. Allowing the winged songstress to piece together her own conjectures of his power.


    Recognizing the harmonies intertwining them ever so transcendent that it by itself is a miracle, enough to beget even deeper mysteries that is thirsting to be unraveled. Her desire for wisdom and enlightenment kindled and still-smoldering within, but now fueled with eagerness to discern further makes him wonder what Alvorna is capable of once unchained from all the shackles imposed by others.


    And so as the eventide sun slowly falls below the horizon, revealing the stars above hidden within its fading radiance. Both him and Alvorna knows that this is something they have already seen before but taking this sight in together making it feel different somehow.


    Jihoon noticed something about the constellations and the stars'' positions. The brightest star of the north or Polaris of his world resides in the rough same location. He did enough inspiration and client works in Arisen Studio sometimes with celestial motifs to learn it second-hand. While chalking it to coincidence is acceptable, he decided to ask her either way since a Harpy likely know the sky above them very well thus making them probably very experienced in astronomy.


    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    Polaris isn''t perfectly northward but it was called the North Star in his world since further north you go, the higher it climbs on the sky. Belong to the Ursa Minoris, and one of the brightest top 50 celestial stars in his world, thus making it a reliable directional compass when nothing else presents. Locating it is also somewhat easy using the other two brightest stars of Ursa Majoris, Dubhe and Merak draw a line connecting them and extending from there would align with Polaris.


    Something just... doesn''t change across worlds perhaps. It''s not exactly easy to create an entire different set of constellations after all.


    "Hey, Alvorna... What do you really think about the stars, beautiful aren''t they?" Jihoon said as he continues to establish their intimacy with one another.


    Alvorna''s gaze followed Jihoon''s upwards, her emerald eyes reflecting the twinkling celestial tapestry above. A wistful smile played across her features as she began to elaborate.


    "As you might have guessed, the stars so too held profound significance for my kind. According to the ancestral lore passed down through the lineage, the celestial firmament is the ultimate zenith of our birthright. Both literal and metaphorically of the height that we wished to reach". Alvorna said as she extended one hand skyward, weaving something nonsubstance that intertwine with the starlight like an ethereal calligraphy.


    "From the earliest tutelage, to me passed down personally from my mother, the Matriarch as you know. That the Harpies share an inviolable attunement with the heaven above, and the constellation isn''t without exemption. Thus by keeping our heart and spirit toward the sky above, the mystic gift that we are born with ascend to the empyrean. However...". Alvorna said before trailing off when hesitancy took hold of her.


    Despite the reverential lilt to her words, Alvorna''s smile took on a melancholic tinge.


    "Whenever I look into the night sky''s splendor. Tried as I might to attune to the prismatic brilliance of the stars, an inexpressible sorrow weighs upon my spirit". She shook her head slowly, dark vanilla tresses/locks of hair shimmer like windswept cedar boughs. "Inexplicably, the star-strewn cosmos fill me with loneliness and isolation, the realization that they persist amidst the cold and remote luminescence.


    Turning her gaze towards Jihoon, Alvorna''s expression softened into something more poignantly present. More real than before. "However, in this singular moment, surrounded by the sublime resonance we''ve catalyzed?" She extended her hand, brushing her fingertips lightly against his own in an intimate moment of connection.


    "Somehow, with you by my side, the celestial sphere doesn''t seem that cold and distant anymore after all". Alvorna''s smile deepened, ever so incandescent and anchored to Jihoon''s steadfast presence.


    After explaining her backstory to Jihoon, she felt like a weight was cast off her. Yet when the lid that was supposed to bottle her repressed emotion were removed, Alvorna felt the need to express everything that she has repressed to maintain her porcelain grace that she maintained for so long in front of everyone. And a lot of it... wasn''t beautiful to witness or behold.


    She started to play the violin unprompted on her own, a melancholic melody started to form as Jihoon immediately knew the distinct emotion behind what she wished to convey. With no further question or thoughts to be made, Jihoon immediately draw the battered acoustic guitar as he plays the countermelody to her central violin.


    The reprise of the melancholic melody played again, now with resounding weight behind.


    Water surface illuminated by starlight


    Reflecting the darkness deep inside of my heart


    At the end of the silent void


    I think about the lost tomorrow


    The violin played as if to reprise on her sung lyric. To made focus on what she has spoken. As the refrain across the cloud line, Jihoon felt the weight of her repressed anguish resonate through each of every melancholy note. The lyrics she had voiced just now took on layers of pure and simple truth as he quickly analyze the metaphors through the lens of her mental release.


    His brows furrowed, sensing the depth of her long suppressed burden bleeding into every verse of her singing.


    "Water surface illuminated by starlight...Reflecting the darkness deep inside of my heart..."


    Her words painted the image of an idyllic, pristine facade. The untroubled celestial water mirroring the beauty of the night sky. Yet beneath that placid surface lurked unfathomable depths of sorrow and emotional disturbance, roiling in anguished secrecy.


    "At the end of the silent void...I think about the lost tomorrow..."


    For too long, Alvorna had endured her torments in statuesque isolation. Alone amidst the empty, reverberating silence of her birthright''s suffocating expectations. Stifling her truest self out of obligatory comformity to ancestral traditions. All the while grieving inwardly for the unlived possibilities that she had. Of how her personal sovereignty and self-actualization rendered "lost tomorrows" by the shackles of her celestial heritage.


    As Jihoon''s acoustic guitar harmonized with Alvorna''s lamentations, he sensed her porcelain composure cracking before his very eyes. All the agonies she had bottled behind ornamental decorum and sacred pretenses now hemorrhaging forth in an unstoppable deluge of catharsis. The anguished admissions she had initially voiced with halting trepidation gave way to a torrent of unvarnished release.


    Raw. Visceral. Vulnerable.


    Every ounce of repressed insecurity, every instance of self-doubt ruthlessly squashed for the sake of self-appearance, every bitter grievance against the suffocating confines of expectation. Alvorna simply held nothing back. Even if Jihoon would witness every flaw and ugliness that she has, all too woven into the harmony that they are resonating together.


    He simply listened, nodded, and played along with each naked confession that poured forth from her lips and violin''s lamentations alike. Letting the ramparts around her spirit crumble one by one by amplifying her music''s transcendent emotional resonance.


    Water surface reflecting the night sky


    Those memories that disappeared into the distance


    There''s nobody here for me anymore


    I don''t exist anywhere anymore


    A wandering light, a dazzling voice


    whisper quietly to me~


    As Alvorna''s coalesced regret spiraled onward. Jihoon also provides the percussion by clapping his acoustic guitar while also playing the countermelody to underpin her raw outpouring. Then the mournful lyric took on a new heartbreaking refrain to shed clarity on what she had confided regarding her emotional alienation.


    An image of pristine, crystalline waters gradually distorting as it rippling and fracturing until the night sky''s reflection shattered into unrecognizable fragments. A poignant showcase for how even Alvorna''s most cherished recollections had grown increasingly obscured and faded by the emotional discord steadily encroaching upon her psyche over the years.


    "There''s nobody here for me anymore...I don''t exist anywhere anymore..."


    A desolate lament of utter isolation resonated through the lyrics. As if Alvorna''s true self had become a voiceless, unseen phantom amidst the edicts dictating her existence. Her identity slowly stripped away behind layers of tradition and ceremony until all authenticity felt lost to the smothering tides of expectation. Until everything piece of her identity replaced by what people think of her instead of her true self.


    A wandering specter disconnected from any true sense of self or belonging. An existence stripped of all substantive moorings.


    "A wandering light, a dazzling voice, it whisper quietly to me-"


    Yet in that moment of profound emptiness, a fleeting spark of inspiration glimmered in the darkness. Whether a shard of stubborn hope or the first inklings of Jihoon''s impassioned harmony reaching her at their first encounter, it whispered to Alvorna''s spirit. Reawakening faded embers of individuality lying dormant for far too long.


    As the lyrics, crested into a haunting, sustained crescendo, Jihoon sensed Alvorna''s vocals elevating from mere melancholy into transcendent emotional unbridling. No longer just lyrics, but unchained emotional outcries releasing in a torrent each nuance of regret, longing, frustration and bittersweet nostalgia that she had suppressed for years on end.


    Her lithe form quaked with the soul-rending resonance of it all. Wings flared, dark vanilla tresses disheveled by unseen etheric oscillations as the full force of her spirit''s painful truth transmuted into unleashed melisma / prolonged note. Surrendered utterly to the music''s cathartic rapture, Alvorna allows every shackle, every mask to disintegrate amidst the maelstrom of her voice''s primal outpourings.


    The freezing wind tightens my heart


    The snow covers the earth


    My wish forever remain trapped in the hoarfrost


    Just sad memories are all that remain, within my heart is an eternal winter.


    The climatic chorus of her lyric approached as it rang out in soul-rending crescendo. Even if he isn''t the most empathic person to exist, the full weight of her anguish still struck and resonate him to the very fiber of his being. The continued lyric sung of the winged songstress''s icy isolation and emotional permafrost that had gradually encapsulated her spirit over many years of repression.


    "The freezing wind tightens my heart...The snow covers the earth..."


    Jihoon''s weathered acoustic strummed a mournful counterpoint, echoing the desolation pervading her words. An existence entombed beneath too many layers of conformity that the radiant warmth of her truest self steadily extinguished by her dutiful acquiescence as the daughter of the Matriarch of the Citadel. Until even her passions lay smothered under a wintry pall of empty resignation.


    "My wish remain trapped in hoarfrost...Just sad memories are all that remain, within my heart is an eternal winter."


    A longing, unspoken ambition. Perhaps to experience uninhibited self-expression or unfettered sovereignty yet rendered perpetually frozen in stasis. Suspended behind layers of icy and petrified hoarfrost, leaving only echoes of inner vibrancy preserved as fragile, melancholic recollections. Her empathic essence calcifying into endless metaphorical winter amidst the ivory permafrost of tradition.


    As Alvorna''s lamentations crested, Jihoon''s keen ears detected supplemental ethereal woodwinds gradually harmonizing with their guitar and violin. His eyes widened-up and immediately discern for the source. Yet despite his keen detection, he perceived none of the pipes, none of the woodwinds that are accommodating this very ballad right now.


    Alvorna''s eyes remained shut as she surrendered wholeheartedly to the rapturous unbridling of emotion. Yet Jihoon sensed the subtle undulations of her unfurled wings subconsciously and subtly directing those atmospheric permutations with each deeply felt swell of their melody''s melancholic crescendos.


    The Harpies'' dominion over the sky is what allowed Alvorna''s to emulate this almost heartfelt cyclone of sound and elemental confluence. With every beating of his heart, Jihoon could feel the etheric instruments intensifying. Even if the wind itself is imperceptible to him, the whistling panpipe, the fluttering flute, everything wind-utilized to bolster their ballad to true orchestral composition.


    No longer just two isolated melodies, but a tempest of musical divinity channeled through Alvorna''s intimate emotional resonance through the atmosphere itself. An elemental symphony of unrestrained vulnerability as the celestial Harpy finally unburdened her anguished spirit through the most sublime medium imaginable.


    It''s ironic how so many thought that Alvorna is wasting her talents by not picking up the woodwinds yet she has already master them intimately without even picking one up or playing directly. She knows already... if this is what the song of her heart truly said about her.


    Jihoon''s own instrumentals intensified to enrapturing heights in reverent counterpoint, seamless harmonies merging into the swirling miasma of illusory woodwinds. All as the bridge that they have been playing when the previous lyric sung about to move into the next half of the ballad. Because after all, there''s too much to be spoken with only one movement.


    The starry sky reflected in the mirror of water


    Reflect back the lost memories that I had


    Beyond the silence and fictionality


    My appearance is dyed in darkness


    He recognized the lyrics painting a melancholy portrait of how even the celestial wonders meant to inspire awe and reverence had become tainted retrospectives of cherished moments and innocence fading into sepia-toned recollections. The cosmos''s splendor reduced to little more than a blasphemous mirror revisiting all that Alvorna had been disenfranchised from over time.


    Despite being surrounded by ornate proprieties and grandiose societal narratives, Alvorna had gradually felt more unseen than ever within that silence. Her truest selfhood devolved into an forgotten visage utterly detached by the pomp and traditionalism woven around her by the same cultural mythologies.


    Trembling in the wind and frightened by the shadows


    Before I realized, I have fallen into eternal sleep


    Jihoon''s brow furrowed, sensing how the lyrics intimated many years of repression gradually whittling away Alvorna''s inborn senses of vibrancy and identity. Her spirit withering to the point of feeling utterly adrift until losing herself completely within the shroud of suffocating conformity. An ''eternal sleep'' awaiting those who surrendered utterly to the cultural dogmas.


    The panpipe amongst the instrument played in a furious crescendo to bridge to the next verse.


    The freezing wind tightens my heart


    The snow covers the earth


    My wish remain trapped in hoarfrost


    All that remains are just sad memories, within my heart is an eternal winter


    As the last plaintive refrains reverberated between them like lingering whispers of grief, Jihoon braced for the song''s sorrowful resolution. For the cresting emotional tsunami to finally ebb after its rapturous outpouring had run its cathartic course.Yet the violin still refused to cease, and he still follow with her in the backdrop.


    As the celestial woodwinds faded into silence alongside the last haunting refrain, the winged songstress''s lithe form stilled. Her chin falling inward as eyes remained firmly shut. Then, without preamble, Alvorna''s bow reprised gliding across the violin''s taut strings once more in a series of quivering, bittersweet half-tones.


    An anguished, cathartically beautiful solo with no accompanying lyrics. Just Alvorna''s violin pouring forth from that bottomless wellspring of emotions too profound for any mortal or celestial poetry to fully capture.


    The bittersweet chord progression continues to rise but no matter how high the note it might be, a bitter sad melody remain sad no matter what.


    L¨¢ l¨¤... l¨¢ la l¨¤... l¨¢ la... l¨¤ la l¨¤... l¨¤ la la l¨¤ l¨¢ la... l¨¤ la l¨¢ l¨¢...


    L¨¤ l¨¢ la la... la la l¨¤ la... l¨¤ l¨¢ la la... l¨¢ la la l¨¤... l¨¤ la la... l¨¢ la... l¨¤ l¨¤...


    With each featherlight yet gut-wrenching swell of notes, Alvorna''s violin cried out in musical elegies of crushing melancholy, embittered torment, wistful grievances of lost dreams... Eventually, wordless cadences of vocals entwined with Alvorna''s violin lamentations. Not lyrics or verse, but mournful prolonged howls of anguish and introspective trance pouring straight from her soul into torrents.


    Jihoon listened raptly, effortlessly interlacing those melodies with complementary open-note refrains. Each note chosen with empathic artistry to uplift Alvorna''s outcries towards sublime emotional reconciliations.


    In reverent silence he played, the winged songstress''s unveiled spirit bleed onto that formless musical canvas through their interwoven performance without hindrance or interference. All until only her true self remain within her.


    By the time that emotionally eviscerating instrumental reached its final lingering decrescendo. Until the last percussion die down, until her violin ceased, until Jihoon strumming the last note of their ballad on the acoustic guitar. He then glimpsed unshed tears glistening in Alvorna''s eyes as she finally reopened them to regard him with piercing, unfettered emotional transparency.


    No ornament or facade remaining, only the authentic brilliance of her spirit resonating in splendor.


    "Alvorna... are you alright?" Jihoon asked with hushed voice but brimming with heartfelt concern.


    She remained silent for a lingering moment, emerald eyes still shimmering with tears in a kaleidoscope of whirling emotions. Everything resides in her still too intensely profound for descriptions. Her chest rise and fall again in steadying breath, Alvorna finally regain her voice once more after a moment has passed.


    "I...I have not felt so inexplicably lightened in more years than I can readily recall," she murmured, one hand rising to lightly caress the dampness gracing her cheeks. "As if... some great, invisible burden I had grown accustomed to bear finally relinquished its stranglehold upon my spirit."


    Alvorna shook her head slightly, dark vanilla hair of her shimmer in the windswept ethereal cloud surround them.


    "For too long, I have grown numb to that crushing despair. Conditioned to merely endure the dissonance that agonizing gnawing at my true self day by day".


    Then her eyes met Jihoon''s with an intensity that conveyed deep-seated pain yet also the fledgling spark of newfound rebirth. "That is until your arrival, wandering virtuoso. Your music''s resonance has reawakened parts of my soul I had genuinely feared lost to the silence itself".


    As silence fell between them, Jihoon sensed profoundly humbling gratitude radiating from her next words.


    "I owe you a debt which transcends any conceivable requital, Jihoon. For you have given me back not just my autonomy and selfhood...but the pure, soaring majesty of emotional authenticity that my soul had been so utterly starved for until now."


    Extending one hand, seemingly inviting him to do the obvious most between them. Jihoon wonders if this relationship between is developing too fast and then remember that romance writers back in his world thinking that dragging a relationship progress for hundreds of chapters is good writing. Again, two wrong doesn''t immediately make a right but that makes him stop hesitating.


    "From this eve forward, know that you shall forever have my eternal fealty...my resonance bound inextricably to your own through the harmonic celestial accord we now share."


    Again, this doesn''t involve anything about birthright or power. Just two souls finding connection with one another. It doesn''t matter if she is the daughter of the Matriarch, she is simply Alvorna.


    It doesn''t matter whoever Jihoon is, a wandering virtuoso or an outsider who makes upheaval upon Absence''s cultural sphere. He will stay by her side no matter how staggering those who stood to separate them are.


    He studied her hopeful yet hesitant expression for a lingering moment, already understand the magnitude of promise that she entreat. Even then, slowly extending his hand, grasping hers in a tender yet resolute embrace.


    "There''s no debt to repay, Alvorna". Jihoon said with complete conviction. "The reason we resonated and connected with one another goes beyond any obligation or circumstances".


    Once again, he wasn''t the most romantic person to ever live nor does he know its intricacy. But he knew that he must act accordingly and be the best person he is capable of now that he can only rebuild from the ashes of his previous self.


    Gently pulling the winged songstress closer to him, Jihoon brought his other free hand up to caress her cheek with devotion.


    "Whatever awaits us from here onward, I vow to walk alongside you to the bitter end". Jihoon clumsily spoke his confession, it didn''t matter if his charisma has its subtlety like a brick, what matters is that he said it.


    Alvorna''s breath hitched ever so subtly at his intensity, yet her eyes shone with unbridled liberation and trust as Jihoon''s thumb traced the dampness gracing her cheekbone. Then she leaned inward, bare forehead grazing in seraphic rite as her hand mirrored his touch as her fingertips trailing across the defined line of his jaw with exquisite tenderness.


    Within that suspended trance of musical resonance before, an intimate connection found its foothold. Beyond carnal desires or fleeting impulses, a shared truth and promise transmuted into immutable attunement between them.


    Facades disintegrating, mental ramparts crumbling away until all that remained was the purified essences of their truest selves resonating in perfect, prismatic harmonic splendor.


    When at last their revenant connection reached its sublime climax, Jihoon was left utterly breathless yet somehow profoundly centered at his core. As if everything he had endured and survived amounted to that one soul-searing prismatic instant of attunement with Alvorna herself.


    All lingering shreds of bitterness, isolation and despondency. Once again purified in her presence, he felt inexplicably... whole. It took Alvorna''s murmured words, weighted with reverent reflection, to gradually draw him back into present resonance once more.


    "That ballad we impromptu together just now...I believe I know the name it deserves," she whispered with lingering epiphany. "An ancestral Harpy word that represents its embodied emotion. ''Restia''. Meaning ''reluctance'' or ''regret'' in the archaic celestial vernacular."


    Alvorna''s eyes spoke volumes, conveying how that melancholic yet cathartic musical rite had represented the culmination of far too many years spent within ceremonial pretense. Expected conformities and ancestral obligations that she had grudgingly surrendered so much of her truest essence to uphold.


    "I too, think that it is a good name for it". Jihoon replied as he thought about its name. Restia... is indeed a suitable name for a such a melancholic ballad.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Restia


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Expert


    Effect (MAG 15):


    -+150% to all Physical Attributes of all allies in range based on MAG. (Current bonus: +23)


    -+150% to all MAG of allies in range based on all Physical Attributes. (Current bonus: +9)


    This effect can only be stacked once and is overlapped by stronger similar effect.


    Required performers: Jihoon Hyunwoon (Guitar), Alvorna ''Absence'' Lucifera (Violin).


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    Slowly withdrawing from their harmonization, Alvorna found Jihoon''s gaze and favored him with a look of vulnerability and sacred trust that is utterly inviolable between them from that moment onwards. Both of them knew that neither of them shall ever need to resign themselves to regret all alone anymore. Not so long as they walk this path together.


    The System notification still show beside him but that''s not the point right now. Him staying committed to Alvorna is more important than whatever gain in the immediate moment.


    As twilight faded into the onset of night. Their profound musical performance on top of the ethereal cloud stage reached its conclusion. Yet a reluctant somberness tinged Alvorna''s expression as she gazed toward the the Citadel in the distance, whose height easily pierce the cloud skyward. Because of it, it is ever-present across Absence no matter where one is.


    "Much as I wished this transcendent interlude between us could persist indefinitely, I''m afraid that my duty burdening me as the daughter of the Matriarch can''t be deferred the same". Alvorna said wistfully. "As liberating as it may have been, my extended absence will arouse suspicion amidst the Citadel''s overseers. The Matriarch''s scrutiny only grows ever more insistent with each passing night I remain absent without justifiable pretext."


    Jihoon nodded in understanding, knowing the winged songstress could not realistically abandon her celestial obligations so abruptly after their shared epiphany. At least not without foresight and strategic disengagement from her ancestral role to come.


    Alvorna must eventually return to face the inquisitive eyes of her celestial kindred, just as he would need to reacquaint himself with terrestrial norms once more. For the present moment, their resonant bridge would enter a halting period.


    Yet before descending from their empyrean cloud pavilion, Alvorna extended one wing of her, delicately plucking a single shimmering plume from its expanse.


    "Take this, and keep it closely guarded" she instructed, pressing the iridescent feather of her into Jihoon''s hand and gently curl his fingers around it. "So long as you bear this token, I shall be able to discern your spirit''s location, no matter how expansive the distance separating us may be."


    Her emerald eyes shone with solemn promise. "Absence itself will not sever the harmonic tether now woven between our souls. When the next time my duty permits, I shall find you again without fail, oh wandering virtuoso."


    Alvorna fixed him with a look that conveyed both infinite tenderness and ferocious yearning to reaffirm their connection''s permanence at the earliest conceivable moment.


    Jihoon felt the ethereal warmth and vibrancy radiating from the feather''s delicate strands, a mystic guiding beacon allowing Alvorna to unerringly trace her path back to him. He met her impassioned gaze and nodded, conviction resonating through his words. "I''ll await your return, no matter how long the interim may be. This I swear."


    With that vow sealing their ephemeral farewells, Alvorna''s wings unfurled in a sweeping motion. Yet before propelling herself skyward, the winged songstress stole one final, lingering moment before she launched herself towards the Citadel in the distance.


    Only after her retreating silhouette winked out of view did Jihoon release the pent-up exhalation he hadn''t realized he''d been holding. Fingertips tracing the lustrous corvine plume''s impossibly soft texture, he knew their reunion remained an inevitability instead of uncertainty. No matter what distances nor eventualities may unfurl before them, their harmonies would forever resonate between themselves.


    With that conviction steadying his resolve, Jihoon now thought about leaving this platform only to realize one thing... Alvorna was the one who made this cloud platform and he doesn''t know how to use wind magic. The pieces connect together too late now that she has left already and...


    How does he get down from here!?

 Chapter 18: Genesis

    After the transpired events of yesterday, Karim now look at Jihoon with a stern gaze as if a father is about to scold their child for their mischief. He literally just leave Jihoon to his devise once again for an afternoon, and he managed to somehow stir another drama. At this point, Karim might have to really babysit him like a toddler just to prevent another similar scenario from occurring.


    "I cannot fathom how you managed to stir such an uproar in the mere span of an afternoon unfettered from my guidance," Karim began, pinching the bridge of his nose as if to stave off an oncoming headache. "Consorting with the Matriarch''s daughter herself? Amidst the cloud above?"


    He fixed Jihoon with an exasperated look. "Need I remind you again that the Harpies are Absence''s most revered celestial paragons? Alvorna stands to inherit stewardship over their entire civilization once the Matriarch''s tenure concludes. And you...you thoughtlessly sought to entangle her in your harmonic dalliances?"


    Karim shook his head slowly, sighing. "I''ve half a mind to rescind my sponsorship and abandon you to fend for yourself amid this burgeoning rage you brought yourself in. The Citadel''s elite ministers are no doubt determining which suitable draconian repercussions for such a brazen desecration of their matriarchal heiress."


    "Truthfully, I''m beginning to suspect you also possess some latent talent for catalyzing chaos and upheaval no matter where your path leads other than your supreme musical prowess. This latest incident has me questioning whether extending my patronage was wise after all despite all the results you produced."


    Honestly, who could blame Karim for being distrustful after this. Imagine your latest talent created a fiasco nearly as soon as they joined, any manager would definitely rightfully angered and that Karim is even here wondering about whether or not he should have abandoned him spoke of how much patience this man has. Jihoon never put too much vouch in luck but he kept using it like he has more than needed for lifetime.


    Karim fell silent, allowing the full gravity of the situation to hang heavily between them. While he had taken Jihoon under his wing out of recognized potential, the virtuoso''s actions now threatened to undermine everything Karim had so carefully cultivated. One did not simply court a celestial bloodline''s heiress on a whim without reaping severe, far-reaching consequences.


    "So..." he began, features hardening into stern resolution. "I will ask you plainly. What on Absence compelled you to pursue such inadvisable decision!? Do you even understand the ramification and consequences that you risking us both?"


    Jihoon met Karim''s stern gaze evenly, unperturbed by the merchant''s admonishments. "I knows the full weight this situation carries, make no mistake," he stated, tone resolute. "When Alvorna and I resonated upon the first performance together, I knew the severity already had I failed her instead. So naturally, I go above and beyond".


    He shook his head slowly, gathering the formulating thoughts in his mind. "The harmonies between us once struck won''t be easily dismantled by fear or restriction so easily. What takes place between the two of us is the reawakening of what''s important to us through the medium of music".


    Jihoon''s expression took on a look of acceptance, even resignation if needed. "I''m prepared to face whatever consequences arise from my actions. If violence is deemed the appropriate response, then so be it. I''ll weather that storm just as I''ve endured every other squall that life has thrown my way."


    Karim could only sigh heavily, some of the simmering frustration dissipating from his features. "Thankfully, it seems we''ve been granted a relatively auspicious resolution, at least for now," he muttered. "The elite ministers of the Citadel convened in that short time and prepared quite the sanctimonious censure for your ''unforgivable indiscretion''...only for Alvorna herself to intercede on your behalf, wandering virtuoso."


    The merchant grimaced. "Apparently the wayward daughter outmaneuvered them all, deftly reframing the entire ordeal as a mere ''artistic collaboration'' between yourself and her designated ceremonial accompaniment party." Karim waved a dismissive hand.


    "While still skirting uncomfortably close to blasphemy in their eyes and belief, Alvorna''s account neutered most objections. You avoided any formal punitive sanctions, though I shudder to think how they would have reacted without her mitigating explanation."


    Karim fixed Jihoon with a measured look. "For now, the fires seem banked. But only if you maintain a low profile and avoid causing any further controversies with the Harpy upper echelons. Out of sight and mind, and this debacle can be conveniently swept under the proverbial rug before too much longer."


    Once again, lady luck smiled at him. If he had a nickel for every time this sudden turn of fortune saved him from the consequences of his actions, he would somehow bootstrap all the previous instance of luck as a twist of fortune and get infinite money that way.


    "Your reputation remains unscathed, and my own standing within the merchant councils averts any culpability or fallout. Let''s strive to avoid pushing our fortunes any further for the foreseeable future, shall we?" Karim sighed again, sounding immensely relieved.


    While the matter of the drama is daftly resolved in a swift manner, he is better off staying away from the limelight for a moment. Lest he wants to incur more wrath than reverence from his audiences in any future performance.


    "By the way, how did you get back from the cloud line without any knowledge of wind magic? All alone without her help as the daughter of the Matriarch took her return flight alone.". Karim said as although he quite enough trouble for many years ahead already.


    Jihoon took out the plume of feather that Alvorna has given to him. Its lustrous vanilla-color seemingly caught the eyes of many at once.


    "Honestly... I really thought that I''m going to be stuck there until the next day if it weren''t for this feather''s additional feature". Jihoon said as he puts his trust in Karim much like he did with him despite the trouble he incurred.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Harpy''s Plume


    Classification: Talisman Accessory / Mystical Object


    Rarity: Heroic


    -Capable of manipulating any pre-existing Wind Magic


    of Intermediate-class or below around with user''s thought.


    -Can''t conjure Wind Magic by itself.


    This item is tracked by Alvorna ''Absence'' Lucifera.


    The tracker will know its location no matter the distance.


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    That''s what Jihoon''s System told him of its description, only to him.


    Karim''s eyes immediately widened as Jihoon almost casually reveal Alvorna''s lustrous plume, the iridescent vanilla feather seeming to shimmer with its own radiance.


    "By the heavens, do you have any idea of just how profound and important the gesture that this feather represent!?" He said while holding back his own bewilderment.


    Jihoon looked confuse for a moment, thinking it was just Alvorna being courteous of him being her emotional support for a moment. He even knew already that this feather supposedly represent the bond they had with one another but... apparently he is still understating its important by a lot.


    "For a Harpy to willfully gift one of their own feathers is tantamount to bestowing a piece of their soul upon the recipient. It''s essentially an ultimate act of trust that any of them can do which isn''t a lot even in the entirety of Absence''s recorded history. Clearly happened but acknowledgedly rare to register as such." The merchant said as he shook his head slowly, feeling the exasperation taking hold the same.


    Then with an intense look, Karim immediately added into his words into the conversation.


    "Whatever transpired between you and Alvorna, it clearly forged a bond venturing into the territory beyond just acquaintance or even trust. You''d be wise to safeguard that plume with utmost sanctity, Jihoon. Feathers from the celestial lineage aren''t mere curiosities to be trifled with."


    Jihoon nodded slowly, grasping the importance behind the feather. "I suspected as much, though I''ll admit to still underestimating its full magnitude. Rest assured, I''ll treat Alvorna''s gift with the reverence it deserves."


    "You better do so". Karim stated firmly before allowing his features to relax somewhat. "Now that with this awful blunder out of the way, I''m oblieged to hear whatever plan you had next in mind. Originally, I have the idea of getting a transit passage to the coastal area of Calphennis which is far south of Absence but seeing the disruption now, I''m up for a suggestion as long as I keep you under proper supervision.


    Jihoon pondered the merchant''s words for a moment before reaching his decision. "If I may propose an alternate itinerary? With my schedule unexpectedly cleared, I was considering taking the opportunity to better acclimate myself with Absence''s history and culture. Specifically by visiting your Avanthal Central Culture Museum, if it''s acceptable?"


    Karim arched an appraising brow, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "A prudent inclination, all things considered. Formative exposures to the primoridial lore and heritage underpinning the Harpy would indeed prove enriching. Very well then, I shall defer to your judgment for the moment and arrange for our transit to the museum''s Grand Archives."


    The merchant leveled a measured look at Jihoon. "Just stay endeavored to remain unobtrusive during our visit, understand? No need to court any further...controversies while immersing yourself in the underlying context behind recent events."


    With those parting words of advice, Karim turned to finalize their travel arrangements, leaving Jihoon to contemplate the profound revelations awaiting him. The aftereffects of him entangled with this realm''s heiress still linger but a steady yet uneasy equilibrium is already reasserting itself.


    For better or worse, it seemed Jihoon''s spirit has resonated most transcendently amid the discordant refrains of life itself.


    "And here I thought that my Expert-level Musical Prowess is enough but it seems that I really have to use everything in disposal if I wanted to walk the path that I''ve chosen". Jihoon thought to himself as he could foresee the already difficult road ahead.


    Suddenly, great power comes with great consequences and responsibilities. How couldn''t he not know this?


    ...


    Few hours later...


    Avanthal Central Culture Museum loomed before them. Its monumental size obviously has to be equal to the historical significant residing within it. An imposing edifice made out of ivory marble and neo-classical columns of design made Jihoon couldn''t help but instinctively gape at it. Literal city blocks worth of land has been used to accommodate its galleries and archives.


    "Quite breathtaking isn''t it?" Karim made his remark as he notices Jihoon''s awestruck expression. "This repository holds nothing less than the comprehensive recorded heritage of Absence''s almost every primordial civilizations of all race. Every relic, every faded fresco and hieroglyphic inscription chronicling many ancestral lineages has been meticulously preserved and safeguarded here."


    As they drew closer, Jihoon registered an undeniable sense of familiarity exuding from the merchant. The way Karim''s features almost imperceptibly softened while surveying the museum''s colonnades and statuary. As if revisiting the sacred sprawls catalyzed a subdued yet profound resonance within him.


    Before Jihoon could inquire further, Karim seemed to shake himself from his momentary reverie. "Ah, I''m getting ahead of myself waxing nostalgic. We''ve much and more to explore awaiting us inside, wandering virtuoso." He gestured towards the main entrance''s vaulted archways with an inviting sweep of his arm. "The Avanthal''s committed scholars will prove much more suitable docents than this idle merchant here."


    Despite the merchant''s nonchalant deflections, Jihoon couldn''t quite dismiss that fleeting sense that Karim maintained some deeper, intrinsic tie to this place beyond mere appreciation. Yet as they passed beneath the towering oak doors, any opportunities to broach such inquiries evaporated amid the museum''s breathtaking grandeur unfurling before them.


    The museum is divided into multiple areas and each of them are to display many of the numerous races'' history and decoration following the historical motifs of theirs. And many of these areas are sorted reflects upon actual geographical locations of Absence other than the hub, and the entrance of this museum.


    The south is the domain of the merfolks, people who reside in the coastal area to the south of Absence. The west is where the fair folks concentrates in their forestry-designed infrastructures, the north is the winter wonderland where icy spirit and beastfolks and the east is where the strange spiritual beings reside or as called the Yokai. And of course, Absence''s central area of Avanthal is where the numerous races converged and leading the entirety of Absence as a whole by the celestial beings called the Harpies much like he knew before.


    "You know... a lot of these would be unthinkable a few centuries ago before the Great Conclave and its subsequent unification of languages. Where races remain divided and conflicts over misunderstanding were rife". Karim said as his bearing on history seems above average to Jihoon himself.


    The South of the museum is dedicated to the southern part of Absence, the coastal area of Calphennis. Where numerous replica models and depictions of Calphennis''s underwater cityscape that seamlessly combine what is of modern and classical much like Absence in general. And the depiction of the merfolk is definitely the same as any of modern depiction in his world. People with fish-like lower body.


    And of course, within their historical exhibition also contains their works in ancestral dialect. And with his automatic language comprehension, he easily read them which it has also enabled him to bypass the language barrier with Alvorna in the first place when she sung in ancestral Harpy for her own character theme.


    "The Little Mermaid... What?" Jihoon said as he reads the assist-translated dialects. And then quickly the information panel underneath which is the translation of ancestral Merfolk to common Absence tongue.


    It''s nearly a verbatim with the mermaid and the human prince... Except at the very end when the mermaid ultimately make acceptance with this unrequited love between them.


    "Bruh...". Jihoon muttered after reading the whole summary.


    "Did something caught your attention?" Karim said as he arched an inquisitive brow toward Jihoon.


    "It''s something similar to what I know in my homeland. The core narrative and development similarly mirror to the classical fairy tale of my place. Except that at the end of my place''s version, the mermaid just dissolved into sea foam instead." Jihoon made his remark.


    Karim arched an inquisitive eyebrow at Jihoon''s musings. "You''ve encountered an analogous tale from your homeland then? Truly, the universality of certain moralistic fables appears to transcend even the boundaries separated by immeasurable distance." Karim said as he himself couldn''t exactly imagine a place so far from Absence that Jihoon hailed from at all. It isn''t the entirety of this world but it is the heart and soul of it for a reason.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Jihoon''s gaze remained transfixed on the book''s archaic merfolk script. Something about it felt fulfilling and comfortable to find such familiar thing in this strange world that regardless of origin.


    "Indeed, while at surface just a children folk story. It has that sort of tragic dignity of unrequited love that has many obsessed with it to create derivative works of it.". Jihoon said as he made his affirmation of the displayed book''s details. "Though I must admit, this Calphennic variation deviates somewhat from the human version''s deeply melancholic final notes. Rather than resigning herself to oblivion after failing to win the prince''s affections, it states the little mermaid ultimately returns to the sea..."


    A thoughtful silence lingered between them for a few heartbeats before Karim cleared his throat. "Well, I supposed every great tale deserves to have its variations and reinterpretations filter down through the ages. Civilizations will always find ways to impart their own unique cultural perspectives upon such universal narratives."


    The merchant allowed himself a wry smile. "Though personally, I must admit I find this Calphennic rendition''s more uplifting ending a rather refreshing change of pace. Our lives as it is already bears enough somber realities as it is to the unrelenting tragedy."


    And so both of them continue their exploration of other exhibits around the place. Yet... he couldn''t quite shake the feeling that there''s something go deeper about the similarity than just mere coincidence. Nothing is what it seems at surface level at all.


    At the western exhibit, the ancestral Elven script looks awfully similar to that of his world''s Tolkien Elvish. And any evidence for the contrary gets eliminated when he comes across this world''s Lord of the Ring written entirely in Elvish. It''s like... something is making it explicitly obvious here...


    At northern exhibit where the ice feys and beastfolks dwell in majority, the ancestral scripts there look like Norse runes in his world and ancestral ice fey language is written in similar runes although there''re distinct differences that he couldn''t tell with his subpar etymology. The depiction of them is more of humans with animal traits than actual beasts standing on both legs. The ice fey takes distinctly human appearance as well.


    And finally... the eastern exhibit is the worst offender so far with the ancestral Yokai being bastardized of every eastern language in his world mixed together grammatically. It even has its own name called... you could have guessed it... Moonrune. And one of the depictions of them is a large painting depicting a parade of yokais... and its name is... Parade of a Hundred Demons.


    Jihoon really almost approaching his wit''s end here right now. He had his first suspicion when the Polaris star is similar to one in his world which he can only chalk as coincidence without further investigation. But four times in a row with each exhibit? Something is definitely influencing this world right here.


    Then finally... approaching the center of this museum is where the Harpy''s exhibit taking place, the reason that he come here in the first place to learn more about the Harpies. Jihoon sat down on a bench because at this point, he felt mentally exhausted from all the overthinking and would sooner just crash into his sleep just for the solace of being unconscious from the headaching implications.


    "Hey, wandering virtuoso. You alright?". Karim asked as he finds the expression on Jihoon''s face furrowed unsightly.


    "It''s fine... Just that... having some implicative thoughts that gotten nowhere". Jihoon responded with a tired sigh along the way.


    Yet despite all that, he felt like he couldn''t ignore them even if he wished. After all, he can''t exactly attribute something to utterly abstractive concept that he isn''t even sure it is there. At this point, he decided to follow the Occam''s Razor, it is always the simplest solution to every question.


    This world is just simply like that... After all, he arrived here by recreating the ''Memories of Absence'' thus the world he arrived in naturally shaped by the very melody that brought him here.


    "Okay... that''s enough unnecessary conjectures and philosophical tangents that go nowhere". Jihoon muttered to himself. "I''m straight-up in danger of losing myself to a spiral of baseless speculation if I''m not being careful"


    His posture straightened, Jihoon decided to follow the true and tried method of thinking that stops him from having analysis paralysis when he was still in Arisen Studio. The Occam''s Razor. That the simplest answer will always be the correct one until any empirical evidence proven otherwise. No fanciful or conspiracy theory until substantial proof shows itself.


    "For all I know, these apparent similarities could be little more than the natural linguistic evolutions and cultural diffusions that occur over vast expanses of time and space," he reasoned aloud, only in his mind. "To extrapolate outlandish metaphysical explanations from mere linguistic coincidences would be putting the proverbial cart before the horse."


    Given infinity of time, anything given a non-zero chance can and will happen. This includes the development of language and its evolution. There''s literally a theorem called infinite monkey typewriter that goes to say it.


    "Stupid monkey brain, you almost give me self-inflicted existential crisis". Jihoon cursed himself as he tries to focus on the task at hand. Regaining his pragmatic focus in the tangible reality instead of some cloud-cuckoo-land what-ifs.


    "I came here to study the heritage of the Harpies, not untangle the entire tapestry undergirding all of creation," he chided himself wryly. "Best to refocus on that immediate objective and leave the grand unraveling of this reality''s mysteries for another day...if such profundities are even meant for minds like mine."


    With a shake of his head, Jihoon rose to his feet, feeling emotionally recentered and his mental faculties realigned. The central Harpy exhibit now loomed before him, its radiant archways beckoning with the promise of enlightening discoveries about this world''s celestial overseers.


    "One step at a time," he told himself firmly. "No more getting distracted by every shiny thought that dances across my mind''s eye. There will be time enough to ponder greater contexts and connections later...once I''ve solidified my foundations here first."


    Renewed determination flickered in Jihoon''s eyes as he strode onwards into the central exhibit. All the uncertain thoughts before still remain but now with greater control of his mental faculty, he shelved them behind until the farfetched day when a plausible answer making sense all of them.


    The Harpy exhibition of the museum''s central area soon proved to be an awe-inspiring sight in itself. Arranged like an ascending spiral that climbed higher and higher as history of the Harpies developed. As Jihoon and Karim made their way up, numerous of historical items surround them as they are meticulously preserved by the Harpies themselves.


    Each level revealing new fragments of the Harpies'' fabled past as they climbed higher. From each fresco and relic displayed, a significant part of the Harpies is staked. Each of the winding path and vibrant murals and artefacts chronicles the celestial lineage''s ancient genesis and cultural origin. Finally, at the apex of this exhibition spiral, a mural placed at the very center atop an alter that is unquestionably what Jihoon was looking for.


    "Look and behold. The ultimate declaration of the Harpies'' reign over the sky. This grand mural''s dating back at least 10,000 years into the ancient past of the earliest record of the Harpies". Karim said with a voice of mustered respect but Jihoon for some reason can tell the slight snide layered underneath too low to detect to untrained ears. Apparently, he has his grievance toward the Harpies for reason that he has yet to know.


    Below the towering mural itself is an inscription plaque that is the best translation that they managed to perform upon the mural itself since it predates even ancestral languages itself. The plaque reads as follow:


    "The Harpies are the existence closest to the heaven, for their unfettered freedom over the sky"


    And so despite the mural''s importance, there was something amiss that the System has picked up. Then without his input, it automatically scanned the mural itself and not the contents on it. Then instead of the usual description, Jihoon was met with another earth-shattering revelation the fifth time in a single day.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    One Fifth of the Tower of Babel''s Grand Mural


    Classification: Mural


    A fragmented historical record of the ancient truth involving the Harpies


    and their origin. This venerated exhibit merely depicts 1/5th of the original


    narrative involved, with many of its contextual details may have been


    redacted or outright lost over the millennia.


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    And suddenly, a wry resigned smile appeared on Jihoon''s corner of his mouth. When one is in so much agony that the only appropriate response is to smile through it. As if the universe has a cruel sense of humors to dangle a revelation with a myriad of questions unanswered.


    He thought he was getting somewhere in this museum and he was pretty mad... So mad that it displayed as an contradictory emotion as Jihoon gloomed.


    "Well, so much for avoiding any more mind-bending revelations today," he muttered under his breath, too low for Karim to discern.


    Jihoon took a deep breath, trying to process the revelation about the "Tower of Babel''s Grand Mural" in a logical manner. Rather than wildly speculating, he decided to approach the information methodically.


    First, he considered the implications of a "Tower of Babel" existing in this world, Absence. In his homeland, the Tower of Babel was a mythical structure linked to the origin of multiple languages and the dispersal of humanity. If a similar construct existed here, it suggested a shared ancient history between Absence and his own world, at least in the mythological realm.


    However, the mere existence of such a counterpart did not necessarily imply a direct connection. Myths and legends often arose independently across cultures, shaped by the collective unconscious of humanity. Still, the parallel was striking enough to warrant further contemplation and investigation if possible.


    Jihoon reasoned that if the two worlds indeed shared a common origin at some point in the distant past, there must have been a point of divergence that led to their separate developmental paths. Perhaps an event or decision that altered the course of history, gradually shaping the two realms into distinct yet echoing realities.


    A hypothesis took form, that this divergence point could have occurred during the mythical era associated with the Tower of Babel, or even earlier into the Genesis since Babel is directly linked into that story. It would also explain why certain mythological elements remained consistent across both worlds, while the actual histories and civilizations evolved independently.


    With this rough framework in mind, Jihoon concluded that wild speculation would be unproductive. Instead, he would need to gather more concrete evidence and information to piece together the potential connections and divergences between Absence and his homeworld.


    Cautiously, he decided to shelve the matter for the time being, resolving to maintain an open mind and collect data as he continued his journey through Absence. Only through a methodical approach could he hope to unravel the mysteries that seemed to intertwine the two worlds, without falling into the trap of baseless conjecture.


    Jihoon took solace in the fact that, even if the origins remained obscure, his current path was clear ¨C to forge ahead, embrace the wonders of Absence, and let the truth reveal itself in due course. With renewed determination, he turned his attention back to the mural, eager to glean whatever insights it could offer about the celestial Harpies and their role in this enigmatic realm. And when he looked at the mural with focused gaze, another System panel popped up.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Enter the Tower of Babel?


    Difficulty: A+


    Y/N


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    "No! I barely survived a D-ranked Gate as a Hunter. I''m not going to touch it with a half-a-world-length pole even if you ask me politely". Jihoon yelled in his mind seeing the prompt appearing.


    Staring at the unexpected system prompt, his brow furrowing as the implications sank in. The system seemed to be presenting him with a potential gateway to delve into the mythical origins tied to the Tower of Babel itself, and not allowing curiosity to remain as such.


    As a F-rank Hunter in his world barely surviving a D-rank Gate subjugation, the prospect of undertaking an "A+ Difficulty" dungeon seemed utterly unthinkable. The sheer challenge threatened to obliterate even the most seasoned adventurers, let alone Jihoon in his current state. The dismissive refusal was his initial, obvious instinctive reaction.


    But simply dismissing the prompt outright would be a grave disservice to the unanswered questions burning within him. The mere fact that such an option had manifested meant that there existed a path for him, however arduous or unconventional, to rise to the occasion.


    A peculiar thought took root. While bridging the gap from a fledgling Hunter to an entity capable of overcoming an A-rank dungeon seemed utterly unthinkable through conventional means in his world. However, this was Absence ¨C a realm where magic and technology intertwined in seamless symbiosis.


    The glimmer of possibility flickered in Jihoon''s eyes as he considered the unique advantages this mystical metropolis could offer. If anywhere could provide the means to accelerate his growth and transcend his current limitations, it would be here, amidst the convergence of ancient arcane and cutting-edge innovation.


    Steeling his resolve, he turned toward Karim with a flame of determination ignited in those eyes.


    "Tell me, old friend," he began, his voice steady despite the weight of his intent. "In this realm of wonders, what opportunities exist for one to transcend their current limitations? To elevate their abilities to heights once deemed unattainable?"


    Jihoon knew that the road ahead would be treacherous, but he was ready to face it head-on. For the sake of unraveling the enigma that bound Absence and his homeland together, no challenge seemed too great to overcome ¨C not with the right tools and unwavering resolve.


    And when that day came, the mythical Tower of Babel would hold no secrets from him.


    "What the hell is up with that sudden change of the topic!?" Karim said as Jihoon''s sudden change of mind dumbfounded him briefly.


    ...


    Another few hours later...


    Both him and Karim left the museum, it is now late-afternoon after their time spent in that museum learning about things in there.


    "Well, wandering virtuoso," Karim began, his tone equal parts amused and exasperated, "I daresay we''ve had our fill of ancestral chronicles and primordial frescoes for one day. Though I must commend your insatiable thirst for knowledge ¨C it would seem you''ve nearly outpaced even this old merchant''s capacity for museum meandering."


    Jihoon offered a shameless grin, his stomach punctuating Karim''s remark with a rumble. "Heh, you might be right about that. I confess, I may have gotten a bit too absorbed in unraveling Absence''s manifold mysteries. It would seem my scholarly fervor momentarily overshadowed more...corporeal needs."


    And to think that he hasn''t yet cover everything that his museum has to offer. Multiple return trips might be required for further study might be necessitated.


    As they were planning of what to do for the evening, Jihoon starts to ponder about the revelation he learned about the grand mural that concerns the Harpies'' origin. The fragmented and incomplete nature involving it didn''t exactly giving him the peace of mind needed after all.


    A part of him wanted to divulge the information that the System granted him, that the mural in reality was just one part of the much larger narrative. But... seeing how there''s nothing mentioning the Tower of Babel in the slightest in the museum, he can only assume that this is a lost history that only he who comes from another world knows.


    Because of it, there''s no way that he could mention something entirely out of nowhere without coming off unhinged.


    Karim, ever the perceptive one, seemed to pick up on Jihoon''s pensive state. "You''ve got that look about you, wandering virtuoso," he remarked, arching an inquisitive brow. "Something profound caught in that inquisitive mind of yours, isn''t it? Care to share some thoughts?"


    Jihoon considered his words carefully, weighing the potential ramifications of revealing his suspicions about the mural''s incomplete nature. On one hand, Karim had proven himself a trustworthy ally and guide through the wonders of Absence. Perhaps he could shed light on the matter or offer valuable insights.


    "Hey, what do you think about the Harpy exhibit. Especially about the central mural at the apex?". Jihoon asked as he wants to gauge how much this merchant ally of him knows. How much he knows that Jihoon knows that he knows.


    Karim''s brow furrowed momentarily at Jihoon''s inquiry, as if weighing how much to divulge. For a fleeting instant, a guarded look flickered across the merchant''s features, belying depths of knowledge he seemed reticent to share.


    "The grand mural depicting the Harpies'' primordial genesis?" Karim began, his tone deceptively nonchalant. "Why, it''s a wondrous artifact, to be sure. A glimpse into the celestial lineage''s fabled origins. Though, I must confess, my expertise lies more in the practical matters of trade and negotiation than the interpretive nuances of ancient relics."


    A moment of silence persisted between him. Jihoon has enough negotiation with his working clients to know that it means something abnormal.


    "Perhaps you''ve discerned something more profound within that timeworn mural, our wandering virtuoso? Some hidden truth that transcends the curators'' official narratives?" A wry smile played upon Karim''s lips, one that hinted at a subtle subtext underneath his words.


    Jihoon studied the merchant intently, his gaze sharp and appraising. Beneath Karim''s feigned ignorance, he detected an unmistakable undercurrent. Of a tacit acknowledgment that the mural''s supposed completeness was anything but absolute.


    However, instead of outright hostility that should have happened with this kind of story however. Jihoon found himself in a strange sort of solidarity between him and the merchant instead. The understanding that they both harbor the knowledge that there''s something beyond the accepted history that is known widely by everyone else in Absence.


    "You know, don''t you?" Jihoon stated, his voice low and measured.


    Karim''s expression remained inscrutable, yet there was a subtle shift in his bearing ¨C a nearly imperceptible straightening of his posture, a newfound intensity in his gaze. It was as if Jihoon''s words had struck a resonant chord, validating some long-held suspicion or inner knowing.


    "I suspected as much," the merchant murmured, his tone taking on a conspiratorial lilt. Unheard to anyone else but Jihoon. "All I can say that my finding wasn''t entirely a lonesome effort. Or even mine to begin with"


    Leaning in closer, Karim''s voice dropped to a hushed whisper. "Tell me, wandering virtuoso, what insights have you gleaned? What truths lurk beneath the veneer of accepted lore?"


    Jihoon takes in a deep breath. He couldn''t confidently say something that has long forgotten in this world without any concrete evidence to support his claim. But there was something that he can use as his own support.


    "Please tell me one thing, is the mural the only oldest thing that is found in this world?". Jihoon said as he is certain that can''t be the oldest thing after all. Because in his world, the oldest archeological finding was more than 3 millions years old. 10,000 years was nothing but a heartbeat by comparison.


    Karim''s silence upon the question was the answer that Jihoon sought.


    "Jihoon!" A familar voice comes from the sky above. The winged figure descent upon his location with precision and accuracy.


    Alvorna herself has just to come at such an inopportune time after all.

 Chapter 19: Fable

    The melodic voice calling out Jihoon''s name from above caused both him and Karim to instinctively look skyward. Descending gracefully from the heavens, a winged figure approached with uncanny precision ¨C Alvorna, the illustrious daughter of the Harpies'' esteemed Matriarch.


    The familiar winged figure descended gracefully from the heavens. Alvorna, resplendent in her celestial radiance, alighted before them with a practiced flourish of her iridescent plumage. Her arrival right now just has to be the most inopportune that it could ever been, interrupting the weighty discussion between him and Karim of the shared finding about the incomplete mural that they just only showed themselves.


    Yet, as Alvorna''s emerald gaze met his own, Jihoon found himself momentarily entranced as their recent profound connection still resonating palpably between them. Whatever portentous revelations had been on the threshold of unfolding now hung in suspended animation, eclipsed by the celestial presence gracing them.


    "Alvorna," Jihoon breathed, equal parts elated and apprehensive at her unexpected arrival. "To what do we owe the honor of your presence?"


    Alvorna''s gaze fell upon Jihoon, her eyes alight with a mixture of warmth and solemnity. "Greetings, wandering virtuoso," she spoke, her melodic voice carrying undertones of import. "I hope I did not intrude upon matters of grave consequence?"


    Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Karim swiftly adopted a deferential mien, bowing his head respectfully toward the celestial heiress. "Lady Alvorna, your presence honors us. We were merely indulging in idle contemplations, nothing that should divert your attentions."


    Alvorna''s expression softened ever so slightly, and she turned her attention fully to Jihoon. "Jihoon, I have come bearing a formal invitation, one that I hope you will accept with all due consideration."


    "In three months'' time, I shall be celebrating my coming-of-age ceremony ¨C a sacred rite of passage that marks my succession to the Matriarch status that my mother will bequeath to me within the Citadel," Alvorna proclaimed, her voice ringing with the weight of ages-old tradition. "It is my dearest wish, Jihoon, that you would grace this auspicious occasion with your presence as my most honored and esteemed guest."


    A reverent hush seemed to fall over the bustling cityscape, as if the very world around them held its collective breath in anticipation of Alvorna''s words. Even Karim, ever the composed merchant, found himself briefly enraptured by the celestial being''s presence, his earlier conspiratorial whispers forgotten for the moment. His focus still remain sharp as he navigates the political minefield that Jihoon willingly stepped on before.


    The solemnity of her request hung in the air, laden with unspoken implications and traditions that even Jihoon, for all his basic-founding knowledge of Absence, could scarcely comprehend. Yet, in Alvorna''s unwavering gaze, he saw a depth of emotion that transcended mere formality ¨C a silent plea for his companionship on this momentous shift of her journey.


    "I would be honored beyond words, Alvorna," Jihoon replied, still retaining his conviction no matter what "To bear witness to such an event is a privilege I could scarcely have imagined to have during my stay here."


    Alvorna''s smile blossomed like the first rays of dawn, radiant and effervescent. "Then it is settled," she proclaimed, her wings unfurling in a magnificent display of celestial grandeur. Then before anyone amongst the crowd realized, she has already gone into the afternoon sky above.


    Both Jihoon and Karim looked into the sky above, and then the crowd around them suddenly poured their gaze over at them in envy. So much for staying low key...


    "Let us find somewhere more private to talk about the previous matter. I have a feeling that we''re in for a very long 3 months here...". Karim said as he had a hunch that he just got dragged into something far too great for his capacity.


    ...


    Another few hours passed


    It was already dusk by the time they arrived in this seemingly nondescript and rundown place. This is apparently Karim''s personal retreat and it doesn''t seem to convince Jihoon that he was that successful of merchant after all. With some initial doubt at first as Karim fiddles with his overly large bundle of keys to open the door.


    However, Karim deftly produced a key from amongst a large bundle containing dozens more, each appearing more antiquated than the last. As the door creaked open when what looks like a rusted lockpick was chosen to open, Jihoon was surprised to find the interior vastly more tidy and comfortable than the ramshackle exterior suggested.


    Though the furnishings were modest, they carried an air of meticulously cultivated tastes, hinting at an appreciation for the finer things that belied Karim''s unassuming facade. As Jihoon stepped across the threshold, he couldn''t shake the uncanny sensation that this place was more than just a humble abode.


    Despite the amenities of Absence''s post-scarcity society, Karim had clearly chosen to dwell in deliberate seclusion here. The winding path they had taken, the myriad keys, the juxtaposition of disheveled neglect encasing an interior world of solitary comfort. Everything of it points toward someone who harbors a secret or something too grand or much within the societal acceptance.


    Karim lets out a deep sigh, both of them knew that they were about to risk everything that they have built here. And that Karim unquestionably has a lot more at stake in this very risky ordeal they''re in. His eyes glinted with guarded knowledge as he gestured for Jihoon to make himself comfortable.


    "I apologize for the indirect route, but certain... precautions must be taken given the delicate nature of what we must discuss."


    "I didn''t expect that a merchant like you have a secret base at all". Jihoon said with a certain mixture of disbelief and relation. That this is something that he could have saw occurred but not accepting it until too late.


    Both of them looked at one another, seemingly converse with just the shifting of their eyes alone. Karim''s weariness reached a critical point realizing that unless either one of them do something, they would be stuck staring at one another like a mirror reflection. If Jihoon felt distrustful at him then, he would simply go first. His merchant knowledge would have spoken against this decision but... someone has to break the ice sooner or later.


    Karim takes the face-down picture frame on the simple ornate desk, something that he himself didn''t ever believe that he would come to miss so much after spending a majority of it bitterly envied the same. Then, a figure in the picture frame is shown to Jihoon to draw his curiosity.


    Someone who looks unmistakably like Karim himself, but apparently a decade younger compared to the actual man in front of him. A vibrant air and a radiant hospitality that seemed to emanate from the very image itself. Though the similarities in facial features were apparent, this youthful doppelganger possessed an air of infectious optimism so palpable that Jihoon felt an inexplicable sense of warmth just simply by observing the brilliant smile frozen in time.


    Yet when Jihoon''s gaze met the weary resignation etched into the present-day Karim''s expression, the stark contrast was jarring. The man before him appeared to have aged decades beyond the ephemeral image, burdened by ineffable weights that strained against his very being. When Jihoon finally voiced the obvious question, Karim''s response dropped like a leaden anvil between them.


    "My older brother...from roughly fifteen years ago. Dead. Impoverished and indisposed."


    In that moment, Jihoon realized he had been granted a glimpse into a sorrow so profoundly shaped this man''s reality that even the vivid memory had become a seemingly unreachable specter from another lifetime.


    Karim looked down toward the floor. Seemingly unable to convey whether it is grief or indisposition that he is expressing toward his older brother. Perhaps, it is both.


    "Mathias Erdalaten," Karim began, the name seeming to taste like ash on his tongue. "He was...a prodigy. A god amongst academics, whose brilliance outshone us all."


    Karim''s fingers traced the edges of the picture frame, as if seeking to recapture some ephemeral essence locked within. "From our earliest days, Mathias possessed an insatiable hunger for knowledge. A prodigal gift, that some would call it. He would devour tomes of history and lore, unraveling ancient mysteries and piecing disparate connections together with an ease that bordered on preternatural."


    "While I toiled away in the study, Mathias soared without restraint. By the time I had managed to secure a modest apprenticeship, he had already shattered records, pioneering groundbreaking archaeological discoveries that reverberated through Absence." Karim said ruefully, a wry smile crept upon his stoic face.


    "If I was a gifted, then he would be my god. I struggled to reach my graduation, he easily situated himself in the seat of the Headmaster in the meantime".


    Bitterness seeped into Karim''s tone as he continued. "Accolades and prestige rained upon him like a summer storm. He became the youngest Headmaster in the Scholars'' Lineage. Everywhere he goes, people spoke of his achievement while I toil away in his shadow, like an insurmountable summit that has nothing to begin the climbing with.


    "The fields of archaeology and anthropology were revolutionized by his insights. Dormant civilizations and cultures springing back to vibrant display through his exhaustive research and analysis. Published at 19, tenured at 22, showered with awards and accolades...Matthias seemed to transcend every limits of his own with every new endeavor."


    A wistful smile played across Karim''s lips, even as they tightened into a melancholy line.


    "I spent the better part of my life utterly consumed by envy towards the very existence of my own flesh and blood. No accomplishment of mine ever felt sufficient, always obscured by the blinding radiance of Matthias'' triumphs. He cast a shadow of unapproachable genius that I could never hope to escape, constantly chasing the acceptance and admiration he commanded so effortlessly."


    A flicker of something like resentment passed across Karim''s features, swiftly masked by a veil of stoicism. "His prowess was so immense, so unassailable, that he garnered the personal favor of the Matriarch herself - an honor that so many could scarcely fathom, much less aspire to."


    As things seemingly go with the flow of Karim''s older brother, Jihoon is reminded once more that fate didn''t exactly end in a good note if Karim''s expression is anything to indicate. Then, he remembered something. Karim said that Mathias died impoverished and indisposed which means that he knew how he died exactly.


    "You said your brother died... But there is more to that, isn''t there? Something you have not revealed..." Jihoon began his question carefully.


    Karim''s gaze grew heavy with unspoken burdens. "You are correct. Mathias did not merely fade from existence. What truly befell him..." He trailed off, troubled.


    "I will now elaborate further, but first there is crucial context you must understand." After a steadying breath, Karim continued in a measured tone. "The Harpies, for all their vaunted legacy, know little of their own deeper history beyond what is depicted in the incomplete Grand Mural. It was the Matriarch of the Citadel herself who granted Mathias unprecedented access to their sealed archives to research their origins. Freedom to go anywhere within Absence and beyond just to unearth further pieces that may contribute to his research".


    Leaning forward, Karim''s voice took on a hushed, urgent timbre. "Mathias told me that as he delved deeper into those primordial records, he began to unearth...disturbing inconsistencies. Fragments of a past somehow at odds with the historical narrative we had accepted as sacrosanct."


    A haunted look flickered across Karim''s face. "He stumbled to me in this very same dilapidated place, utterly disheveled and traumatized, as if he had borne witness to something utterly unspeakable lurking behind those veiled secrets."


    Before Jihoon thought that things couldn''t be possibly more ominous. Karim chimed in with the last nail.


    "And it seems... that the Matriarch herself aware that he had ventured too deeply into forbidden territories."


    Jihoon felt a chill run down his spine at the implications.


    Not even done there, Karim stood up from the desk and seat as he approached what seems like a massively veiled something that escaped his attention somehow. It blended too much within the ramshackle nature of the building''s exterior that he forgot the place isn''t abandoned in the first place. Then as Karim pulled the veil away with a heavy heave, revealing the entirety of the legacy left behind by Karim''s brother himself.


    He did say that none of this was his work but someone else after all.


    Before them stood a massive pinboard that consumed an entire wall, its surface utterly consumed by a tangled lattice of files, photographs, and criss-crossing swathes of crimson thread. The sheer density of the information woven across its expanse was staggering, an intricately layered tapestry depicting...what? Jihoon could scarcely make sense of where to even begin deciphering the labyrinthine network.


    "This..." Karim rasped, his voice leaden with something hovering between awe and dread. "This is the true legacy Mathias left behind. His final, desperate attempt to impart the revelations he had unearthed, the truth that ultimately proved too terrible to give full voice to."


    Jihoon traced his fingertips across the pinboard''s chaotic surface, wondering at the sheer obsessive attention to detail, the layers upon layers of symbolic threads and coded annotations binding disparate artifacts together into an unfathomable whole. It was the physical embodiment of a mind treading the razor''s edge between brilliance and utter insanity.


    "I have looked over these materials endlessly in the years since..." A haunted look flickered across Karim''s face. "But I fear I have barely scratched the surface of the vast truth that Mathias inadvertently glimpsed. On the precipice of his greatest triumph, he was granted an unveiling that shattered his psyche, reducing his final days to little more than frantic scrawling and disjointed pleas."


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Karim lifted a battered journal, its pages yellowed and creased from the relentless passing of time. "He begged me to finish what he had begun - to unearth the full, primordial truth regarding the genesis of the Harpies. A truth, he was convinced, that held implications vaster than either of us could scarcely comprehend. Far greater than almost anyone else in the entirety of Absence"


    The fractured foundations, the incomplete mural, Alvorna''s pivotal role in his journey...all of it was inextricably interwoven with the revelation that had driven Mathias Erdalaten to the brink of madness.


    "We have already ventured deeper than he could have ever imagined, far more than anyone else in Absence ever will" Karim murmured, his voice tinged with a mixture of trepidation and grim resolve. "The question remains...are we prepared to travel the full length of the path he set before us, no matter how dark and twisted the destination?"


    Jihoon recalled the original reason that he set out to this world. And his remembrance of how his own indolence and willful ignorance about Jin''s circumstances have led him to the killing of his own friend. That will forever be his last time that he stood still and put a blind eye and deaf ears to those he cared about.


    The memory of that climatic battle still resonate, and the agony still remain sharp. A brutal and hard-learned lesson in that he should have stopped Jin right when the evidences themselves are increasingly showing and overwhelming.


    "You speak of being prepared to follow the path, no matter the destination," Jihoon said, his voice hardening with resolve born from that searing experience. "For too long, I have also let my own indolence and complacency shape my reality, until those most cherished bonds in my life was severed by tragedy of my own doing."


    He met Karim''s gaze, unflinching. "When I forged my resonance with Alvorna, I made an unspoken vow - never again would I shy from the truth, no matter how terrifying the implications. For her sake, I will not run or hide any longer."


    The merchant gave a slow nod of acknowledgment, something of a flicker of understanding and solemn commendation for his conviction.


    "Then we are bound by the same drive then, the same need to shed light upon the primordial mysteries that Mathias sacrificed everything to glimpse," Karim stated. "Though the path ahead appears beset by bottomless shadows, we can only press forward. For I too made the folly of making the decision to chase the impossible revelation left in my brother''s wake."


    Still, Jihoon realized something. How did someone like Mathias was forgotten so early in like 15 years... And... just why is there no mention of him at all now when someone who constantly making impact throughout the academic world was essentially erased without a trace. Just like that Jihoon voiced his question and Karim can only answer with a wry smile.


    "How did such a monumental figure like Mathias simply vanish into obscurity, you ask?" Karim''s expression grew somber. "The answer lies in the very truths he unearthed - revelations so profoundly unsettling that those in power had to move in order to excise him from the annals of history itself."


    "Within six months of his...breakdown, any mention of Mathias'' name had been systematically scrubbed from official records and publications. His groundbreaking works were quietly reassigned to other scholars, his accolades rescinded. It was as if he had never existed at all."


    Karim can only shake his head sadly. "The Matriarch''s reach is far and absolute not just within the hallowed halls of Lengsel but the entirety of Absence''s academic world. With a mere whisper, my brother''s lifetime of achievements were erased, rendered a non-entity. His legacy persisted only in the physical artifacts and materials he left behind - this singular compendium of his final obsession."


    "This..." Karim gestured to the sprawling pinboard, "is all that remains. An encrypted maze of secrets that the power that governing Absence are determined to keep buried at all costs."


    Jihoon takes note of what Karim has spoken. It has only taken 6 months just to remove someone''s trace entirely then... And much as he wished to sympathize, that''s also something unfortunately real and happened in his world. But to know that something like this happened regardless of worlds is simply harrowing nonetheless.


    "So... from his left behind findings. What did he find that warranted his erasure once his breakdown occured?". Jihoon asked as he had a hunch of what likely have happened if the Tower of Babel is any indication.


    Heavy with dark disclosure, Karim continues his discussion as his eyes selected upon the important nodes on that massive network. "Mathias...he managed to decipher the primordial language and hieroglyphs inscribed upon the fragmented Grand Mural of the Harpies. An esoteric script that had eluded scholars of many and numerous prestige for ages. Unaware that it is a script to begin with."


    "These artifacts, these coded threads...they represent Mathias'' painstaking efforts to cross-reference the numerous translated texts from the Harpy mural against other relics and sites across Absence. An undertaking that surely consumed years of his life. How he even managed to figure out how and where to begin deciphering them is beyond my capacity" He said as he gestures his thumb toward the sprawling pin board that seemingly can drive ill-prepared scholars mad at its size.


    "The translations he produced still remain enshrined upon the museum plaques. Especially the Harpies'' Grand Mural that you read before. Though any mention of their author has been systematically omitted. But it was not merely decoding the Harpy mural that set the dominos in motion."


    Jihoon continues to listen as his eyes remain transfixed at the sprawling network of crimson threads, hoping to find something related to his world before Karim would speak about it.


    "As Mathias delved deeper, he recognized other fragments depicted in that same primordial tongue - pieces scattered like seeds on the wind across cultures and civilizations separated by vast expanses. He became convinced these were not disparate artifacts, but part of a massive, unified ancient work that had been painstakingly disassembled." Karim said as his finger traces the red lines that connect the concerned artefacts that bear those primordial language.


    "Finally, he had a realization one day as he immediately head toward the largest museum of each region of Absence where other region governors provide for him at the Matriarch behest before his ultimate breakdown. You remembered how Avanthal''s Central Culture Museum built its exhibit wings based on the geographical direction of Absence itself, right?". Karim said as his fingers now trace toward what seems like the most important nodes amongst the myriad sprawl undiscernible. 15 years of learning how they connect with one another with his limited intellectual capacity compared to his brother.


    Jihoon instantly realized it too. The other remaining 4 out of the 5 separated parts of the Grand Mural. It seems that his brother has deduced out their location and what they actually displayed.


    "Indeed. Each regional major museum housed another piece under the misguided assumption they depicted the origins of their own peoples - the merfolk of the Far South of Absence, the coastal sea of Calphennis, the fairfolk of the Far West of Absence, the urban forest of Alberenth, the beastfolks and ice feys of the Far North of Absence, the winter wonderland of Solros, and the yokai of the Far East of Absence, the land of spirit of Atria. All the inhabitants who reside in the vast expanses surrounding the celestial hub of Avanthal, thus making the entirety of Absence."


    Yet as the regional governors had believed the fragments spoke of their own beginnings, Mathias had perceived something vastly more profound encoded within that primordial script. For just as the Harpies were oblivious to the true scope of their origins, so too were the other races utterly blind to the ancient reality woven through those dispersed shards.


    "They remained convinced each piece revealed their own mythologies," Karim stated, "ignorant that together, they formed the remaining unmistakable whole my brother had pieced back together. The ancestral chronicle rekindled from the scattered ashes of something primordial."


    Jihoon felt a growing sense of dread, coupled with undeniable awe at the staggering implications.


    "He didn''t just decrypted origins of the Harpies...Mathias had unveiled the scorched remnants of a truth spanning all the cultures and peoples dwelling throughout Absence''s horizons." Karim''s answering nod was weighted with solemn gravitas. "Precisely. And whatever burned, ancestral revelation he had begun to perceive...it proved too dangerous for both him and the governing powers to allow. Thus, they enacted his erasure with ruthless finality."


    Jihoon looked at the noted nodes on the network and reading the contents involving what he had discerned in the other 4. Unfortunately, he didn''t leave behind any translation, just the location of the murals themselves at the respective locations. It seems that if Jihoon really wanted to investigate them, he has to come to the place for himself. Any language barrier can easily be overcome with the little goddess''s blessing which he now come to understand fully of just how unfairly overpowered in a different way than strength is.


    "Still, the fact that Mathias didn''t transcribe the translations of the other four murals at all amidst these meticulously compiled notes means he made the deliberate choice to omit that part of his legacy," Jihoon noted, surveying the pinboard''s comprehensive yet conspicuously incomplete chartings. "He must have had a specific reason for withholding that final, crucial piece of the puzzle."


    Jihoon turned his searching gaze back towards Karim. "When your brother came back to you in those final days, a broken shadow of his former self...what were your thoughts as you witnessed his deterioration? The man who had so long overshadowed you with his brilliance, reduced to a shambling wreck?"


    Karim''s expression grew distant, etched with conflicting emotions buried beneath years of resignation. "Even after all this time, that memory still haunts me with its...complexities," he admitted after a weighty pause.


    "For so long, I had envied and resented Mathias'' existence - the prodigal genius whose every accomplishment became another barbed lash upon my sense of self-worth." Karim shook his head slowly. "To see the one who cast such an all-consuming shadow reduced to a state of utter ruination...it should have vindicated me. Confirmed me as the last one standing while he crumbled into devastated obscurity."


    Yet the muscle tightening along Karim''s jaw betrayed a deeper well of disquiet. "Instead, it filled me with a sense of dread and unease I could not fully grasp at the time. This great mind, unraveled before my eyes into madness - it hinted at terrible truths that we ourselves could not withstand. My envy built for so long curdled into fear in an instant for what he had glimpsed that left him such an empty husk."


    Karim''s gaze grew heavy with old regrets. "I abandoned my academic pursuits to take up merchanting, if only to afford keeping Mathias sheltered away as he descended further into his obsessive last moments. For weeks and months on end, he did nothing but scrawl and ramble, channeling every fitful thought onto those materials before you." He waved a weary hand toward the pinboard''s tangled morass.


    "Right until his final, rattling breaths, he was seemingly driven by the need to leave behind some cyphered record of the truth burning away what little remained of his mind."


    Jihoon held Karim''s turbulent gaze, perceiving the maelstrom of conflicted emotions roiling just beneath the surface. Here was a man caught between unfathomable revelations and the infinitely personal specter that had long haunted the depth of his being.


    "And when he finally departed..." Karim''s voice lowered to a murmur, "I was left with a bitter, gaping emptiness. The shadow that had haunted me now banished, but only through a profound and terrible reckoning I could scarcely comprehend."


    His eyes smoldered with rekindled conviction. "Someone, something, had done this to the genius I had so long resented. I knew then that I could not simply let this injustice lie, no matter how selfishly spiteful the root of my need for answers may have been. The Harpies held the keys to what broke Mathias, and I would uncover it. Even if only to honor the sacrifice of the brother whose triumphs I had so deeply begrudged in life."


    "It doesn''t matter if the answer I received is right or wrong. Just that there was justice at last for someone like him"


    The words hung heavy between them, Jihoon could only nod in solemn understanding. Whatever path lay ahead, it was one they could not turn away from - if for no other reason than to shed light upon the primordial truth that had shattered two brothers fated to walk such disparate paths.


    "You know... when I abandoned my academic pursuit and follow the merchant path, I find out that I actually have some natural charisma that makes people more fond of me. Of course, I would have come to know about it earlier hadn''t I choose to stay in solitary study trying to chase behind an impossible goal to begin with. Life certainly has its own brand of cruel joke, isn''t it?". Karim said with a wry smile and a mirthless chuckle as if he tried to lift up the mournful spirit that permeated this room. And him having said it only comes off as tragic more than humorous.


    Jihoon looked at himself for a moment and decided that this is probably an appropriate moment to peel back another layer of himself too. Reaching toward the unseen inventory on him, he withdrew his battered, almost decaying halberd. The very same weapon that he deflected the final shot of Jin''s Der Freischutz during their final confrontation.


    "I haven''t been fully forthright about the extent of my own background either," Jihoon admitted, turning the pitted weapon over in his hands. Again, he couldn''t tell people that he''s from another world entirely for it would be another different kind of headache.


    "In my distant homeland, the emergence of the interdimensional Gates and the monsters spilling forth created a stratified society where those gifted with superhuman abilities became Hunters to combat the threat, while the rest of us were relegated to the fringes as helpless civilians."


    His fingers traced the grooves worn into the halberd''s haft from countless clashes. "For the longest time, I was one of those powerless souls, an erstwhile musician downtrodden by the loss of my passions and purpose in a life torn asunder by circumstances. It wasn''t until a divine revelation of awakened mystic powers allowing me to weave magic into music that I found the will to become a Hunter myself."


    Jihoon met Karim''s gaze levelly. "This very weapon was a part of that transformation - used to deflect the final, damning shot from a former friend who had become consumed by the his pursuit of power, not unlike how your brother Mathias was undone."


    Having told the personal story of himself, the metaphysical wall that supposedly exist between them slowly diminish. If they are to intend making the entirety of Absence their enemy in their pursuit of the truth then only a bond that surpass life and death itself can meet the requirement in this harrowing journey that they will undertake.


    "Your path has been one of sacrifice and loss," Jihoon stated solemnly. "And it seems mine will only grow heavier with each revelation we unearth and each step I tread. But we must persist, if for no other reason than to honor those who fell into the abyss before us. To find justice...or at least... understanding."


    Karim regarded him with a mixture of newfound respect and grim solidarity. The secrets they were prying into were vast and terrible - but they would confront them together, as survivors bonded by tragedy''s lashings. No matter where the path ultimately led, they would follow its shadowed course till the end.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Chain Quest - Unsung Fable.


    The Long Journey


    Difficulty: A


    Objective:


    -Read the content of the parts of the Grand Mural at the following location:


    +Calphennis Grand Mausoleum.


    +Alberenth Royal Palace


    +Solros Familia Council Chamber


    +Atria Imperial Court


    Description:


    Disturbing evidence suggests the histories of Absence''s great civilizations are


    merely shattered fragments obscuring a much grander, primordial truth.


    The famed scholar Mathias Erdalaten paid a terrible price for


    unraveling the veil before being silenced. Now the pieces lie scattered across


    Absence''s most hallowed sites, their meanings remain misinterpreted.


    Be warned - this knowledge is considered profane heresy by Absence''s ruler,


    and even pursuing it brands you an enemy of the state. Tread carefully.


    Reward:


    -10,000 EXP


    -1 Active Skill.


    -Permanent Stat Modifier.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    The System has popped up again, confirming his quest and that he is on the right track. Mathias has the Matriarch backing him up thus his ease to reach those place. Jihoon however is still a nobody by comparison and even if he utilize his status as the fastest rising Maestro, they would still not just accept him in so easily if these locations are any indication.


    Feelings of anxiety started to form in his gut as he considered how monumental even the attempt to obtain entry to access any of these sites might be.


    Grand Mausoleum of Calphennis, the eternal resting place of the royal members of the merfolks.


    Alberenth Royal Palace, the abode of the fair folk''s reclusive monarch.


    Solros Familia Council Chamber, the place where the ruling class of the beastfolks convene their politics.


    Atria Imperial Court, at the heart of the yokai''s mysterious domain.


    Yet the quest stood before him, mocking in its simplicity - read the contents of those fragmented murals scattered across those realms as keepsake shrines to each race''s misunderstood genesis. Somehow, someway, he would have to gain access deliberately restricted from even Absence''s most celebrated scholars.


    Jihoon''s gaze heavied as his thoughts turned to the Matriarch - the one individual who could potentially grant him sanction with the mere flex of her influence. Yet she was also the same figure who had ruthlessly exiled Mathias into oblivion once his findings had crossed too far beyond the veil.


    There was no way the Matriarch would ever grant Jihoon permission to glimpse what she had so jealously concealed once before, not after the previous catastrophe. Her taloned hand would close his quest before it had even begun if he attempted to seek her approval.


    Which left only one option remaining - to proceed without the Matriarch''s consent, actively defying her unbreakable authority in order to pursue the answers lingering within those forbidden spaces. An act of blatant insurrection against the governing powers of Absence itself.


    As Jihoon met Karim''s gaze, his eyes burned with resigned determination. If this was the path they must take, then so be it. There could be no turning back from this abyss they were willingly casting themselves into. Not after sacrificing so much and coming so far in the pursuit of truth.


    And he thought that his quest of finding a member for his ensemble would be simple in this world. He dreamed too hard and now he must strive beyond the cloud toward the star. Frustration soon become pale in description to what he wanted to express in the very moment.

 Chapter 20: First Step toward War

    The next day arrived inconspicuously as if they didn''t discuss of going against the very governing power that rules Absence itself. Today... Jihoon is about to receive his Maestro certification and that he will receive his monthly payment and performance check as one. Once that is out of the way, he would soon has the freedom required to do anything he wanted in Absence as long as he upholds the law.


    Jihoon had spent the previous day in Karim''s retreat about what they should do to gain access to the forbidden space where the fragments of the Grand Mural resides.


    And more importantly, Jihoon remembered to redeem the reward from the ''Expression of Self'' quest after his performance with Alvorna in Lengsel. Now that he thinking back at it again, he still doesn''t understand just what action exactly he did that incur the crowd''s agitation like that. The more he thought about it, it is as irrational as any jade beauty interaction in public space in any Wuxia novel.


    "Convenient drama is acceptable, convenient solution isn''t, I guess". Jihoon said, already getting tired of the tropy nature of any fictionality. It is more ironic that fiction adheres to rules better than reality even.


    Taking the moment in the meantime, Jihoon looked at the his status screen to see his quest log.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Quest completed!


    Expression of Self


    Difficulty: B


    You have complete the shared performance together with Alvorna.


    Depends on the final evaluation of the quest based on your action and


    the subsequent result, your trajectory path in this world might be altered.


    Objective:


    -Complete the music duel between you and Alvorna (Completed)


    Final Evaluation: SSS


    Reward:


    -5,000 EXP


    -1 Active Skill


    -1 Skill Rank Up (Chosable)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon


    Level: 30


    EXP: 213/419


    Class: None


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 6


    -END: 6


    -AGI: 6


    -DEX: 6


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 5.2


    -CHA: 4


    -MAG: 15


    Attribute Points: 20


    +Musical Prowess: Early-Expert


    +Active Skill:


    -Doppelganger. (Advance)


    +Passive Skill:


    None


    +Song Magic:


    -Forgotten Melody (Intermediate)


    -Glint of Cold Steel (Intermediate)


    -Belief (Intermediate)


    -Exceed! (Intermediate)


    -RiET-949 (Intermediate)


    -SPIKA (Intermediate)


    -Alvorna (Expert)


    -Restia. (Expert)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    With all honesty, he could really just dump all of his Attribute Points into MAG and it would benefit him with versatile either way. But... it has reached the point that Jihoon started to notice the diminishing return. If it weren''t for his constant influx of EXP due to all of the recent quests, he wouldn''t have reach such growth already. But... he could tell that at some point, Attribute Points won''t come so easily or be as effective due to its incremental nature anymore.


    Thus, come to the second conclusion, he needs to learn some skill that make utilization of his MAG far better than otherwise. Investing Attribute Points in any Physical Attribute is a waste since he could train it consistently. Any non-physical attribute will take him to hell or high water just to raise it by any meaningful amount. And he pretty sure that there''s nothing in Absence that can directly improve his INT without it becoming an equivalent of lobotomy.


    Thus decision is made, pour a few points into INT and the rest is dumped into MAG. If Alvorna comes toward him given that as long as he hold onto her gifted feather, she would find him every day just to share her shortly-given time with him and nothing else. And if that comes, he would ask for her guidance for any method to control Mana outside of just his Song Magic.


    "System... 5 points into INT, the rest dumped into MAG". Jihoon said bracing for the sudden change that could probably very terrible to underwent.


    Remembering that a 3 of anything is standard of human. Including all that incorporeal stats like INT and MAG if human in his world has the power utilize it at all. And being a 10 is the maximum limit without intervention, Jihoon suddenly realized that his INT stat will exceed the limit with his order but by then, he was too late to rescind any of them.


    All of a sudden, his sense of awareness expanded. His perception opened up with each depth that his awareness unlocked from the newfound intelligence that inserted into him in an almost inelegant way. He sees the world in almost a new way yet as the same as he always has. The more things changed, the more things doesn''t.


    Yet the sensory deluge threatened to drown him utterly, overpowering his consciousness with a tidal influx too vast to comprehend. Jihoon could feel his grasp on reality slipping as the new neural pathways overwhelmed his being. By force of will, he anchored his mental self to the core of his identity, remembering of that one melody from the very beginning, he started to mentally hum the Forgotten Melody.


    Its ethereal strands of melody immediately resonated with his existence as its effect immediately taking hold. Soon, the mental debilitation negation take place as the strands formed into a tethering framework to withstand the effect of his elevated consciousness from burning his mind out like a processor in overclock.


    Gradually and torturously, the uncanny feelings in his mind bubbling suppressed by the Forgotten Melody still remained even if the pain subdued. But now focusing on adapting himself to this heightened state as this is now his new normal. His being is now expanded but no longer unraveled, as if a higher attunement to the greater resonance underlying all existences have been achieved.


    When his eyes finally fluttered open, the world around him seemed to thrum with new, vivid detail. Each sight, smell and sound carried profundities noticed only in fleeting gestures before. Yet it no longer overwhelmed like before. He had become the lucent eye regulating the storm of perception into cohesive, brilliant clarity.


    Straightening with a deep, calming breath. Transformed, yet complete in his sense of self. Jihoon felt that there''s nothing can stop him with this new found intelligence and...


    The profundity soon faded away and Jihoon felt like all that increased intelligence didn''t do anything meaningful. When he realized that people around him are looking at him in concern like he just have spontaneous seizure out of nowhere, he could only perform a dry cough just to convince that nothing is wrong or amiss with him.


    Speaking of his intelligence, Jihoon''s application so far with it is that... he could recall more useless music theory trivias that may or may not help him... Turns out, just because he has become more intelligent in his capacity doesn''t mean he actually become smarter or anything. In the same vein that an author can''t write a character smarter than themselves, Jihoon can''t spontaneously think brilliant idea out of thin air.


    So what can his enhanced intellect does right now? Maybe reading a book just by flipping its pages, deduced something out of generalized surroundings, real-time analyzing and still has some spare thoughts doing something else. Yeah... might not really be earthshaking and revelatory but having some more cognition power may contribute or save his life one day. He might have to raise them either way if he really want to make use of manual learning of certain skills anyway.


    "Here''s your Meastro certification and card, please have a good day". The elven receptionist of this conservatory spoke to him.


    "Thanks..." Jihoon replied politely while his gaze looked toward the status screen in front of him.


    Now that the discussion about his stat is done, it is time to talk about the Active Skill that he gained.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Observant


    Classification: Analysis Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect:


    -Can read the status of your chosen target enemy. Amount of information


    obtained depends on the differences between your and their stats.


    The greater your targeted enemy, the lesser your gleamed information.


    (Core Stat: INT, MAG)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    The bread-and-butter of any typical OP self-insert protagonist of similar story vein. Save the authors about explanation of why the main characters knew of the details of their own enemy.


    Jihoon couldn''t help but having a wry chuckle at the almost painfully clich¨¦d skill he had received. Yet despite the trope-laden nature, he knew better than to dismiss its utility simply due to familiarity.


    The ability to analyze opponents'' capabilities is absolutely vital, especially on this insurrectional path he was committing to against the governing powers of Absence. A mere cursory glance at a foe''s strengths and weaknesses could spell the difference between victory or utter ruin when the stakes became existentially high.


    Granted, the skill''s usefulness would be limited against truly exceptional beings whose might eclipsed Jihoon''s own elevated stats. But in the interim periods of growth, having [Observant] as a tool could help guide his progression by highlighting areas requiring further training or preparation.


    And to test its functionality, Jihoon focused his awakened gaze into the same elven receptionist before, allowing [Observant]''s insight to give him the detail needed.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Elven Receptionist


    Name: Jenni Lirafalen


    Level: 16


    Class: None


    Race: Elf


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 5.3


    -END: 4.9


    -AGI: 5.4


    -DEX: 5.2


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 5.2


    -CHA: 7


    -MAG: 22


    -Active Skill:


    +Wood Magic (Innate)


    -Description:


    Slender build, modest muscle tone and dexterity.


    No combat training or special abilities detected.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Jihoon continues to look at the displayed status panel which [Observant] given him. Because of how staggering his INT and MAG stat have become after investing all of his Attribute Points, someone like this receptionist easily has their information glanced.


    But when aimed at more exceptional individuals whose power transcended his own boundaries... then this Skill may only give disparate fragments about them. He can only hope that he doesn''t face those kinds of individual too early for his sake. Or that he need to improve [Observant] really quickly to overcome the greater gap that may occur.


    With the certification tucked in his belonging, now he needed to buy important personal belonging that Absence can provide cheaply for the utility it provide. Things that are way beyond what his world capable of producing for an affordable price as a Meastro.


    With that out of the way, Jihoon left Lengsel once again.


    Recalling of the previous day...


    Jihoon and Karim continue their discussion about how to access the Grand Mural fragments sealed behind the forbidden spaces of the respective major places in Absence. In before any of this discussion, Karim has planned for them to go to Calphenis to further spread Jihoon''s influence as a Meastro but now things have changed.


    "Calphenis being the coastal sea of the merfolks is also a place of constant festivity and unwind for many residents from all over of Absence. And whenever people arrive for tourism, contest and tournaments also take place to stir the ambient competitive spirit.". Karim said as he had made his own share of fortune in that place. As long as one remains prudence, one could make substantial profit from Calphenis''s market.


    Karim''s eyes however remained daunting because his next suggestion is probably the difficult part that he couldn''t even see himself or Jihoon capable of performing.


    "In just over a month''s time, Calphenis will host its largest event - the Odyssey. A grueling multi-stage competition held only once every few years. The winner is granted a single wish by the region governor which as you know is the royal family of the merfolks themselves."


    Jihoon raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "And you think we could leverage this Odyssey contest to gain access to one of the restricted Grand Mural sites?"


    "Precisely," Karim nodded. "The scope of the ''one wish'' award might be ambiguous but potentially unlimited. If you could triumph in the Odyssey''s challenges, you could request the governor to allow access into the Calphenis Grand Mausoleum, the current holding place of one of the fragments ."


    Karim proceeds to explain the Odyssey''s challenges toward him. About how it is a grueling test of wits and skills across multiple trials. And that the set of challenges is randomized by the organizers every time it is held. To Jihoon however, this isn''t any too different from the Olympic in his world but just because of familiarity doesn''t mean that he could enter just as he was.


    "That isn''t the only difficulty part of the Odyssey, isn''t it?". Jihoon asked knowing that he would probably regret if he really just wandered into such a thing blindly.


    "Indeed, that is the other merfolk competitors themselves. They are born with innate water magic running through their very beings. But more than that, the relentless pressures of the sea have rendered their physical capabilities deceptively immense. Even a slender mermaid could likely fold you into your own clothing with ease." Karim said with a grim expression.


    Recognizing the vast gap between his abilities and those of the natural-born merfolk. Jihoon knew that competing against such opponents would be akin to paddling upstream against a raging current.


    "Their mastery of underwater combat and almost precognitive reflexes in the water make them nearly untouchable in their element," Karim continued. "In past Odysseys, many overeager participants of different races were quickly overwhelmed and even hospitalized by the merfolk''s raw power. Of course as part of Odyssey''s safety protocol, killing is forbidden but you certainly would feel as if you prefer that option if you get on their bad side."


    Despite Karim''s warning, Jihoon knew that if this is the necessary step toward unveiling the primordial secret belies Absence''s foundational history then he would better prepare to give it his all. No need to speak of how roused his determination at all, he would have to take this path either way.


    "Tell me what I need to do to stand a chance against them," Jihoon stated firmly. "I''ll endure any training regimen, learn whatever techniques are required. Failure is not an option here."


    A faint smile played across Karim''s weathered feature. "That''s the fiery spirit I was hoping to see. Very well, we begin your odyssey of preparation immediately..."


    Back to present...


    Jihoon now approaching one of the largest artisan district in Avanthal. Here, he intends to purchase himself some equipment and accessories to help with his own daily life and training. The most important thing he is looking for first, is a spatial storage.


    Big Band''s piano-sized case of instruments confirmed their existence and he recognized their utility as he knew that the weight that he carried on him right now will only become more insurmountable as this journey goes on. This will without doubt solve a lot of his practical problem when he started to carry an arsenal worth of everything in the future.


    Normally, when such a thing is introduced, it is instantly just an alleviation for the main characters or handwave of convenience. But Jihoon felt that even if he gets any of such item, their price will be exorbitant if he tried to purchase it normally. And who knows what is with all the hidden safety protocol required with such a thing.


    And that such a thing wouldn''t be sold in some random artisan stall even if he wished it to be. Unlike those main characters who conveniently have powerful stuff sold to them cheaply with convenience here, if he asked some random stall for such a thing, they would instantly be angry at him with how blind he is to them.


    So... the only place that is likely to sell such a thing after all, is this massive building spire that is the storefront that Karim himself refer Jihoon to. The place where any order keeper from all over of Absence comes for equipment and similar. After all, peace can''t be upheld with just empty promise with how diverse Absence''s populace are.


    The Dwarven Forge Emporium, the largest conglomerate of Dwarven artisans that consist of numerous industries that they partook in. Infrastructure construction, magitech engineering, weapon production, they are virtually everywhere across all of Absence and there''s no boundary to the place that they belong. And if he want his spatial storage then this is the only place he could get one such thing and nowhere else.


    As he made his approach toward the towering dwarven building, Jihoon recalled snippets from the Avanthal Central Cultural Museum about the dwarven race''s nature. The best analogy, he mused, was if the concept of "tsundere" embodied an entire species. Who could have guessed that blacksmithing and tsundere go hand in hand together.


    The dwarves were an insular, stalwart folk who valued loyalty and craftsmanship above all else. A bit too much pride in everything they do if it weren''t for them doing a damn good job at it already.


    Dwarves treated any they deemed friends or allies with immense favor, honor and loyalty. But those who crossed or slighted them faced brutal prejudice and retribution. The dwarven "Book of Grudges" wasn''t just some comical quirk that existed. It chronicled every perceived slight against their race in exacting detail over millennia. Any transgression, real or perceived, was forever accounted for in respect to their honor-bound ways.


    Although the dwarves nowadays are a bit more willingly to tolerate you some room for doubt or mistake as long as you own up to it. Especially on first interaction, Jihoon sighed knowing that reading about them versus actually interacting with them is another different matter entirely. With the massive adamantium door of the Emporium in front, he made his first step into what he may as well consider as a very difficult test of courtesy.


    "Welcome to Dwarven Forge Emporium, how may I help you customer". The dwarven receptionist said to him. Jihoon didn''t particularly expected to see a dwarf working with paper instead of steel. Dressed sharply as an impeccable clerk instead of the sooty apron of a blacksmith.


    There''s also something that he actually need to touch upon, that he actually changed into a classy suit as Karim suggested him to dress for the impression and occasion that befit of a Maestro of Absence. First impression always have a substantial weight on a dwarf''s opinion of you. Even if they don''t speak about it, they would give you some benefit of doubt just for doing so.


    And to make sure that isn''t some hidden master or almighty janitor sitting behind that table, Jihoon used his [Observant]. Not that it would change his respectful tone he has taken on regardless of the outcome.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Dwarven Receptionist


    Name: Kilrac Stonevault


    Level: 25


    Class: None


    Job: Clerk


    Race: Dwarf


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 7.3


    -END: 6.9


    -AGI: 6.4


    -DEX: 6.2


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 5


    -CHA: 3


    -MAG: 16


    -Active Skill:


    +Earth Magic (Initiate)


    +Fire Magic (Initiate)


    -Description:


    Strong muscular build, no actual combat experience.


    Have utilized innate magic ability to some degree.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    With a sigh of relief that he didn''t just act discourteous to what could have been the CEO of the Emporium. Jihoon remained as calm as he could like always.


    "Greeting, my name is Jihoon Hyunwoon and I''m the Maestro on the rise. As I heard that musicians and academics alike utilize spatial storage to contain their numerous instruments and supplies, I would like one that is the size of an armband and within the budget cost of a Meastro". Jihoon said as he maintain a courteous smile like always.


    The deskwork dwarf looked at him before looking back at the desktop computer or Absence''s equivalent of it. Then before speaking of his destination of where he should be heading.


    "To the 36th floor, west wing of the Emporium. You would find the Spatial Storage shop aisle where there will be assistants in perusing the wares. So that you know how to pick one that is suitable for your needs and finances". The receptionist dwarf said to Jihoon as he then prepares to depart toward the hub elevator.


    Jihoon nodded respectfully. "I appreciate your guidance, master dwarf. I shall look forward to acquiring an impeccable dwarven work to aid my own modest artistic endeavors."


    It really felt like he just passively become British for all the courtesy jargon he just spoken. He hopes that he doesn''t have to stay here long or all of this may become permanent.


    As Jihoon departed towards the hub elevators, he remarked to himself that aside from the decidedly dwarven aesthetics and dense construction, this Emporium building would be quite similar to any large mall or shopping center in his former world. Thick adamantium pillars and intricate stonework decorated the halls, blending functionality with dwarven cultural design.


    Once Jihoon had moved out of earshot from the reception area, the desk dwarf picked up a comm-line and made a quick report.


    "This is Kilrak at the eastern entrance. A human Maestro musician has just arrived seeking spatial storage in the west wing. Notify the overseers he''ll be heading their way shortly."


    The stoic dwarf then returned to his administrative duties, his people''s fabled memory ensuring Jihoon''s arrival would be duly documented and processed through the great dwarven bureaucracy. Yet, it wasn''t all that it may seem.


    "And... report to the CEO about the arrived Maestro too. We had someone who could potentially resolve our current predicament".


    Jihoon remained oblivious to the commotion his visit had set in motion as the elevator carried him up towards the spatial storage floors. He could only hope that by upholding the dwarves'' standards of honor and respect, he may acquire the crucial equipment needed for his forthcoming odyssey.


    Despite how this Emporium supposedly only deal with hardware equipment, there are still a lot of customers around here which likely speak for their vast selection of quality items. As Jihoon took his elevator ride, he looked at the vast expanse of stores with their dwarven staff selling numerous things. If he didn''t already have its own selection planned out, he could probably have wasted a lot of time and money splurging on non-essential.


    "Alright, floor 36th, keep calm and everything will be alright". Jihoon thought to himself as he felt the atmosphere tense despite the Emporium designed to be as comfortable as possible to the people inside.


    Much like any massive shopping mall, it''s always his own step that he must make toward. Then with the designated shop in front of him, Jihoon made his step inside.


    A warmly-lit showroom area tended by a team of female dwarven clerks. He noted their distinct appearance from the male dwarves he had seen before. These clerks looked like average human women, aside from being shorter in stature much like the male dwarves and a bit more... chubby? Not exactly fat but squishable kind that baby usually has. Now that he think about it, there really never was an universally-agreed description of what female dwarf should be like.


    Now that he has INT 10, he recalled a useless trivia. That apparently, dwarves are conceptualized as earth spirits in the much same vein that elves usually are forest spirit. And following that logic, it seems that their appearances are meant to reflect the spiritual harmony of their origin. Talking about female dwarves, the Tolkien version makes both male and female appeared the same, including the beard.


    How does he come across such a knowledge? Just basic overall research just to get the idea going back when he was still at Arisen Studio. Even the atmosphere required the correct music to accompany and putting a heart-pumping rock music over a peaceful farming town might be funny initially at first but even that is bound to get old soon.


    "Greeting, dear honored customer." One of the clerks called out to him. " Welcome to our store, how do you want us to be assistance to you today?".


    "A good day to you, dear honored dwarves. I would like a spatial storage the size of a bracelet for ease of use, for the newly on the rise Maestro that I am" Jihoon made his explanation clear and concise.


    Although they have already received the message from the receptionist that a Maestro will be coming for their shop for purchase, it is surprising for them to see a Maestro this young after all. There''s no better hallmark of a genius showing in front of them than a young blood holding considerable position with their own efforts.


    Exchanging each other with the intrigued look on their face, their eyes briefly widened at his introduction as the Maestro. With immediate haste and coordination, the dwarven clerks immediately retrieve samples contained in ornate boxes for use in the showroom display. Having surpassed the first hurdle, Jihoon felt that his business here will be finished here soon.


    Little did he know that his stay will be longer than expected.


    As he goes through numerous spatial storage accessories that the dwarven clerks brought out for him to peruse and test. He comes to figure out one thing.


    The dwarves are unquestionably prideful, there''s no need to say further about it. But the length they go to perform and conduct themselves are unquestionably commendable regardless of profession. In short, regardless of what they do, they put their efforts in all the way and never half-heart anything they do. The same goes for the items that he is shown for he somehow can tell the quality and effort that goes in without understanding any of it.


    With all honesty, he would have just chosen the first item that he is given if it weren''t for their hospitality that made it felt back to decline anything. Or that he is just falling to their charm and ploy.


    Then, within the corner of his vision, Jihoon noticed another female dwarf at the shop''s entrance looking at him before entering the shop in earnest. All the clerks nearby immediately stopped whatever they were doing and courteously greeted said female dwarf.


    Said dwarf dressed sharply in typical office dress with rose-tinted blond hair tied into long side twintails. Her eyebrows are thick and worn with a typical disapproval frown of a tsundere. But everything held onto her figure so tightly that it shows the curve of her body. To make it short and without overstepping into forbidden territory, she is an extreme example of what a shortstack''s appearance can be with how exaggerated her bust and thigh size is to her height. Without stepping into uncanny valley even somehow.


    If Jihoon''s mind didn''t already have Alvorna taking the center stage, this dwarf''s charm probably capitulated him already. Regathering his bearing again, Jihoon focused his thought toward what should be done. While the other clerks asked her respectfully why someone like her is here. Jihoon used his [Observant] to scan the sharply-dressed dwarf. To his surprise however...


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Dwarven CEO (Princess)


    Name: Rosa Magni


    Level: 88


    Class: Royalty


    Job: Administration


    Race: Dwarf


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: ??


    -END: ??


    -AGI: ??


    -DEX: ??


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 9


    -CHA: 11


    -MAG: ??


    -Active Skill:


    +Earth Magic (Advanced)


    +Fire Magic (Expert)


    +Business Acumen (Expert)


    -Description:


    A powerful dwarven authority figure. Exact capabilities unknown


    but clearly formidable based on level alone.


    Exudes an aura of regal presence and pride befitting dwarven royalty.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    He wanted to scream but his mouth remain shut by force of his will. Jihoon immediately realized of just how this person is a dwarven princess with utmost standing in her clan''s hierarchy. Her overwhelming difference in power could easily crush him like an insect should he acted remotely disrespectful toward her.


    The clerks seemed to realize the same, immediately clearing a respectful path as the CEO approached Jihoon directly. In a refined, melodious tone completely contrary to her fierce visage however, she addressed him.


    "Greetings, human Maestro. I am Princess Rosa Magni, leader of this humble dwarven clan''s Emporium operations. Might I request a personal favor from one of your esteemed musical talents, separate from your stated business here today?"


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Test of Endurance


    Difficulty: C+


    At the request of Rosa Magni, your musical prowess


    will be tested again at the judgment of the dwarf.


    Stay strong and keep preserving, then great bounty


    will be what you receive.


    Objective:


    -Fulfill the request of the dwarven princess. (Will be revealed once elaborated)


    Reward:


    -3,000 EXP


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Jihoon''s eyes widened, realizing this is about to go far more than just a routine sales transaction. While part of him balked at delaying acquiring his needed spatial storage and many other necessities, he could ill afford to insult dwarven royalty either. Thinking quickly in the heat of moment, he requested.


    "A moment''s reprieve if you would, your highness. I must make some preparations before I could adequately attend to your request."


    Jihoon immediately leave the shop and head toward the closest restroom on this floor. With some degree of privacy acquired in one of the stalls, he knew that this is the time to make use of his [Doppelganger] and the 1 Skill Rank Up that is also part of the quest reward before.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Doppelganger


    Classification: Illusion Magic


    Rank: Advanced


    Effect:


    -Create a temporary clone that has no stats but can interact


    with mundane objects with equal proficiency as the user.


    No duration limitation. Cooldown: 6 hours.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    If there''s any regret in his life, it would be all the what-ifs and all that about how he never had the chance to do what required of him. No matter how powerful he might be, Jihoon is ultimately just one man against the world around him. He could never be anywhere all at once or multiple places.


    And the second greatest nemesis that he has toward, is time. After Jin''s death, Jihoon developed an awful fixation with time itself, the crushing reality that he had failed to bring his friend to redemption because he simply lacked the ability to be there when needed most or the strength to assert his conviction. Time was a limited resource that he could only keep losing.


    And so he come to one conclusion, the only valid way left to increase his own utility is to upgrade his [Doppelganger] skill to its next rank. A more capable clone is without a doubt something that can stand in for him in difficult situations. Enabling a far more effective usage of time and extend the range of tasks and objectives that Jihoon could effectively manage in parallel. It was his best chance at circumventing the shackles of singular existence which the little goddess has her foresight to give it to him for free.


    He remembered of how the dwarven princess is waiting patiently outside the restroom which tells of the likely urgency of the task or her being odds, both with equal likelihood but it is clear that his stay is running out here either way.


    With haste and focus, Jihoon commanded the System to use the Skill Rank Up on [Doppelganger], its magic takes place and soon his skill improved without the need of experience or skill. This also given him an insight of how [Doppelganger]''s next rank worked.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Doppelganger


    Classification: Illusion Magic


    Rank: Expert


    Effect:


    -Create a temporary clone that share base stats of the user,


    can interact with mundane objects with equal proficiency as the user.


    Can''t utilize Skills. Stats can''t be enhanced by external effects.


    No duration limitation. Cooldown: 6 hours.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    And so as his [Doppelganger] become capable of substantive duplicate, Jihoon considered how to best utilize it here. Part of him wanted to be secretive about the skill with the dwarven princess. Though her keen dwarven senses would likely see through any attempt at deception that he may try.


    Jihoon felt it prudent to keep such an ability under wraps for now, at least until he better understood the situation at hand. Dwarves prized honesty, but his pragmatism had the final say. The clone could prove to be a vital asset depending on this royal summon''s nature.


    And so, he instructed the clone about what it needed to do in his stead. Purchasing all the necessities required that maybe of use for the Odyssey. that''s his imparted command.


    Emerging from the restroom, Jihoon addressed the waiting dwarven royal again who awaited him at the entrance. The willingness to go that far is honestly unbelievable at the moment. "Your highness, my apologies for the delay. I am prepared now to render whatever service you require of my musical talents. Please, elaborate your request further."


    Ultimately, Jihoon decided to keep his [Doppelganger] a secret, the newly created clone will continue his browsing in his stead while he handled the princess''s request directly once both of them leave the premise.


    "Follow me then, I''ll explain it to you in due time". The dwarven CEO said as Jihoon can only let out a breath of resignation. He couldn''t even decline if he tried.


    And so the two left the place, and only when the CEO absolutely can''t detect the Doppelganger did it emerge from the restroom. The doppelganger looked exactly like him and only complete stoicism displayed on its expression. Much like what Jihoon has analyzed of it during his time using it, there are few things that isn''t listed on its description about what the clone is capable of.


    It has perfect judgment and decision-making capability. It could not be charmed or swayed from its assigned task. And if it weren''t for the originally lack of stats, the combination of unerring decision-making and inherited proficiency would have make his clone the superior version of himself seeing how it wields his halberd far better than he could back then.


    The clone then returned to the spatial storage showroom, assessing the numerous accessories presented with an eerily cold pragmatism. Unrestrained by mortal indecision or emotional bias, it calculated the most optimal choice for Jihoon''s stated needs and budget with machine-like precision. With cold expression that embitter, the dwarven clerks can''t help but notice the distinct change compared to the real him.


    Settling on a deceptively simple-looking silvery bracelet, the Doppelganger approached the dwarven clerk. "This one will suffice. Provide the details and payment process for its acquisition."


    The clerks seemed taken aback by the clone''s curt, no-nonsense demeanor compared to the real Jihoon''s polite affability earlier. An air of mystique seemed to surround this Doppelganger with distinct aura of an untouchable.


    Nevertheless, they proceeded professionally with the sale, partly unsettled but also intrigued by this transformation. As the transaction finalized, the Doppelganger turned and strode off to continue fulfilling its prime directive - securing all needed equipment for Jihoon''s upcoming Odyssey.


    Back to Jihoon, who is now sharing his space in the elevator with the aforementioned dwarven CEO. The air felt oppressively and her alluring appearance did little to suppress the dread of the capability of terrible things she can inflict upon him. The female dwarf taking out what seems like a keycard in her card-stacked wallet and scan it upon the elevator''s staff-only scanner. Before he could tell what it is supposed to do, the elevator started to move further down into the ground with the floor number indicator going into negative.


    Turns out, this entire Emporium is no different from an iceberg in terms of what is seen and actuality. By the negative hundreds of floors that he descended into the ground, the elevator door opened revealed a rather classically decorated hallway that is leading somewhere. All of it seem similar to many old dwarven keeps Jihoon had seen in numerous commissioned concept arts shown to him in the past.


    As they proceeded down the torchlit corridor, the dwarven princess finally elaborated on the nature of her request.


    "The client you''ll be serving is essentially my father, the former clan patriarch before I ascended to his seat of power some years ago."


    Jihoon''s eyes widened slightly at being commissioned for such a personal familial matter, and the princess continued. "While most of our clan''s dwarves put their focus on magical engineering and modernized war machinery, my father remained an old-fashioned weapon smith dedicated solely to his forging craft after retiring from business affairs I inherited."


    Her expression turned somewhat somber. "However, recently he has struggled to ignite the spark of creativity within him again. We''ve had many musicians try to stir his spirit and passion through performance, but none have succeeded thus far. You are simply the latest in that long line of attempts."


    The dwarven royal locked eyes with Jihoon. "I will not mince words here, I cannot guarantee your efforts will fare better than those before you. But I ask that you simply give your most sincere attempt regardless of the outcome. You will be forgiven even if you fail where others have."


    Jihoon absorbed the candid request, recognizing the content of what she asked of him. Drawing a steadying breath, he gave the princess a solemn nod.


    "I understand the gravity of this endeavor, your highness. You have my vow that I shall pour every ounce of my artistic spirit into reigniting the forge within your father''s soul, regardless of whether I ultimately succeed or fail in the attempt. My music will at least ensure he receives my utmost recognition for his legendary skills."


    Jihoon has never known about this man, so that is a plain lie that he just said. But again, the princess made no attempt to discern his lie.


    The dwarven princess seemed to approve of Jihoon''s response, continuing to lead him onwards through the underground complex, each stride bringing him closer to yet another test his musical talents would face.


    As Jihoon made further toward, he started to take in the details around them. Since her father built this keep of his in his own way, this whole place must be a reflection of his personality. A sort of sad and peaceful atmosphere that the corridor exude which if his experience as a video game composer had anything to say.


    A seclusion retreat, that''s what he derived the purpose of this place from the atmosphere alone. The longing of the peaceful days that have bygone into the past. The sort of dampness and chill linger in the air which is the natural result of being hundreds of floor down into the ground yet felt as a deliberate aesthetic decision nonetheless.


    If this is really the old dwarf''s personal sanctuary then Jihoon probably felt the need to further divulge the backstory between the two.


    "Your highness, if I may ask - what was your clan like before having such immense stakes in Absence''s business world? This refuge has an almost..." He searched for the right phrasing. "An elegantly melancholic ambiance that speaks of something greater in the past."


    The dwarven princess''s expression softened slightly at the inquiry. "You did perceive much, Maestro. Our clan specifically originated from a remote mining town far to the north of Absence called Mainz. We eked out a humble but fulfilling existence there for generations until the resource veins finally ran dry."


    She waved a hand at their surroundings. "This grand complex was commissioned by my father himself as a lasting monument after Mainz was officially shuttered and abandoned when I was just a adolescent. It was the culmination of centuries of dwarven heritage, a final love letter to the simple but proud lifestyles we had to forsake."


    Her eyes turned somber. "He was the last custodian of the Mainz''s mines and the mining town before making the crucial decision to transition us into a new era. To leverage our renowned artisan skills into building this mercantile empire you see today. But I can only imagine the wistful longing for those nostalgic days he must still harbor."


    Jihoon nodded slowly in understanding. No wonder so many conventional musicians had failed to rekindle this dwarven patriarch''s passion. They lacked the deeper context of his clan''s histories and traditions. The old dwarf''s melancholy likely stemmed from sacrificing his life''s purpose for the greater good of his people.


    "I can see why a thoughtless performance would fail to yield any result from him. His creativity likely stem from the resonance with his ancestral legacy which he couldn''t maintain the same familiarity with the surrounding of his seclusion place anymore". Jihoon made his hypothesis upon the old man''s situation. Something that has no substance until substantive evidence arrive.


    This would make the old man''s problem isn''t that his creativity has been dwindling, it is that he is slowly losing his connection with his ancestral legacy and noticing it and let that cloud everything else in his mental faculty. The keep designed in remembrance of Mainz is no longer enough, he needed something more spiritual connecting that a recreation of a location simply can''t convey.


    Something that always carry the spirit of something more resound than anything else, the music itself.


    Jihoon had an idea and now with his remembering of music theory become clearer with INT 10, he had his confidence in his own capability of making a composition that met the requirement.


    "Your highness," Jihoon began explaining his thoughts to the princess, "I believe the crux of your father''s distraught lies not in any lack of skill or creativity, but a fading grasp on the ancestral soul that once fueled his passions so vibrantly."


    He gestured around the lavishly constructed but ultimately hollow replica of Mainz''s sanctuary they traversed. "As wondrous as this sanctuary is, it constitutes only the physical husk of your people''s proud heritage. What he yearns for is the spiritual essence that once animated your clan so vividly."


    The dwarven princess considered Jihoon''s words carefully before giving a slow, approving nod. "Your perspective rings true, Maestro. An artistic reminder of idle heritage alone has proven insufficient... but perhaps the living heartbeat of our people''s spirit given fresh expression may indeed reawaken him."


    Before they realized it, their philosophical discussion had led them to the entrance of the old dwarf''s forging abode. A simple yet pragmatic blacksmith''s workshop befitting his down-to-earth roots. As they entered, they found the dwarven patriarch hunched over an anvil, mechanically and incessantly hammering a piece of metal seemingly without any actual purpose.


    It was as if the constant rhythmic clang of hammer on steel was the only tether still anchoring him to any sense of identity, preventing him from drifting away into the gnawing emptiness of a purposeless existence stemming from his ancestral legacy. The old dwarf''s eyes were unfocused, his movements remain robotic. As if a mere husk of his former self.


    The dwarven princess''s face tightened with worry and sorrow at the sight, but she seemed to renew her resolve upon seeing Jihoon''s calm, focused determination.


    With a nod to the human musician, she gave him the right to approach her father who is in a forlorn state. Jihoon made his approach with the acoustic guitar drawn. Something that would be in-tune with the atmosphere they''re in.


    "B flat minor... Something for the secluded atmosphere. Yes... this fit...". Jihoon muttered beneath his lips as he started to make himself comfortable before strumming the acoustic guitar. With a deep breath and a sigh, Jihoon begins in earnest.


    da d¨¢ d?... d¨¤ da d?... da d¨¤ da d¨¢ da.


    d¨¤ da d?... d¨¤ da d?... d¨¢~ d¨¤ da...


    d¨¤ da d?... d¨¤ da d?... d¨¤ da d¨¢ d¨¢ da...


    da d¨¤ d¨¤ d¨¢ da d? da d? d¨¤ d¨¢ da... d¨¤...


    Jihoon can''t exactly think the exact note as a composer for a song he made on the fly so a melodic progression is the next best thing he can do.


    With the wistful melody taking shape and played by the solo guitar. With time signature of rough 4/4 and due to its deliberate simplistic design, its conveyed feeling sounded very basic yet completed the way that adding more would only oversaturate the melody structure.


    Hasting the speed a bit more, Jihoon refrain the previous melody structure again, putting emphasis on the motif of the song. As the refrained melody played, Jihoon simply followed along with the previous structure. And with the straightforward nature that it has, even the most amateur could appreciate the melody''s essence completely. Sometime, a grand orchestra isn''t what needed but a simple but easily memorized melody to do the trick.


    After all, remembrance isn''t meant to be long or lasting, for people are living in the present, not the past. That''s a lesson that Jihoon has come to terms for himself when he tried to reclaim his past aspiration before his audition that would lead him to receive his Maestro title.


    It is a perfectly acceptable thing to reminiscence now and then, a sort of overview of how far one has gone from one''s own past. But people like the old dwarf made the mistake of trying to remain in it without thinking about the present they have reached toward.


    As the wistful notes filled the forge of this deep underground keep, the old dwarven patriarch slowly raised his head and focus from the anvil, the robotic hammer strikes ceasing as his melody made its approach toward his inner depth.


    His unfocused eyes seemed to regain a glimmer of awareness as Jihoon''s melancholic strain resonated within him. Though the song was nowhere near its midpoint, Jihoon had already accomplished more than many previous attempts of others. He had indeed stirred something fundamental within the old dwarf''s soul.


    The dwarven princess watched with a mixture of surprise and tentative hope, realizing her instincts about this human Maestro may have been correct. Where bombastic performances failed, Jihoon''s understated, emotionally resonant melody was apparently the key to resolve this inner crisis that has plagued him all this time.


    However, Jihoon recognized the core problem of the old dwarf lies. It isn''t the fact that he is losing connection with his ancestral past, it is that he tried too hard to remain in that past that it blinded him of his future. That''s what Jihoon discerned after seeing the old dwarf for himself and it resembled him during his mad pursuit of his own past.


    He is only one person and he couldn''t keep babysitting this old man in his delusion when he is on a time limit before Alvorna''s fateful ascend to her role.


    Because of it, Jihoon decided what this old man need isn''t just a memento his past legacy, it is a wake-up call for him to stop dwelling in his past at the expense of everything else that mattered to him. That obsession is an exponentially incurred debt that will take one blindsided if not resolved and no one could see it coming even if the evidence present itself.


    So... it is up to him to make the old dwarf realize it through this straightforward melody itself. Once the refrain ended, Jihoon created a verse to bridge the song going.


    da d¨¤ d¨¤ d¨¢ d?... d¨¤-d¨¤ d¨¢ d? da...


    d¨¤ da... d¨¢ da d¨¤ da~ d¨¢...


    da d¨¤ d¨¤ da d? d¨¢... d¨¤-d¨¢ da d¨¤...


    da d¨¤ da d¨¢ d¨¤ d¨¢ d? da...


    Humming mentally while playing out the chord progression that Jihoon made upon using the same initial motif before. The feeling of relaxation supposedly evoke from its chord progression but it is so simple that Jihoon couldn''t mince any more word out of it if he tried with his limited mental vocabulary and any more technical jargon would be lost upon the invisible audiences either way.


    Once the bridge is completed, Jihoon proceed to reprise on the introduction melody again. The fact that he technically performed a crescendo on an acoustic isn''t lost on him either. With a deliberate key change from B flat minor into B flat major, the original wistful melody took on a quaint optimism that is contrary to the original feeling that it conveyed.


    da d¨¢ d?... d¨¤ da d?... da d¨¤ da d¨¢ da.


    d¨¤ da d?... d¨¤ da d?... d¨¢~ d¨¤ da...


    d¨¤ da d?... d¨¤ da d?... d¨¤ da d¨¢ d¨¢ da...


    da d¨¤ d¨¤ d¨¢ da d? da d? d¨¤ d¨¢-da... d¨¢...


    The chorus ended on a high note compared to the original introduction, a sort of acceptance and ending of a reminiscence. Jihoon then repeated the original intro, ostensibly to mark the song''s cyclical loop, before slowly trailing off into silence.


    As the final notes faded... Jihoon has doubt in his heart whether or not it did anything to awake this old dwarf''s from his stupor. But to his surprise when he sees him directly, the old dwarf was trying to maintain his stoic expression on his face but seemingly on the verge of just crying ugly in front of both of them.


    "Ah... It seems that I truly had return back there... To that mining town in distant height... The ancestral place where we once lived in". The old dwarf said as he let go of his own hammer. An act in which she has never saw him doing so with each prior visit ever since he entered seclusion in this little retreat of his.


    "I can vividly recall the crisp mountain air, the sounds of our miners'' picks chipping away at the rock faces..." His voice took on a wistful quality. "We eked out a humble existence there for generations upon generations. Our lives were tough, but imbued with profound pride and purpose."


    Yet seeing their current state, such a live of theirs likely no longer possible. Jihoon remained silent as he tentatively listen to the old dwarf''s recount. The old dwarf''s expression seemingly excruciated as if he is retouching on his old wound but his stoicism withstood as he stood up and seemingly try to find something amidst the cluttered desk.


    Then... an old brass harmonica find its place in the old dwarf''s calloused hand. The dwarven princess then started to recognize it as if it was something long lost that she has forgotten.


    "Father? Is this?..." The dwarven princess said as she started to remembered what seems like something so important yet somehow escaped her grasp.


    Without any further saying, she immediately started to take the harmonica and the impulse to play the instrument seemingly overtake any precedent of her thought. Then, remembering of Jihoon''s composition before, she started her breathe her own life into it, as its own take of the same melancholic melody that Jihoon built,


    The same B flat minor like before but its speed much slower by comparison, seemingly emphasizing each note to accentuate the somber atmosphere of the key signature. Unlike the guitar however, Jihoon couldn''t tell the note exactly if he even wished to.


    "As you can see, the problem reared its ugly head during my father''s generation... When we started to notice the decline in our mine output''s which at first merely considered as a temporary downturn. But when it goes on for months and then years, and as our motherlodes slowly exhaust and decline while we unable to find anything new within our mine''s depth, we realized what was about to come." The dwarven patriarch explained, as his tone harrowed at what seems like only a prelude toward the darkest turn that this town started to go through.


    Seeing Jihoon''s expression remain somber as the dwarven princess still plays the harmonica to accompany the atmosphere.


    "I see that she hasn''t speak of her name to you. Her name is Rosa Magni, and as you can see, she was only an adolescent when Mainz closed its gate forever. Her name took inspiration from rose gold which is an alloy of copper and gold. Untarnished, lasting and prized much like she is...". The old dwarf made his comment, Rosa meanwhile doesn''t seem mind of him telling of her name. Not that Jihoon already know by using [Observant] to read her status without her awareness.


    "Let us continue this talk, shall we? As you know, the Mainz mountain mine was built upon by generations and generations of hardworking dwarven miners. The idea that our ancestral place is losing its worth and in decline was an unthinkable to many old-timers like us. But time was slowly forcing us to confront with that truth and... a lot of us didn''t handle it very well".


    Rosa''s harmonica refrained the slow somber melody once more. Settling in the familiarity of the song that she is performing by heart. Conveying the sorrow that permeate with the cavernous ambiance of her ancestral birthplace, seemingly setting the stage for the tragedy that is about to take place.


    The old dwarf closed his eyes, pained memories resurfacing. "My own father was one of the most vehement dissenters when I first proposed that our clan must evolve, transcend our insular mining existence before it consumed us all. As you can tell that our last interaction with one another was never resolved properly as he eventually breathed his last within the mine''s depth, desperately tried to find new vein."


    He clenched a fist, Rosa''s harmonica whining in tandem with the rising tension. "I remembered him saying of how I was only an upstart pup who doesn''t understand the way of the world. ''If only you were less stubborn then you would have realized just how shortsighted you were''. But you just have to left this world self-vindicated about its eternal worth, isn''t it?".


    The dwarf''s voice strained with lingering hurt and regret over their irreparable rift. As Rosa continued playing the lament, he recounted how the widening gap between the old-timers and new blood erupted as the mines'' exhaustion became undeniable and their traditional lifestyle grew untenable.


    If all of it was a spontaneous event then perhaps there wouldn''t have been disagreement but the townsfolk keep arguing with one another while their livelihood slowly going down the drain even if it is within their notice because only when it is right in front of their doorstep would they care but it would be too late by then.


    "I had naturally received custodianship of the mines after my father''s passing," he said heavily. "The decision of how to proceed ultimately fell to me. To somehow satisfy both the stubborn veterans blinded by nostalgia and the progressives who realized our very survival hinged on evolution."


    "Their increasingly dwindling livelihood pushed a lot of the young blood to leave the town for a better chance at life but how many of them actually succeed wasn''t promising either without the experienced''s guidance. A dwarven clan existed for a reason and its divide is ruining any chance for its folks to escape the tragedy. Without the old guard to teach the young or the young to pave the progress for the old, it was a dark future that we are encroaching toward." The old dwarf explained as the worst part of its history rear its ugly head.


    He shook his head slowly. "The mines'' decline was one immense, existential crisis...but my main motivation, my core drive to find a solution at all costs, stemmed from something far more precious."


    The old dwarf''s eyes flicked to his daughter, her harmonica''s reaching toward a climax as the profound tragedy instilled come alive by her breathe. As if the past come alive again, the tension and friction between two integral parts of the clan at odd as her breathed notes only ascend higher and higher until come to a downward winding. Then all fading into a pensive lull before the original melody''s refrain again.


    "You, my dear Rosa, had just been born when this all came to a head," he said, voice thickening with paternal emotion. "In you, I saw not just my child, but the entire future of our clan''s lineage itself. I could not, would not, let our ancestral ways die out and rob you of a legacy to carry on, no matter how it pained me."


    Jihoon understood then of how this wizened dwarf had sacrificed everything, including his very relationship with his dying father, all to secure a greater destiny for his daughter and people. No wonder the weight of wistful regret seemed to bear down on him so heavily. Reflected by the harmonica played by the heart of the past.


    "So I struggled," the dwarf continued gruffly. "I fought like a cornered badger, desperately seeking any possible way to pivot our clan''s expertise to prospering outside the dying mine system. Even as the old-timers hurled mutinous insults and roadblocks at every turn..."


    But time was eventually on his side and the old guards can no longer deny the reality that is setting in. When the mine of Mainz can barely pay the upkeep that its people relying on it. Only then did they truly tried to settle the differences of tradition and progression.


    And prideful as any dwarf they are, they kept to their words. A lot of time, this kind of story would have ended as tragedy for all sides involved if it weren''t for the dwarf''s honorbound lifestyle that often is more of a hurdle than a crutch.


    Through that, the old dwarf soon used every of the expertise that his clan has to navigate the wider world beyond his mine. Seeking any handicraft or labor-based professions that the dwarves could easily adapt, there was no concrete plan in his mind and yet by all miracle and fortitude, what should have been only a makeshift maneuver become their salvation.


    The old dwarf diversified their foothold into nearly every industry imaginable - construction, infrastructure, metallurgy, engineering. Bit by bit, job by job, they unintentionally established an unshakable foundation across Absence''s working world, unwittingly metamorphosing into a mercantile juggernaut. Because of how quality their work is, a preference was developed.


    "We became a mobile migrant workforce at first," the dwarf recalled, a melancholic smile playing across his weathered features. "Constantly relocating from site to site, contract to contract, our people plying whatever skills were needed to ensure our clan''s survival."


    "And before they realized it, other scattered dwarves across Absence began converging towards them as well - exiles, wanderers, vagrants who saw this mobile clan as the new center of the dwarven foothold, a place where any dwarf could find their aspiration."


    The old dwarf nodded solemnly. "Aye, soon enough we became the unspoken declared royalty that many other secluded dwarven mining clans paid respect to, often larger than us before our exodus. For we had dared venture beyond the confines of the mines into the wider world when our own closed its gates first."


    The dwarf shook his head in amazed recollection. All of this, their entire mercantile empire that now spanned Absence has stemmed from those first desperate steps to survive beyond the depleted mines. A mere fraction of their history, yet so pivotal that everything preceding it seemed rendered insignificant by comparison.


    "Once our foothold was truly secured, I was able to pass the clan''s leadership to Rosa and step back," he said, pride edging his voice as he regarded his daughter. "Though I must admit, there were times I found myself yearning to return to this place..."


    He swept his gaze around the humble forging abode, the authentic recreation of their Mainz roots that Rosa had so thoughtfully commissioned for him. Jihoon couldn''t help but inquire what compelled this industry titan to revisit so humble an origin after achieving such meteoric heights.


    The old dwarf''s eyes crinkled. "A personal reason, but not one too grand or profound, I''m afraid. You see..." He stroked the anvil''s charred surface almost reverently. "This forge was my first workstation as a newly apprenticed smith under my own father''s tutelage. No matter how far I''ve traveled or what dizzying heights I''ve reached, a part of my spirit never truly left the flame-wreathed steel of it."


    He let the silence linger, letting Jihoon soak in the resonant power of something so simplistic yet grounding even the most accomplished of dwarves. The old patriarch''s calloused fingers continued tracing the soot-stained anvil as he spoke again, more to himself than his audience.


    "The familiar dinging of hammer on metal... the scorching kiss of molten steel being born anew into something greater... In my twilight years, I found myself instinctively returning to rediscover that primordial joy. Not out of wistful nostalgia, but from the soul-renewing remembrance of where my life''s purpose emerged from such humble roots..."


    A contemplative pause lingered before he returned his attention to Jihoon and Rosa. "That is why your song struck me so profoundly, Maestro. You did not merely recreate hollow mimicry of my past. Your music resonated with and awakened the ancestral essence that still abides within me, despite all I had to sacrifice to ensure our people transcended our origins."


    Understanding seemed to dawn in the old dwarf''s eyes as he regarded the human with a renew appreciation. "For that, you have my utmost gratitude..."


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Quest completed!


    Test of Endurance


    Difficulty: C+


    Through your heartfelt musical performance, you have


    reignited the dwarven patriarch''s connection to his ancestral spirit


    and pride as a smith.


    Though burdened by the sacrifices of the past,


    he can now embrace the present with reinvigorated spirit.


    Objective:


    -Awaken the old dwarf''s spirit. (Completed)


    Reward:


    -3,000 EXP


    -Mainz Dwarven Royalty - Relationship RANK UP! (Bonus)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    At first, Jihoon had assumed the "Test of Endurance" referred to persevering through some grueling physical or mental trial. But now he realized it spoke of enduring something far more nuanced. He had thought he is going to play whatever song for like hours on end while the old dwarf would forge something but this is a surprising turn of event more than anyone in his shoes could have thought.


    Though deeply burdened by the sacrifices and suffering endured to ensure his people''s evolution, the dwarven patriarch could now find solace in the cycle of his life''s journey coming full circle. What once birthed from that ancient forge could now be embraced anew, free of wistful attachments to the past.


    A sense of accomplishment bloomed within him that transcended mere experience points gained. His music had served a far greater purpose than what brute strength alone could have done. Actually, a lot of people couldn''t have handle this kind of matter as gracefully as he did if they tried with their fist.


    "You have given me an inexpressible gift, Maestro Jihoon. Thank you for helping rekindle the flames of purpose within this old dwarf''s soul..."


    Jihoon gave a respectful nod, although before he leave, he decided to just use his [Observant] on the old dwarf just in case.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Dwarven Patriarch (Retired)


    Name: Septium Magni


    Level: ???


    Class: Royalty


    Job: Blacksmith


    Race: Dwarf


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: ????


    -END: ???


    -AGI: ???


    -DEX: ???


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 7


    -CHA: 5


    -MAG: ????


    -Active Skill:


    +Earth Magic (Master)


    +Fire Magic (Grandmaster)


    +Blacksmith (Master)


    -Description:


    A dwarven patriarch possessing unfathomable mastery over the forge.


    His physical and magical capabilities are quite literally off the charts,


    the full extent of his power impossible to gauge by current prowess.


    Represents the absolute apex of dwarven prowess inherited


    over countless generations.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Suppressing a stifled internal scream that almost let out upon seeing the monstrous stat that the old dwarf has even compared to his daughter. Jihoon felt glad that he is a lot more easygoing compare to the traditional dwarves found in story. The fact that he has 4-digit of question marks for his strongest stats spoke just what may be the worst to happen to those at the receiving end of a dwarf''s hostility.


    With deft control, he donned an expression of polite curiosity.


    "If I may ask, what is your name, honored dwarf? It would be discourteous of me not to properly address one who has achieved such legendary position and making of his own."


    The aged dwarf seemed amused by Jihoon''s diplomatic phrasing. "Well spoken then, young musician. My name is Septium Magni, former clan patriarch before passing that mantle to my daughter Rosa. Glad to make acquaintance with an aspiring talent like you"


    He gave his hand toward Jihoon as a gesture for a handshake. Jihoon meanwhile afraid that the dwarf''s may crush his hand advertently with his overwhelming stat compared to his... But what can he do to deny a dwarf''s hospitality? With a sigh of resignation, he just accept the handshake and prepare for the inevitable hospital visit.


    Surprisingly... the dwarf''s hand was much tender than he thought. So much so that his previous thought of his given hand being turned into tenderized stake was dispel without a trace.


    "I can tell that you could gauge of my strength with just the eyes alone, young blood. A dwarf must know when to be forceful and delicate with their strength. But your talent at discerning isn''t that bad either". The old dwarf said as his interest in Jihoon seems to start take place in his mind.


    Guessed that the 3-digit DEX that he has wasn''t for show either... The fact that [Observant] being merciful enough to display the range that his target''s stats might fall into also count.


    "But still, I have my utmost gratitude for your effort in this undeserved request that she made. Let me see how can I repay you properly..." The old dwarf proceed to continue, but it seems that he met some difficulty in discerning what someone like Jihoon might need from them after all.


    "Father, if I may make a suggestion? We could grant Maestro Jihoon VIP status across all of our Emporium branches throughout Absence, along with all the privileges such a distinction entails." Rosa made her interjection, her business acumen show its capability.


    She turned to Jihoon to explain, "It''s an honor we bestow quite rarely upon exceptional individuals, giving you priority service, discounted rates, and access to our most exclusive wares whenever you visit our facilities."


    Not just superficial discounts and priority access, but other tangible perks would come with being an official Dwarven Emporium VIP. It was an magnanimous offer, one that spoke to the profound impact Jihoon''s performance had left upon the dwarven elders.


    "We would be honored to extend you such courtesies in gratitude for today''s endeavor, Maestro," Rosa stated formally. "Let this be but the first step in further fortifying relations between your musical talents and our dwarven artisanry."


    Septium seemed to approve of his daughter''s idea. "A most fitting arrangement certainly knowing your capability. Our peoples'' gifts can certainly complement and elevate each other to even greater heights through such reciprocal goodwill."


    The old dwarf regarded Jihoon with an appraising look. "The open road lies before you, young maestro. I sense this encounter was merely the overture preceding your own odyssey soon to unfold..."


    Jihoon simply return his smile to the old dwarf. After all, he simply plays his role as a musician.


    Moments later...


    Jihoon finally return back to the surface and the elevator made its resounding alert once the floor number go back toward the original that he descent from, floor 36. Now that he thought about it, he wonders just what his [Doppelganger] has purchased with his assigned directive. Although he needs to make sure that no one sees them together.


    Returning to the restroom that he used his [Doppelganger], its expression remained as stoic as ever but for some reason, Jihoon felt that this Doppelganger just caused him another different kind of trouble or ordeal by taking his order too well.


    "Directive completed," the Doppelganger of his stated flatly. "Proceed to checkout station 9 on the eastern pavilion."


    Nodding slowly, Jihoon dismissed the clone, its form dissolving into dispersing motes of pale light. He couldn''t shake the nagging sense of trepidation about what awaited him, even as he made his way toward the indicated station.


    Upon arrival, Jihoon''s jaw went slack at the sheer mountain of equipment, supplies and accessories spread across multiple checkout counters. Dwarven clerks were frantically scurrying about like ants, struggling to catalogue and total the gargantuan order his Doppelganger had apparently deemed "essential" for his needs.


    Jihoon''s eyes boggled at the sheer volume, ranging from entire racks of clothing to crates of non-perishable rations to cases upon cases of unfamiliar technological contraptions. At the peak of the sprawling pile, a sleek obsidian motorcycle even sat ensconced amongst the clutter. The poor clerk at one of the checkouts looked completely at utter wit''s end as she seemingly want to tear her own hair apart seeing the massive pile of items that she is forced to process.


    "Sir... Is this complete logistical nightmare what you intended to purchase? I''m so going to tear my own ''beard'' apart at this sight". She asked weakly upon noticing Jihoon''s approach.


    He could only let out a strangled noise of bewilderment, already feeling the phantom ache in his funds despite his new VIP discounts. The Doppelganger clearly had run wild with its directives, operating by an almost maliciously pragmatic definition of "essential" for the upcoming Odyssey without any emotional filters or nuances behind.


    But female dwarves have beard? But the clerk who said it has her facial completely clean unlike many other male dwarves. He wonders if that is just a phrase of saying or not but seeing the expression on her face tells that she is being literal about it.


    "Um...let me take a look at the itemized inventory first," Jihoon managed at last. "I may need to...streamline this purchase a tad."


    The dwarven clerk looked ready to weep with relief that at least some semblance of sanity would take over the transaction. Jihoon simply sighed, realizing he would need to go full accountant just to rein in the clone''s cold logic before his funds were utterly depleted. Still, he had to admit the forethought in acquiring components for that obsidian motorcycle piqued his interest...


    Seeing this massive pile of items that it brought with is what could clearly be perceived as overbudgeting even with a Maestro''s income has also make consideration of his success of the dwarven princess''s request. It is a strange feeling that your own Doppelganger place its faith in his capability that he can do it is weirdly motivating to say the least.

 Chapter 21: Dont be Defeated by a Friend

    [89 days left until Alvorna''s Rite of Ascension]


    Somewhere in a remote mountainside at Avanthal''s western outskirt. Their designated place of training for the Odyssey. Much to Jihoon''s surprise that there''s anything remotely resemble of untouched nature in such a massive metropolis whose expanse might really as well be a world of its own.


    Karim is here too, bearing a serious expression on his face. Entering the Odyssey isn''t any simple matter as one must have the qualification to join. If Jihoon can''t achieve it in the following 3 weeks, they may have to resort to the more... extreme solution. But then again, Karim has his faith in Jihoon that he can achieve it with ease before resorting to that terrible alternative.


    "The Odyssey is modeled after the merfolk''s most famous epic journey of legend passed down by their history.". Karim said as he surveys the terraiin around them.


    First, definitely expect survival scenarios. Stranded on multiple different uninhabited islands, trying to overcome nature''s wrath through raw fortitude and wit. Just as how Odysseus was tormented across turbulent seas and mythical islands, so too must participants endure a slew of trials resembling that fabled odyssey home. Although definitely isn''t of the same intensity that Odysseus did, it is still a very difficult test that will push the participants'' resilience to the absolute nightmarish end.


    "Beyond that," Karim continued grimly, "you''ll face increasingly deadly combat arenas pitting you against Absence''s most fearsome participants and predators in the Simulacrum phase of the Odyssey using Absence''s most highly-advanced virtual simulation technology. But don''t be fooled thinking that none of it is of no consequence or difficulty, I heard that some former contestants were beaten so badly that they developed trauma in it due to the sheer realism that it can emulate."


    The merchant''s eyes bored into Jihoon''s. "And that''s not even covering the inevitable confrontations against other Odyssey participants themselves. Merfolk warriors whose power in water are virtually unstoppable and numerous other races with their unique racial ability. You''ll need every advantage, magical and mundane otherwise, just to stay competitive."


    Then with a flinty edge that Karim''s tone took on, he spoke "If you cannot overcome these unforgiving lands through sheer persistence and willpower, then you have no hope weathering the trials the Odyssey itself will relentlessly batter you with across every leg of its odyssey."


    Jihoon felt a fierce determination flare inside him, reminiscent of his darkest training days preparing for the Hunter''s exam. Just as then, failure meant surrendering any hope of redeeming his fallen friend''s noble spirit - a possibility he refused to entertain no matter the blood, sweat and tears required.


    Nodding firmly, he met Karim''s gaze. "Then let us begin immediately. The path to Calphennis awaits - and I will not falter, no matter how daunting the climb."


    "So it is then... Our training will begin now.". Karim said as just as he is about to approach the truck that is the one of the few things he truly owned.


    Just as when one would thought that nothing eventful will occur. Jihoon noticed that someone is flying toward him, someone familiar that he couldn''t help but smile at their approaching appearance.


    It''s Alvorna and she has come for him again. The Harpy''s Plume that she has given him to track his location brought her here. And it seems that she heard something about Jihoon''s training.


    She descended gracefully in front of them again, Jihoon felt a sense of warmth blossoming in his chest upon seeing her again at the sight of her radiant form. Her elegant feature alighted with curiosity as she noticed that Jihoon and his sponsor is doing something in the midst of nowhere.


    "Hey, Jihoon. What are you doing?". Alvorna said as she inquires her trusted confidant whose extent of her trust clearly goes beyond just its namesake.


    "As you can see, I''m undergoing a training arc, again. All of this is to participate the Odyssey". Jihoon said as he contextualize his situation as a story beat of some novel just to maintain a semblance of reality in this chaotic mess of fictionality that his life has become. All of this Hunters, Gates and other worlds nonsenses.


    "I see then... I assume that you are going to train hard for the foreseeable future ahead, am I correct?" Alvorna said as her emerald eyes still glimmering while returning the genuine smile that existed only for him. Her only savior from the darkness within her own that threatened to consume her.


    Jihoon nodded and then he has an idea of using his [Observant] on her, the daughter of the Matriarch is certainly not a pushover, isn''t it?


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Daughter of the Matriarch


    Name: Alvorna (Absence) Lucifera


    Level: 91


    Class: Royalty


    Job: Overseer


    Race: Harpy


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: ??


    -END: ??


    -AGI: ???


    -DEX: ???


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 8


    -CHA: 14


    -MAG: ???


    -Active Skill:


    +Wind Magic (Expert)


    +Unfettered Flight (Advanced)


    +Mana Attunement (Advanced)


    +Celestial Connection (Intermediate)


    +[??????????????] (Innate Racial Ability)


    +Musical Prowess: Early-Expert


    -Description:


    The daughter of the revered Matriarch who rules over the entirety of Absence.


    She possesses exceptional grace, intelligence and a soul profoundly attuned to music.


    Despite societal pressures of her own kinds, she pursued mastery of the violin,


    an unconventional path driven by her heart''s desire and protected by her mentor.


    Blessed with incredible magical prowess and an affinity for wind manipulation,


    she shows promising capability to overtake her own mother if given enough time


    to develop.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    As he reads her observed status panel, Jihoon analyzed all the details that they have. Obviously as she is the daughter of the Matriarch of the Citadel that overlooks all of Absence, her stats are all exceptional without a doubt. All of them show only the number of digits that represent her stats remain indeterminate due to the staggering difference between them now. But Jihoon will see himself to bridge that gap.


    But the most pressing intrigue that he noticed of her is the unanalyzable skill that she has. And seeing how carefree she is, she likely not aware of it either. It makes him question if every Harpy is like that with that hidden trait slumber or only she has it. Seeing it listed as Innate Racial Ability doesn''t bode him well to overthink about it either.


    Alvorna''s own description put guidance toward the hints of her incredible potential, already displaying mastery over wind magic despite her youth. If she could defy traditions to pursue an unconventional path much like mastering the violin, could she also be the one to remove the veil of secrecy shrouding her kind''s genesis?


    He knew that he must maintain and reinforce the bond between them as durable as he could against the world of Absence. And that her presence might be the key required to unraveling the truth of Absence''s mythology. Her faith in him is the fuel for his determination against all the obstacles that Absence may present itself to him.


    Back to the conversation at hand, Jihoon simply nodded. They have already come close together enough to move past the need of courtesy.


    "I see then. I have a feeling that you are up to something so I decided to also brought with me this Mana Signature Detector, it helps with discerning what elements you are although most of Absence''s inhabitants are already aware of their own innate magical capability just by putting their thought to self-reflection.". Alvorna explained as she brought out what seems like a mystic seer''s orb in her own spatial inventory.


    Alvorna''s emerald eyes took on a didactic gleam as she continued. "From a very young age, we Harpies are trained to attune our spirits to the ambient mana flows surrounding us. This heightened self-awareness allows us to coax our innate affinities into bloom over years of diligent meditation and practice."


    That''s what Innate and Initiate proficiency represents when it comes to magic power. Innate represents the potential power that has yet to be manifested meaningfully in any application nor has yet been trained to greater degree at all. Initiate stood for those who managed to make use of their own innate magical capability for daily convenience but not exactly enough to use for combat.


    She smiled brilliantly at Jihoon. "However, you are an outsider to this realm, Jihoon. Your spiritual paradigms may be vastly different thus conscious guidance from an experienced tutor is essential. With my masterful mana control however, I can help guide your internal energies and discern the true nature of your elemental alignment."


    Taking Jihoon''s hand and place it on the orb. And with her own slender hand placed atop his, she focused her will on his internal mana pathway. And then, the mystic orb started to light up in a warm incandescent glow. Her eyes widened as she studied the color that the orb has, and a look of wonder stole across her features.


    "Extraordinary... Your resonance blazes with the essence of Light itself - one of the rarest and most revered affinities. But so rare that there''s too little of what one can do to learn how to make use of it."


    Jihoon considered this revelation thoughtfully. Then he started to recall of when he swung the Judgement of Light with all of his might as his resonance and connection with it bleeding into one another. When he performed Breaking Dawn technique, the output power was so immense that it overcome even Der Freischutz''s final seventh shot.


    Perhaps his soul had been imprinted by the very act of resonance itself. When the blinding light severed the chain of despair that held his old friend imprisoned to it.


    However, with her comments about how rare such an attuned element it is that Jihoon has, it makes him worried that he won''t be able to make use of such element at all for there is no one to teach him and that he is too old to even experiment it on his own.


    "Don''t worry, you''re not the first case of being too late to have the chance to use your own innate Element. That won''t stop you from making wave with every other potentials that you have". Karim said as he tries to cheer Jihoon up which ended up with mixed result.


    And speaking of Karim, Jihoon decided to use [Observant] on him too to see what''s he capable of or that he has hidden aces below his sleeve.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Charismatic Wood Elf Merchant


    Name: Karim Erdalaten


    Level: 53


    Class: Commoner


    Job: Merchant


    Race: Wood Elf


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 33


    -END: 35


    -AGI: 31


    -DEX: 23


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 8


    -CHA: 33


    -MAG: 55


    -Active Skill:


    +Wood Magic (Intermediate)


    +Natural Charisma (Intermediate)


    +Business Acumen (Intermediate)


    +Hard Bargain (Novice)


    -Description:


    A charismatic wood elf merchant with an uncanny ability


    to read people and strike profitable deals.


    While not a physical powerhouse, Karim''s real strengths lie in his


    sharp business acumen honed over decades of deal-making across Absence.


    His magical talents allow him to commune with nature''s bounty,


    securing resources to fuel his mercantile business without worry or fear.


    What truly sets Karim apart, however, is his determination to honor


    his late brother''s final wishes. To uncover the primordial truth


    that the rulers of Absence have suppressed.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    To his surprise, Karim is actually a decent and capable fighter although his position would definitely be placed on the lower rung of the combat hierarchy. His saying of how he realized of his natural charisma wasn''t just an off-handed joke after all and everything else is naturally what he picked up on his own.


    But now the bulk of the matters come, Jihoon''s training. Why exactly are they coming here in the middle of nowhere? When there are dedicated facility to improve one''s own strength that existed for the easily-affordable price as a Maestro that he is.


    "Good question". Karim said before he drags Jihoon away from Alvorna''s earshot. Her being courteous decided to not eavesdrop on them despite her full-capability can easily overwhelm them.


    "As you might know, the facilities in Avanthal do offer rigorous training regimens. But the strength gained through such means is ultimately superficial and glamorous, All of that required consistent training to upkeep either way. If that''s the case then might as well skip all of that and focus on something more permanent to your benefit."


    The merchant''s expression grew more severe. "Additionally, considering the knowledge we aim to unearth about Absence''s genesis...any associations with official institutions could potentially incriminate us before we even begin once they realized what we''re up to. Out in these untamed wilds, we leave no trail for the ruling powers to track and considering that Alvorna is coming here either way, that eliminate any chance that other Harpies might come across here."


    Jihoon nodded firmly, the gravity of their quest solidifying his resolve. No matter how arduous the training ahead, he would endure and overcome. Unlocking the lost origin of this world was more than just satisfying curiosity or trivial contrive. It was a matter of doing what''s right no matter others'' protest.


    "Then let us waste no more time," he said, gripping his halberd''s handle tightly.


    Karim took out what looks like a pinecone from his inventory and planted it in front of him. Then with focus, luminous particles shining in evergreen color started to pour into the pinecone itself. Then within a blink of an eye, the pinecone sprouted a sapling then turned into a fully grown pine tree.


    "Your first training is to chop down this tree, ideally within a single swing. Once we''re done with that, we can push the difficulty slightly upward". Karim said as he stood out of the way for Jihoon to test his current ability.


    Planting his feet firmly, he focused all his strength into his grip on the Halberd''s solid oak shaft. With a guttural yell, he swung the ancient weapon in a horizontal arc, putting every iota of his physical might behind the strike.


    The halberd''s blade sheared through the pine''s trunk with a resounding crack. However, rather than cleaving it in two, the tree toppled over intact, its roots torn violently from the earth.


    Jihoon grimaced, realizing his current baseline strength still fell short of the lofty expectations for this training''s so-called ''first step.'' Steeling himself, he prepared for Karim''s adjustments - a stark reminder that the path to unveiling Absence''s primordial secrets would be an uphill, grueling battle every step of the way.


    "You know... this is disheartening in the same way that you learn where female dwarves'' beard actually is". Jihoon said to himself and Karim seemingly know it too but kept his shocked expression controlled so that Alvorna won''t pick up on it, and she apparently doesn''t understand either.


    After an entire morning has passed and Jihoon has repeatedly try to fulfill his training. Each bout and each time he tried to cut down the pine tree in one blow without using any of the crutch that has improved his ability so far. Apparently, it is a lot easier said than done and he realized just how tedious even the task of cutting down a tree manually is.


    "Oh fucking hell... It''s like I''ve been runover by a fucking train and live to feel the consequence". Jihoon groaned as he lies sprawling on the grassy hill next to where Alvorna is sitting, all as that pine tree still remain imposing as if it still taunts him for his lack of strength.


    Despite his relentless efforts, he couldn''t even get past the first milestone, or even the first test of his training. Swinging that massive halberd over and over had sapped his strength utterly.


    Alvorna have been observing the whole ordeal that Jihoon undergoes the entire time. From the very first bout to the current moment, this supposed to be nothing of interest to her but she sat there and patiently watch him training in the same vein of watching paint dry.


    After listening to his complaint however, she stood up before taking something out of her spatial inventory. A vial of azure liquid but it felt distinct from just water alone. Then with her other hand are wind imbued with her light green mana. Then in combination, Jihoon recognized that she is about to do something with her Magic.


    Unified Aerokinesis Theory - Intermediate-class Healing Spell - Youthful Breeze


    The azure liquid poured from the vial merged with the whirling wind in her hand as it takes on unique phenomena that Jihoon didn''t recognize. With a subtle gesture, strands of imbued verdant mana coalesced around her hands, taking the ephemeral form of soothing zephyrs. Then with a wave of her hands, those currents washed over Jihoon''s broken body.


    Like a refreshing breeze, he aches and pains racking his body melted away, his muscles reinvigorated as if he''d just woken from a restful night''s sleep. Within just mere moments even which is a recovery time impossible for conventional treatment.


    "Did you know that all the common elemental magic can be utilized to perform healing techniques as long as one have fundamental understanding of its essence?" Alvorna explained with a warm smile on her face. "Though I do admit that it''s harder to envision being healed with or through Fire or Earth Magic."


    Jihoon listened to her explanation and understand where such a thing might come from. If Light Magic is really that rare to the point no formalized development can be made then there really is no chance that anyone can figure out how to heal with it. Them having to make do with the standard elements sort of spoke of their ingenuity.


    Her melody did soothe his restless soul at the time and her command over the element rejuvenate his broken body. There just no end to his gratitude toward her and the extent of her help.


    "Thank you," he said gratefully, determination renewed. "I won''t be defeated so easily."


    If it isn''t this moment that he chop down this tree in one blow then it would be in the near future. Until then, don''t lose heart and keep at it until he truly become an indomitable.


    "By the way, that vial of liquid water mana is on your tab". Alvorna said in the most inopportune moment possible.


    "Oh come on!". Jihoon said as he suddenly had a fright of the day as his grip on the halberd wane and it bounced off the tree harmlessly.


    "Just kidding... It''s nothing really of worth to me". Alvorna said with a mischievous smile on her face.


    And so, Jihoon goes on with his training. For every time he fail to fell the tree in one swing, the swing carved upon it would start to undo in just seconds as it leave behind a scar of his attempt. By this very point, it is now marred in countless gouges that long outstripped even the bark itself.


    But his body didn''t stay in stagnation. For each attempt no matter his success or failure, he becomes a bit slightly stronger as a result. Whenever he collapsed from muscle fatigue or similar, Alvorna would help him with her brand of wind-based healing magic. This pattern goes on until dusk arrived and Jihoon completely disheveled and his sweat permeate the surrounding.


    Alvorna of course can''t stay in one place for too long or else it would have aroused suspicion of her prolonged absence as an Overseer. But she would always return timely just to heal him back to his fighting shape, concern glimmering in her emerald eyes as she observed his intensifying obsession.


    Eventually, as the sun began to dip below the horizon, Jihoon abruptly stopped and stared emptily ahead, beyond the tree with labored breaths. A deep sigh escaped his lips as he slowly centered himself, refocusing his stance with the halberd. Alvorna watched apprehensively with bated breath, wondering if he had finally reached his limits of today.


    Then, with a primal bellow that shook the very air, Jihoon swung the ancient polearm horizontally, putting every last ounce of his spiritually-fortified might into the strike. The shaft bent by the force of his swing that briefly transcend the limit of his capability.


    One final strike. This time, his movements were eerily calm yet brimming with a potent force barely contained.


    The decayed Judgment of Light arced through the air with a whistle, its edge shimmering like refined starlight within the dusky glow despite the rust completely ruining it. The instant it connected, a thunderous boom echoed across the plains as the entire trunk separated into two halves with surgical precision.


    For a suspended moment, the severed upper half remained eerily frozen in place...


    ...before crashing to the earth with an earthshaking thud, shaking even the surrounding trees.


    Jihoon stood motionless, chest heaving, as he surveyed the tree''s cleanly bisected remains. His knuckles were white from the death grip on his weapon''s handle.


    Alvorna''s eyes shone with a mixture of pride and relief as she rushed to embrace him. No matter how daunting the obstacles ahead, she knew that Jihoon''s resilience and fortitude would ultimately prevail without any further words of affirmation needed.


    "Don''t... I''m stinking badly right now. It wouldn''t do you well if you got tainted by my stench". Jihoon said as he can''t help but worry about her more than he should.


    After all, if this path is anything to say, he might really be confronting the Matriarch herself if he wished this relationship between them approved and take flight beyond Absence''s boundary.


    While both of them sharing a tender moment, Karim made his revisit to assess Jihoon''s progress. Actually, he did this throughout the entirety of the day. Seeing him going at it out of sight then go back to whatever he is doing before. To his surprise however, he didn''t actually expect Jihoon to achieve such a feat in just one day of training.


    "Jihoon, you... you actually accomplished the trial I set forth?" Karim stuttered, scarcely believing his eyes as he surveyed the neatly halved tree trunk. "I had merely suggested that daunting task as an ambitious milestone while I prepared the proper gear for your actual regimen. Yet here you stand, having conquered it through sheer, indomitable persistence."


    The merchant studied Jihoon more closely, his brow furrowing with concern. Despite Alvorna''s healing winds, the composer himself looked utterly spent. His eyes hollow, muscles quivering from overexertion. A feverish glint burned in those depths, hinting at a state far more precarious than outward appearances suggested.


    Placing a firm hand on Jihoon''s shoulder as he winced from the pain, Karim spoke with paternal gravity. "You''ve more than proven your unshakable resolve today. But the path ahead will demand far more of your resilience and fortitude. For now, you need true rest, the kind that even celestial magic cannot provide. Regain your essence, Jihoon. We''ll continue your forging on the morrow."


    Karim knew that the path ahead is still very long and it will be difficult throughout all of it. But he also recognized that Jihoon''s indomitable spirit and that deadly obsession of his can be honed into an unstoppable edge, one that is crucial to pierce the veil that has been placed upon Absence''s primordial history.


    "I see... I hope you will be alright, Maestro Jihoon". Alvorna said with concern in her eyes, as much as she would have loved to stay with him. Her stay is limited and she would have to return whenever evening would fall. Although she is an Overseer, she is still the Matriarch''s daughter and have to follow her mother''s curfew accordingly.


    Jihoon managed a weary but reassuring smile for her. That''s all he can do in this current state of his. Alvorna returned his smile, though it carried a tinge of melancholy. No matter how profound their bond right now, there would always be the divide imposed by her duties and Absence''s strictures. Still, she cherished every moment spent harmonizing with him.


    "The Citadel''s spires beckon me home," she said wistfully, lifting her gaze to the immense, cloud-piercing spire looming in the distance. No matter where one stood in Absence, the monolithic citadel dominated the horizon as an eternal reminder of their presence overlooking them. Honestly, Jihoon only feel its oppressive sight now that he is on the path of opposition.


    Alvorna''s ethereal wings unfurled, shimmering with lustrous iridescence. Then, with a powerful downstroke, she launched herself skyward, rising on currents of verdant mana until she became a distant speck painted against the dusky horizon.


    Jihoon watched her soar towards the Citadel''s spires until she vanished into the clouds, the setting sun''s crimson rays emblazoning her form in brilliant silhouette. Only then did he allow himself to slump wearily, drained from his day''s exertions but his spirit remained resolute.


    Karim placed a supportive hand on the songweaver''s shoulder. "Come, you need nourishment and rest to recover your full vigor."


    Then with a heave, Karim carried Jihoon over his shoulder like a potato sack. Jihoon felt like he is drifting further into unconsciousness and at this point, he would rather have nothing else than his rightfully deserved rest. His eyes fall shut and his day ends there.


    Somehow, it was both the shortest and longest night that he has.

 Chapter 22: Let there be Light

    [88 days left until Alvorna''s Rite of Ascension]


    The next day arrived and Jihoon woke up in what seems like a wooden hut made entirely out of molded wood. A product of Karim''s Wood Magic. His body felt like a lot more durably relieved compared to and otherwise. And based on the environment outside, it seems that it was extremely early morning that dawn barely made its appearance.


    Though when he turned around to see the surrounding, he saw Karim sitting motionlessly on a wooden chair. Body slumped forward, an unknowable expression, light cast from directly above. All of them combined seemingly point toward a reference that only Jihoon knows. Of someone who reached the finality of their existence, of everything burned so brightly before all reduced to pure white ash.


    For a disorienting moment, Jihoon''s mind seized with the notion that his sponsor had somehow perished in the night. However, as his senses fully awoke, he realized Karim was merely in an utterly exhausted slumber, the toll of caring for Jihoon''s well-being having drained him despite his observed stats.


    Evidence of the merchant''s dedicated vigil surrounded them both. A fresh set of clothes lay folded neatly beside Jihoon''s bedroll, while a variety of medicinal herbs and salves rested on a nearby table - all indicating Karim had personally tended to replacing Jihoon''s sweat-soaked garments and applying remedies to his overexerted body.


    Jihoon felt an overwhelming surge of gratitude and humility wash over him. While his own night of rest had been blissfully short after his intense training, it was now apparent that Karim had endured a relentless, sleepless night ensuring his full recovery in place for him.


    Carefully rising from the bedroll, Jihoon draped a warm blanket over the slumbering merchant. Though the hut shielded them from the elements, he knew Karim''s self-neglect had likely left him chilled while ministering to Jihoon''s needs throughout the darkest hours.


    "You have my deepest thanks, my friend," Jihoon murmured, squeezing Karim''s shoulder gently.


    Devotion isn''t something that he expected to receive ever at all but now that he is clearly a recipient of one, all he can do with his best effort to make said devotion isn''t misplaced.


    Leaving the merchant to recoup his depleted energies, Jihoon quietly exited the hut. The crisp, dewy air of dawn rejuvenated his lungs as he gazed across the pristine wilderness awaiting their continued sojourn.


    The obvious thing to do here is to warm-up. Do some basic exercise to get used to the intensive training that he will soon endure.


    Then, from the crack of dawn, a figure in the sky stood out as it approaches closer toward him. He immediately realized it is Alvorna as she took the initiative this time around to find him as her shadow casted from the daybreak barely seen to Jihoon.


    Descending in front of him with practiced grace of one born to the sky, emerald eyes sparkling with both relief and concern upon spotting Jihoon hale and hearty.


    "It seems that you have completely recovered, my dear songweaver". Alvorna said warmly as her feet fiddling in the dewy grass.


    Before Jihoon could respond, Alvorna had already begun carefully examining him. Her deft fingers probing along his arms and shoulders as she channeled her Wind Magic to assess his physical state with ethereal insight and mana control for anything abnormal. Fortunately, there was no lasting consequence and that Jihoon kept on pushing his luck despite believing in none.


    Satisfied by whatever she discerned, Alvorna nodded with a tender smile. She was worried that Jihoon may have suffered some damage that is too much for just some basic treatment to fix him. But it seems that the basis of her restless night has ultimately been unfounded after all.


    Her gaze then turned towards the hut where Karim still slumbered, unaware of her arrival.


    "Your steadfast ally seems to require extended rest after tending to your needs all night," Alvorna mused, seeing how this is their own moment together with no one to interfere.


    "So... how about I teach you something about Mana Attunement? It will certainly help you develop your connection to your wellspring a lot more seamlessly than you would think". Alvorna said as she is willing to be of help for his sake, just like the extent he has gone for her that has put him in danger of persecution of her own kind.


    Jihoon recognized that Skill within her status and he has yet to reach the point he could read the exact detail of what it can do exactly. But since Alvorna is willing to extend a helping hand, all he needed to do is to accept hers.


    Mana Attunement... is like trying to imagine an imaginary flow within your own body, each moving toward the focal points in human body. Thus forming circulation of mystical power that makes one more attuned to the surrounding environment and thus enhancing one''s physical capability. A lot of races'' biology won''t be able to keep up with their own power without Mana Attunement and it is considered the foundational step for any serious combatant. That''s even before conjuring any elemental magic with one''s own will.


    Jihoon''s Song Magic in essence can be considered as a form of Mana Attunement but if he needs to keep playing his instrument for such a thing for every fight he is in or make use of his Doppelganger for that purpose, it will soon take only an ill-conceived timing to end in his demise if he can''t make use of Song Magic for some reason.


    Because of that, Jihoon has to start at square one, and like an old tree can''t be easily bent or shape.


    Under Alvorna''s patient tutelage, Jihoon began learning to sense and guide the flows of mana coalescing within his meridians. The celestial Harpy used her own consummate control to carefully direct and shape the currents she perceived in his body.


    "How extraordinary..." Alvorna marveled as she studied the luminous tides ebbing through Jihoon in her attunement vision. "It''s as if conduits for your Light affinity have already been forged beforehand, though remaining mostly dormant until now."


    Jihoon pondered her words silently, recalling the blazing torrent of power that had erupted when he first manifested his Breaking Dawn technique against Jin''s despair bullet. That Judgement of Light''s cataclysmic release have imprinted indelible pathways for his Light''s essence and not just alter his innate element.


    Through her guidance, Jihoon soon managed to take control of his inner flow. Alvorna''s melodic voice did help him instill soothing refrain with the luminous flow deep within. An arduous but meditative trance that he goes on, Jihoon soon managed to direct the flow within his body on his own accord. This is his first step with his attunement of the Light within.


    "Now, can you conjure it for me?". Alvorna asked as she didn''t expect anything spectacular with his first step. Just something like a particle of his conjured element.


    Jihoon inhaled deeply, focusing his newly attained attunement towards manifesting his affinity physically. He envisioned bottling the radiant essence burning within, compressing it through sheer force of will as Alvorna guide the process together with him.


    However, no matter how he strained, the Light seemed to elude his grasp, slipping through the metaphysical cracks of his imagery like grains of effervescent sand. Sweat beaded on his brow as the strain grew, yet still the illumination within remained stubbornly formless.


    Sensing his mounting frustration, Alvorna placed a hand with her softening gesture on his arm. "Don''t force it, my dear songweaver. Elemental manifestation comes from an intuitive harmony, not martial effort."


    Her words prompted Jihoon to pause and still his turbulent mind. In that tranquil and momentary space, he suddenly remembered the decayed halberd, his Judgment of Light. The conduit through which he had first unveiled his radiant essence against overwhelming despair.


    Concentrating his newfound attunement fully upon the ancient weapon, Jihoon willed the Light from deep within his soul to blaze forth. Immediately, brilliant motes of scintillating radiance began shimmering along the halberd''s edge, rapidly intensifying until the entire blade burned with blinding incandescence.


    ''Of course... it is the first conduit that awakened my Light power to begin with. The same thing that gave me power of Light in the first place.'' Jihoon thought as he noticed the obvious thing all along. But still, he need to somehow conjure Light without needing his halberd or just a simple disarm shutdown an entire ability of his.


    He stood up, his halberd imbued in incandescent light. Even if it is a merely trivial achievement, it was still something important to him that he did to his own effort.


    "Wonderfully done, my dear Jihoon! You have taken your first, crucial steps in harmonizing with your innate element''s essence." Alvorna beamed at him with pride.


    Then an impish smile blossomed on her expression, preluding toward something that Jihoon himself was unsavory toward.


    "What better way to reinforce your new skills than through practical application?" She flourished her wings, drifting back several paces. "Spar with me, Jihoon. So that the rhythm of combat forge your harmony with the Light burning within."


    Jihoon''s eyes widened at her bold proposal. Even though he knew that he would need to fight or spar with someone to improve his skill, Alvorna is definitely amongst those he would wish to not harm whether by deliberate or accident.


    "You''d have me trade blows with you? By your celestial grace, I could never risk harming you, Alvorna." Jihoon made his decline but the response only made her laugh.


    Beckoning with one hand, her form shimmered as verdant mana coalesced around her in ephemeral zephyr currents.


    "That is why I propose we engage in a friendly spar, Jihoon. Nothing too perilous, but enough to immerse you in the rhythms of combat while conjuring your Light''s radiance. Magic improves most swiftly when applied under pressure."


    Jihoon felt his breath catch as Alvorna''s winds whipped her flowing locks of dark vanilla in an emerald aureole.


    "Fear not, I shall limit myself to only novice-class wind spells. Even with your newfound power, surely you can tell I could subdue you with mere physical attunement if I wished." Alvorna said in a bit of condescending tone that befits that of a royalty now that her competitive spirit stirred.


    That much is unfortunately true. The differences between him and Alvorna right now is staggering enough that his [Observant] registered a lot of her stats as unquantifiable with certainty.


    Jihoon could sense the sheer power thrumming through Alvorna''s form. She was holding back immensely, with layers of might he could scarcely fathom.


    Knowing that there''s no decline from this spar if he wished to, might as well embracing it wholeheartedly. Beside, the approaching dawn makes no better thematic backdrop for the match between them. With a mental command toward the System, Jihoon opened his status panel.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon


    Level: 36


    EXP: 355/486


    Class: None


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 7.6


    -END: 7.8


    -AGI: 7.4


    -DEX: 7.3


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 10.2


    -CHA: 4


    -MAG: 30


    Attribute Points: 6


    +Musical Prowess: Early-Expert


    +Active Skill:


    -Doppelganger (Expert)


    -Mana Attunement (Initiate) (New!)


    -Light Magic (Innate) (New!)


    +Passive Skill:


    None


    +Song Magic:


    -Forgotten Melody (Intermediate)


    -Glint of Cold Steel (Intermediate)


    -Belief (Intermediate)


    -Exceed! (Intermediate)


    -RiET-949 (Intermediate)


    -SPIKA (Intermediate)


    -Alvorna (Expert)


    -Restia. (Expert)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    "Deploy the Doppelganger in the wooden hut. I want him to play Song Magic in my stead to buff me". Jihoon muttered inside his thought as the System fulfills his command.


    The System followed his directive, and a duplicate of Jihoon shimmered into existence within the primitive hut where Karim still slumbered in exhaustion. Upon retrieving Jihoon''s electric guitar, the Doppelganger expertly tuned the instrument, strumming a few experimental chords to test its resonance.


    The Doppelganger wasted no time, opening strains of "Exceed!" filling the air, the deafening chord resonated within the tiny hut. Despite that, the merchant remained slumped in his seat, utterly insensate to the world around him after his self-sacrificing vigil tending to Jihoon''s recovery.


    He was clearly more drained than Jihoon had initially realized if even the energetic music didn''t stir him.


    Outside, Jihoon could feel the familiar thrum of his Song Magic''s power rippling through him as the Doppelganger finally launched into the opening refrains of "Exceed!" His body grew energized, nerves sharpening as his attributes received their temporary boost.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Exceed!


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 30):


    +350% to all Physical Attributes


    ''A music piece composed of unyielding defiance. Even if one¡¯s circumstances have fallen into misfortune and ill-fate, hope only remains if one lives with determination. To surpass the previous self of yesterday, one must overcome challenges of today and tomorrow with confidence in self.¡¯


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Now here''s an INT 10 trivia about this character theme of himself. This Song''s key signature is in E minor which represents distress and despite ample of key changes throughout, the core structure of it remains explicitly so. But because of the whole thing is of distress and overcoming of it constantly with persistent no matter how it might be, there was no more suitable representation of him than it after all.


    Because after all, it only took one bad day to ruin everything he held dear.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 7.6 (+19)


    -END: 7.8 (+19)


    -AGI: 7.4 (+19)


    -DEX: 7.3 (+19)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Gripping the still-blazing Judgment of Light firmly, Jihoon turned to face Alvorna with renewed determination. Though their power disparity remained immense, he refused to back down from her bold challenge.


    Alvorna''s emerald eyes danced with appreciation for Jihoon''s readiness. With a subtle flourish of her wings, the Harpy assumed her combat stance - one flowing with the effortless, windswept grace befitting her celestial heritage.


    Jihoon made his advancing charge, the decayed Judgment of Light placed into initial guarding stance. Then once the distance is closed in mere seconds, he swung down the halberd... into the empty space where Alvorna once occupied.


    The Harpy flowed around his attack with preternatural grace, her wings effortlessly propelling her out of harm''s way. Despite its span supposedly make her a larger target, his reach toward it is as short no matter his attempt.


    "You''ll have to be swifter than that, my dear songweaver," Alvorna chided playfully, emerald eyes sparkling.


    Adjusting his footwork, Jihoon pressed the assault with a series of measured strikes and feints. Yet despite his boosted speed and reflexes, Alvorna seemed to predicting his every move before he could complete it. Her lithe form danced around his halberd in a whirling zephyr, always just out of its reach no matter his attempt.


    Refusing to give up his onslaught, Jihoon abruptly reversed his swing in mid-stroke, aiming to catch Alvorna with the halberd''s shaft. But-


    Unified Aerokinesis Theory - Novice-class Control Spell - Levitate


    A concentrated gust erupted beneath the Harpy, launching her up and over his sweeping attack.


    As Jihoon reoriented, he found Alvorna hovering mid-air directly above with hands raised toward him. Verdant mana swirling around her fingers. A sly grin creased her lips as she unleashed her opening strikes.


    Unified Aerokinesis Theory - Novice-class Attack Spell - Wind Edges


    Crescent arcs of compressed air screamed towards Jihoon, imbued in verdant emerald giving substance to their lethality. Jihoon quickly swing his halberd in upward crescent as his light-imbued halberd tore through the blade of winds yet the staggering force behind is enough to throw him into the ground. Not remain fallen for long however, his body moved with practiced ease to get himself up in no time. A Hunter must stand tall or else he become easy target for his preys.


    Alvorna did not relent, following up with her next conjured spell once standing on the dewy grass again.


    Unified Aerokinesis Theory - Novice-class Attack Spell - Breeze


    Suddenly, an emerald tide of wind rolled toward him like a tidal wave. Barely perceptible by Alvorna''s imbuement of her magic into wind she unleashed. Jihoon could only muster his stance and prepared to split the wave in twain with his halberd. With an upward vertical swing, he managed to divide the rolling wind and barely move past it as even the recoil is propelled him back despite planting his feet into the ground.


    Despite clearly limiting herself to just ''novice-class'' spell, her proficient and application of her Wind Magic is disgusting despite what their name implied. Her attunement to the element clearly goes beyond just casting her magic. If she really wanted to, she could have just kept him levitated in the air helplessly while she pelted him endlessly with her magic without a care.


    Each sylvan gesture of hers flowed seamlessly into the next, maintaining unrelenting pressures through elegant lethality displayed. Like using the flutter of a feather to bring upon a hurricane''s destructiveness.


    It was readily apparent why so few dared provoke the Harpies'' ire when their scion demonstrated such devastating potential. Even when severely restraining herself for this mere spar, Jihoon could scarcely fathom Alvorna''s full offensive might were she unleashing her complete repertoire.


    Regrouping his guard, Jihoon realized that overwhelmingly direct tactics would only exhaust him against Alvorna''s effervescent defenses. Since his options are limited either way, resonating with her while sound at first isn''t the objective of the duel. It is so that his attunement of the Light become meaningful. The result doesn''t matter either way.


    But this isn''t his best yet and ''Exceed!'' is about to reach its perfect spot for transitional climax either way.


    With a mental thought Jihoon quickly commanded the Doppelganger through the System to perform Linked Song Magic. Or called as adaptive transition by many music designers where songs can effortlessly transition to one another depends on the atmosphere or environment. This require plenty of forethought or otherwise in design or clashing become inevitable. But again, his ability make something forceful sound good isn''t out of his capability.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Transition to SPIKA, now!". Jihoon commanded upon the Doppelganger. And to his surprise that it can surprisingly replicate a lot of different string instruments on just an electric guitar. And it sheds light on a lot of things that he could have done with his proficiency with his electric guitar but unable due to lack of improvisation.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    SPIKA


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 30):


    -+100% to MAG


    (This effect can only be stacked once and is overlapped by stronger similar effect.)


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -MAG: 30 (+30)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Exceed! -> SPIKA


    Classification: Linked Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect:


    +700% to all Physical Attributes (MAG 60)


    +100% to MAG (MAG 30) (This effect can only be stacked once and is overlapped by stronger similar effect)


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 7.6 (+46)


    -END: 7.8 (+46)


    -AGI: 7.4 (+45)


    -DEX: 7.3 (+45)


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -MAG: 30 (+30)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Now, how did he connect two vastly different songs together? The answer is in the timing, and the key signature. Because the only instrument that is being in play right now is his electric guitar, the transition isn''t as jarring like one led to believe otherwise.


    SPIKA''s key signature is E flat minor, which supposedly represent deep distress and depression and the upbeat melody progression did very well to mask it until later into the song where the more receptive will start to notice the dissonance between the chord progression and key signature.


    And with significantly enhanced stats by comparison as the Doppelganger substitutes nearly every string parts with the grizzled sound of the electric guitar and forgo nearly anything else. Jihoon made his stride in the major burst of speed toward Alvorna, the Harpies herself is immensely faster if her 3-digit DEX and AGI means anything but Jihoon''s multiplicative enhance of his speed took her off-guard briefly as he nearly caught her in the throe of his halberd.


    But her control over wind is still subtly insidious as ever. With mere gestures of her hand, she go into chant-less method of her own Wind Magic''s conjuration. By doing so, one exchange potency of their own magic for the rapid rate of mental casting. And with how powerful her control of her own magic is, that little trade does little to dampen the overall effectiveness of her Wind Magic.


    Jihoon''s made his stalwart charge against Alvorna as she continues to send numerous wind spells toward him. The novice-class restriction still applies but she never said that she would limit her casting speed or amount. By the sheer magnitude that she unleashed mentally conjured, Jihoon is left with no choice but to confront directly.


    His movements blurred as the effects of his Linked Song Magic took hold, his physical attributes skyrocketing to stratospheric levels. Alvorna''s emerald eyes widened in surprise as he closed the distance between them in the span of a few heartbeats, the decayed Judgment of Light a blur of incandescent radiance.


    Each spell is designed to completely throw Jihoon''s momentum and direction off-balance. Even if he strike with his halberd, its scattering force can throw his trajectory off immensely and open him for far more vulnerability. But that''s only work if he was the same as before. Because all of his Physical Attributes are doubled and all of them combined in junction becoming far more than their own sum of their parts.


    Once again, 10 is the human limit without any magical intervention. The strongest anyone could ever been without any magic. And Jihoon''s over-50 of all of his Physical Attributes make him isn''t just 5 times stronger than peak human, he is in reality stronger than 20 times of peak human due to the balanced conjunction of physical stats.


    This makes his striking strength as powerful as a bullet train, and can withstood being hit by one without injury. He can move as fast as one and dodges bullets by reflex alone. At this point, mere novice-class breeze and wind can''t force his trajectory at all.


    As Jihoon penetrates through hurricane of wind spells, as he approaches her position even closer. Alvorna took to the air again, verdant wings thrumming as she rained down a torrent of wind spells. Typhoon gusts battered Jihoon relentlessly, threatening to sweep him off his feet. He merely focused fiercely, sinking into a low crouch as his enhanced strength allowed him to anchor himself against the onslaught.


    With a blazing streak, he launched himself skyward, closing the distance in the blink of an eye. Alvorna''s eyes went wide as Jihoon seemingly materialized before her, the Judgment of Light swinging in a blinding arc. Her instincts took over, wings beating in a frenzy as she hurled herself backwards. The ancient halberd''s blade missed her by a hair''s breadth, close enough to ruffle her feathers with the blazing heat of Jihoon''s manifested Light.


    Jihoon has stopped his light-imbued halberd from approaching her too close. Its shimmering edge seemingly threatened to cut her apart but he knew that with her 3-digit DEX and AGI, this kind of thing is nowhere close to even harm her. If anything, it is her concede that she couldn''t keep her restriction of using only novice-class Wind Magic to defeat Jihoon.


    That''s what he would have thought if it weren''t for Alvorna standing still like a sculpture despite him already dropping his halberd already. And that she spoke nothing after a few moments since their stop. Jihoon started to get worry as he looked into her eyes and realize that only emptiness reside in her eyes of emerald for some reasons.


    Then, a strong gale instantly unleashed from her position as he is blown away immediately by a considerable distance. Quickly regain his bearing, he skillfully landed on his two feet as Alvorna started to take flight into the sky above. The height that she is flying is considerable enough that Jihoon can''t reach even with his physical stats of over-50.


    A foreboding sense started to overwhelm him as Jihoon frantically trying to figure out what is she doing right now. Quickly opening the status window to see what he can do, Jihoon realized something when he looked at Alvorna''s self-portrayal theme in his status. And remembering the lyric of it, he started to notice the particular verb that is reflecting his situation right now...


    An angel with a pair of dark wings


    Invites you beyond the memories shrouded in darkness.


    Jihoon started to focus on Alvorna''s expression and realized something terrible has triggered her into going into subconscious crisis mode. He started to consider that the angel with dark wings isn''t a saying of phrase that Alvorna hinted toward.


    It''s the darkness that reside in every Harpy. The brighter the light, the darker the shadow they cast.


    Alvorna''s expression was utterly transfixed, her eyes hollow and distant. Something primal stirred within her subconscious mind had seized control. Those vibrant emerald depths Jihoon knew so well were now eclipsed by an ancient, instinctual fury far transcending her conscious self.


    Her brow furrowed, lips peeling back in an almost feral snarl as verdant mana roiled around her in turbulent eddies. Despite their resonant bond, some deeper, darker aspect of her celestial heritage had been inexorably provoked for reason unknown, overriding her restraints.


    Jihoon can only watch in growing unease as dark storm clouds amassed above them, drawn by Alvorna''s very presence like a locus of atmospheric distortion. Thunderheads churned and lightning danced across their bloated underbellies, concentrating into a maelstrom with the Harpy at its vortex. He knew that this is no longer any novice-class spell that she is casting anymore, she is casting the most powerful Wind Magic spell that she knew, her strongest Expert-class Wind Magic.


    Against her conscious desires, that slumbering primal force was now awakened to its full, terrifying potential. Alvorna''s wings unfurled in their full resplendent span, primordial energies cascading across each iridescent feather.


    "Heavenly Tribulation."


    Jihoon instantly knew that he is in for a bad time just from the name alone. Since he is now the spell''s target, he knew that he must act.


    "System, tell the Doppelganger to link RiET-949 with the current Linked Song Magic". Jihoon mentally commanded the System amidst great pressure. Literally as the hurricane begin to push upon him.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    RiET-949


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 30):


    -+100% to all Physical Attributes of self.


    The closer the song is to the end, the stronger the effect. (Max: 600%)


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Exceed! -> SPIKA -> RiET-949


    Classification: Linked Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect:


    +900% to all Physical Attributes (MAG 60)


    +100% to MAG (MAG 30) (This effect can only be stacked once and is overlapped by stronger similar effect)


    The closer the song is to the end, the stronger all the above effects. (Max: 600%)


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    This, this is the most stupidly overpowered Linked Song Magic combination that he has created so far. And just because he knew of adaptive transition that the effects of Song Magics become far greater than what even the little goddess likely intended to impart upon him.


    Soon, the first gigantic lightning bolt struck toward him. And by some divine luck or that meager initial increase of the Linked Song Magic effect that allowed him to narrowly avoid instant death at a Heavenly Tribulation bolt. But much like its name sake, it never ends with only one. Nor it intend to end until it finally struck him if his reading of any Xianxia is any indication for it.


    RiET-949''s key signature is A flat minor, represent the theme of struggle. There''s simply no better description of it because the whole song is a desperate struggle. From a thematic stand point, there''s no better song to end this on to capitalize the multiplicative effect better than any other. And it fits thematically too because the Linked Song Magic so far goes from distress to despair and to struggle.


    ''Exceed!'', the defiant anthem of himself in E minor that had reignited his will to overcome the despair of a broken dream. Its melancholic yet resolute tones perfectly captured his mindset after obtaining the power of Song Magic.


    Flowing into SPIKA''s unsettling E-flat minor dissonance, those seeds of renewed purpose had catalyzed an almost manic mania. A feverish drive to transcend his former self and limitations, heedless of the turbulent emotional toll such obsession would inevitably unleash.


    And now, RiET-949''s struggle-themed A-flat minor refrain rounded out the progression. From the depths of despair to the heights of obsessive ambition. All coalescing into this pivotal moment where he fought for far more than just survival against Alvorna''s primal onslaught. Like trying to climb the heaven''s with mortal strength as he described before with its continuous ascent of chord near the end.


    Which made the disgustingly amplified effects of this Linked Song Magic chain both terrifying and strangely fitting. By stringing together the emotional milestones of his journey, he had inadvertently forged a conduit tapping into the most profound essences of his being. His traumas, obsessions, struggles. All sublimated into one transcendent harmonic resonance of a medley.


    As thunder boomed and Alvorna''s Heavenly Tribulation rained catastrophic lightning with each capable of explosive destruction on landing, Jihoon could feel that resonance thrumming through his very being. Each subsequent boost to his abilities not just some detached numerical value, but a reinforcement of his existential tenacity to endure.


    He had come far from just being a helpless civilian that he had been. Now, it is time to mix tape, and perform miracle.


    Aside from the philosophical viewpoint, the chained effects of the Linked Song Magic utilized MAG as a core stat that determines the potency of the Song Magic. And that the effects become stronger multiplicatively as the song approaching its end.


    However... MAG is also the boosted stats amongst them and subject to be affected by the multiplicative progression effect. And because of it, the Physical Attribute enhancing effect''s scaling is quadratic. Let alone of the effect of MAG also increase too.


    And so, his battle plan is to stay alive and let the scaling effect of the Linked Song Magic reach the closest to its feverish climax. So that he has enough stats to overcome her Heavenly Tribulation by force if required. To clear the storm in one swing of his halberd.


    There''s one drawback however. Because of how RiET-949 worked in its description. The song can only become stronger as it approaching its end thus its power can only work for the duration of it, making its use limited to duel scenarios despite its effects. And if his far-stronger opponent detected his quadratically-scaling strength if their Mana Attunement is advanced enough, they might as well just try to kill him instantly with their strongest attack.


    A cornered and terrified beast fight the hardest and this applies to everyone. Including him and others.


    So as the raging hurricane around him continue its wrath in the immediate location. From the churning vortex overhead, smashing craters where he had stood mere moments before with lightning bolts the size of him. The lingering shockwave can still be felt despite long after it taken place.


    Yet Jihoon moved with preternatural grace, his reflexes elevated to levels beggaring belief as RiET-949 only continues to approach its feverish crescendo. The overwhelming orchestra simulated by the Doppelganger with only the electric guitar replicated the oppressive atmosphere that is taking place now very well.


    Lightning danced all around him in a blistering strobe, only for his form to blur in explosive bursts of speed, evading each catastrophic strike through movements too fast for even the eye to track.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Exceed! -> SPIKA -> RiET-949


    Classification: Linked Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect:


    +1,764% to all Physical Attributes (MAG 72)


    +140% to MAG (MAG 30) (This effect can only be stacked once and is overlapped by stronger similar effect)


    The closer the song is to the end, the stronger all the above effects. (Max: 600%) (Currently: 140%)


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 7.6 (+126)


    -END: 7.8 (+126)


    -AGI: 7.4 (+125)


    -DEX: 7.3 (+125)


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -MAG: 30 (+42)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Exceeding all 3-digit in all Physical Attributes, he had become stronger than Alvorna in her base state without any Mana Attunement. But of course, none of this could meaningfully penetrate through her storm-weaved cloak that cover her. He still need to bide his time carefully and carefully select his moment to overcome.


    The ground itself buckled and heaved beneath the Heavenly Tribulation''s fury. Yet Jihoon''s footfalls remained unwavering, each step a calculated technique as he flowed around the zones of destruction like spring water around jagged rocks.


    4 minutes, that''s the originally length of the RiET-949 when he first composed it. And it felt awfully long with everything on the line. The ancient halberd in his hands, the Judgment of Light, seemed to also hum in resonance with the music''s resurging swell. An inexplicable resonance woven between man and weapon, as if the two had become extensions of a singular force of nature.


    And perhaps they had. Jihoon''s newfound attunement to his innate Light affinity amplified in lockstep with his skyrocketing MAG stat. The incandescent glow along the halberd''s edge intensified into a radiant sun''s corona, its brilliance outshining even the arcing lightning that surrounded them in a blinding, prismatic display.


    The relic blade itself seemed to whisper silent insights directly into Jihoon''s consciousness. Subtle adjustments to his footwork and grip, subconscious recalibrations elevating his technique to seamless lethality. As if his attunement between it become increasingly heightened in scenarios where life shines most brilliantly at the edge of death itself.


    Trusting his instincts to its guidance, allowing the music''s rhythm and the halberd''s mystical insights to guide him, Jihoon flowed effortlessly between the craters and fissures sundering the earth around him. Closer and closer to the eye of the storm he advanced, until finally a single heartbeat of relative calm allowed him to halt amidst the raging winds.


    Overhead, Alvorna''s form was silhouetted against the swirling vortex. Though he couldn''t perceive her expression through the maelstrom''s haze, Jihoon could sense the celestial Harpy''s divine focus drawing inward for one final, cataclysmic strike to end this confrontation. By using his Attunement on the surrounding atmospheric mana and how they are being drawn upward into the vortex above.


    Right at the exact moment RiET-949''s triumphant melody first approach. Jihoon solemnly accepts the impossible challenge.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Exceed! -> SPIKA -> RiET-949


    Classification: Linked Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect:


    +11,025% to all Physical Attributes (MAG 165)


    +450% to MAG (MAG 30) (This effect can only be stacked once and is overlapped by stronger similar effect)


    The closer the song is to the end, the stronger all the above effects. (Max: 600%) (Currently: 450%)


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 7.6 (+770)


    -END: 7.8 (+772)


    -AGI: 7.4 (+768)


    -DEX: 7.3 (+767)


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -MAG: 30 (+135)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    With his MAG stats broke into 3-digit. His Attunement with the Judgment of Light becomes intrinsically clearer than ever. Instead of just nondescripts guidance, he actually heard its words directly speaking of him for the first time.


    A current of ethereal intuition guiding his movements and techniques with an almost prophetic precision. But as RiET-949''s approaching finale hit its resounding peak, that presence coalesced into an unmistakable voice resonating directly into Jihoon''s very soul.


    Turns out, the Judgement of Light is an EGO weapon. Called as such for anything that contained its own consciousness and capable of thought of its own no differently than a human. Despite its state of decay, the consciousness residing in it still remain pristine and coherent.


    "Greetings, Anointed Wielder." The tone rang with the timeless cadence of a veteran paladin - resolute yet carrying solemn wisdom.


    "It seems that you have awakened me in just the most inopportune time possible. Or the opposite if you consider me".


    Despite the maelstrom raging around them, Jihoon felt an uncanny sense of calm suffuse him at the relic''s words.


    "You have proven your fortitude by harmonizing with my essence," the halberd''s voice continued patently. "Though our resonance remains temporary seeing your state, I shall impart the innermost secret of my transcendent techniques unto you. No time for training right now though, so I''ll do the act for you"


    Suddenly, knowledge rushed directly into his mind. His body''s control temporarily handed over to the halberd in his hand. His stance moved into position, the halberd moved into preparation stance. All as if he is about to jump toward her now that he has over-700 Physical Attributes.


    Judgement of Light''s Breaking Dawn is a technique meant to maximize the horizontal-swing attack. Which its luminous arcs represent the crack of dawn. So the next technique down the progression list is... the sun rising, clearing away the darkness of the night.


    Judgement of Light - Rising Sun


    An upward vertical swing, that''s what it looks like from outside perspective. But the force behind it is so immense that momentum dragging him upward into the sky toward her. Meanwhile in the wooden hut that Karim still remain motionless in there, somehow conveniently remain unaware of another massive battle taking place like at doorstep away.


    Alvorna''s silhouette shone like a fell angel at its core, wings outstretched as the full, primal force of her Heavenly Tribulation reached its zenith.


    A final bolt of massive lightning arced downwards, like a spear of annihilating energy powerful enough to scour the earth beneath itself. This was the Heavenly Tribulation''s ultimate and final onslaught, one last obliterating strike to end their confrontation.


    Yet Jihoon stood remains utterly calm, his body and the Judgment of Light moving in sublime unison as that transcendent wisdom guided his every movement. With blinding speed, the ancient halberd raised high in a two-handed grip as it is about to enact its completed swing midair. Like whirling helix that his trailing arc of light left behind, continuously growing in intensity until even the lightning itself eclipsed by its radiance.


    Then finally, as RiET-949 approaches its finishing crescendo. As its note progression continues to rise upward higher like ascending to heaven. Its timing was truly impeccable as he thought.


    The radiant corona of light impacted upon the spear of lightning. Luminous light and verdant thunder collide as two great force released each other as concussive and deafening explosion of shockwave. One so powerful that even the localized hurricane above them completely dispersed by force as if never once there.


    Even after the brilliance faded, ghostly afterimages swam in Jihoon''s vision from the sheer intensity of that released force. He gasped for breath, every fiber of his being thrumming with the exertion of channeling such staggering might. But the Heavenly Tribulation is no more, only scattering cloud remained as the dawn arrived in earnest.


    There was only silent in the brief moment between them. With RiET-949 ended, so too is the Linked Song Magic effect as a whole. Now entering free fall after that decisive collision, Jihoon''s body was too tired and fatigued after all of what has been done. And in the distance, he could see Alvorna also falling downward unconsciously too as she is too in direct proximity of that decisive collision.


    4 minutes. This whole Heavenly Tribulation thing from its beginning to abrupt end took 4 minutes. The same duration of RiET-949. And yet this whole fight between them felt like a long war has taken place and its conclusion felt endless despite momentary.


    "Whatever, perhaps this isn''t the worst death that can happen to me, I guess". Jihoon said with a tone of apathy of his oncoming fate.


    Alvorna''s eyes fluttered open as consciousness slowly returned to her. She blinked in confusion, taking in her surroundings and realize that she was plummeting from a great height back towards the ground far below.


    How did she end up here? The last thing she remembered was proposing a friendly spar with Jihoon to help him practice attuning his Light affinity. But now his limp form was also freefalling nearby, clearly drained and on the verge of losing consciousness himself.


    Reacting on pure instinct, Alvorna''s wings unfurled and she arrested her descent. With a few powerful strokes, she soared over and caught Jihoon in her arms before he could impact the ground. She landed gently, cradling his weary form.


    "Jihoon! What in the celestial heavens occurred here?" Alvorna''s voice was fraught with worry and confusion as she looked around at the devastated landscape around. Deep craters marred the earth and scorch marks like those left by heavenly lightning were seared into the ground.


    He simply managed a faint smile up at her, relieved she seemed unharmed even if utterly bewildered.


    His eyelids cracked open at her words, nondescript eyes struggling to refocus. Upon meeting her gaze, the memories of their ferocious duel came flooding back despite how recent it is.


    Yet Alvorna''s expression betrayed only confusion ¨C no recollection of the primal fury that had overcome her, no hint she even knew of the tempest she had unleashed. The "angel with dark wings" that her theme song alluded to must have remained shrouded from her conscious self.


    "It seems...some darker aspect of your truest nature momentarily seized control, Alvorna," he said between ragged breaths. "Using the strongest Wind Magic that I''ve seen so far in this realm".


    Alvorna went pale at his words, eyes widening in horror. "Wha...what? No, that''s not possible! I would never...I couldn''t have..." Her mind reeled, unable to process how she could have so catastrophically lost control to something intrinsically connected to her.


    Jihoon reached up to gently touch her cheek. "Peace, my celestial muse. You fought admirably to restrain yourself". He looked around at the devastation again. "For a terrifying moment, I glimpsed the full, ancient fury you celestial Harpies are capable of wielding. The ''angel with dark wings'' lurking beneath your radiant light."


    Alvorna''s eyes went wide at those words which she recognized from the lyrics of her own musical theme resonating with Jihoon. She drew in a shaky breath, unable to fully process the implications of what he described.


    Some primal, subconscious facet of her heritage had momentarily taken over. The very aspect of herself she had worked tirelessly to transcend through meditation and spiritual harmony. Yet it had still arisen, unbidden and uncontrolled, posing a terrifying threat to the one she cared for most.


    Overwhelmed, she clutched Jihoon close, trembling slightly. "I...have no memory of this darker side emerging," she admitted fearfully. "Does that mean I could lose control again at any moment? Unleashing devastation I can''t even consciously restrain?"


    Jihoon met her worried gaze steadily. "I do not know, Alvorna. Such primal depths seem inherent to your kind''s legacy. But I have faith you will find the inner harmony to overcome this trial, just as you have every other. And you''re not alone at all for you still have your kind and your mother who is willing to help you should it come to that. And even if the world is against you then I''m willing to stand up against it for your sake too"


    Through all of that, he returned her with a reassuring smile on his face that he could express. That''s the best he could do for her sake. He has been trying to learn more about her heritage and all he got was more questions and unexplained mysteries than answers with every interaction with the Harpies and things related to them in general.


    Alvorna felt her doubts calming at his words. And knowing that he was right about that at the very least. Together, they have formed a harmonic resonance that no inner turmoil can easily break. Best that she can do is to double on her grasp of her own emotional mastery.


    And if that primeval side of her threatened to resurface again. Jihoon is there to be her guiding light in her utmost desperate time. Before he could said anything however, Alvorna immediately held onto him tightly as if she''s afraid of what her future would be like without him.


    That if one day he would have to leave Absence, she would return back to that dreary old day again. One can''t continue to live in the darkness once they saw the light.


    While the moment between them was tender like always, there are one thing they needed to do right now.


    "I think we need to clear this site of battle right now. I don''t think Karim will like it if he saw just how close we are to another fiasco again". Jihoon said as he looked at the scarred battleground that they were in.


    Both of them snapped back to reality and suddenly, they have a different trouble at hand.

 Chapter 23: No Turning Back

    [87 days left until Alvorna¡¯s Rite of Ascension]


    They did their best to hide the damage left behind by this misfortunate escalation. Burying the craters, expelling the pungent smell of lightning, removing damaged trees for something much more unharmed and pretending that nothing of note has occurred in meantime.


    But despite all of that, what they did was just cover a destroyed environment with a thin veiled illusion. Because the reason that Karim knew something was wrong when he woke up is how disrupted the ambiance mana flows are which is the telltale sign of a high-class spell unleashed.


    But what did he do about it? Nothing¡­ He wasn¡¯t even mad, just disappointed. Like a father toward his unruly child who kept breaking their promise that they made.


    As the sun climbed high into the sky, Karim finally stirred from his deep slumber. His body ached from the previous night''s vigil, tending to Jihoon''s exhausted form. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, he immediately sensed something amiss in the air around him. The ambient mana flows, typically smooth and orderly, now swirled chaotically is a telltale sign of powerful magic recently unleashed.


    Rising to his feet, Karim surveyed the campsite. At first glance, everything seemed normal. Jihoon and Alvorna were engaged in what appeared to be a standard training session, their faces a mask of innocence. But Karim''s experienced eyes caught the subtle signs of hastily repaired damage ¨C freshly turned earth, branches arranged too neatly, the faint scent of ozone still lingering.


    Despite his suspicions, Karim chose not to confront them directly. Instead, he called out with forced cheer.


    "Ah, I see you two got an early start! Excellent initiative, Jihoon. Let''s get back to our scheduled training, shall we?"


    Throughout the day, Karim pushed Jihoon relentlessly to make up for the missing time he lay exhausted, focusing on honing his Light affinity techniques and physical endurance.


    He watched closely, noting how Jihoon seemed to have made unexpected progress overnight, his movements more fluid and confident than before. Alvorna, too, appeared unusually subdued, her typically playful demeanor replaced by a quiet intensity.


    As dusk fell and they gathered around the campfire, Karim finally broke his silence. "So," he began, his voice calm but tinged with disappointment, "would either of you care to explain what really happened while I was dead asleep?"


    Jihoon and Alvorna exchanged guilty glances, the weight of their deception heavy in the air between them. They were both silent, but that very silence is the answer they have given to him.


    Karim sighed, "I''ve been aware of it all day. The disrupted mana flows, the subtle signs of a battle... You can''t exactly hide these things from someone who''s seen as much as I have." He looked at them both, his eyes filled with concern rather than anger.


    He¡¯s not heaven-defying prodigal like his brother was but he¡¯s still someone who were gifted with what they had. A half-hearted deception like this wouldn¡¯t have withheld the truth from him for long.


    "I''m not upset that you pushed yourselves or done something outrageously dangerous. I''m disappointed that you felt the need to hide it from me. We''re in this together, and secrets will only hinder our progress and put us all at risk."


    The campfire crackled in the ensuing silence, casting flickering shadows across their faces as they contemplated the gravity of Karim''s words.


    Jihoon sighed before deciding to spin his version of the truth. He¡¯s probably sure that the angel with dark wings that exist in the imagery of the Harpies isn¡¯t just a coincidence either thus he likely knew something about this too.


    ¡°It¡¯s my fault. I pushed her a bit too far and she retaliated as a result. I know that I should have kept myself low-key and not causing trouble, but it seems that I didn¡¯t know my boundary after all¡±. Jihoon said as he takes all the non-existent blame on her.


    Alvorna looked guilty the same but before she could interject, Karim looked at her as if saying that she had spoken enough already. And besides, Karim glared toward the setting sun, signaling Alvorna to leave this place and return before her curfew or she risked Jihoon with her people again.


    With the Harpy leaving the premise as she fly back to the Citadel, the two of them now have their own moment alone to discuss.


    ¡°Now¡­ what is it that you want to talk about? I¡¯m pretty sure that it must be important even if Alvorna wanted to hear, it is probably too risky for someone so close to the Matriarch¡±. Karim said as he could tell the


    After hearing Jihoon¡¯s thoughts about ¡®the angel with dark wings¡¯. Karim had a contemplative nod of what¡¯s spoken. Apparently, the angel with dark wings is actually something that resurfaces at time in Harpies¡¯ recorded history if his brother¡¯s research has pointed anywhere meaningful. And the figure remains integral toward the Harpies¡¯ culture despite the lack of presence.


    But there¡¯s one thing that connected all these individuals who perceived ¡®the angel with dark wings¡¯ together. They resonated to any instrument that isn¡¯t the woodwind. This isn¡¯t of any significance to the Harpies, not until the current Matriarch and her daughter.


    Surprisingly, even the Matriarch is also unconventional herself with the unprecedented mastery over numerous non-woodwinds with the keyboard instruments being her best. But because of her undeniable authority and talent that she displayed surpass all her peers at the time, no one could say anything about it. All criticism silenced before they could be voiced.


    Not many even realize it, thinking it is just simply heaven-granted talent that the best of the Harpies would be given. And it is possible that she too has some connection to this ¡®angel with dark wings¡¯ though the exact can¡¯t easily be said.


    ¡°So¡­ this affinity for non-woodwind isn¡¯t just a quirk after all?¡± Jihoon spoke about it in a tone slightly below whisper itself.


    ¡°The current Matriarch and Alvorna aren''t the first to display this trait, but they''re certainly the most prominent examples in recent memory." Karim too lowered his voice, in a paranoic measure of just in case.


    "What about the Matriarch''s rule? You''ve mentioned before that she was a benevolent leader." Jihoon leaned his body forward, his curiosity piqued.


    Karim nodded slowly, a conflicted look crossing his face. "For years before my brother¡¯s fall, I believed the Matriarch''s rule was beyond reproach. Kind, responsible, the envy of other leaders. But now, hearing your experiences of this recent incident¡­ and reflecting on my brother''s censured research... I''m beginning to question that narrative further."


    "My brother''s entire life work, which was dismissed and suppressed by her, doesn''t seem so outlandish anymore. There may be depths to the Matriarch''s reign and the Harpies as a whole. One that we''ve barely begun to understand."


    Karim looked directly at Jihoon, his eyes filled with a mix of concern and determination. Jihoon simply returned the same gaze of solidarity. They both knew that pursuing this path required careful planning and preparation. And utter perseverance to pursue to the end.


    The angel with dark wings still lies center at all of these conspiracies.


    [86 days left until Alvorna¡¯s Rite of Ascension]


    Today is training as usual, Jihoon performs the set of daily training that Karim provided with the equipment that he conjured and made out of his Intermediate-class Wood Magic. It isn¡¯t much but they all do their designated job. Working all his limbs and his body until his own physique gave out on its own against his will.


    Karim¡¯s expertise with plants allows him to concoct medicines that accelerate his natural regeneration. Of course, not as fast as Alvorna¡¯s healing Wind Magic but it is a lot more thorough so that his training won¡¯t ruin his body more than improving it. Something Karim spoke that a lot takes the advanced medical development of Absence incorrectly.


    Through numerous sets of training later, Jihoon quickly checked up on his status panel.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon


    Level: 38


    EXP: 322/511


    Class: None


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 8.4


    -END: 8.3


    -AGI: 8.4


    -DEX: 8.2


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 10.2


    -CHA: 4


    -MAG: 30


    Attribute Points: 8


    +Musical Prowess: Early-Expert


    +Active Skill:


    -Doppelganger (Expert)


    -Mana Attunement (Initiate)


    -Light Magic (Innate)


    +Passive Skill:


    None


    +Song Magic:


    -Forgotten Melody (Intermediate)


    -Glint of Cold Steel (Intermediate)


    -Belief (Intermediate)


    -Exceed! (Intermediate)


    -RiET-949 (Intermediate)


    -SPIKA (Intermediate)


    -Alvorna (Expert)


    -Restia. (Expert)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Jihoon noticed that his Physical Attributes have all exceed 8 and that he is probably the equivalent of a strongman in his world. Not yet the peak of unattuned human but very close. Now that he is approaching the limit of 10, Jihoon wonders if there¡¯s any method to surpassing it.


    ¡°What? Worrying about limitation of physique? Trust me when you hear that a lot of people worry about that when they developed their strength too late. But since you asked, I also got something for you too¡±. Karim said as he presents what looks like a vial of dark green liquid inside. Simply titled as ¡®Body Restructuring Liquid¡¯ and its origin coming from Atria.


    ¡°Heard this thing is rather popular with the combat Yokais in Atria since it allowed them to increase the max limit of their strength and development speed. Works for other races too¡±. Karim said as he examines the vial.


    ¡°Where did you even get something like that?¡±. Jihoon asked as he thought that Karim¡¯s network of connection seems too vast for something like that.


    ¡°Alvorna purchased it for you. Would have cut sizably into our budget otherwise. Better thank her when you get the chance, kiddo¡±. Karim said with a smirk on his face, seemingly proud of Jihoon¡¯s relationship with her.


    He then explained the process of using the Body Restructure Liquid as casually as talking about a simple herbal remedy. Apparently, using it is simple as just pouring into a hot bathtub of water and soaking in it. The body then absorbing its properties and the heat would open the pores, facilitating better absorption.


    The Body Restructure Liquid works by breaking down the muscle and bone at cellular level. Quite ingenious of how a blend of alchemical compound and rare herbs synergize with one another to push the body beyond the natural limit.


    After thorough preparations, Jihoon stood before the steaming bath, the dark green liquid swirling ominously in the water. He took a deep breath, ready to step in and begin the process of transcending his physical limitations.


    It was only then, as Jihoon was about to submerge himself, that Karim offhandedly mentioned outside the bathing area.


    "Oh, by the way, I may have forgotten to mention one small detail. The Yokai''s unique constitution allows them to endure this process with minimal discomfort or complication. For everyone else... well, let''s just say it''s a bit more intense."


    Before Jihoon could fully process this information or voice any objections, he had already stepped into the bath. Almost immediately, an agonized, guttural scream erupted from the bath area, echoing through their campsite and likely scaring off any nearby wildlife in the vicinity.


    Karim, seemingly unfazed by the sounds of extreme distress, casually went about his business, intentionally turning a deaf ear to Jihoon''s plight. He hummed to himself, arranging supplies and reviewing notes as if the horrific screams were nothing more than a mild inconvenience.


    "No pain, no gain," Karim muttered to himself with a slight smirk, knowing full well the ordeal Jihoon was enduring would ultimately make him stronger. "He''ll thank me later... probably."


    [85 days left until Alvorna¡¯s Rite of Ascension]


    Today, Jihoon has adapted himself well to the training regiment that Karim put him through. The Body Restructure Liquid did wonder for his growth but the agony he underwent was so much that Jihoon screamed like he got put into a femur breaker. Except it isn¡¯t just one of his femurs but his entire body.


    It was bad enough that he received a Skill for this ordeal.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Agony Resistance


    Classification: Mentality (Passive)


    Rank: Novice


    Effect:


    +20% to END


    +Lightly reduce the effect of pain and agony on mental capacity.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 9.6


    -END: 9.4 (+1.8)


    -AGI: 9.3


    -DEX: 9.4


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    While thinking that today would be no different than usual, Karim himself has come to bring something new to his training. After that incident with the Body Restructure Liquid, Jihoon is skeptical about what kind of new pain that this merchant is about to inflict upon him for the purpose of training.


    As Karim approached with a bundle of wooden accessories, Jihoon couldn''t help but eye them suspiciously.


    "What new instruments of torture have you brought today, oh wise mentor?" he quipped, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Perhaps some wooden thumbscrews? Or a lovely rack made of oak?"


    Karim merely chuckled at Jihoon''s snark, laying out the items for inspection. Upon closer look, Jihoon saw they were indeed accessories - bracers, a circlet, a belt, and ankle bracelets, many minor pieces, all crafted from a rich, warm-toned wood.


    Jihoon used his [Observant] on them, again¡­ Don¡¯t make stupid mistakes that he gets away with luck.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Livingwood Training Gear


    Classification: Enchanted Accessories


    Rarity: Mortal


    Effect:


    +Adjustable weight and resistance, grow with the trainer


    Note: No hidden traps or tortures detected.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Relieved but still wary, Jihoon began to don the gear pieces one by one. It was only as he fastened the last ankle bracelet that a realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. Karim''s Wood Magic. The "Livingwood" part in the name. He had just willingly put on his own shackles.


    "Oh, you crafty old..." Jihoon began, but his words were cut short as he felt the gear suddenly become heavier, pressing down on his limbs and torso.


    Karim''s eyes twinkled with amusement. "Ah, I see you''ve figured it out. Yes, these are your new training weights. They''ll adjust as you grow stronger, ensuring you''re always pushing your limits."


    Jihoon groaned, both from the weight and the realization of what his new training regimen would entail. "You know, when I agreed to train with you, I didn''t expect to become a walking tree."


    Karim laughed heartily. "Just think of it as becoming one with nature. Now, shall we begin today''s exercises? I think a nice 10-mile run through the mountain trails should be a good warm-up."


    As Jihoon struggled to take his first steps under the new weight, he couldn''t help but wonder if he should have read the fine print on this whole training agreement. But deep down, he knew this was necessary for his growth, no matter how much his muscles might protest in the coming days.


    [84 days left until Alvorna¡¯s Rite of Ascension]


    After a brutal day of training where even the simplest task becomes atrocious to even do with the Livingwood weight. And Karim even has the confidence to suggest that he should keep wearing the said things even through the night to continuously develop his body.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    And with the amount of frustration that he has, Jihoon just can¡¯t fall asleep as his glare pierces through the darkness of the wooden hut they¡¯re in. In the dead of night where his exhaustion should have just taken him to his peaceful rest, he was so spiteful that all the fatigue of the day failed to get it out of his system.


    For some bizarre reasons, Jihoon decided that ¡®Yes, this is a good time to practice my Light Magic¡¯ and did just that.


    With his Light Magic being at Initiate, it couldn¡¯t even be useful at anything with its current state. Alvorna arrived during the day to teach him about the basis of spellcasting and what she found about Light Magic in the Citadel¡¯s archive to teach for him.


    The general gist of what determines one¡¯s understanding of their own element is the imagery that they conjured of said thing. Alvorna being a Harpy has such attunement with the wind that her rank of Expert with her Wind Magic is achieved within just her early adulthood.


    So¡­ Jihoon wonders what his imagery of Light is. There exist many forms Light taken and distinct. Like the sun hanging above the sky, or sliver of light in the deep darkness.


    But by some twisted line of thought, Jihoon¡¯s first idea of Light imagery goes toward the Genesis myth of Christianity. When God first created the universe¡­ When there was absolutely nothing but darkness and untamed chaos.


    And the next stupid thing that he did¡­ is to mutter that phrase¡­


    Let there be Light.


    In an instant, his Light Magic surged from Innate to Initiate rank, the power of his chosen imagery resonating deeply with the very essence of light itself.


    A pinprick of light, no larger than a grain of sand, materialized in the center of the dark hut. For a split second, it hung there, deceptively small and innocent. Then, without warning, it exploded into a blinding flash of pure, white light.


    However, this sudden leap in magical prowess came with unforeseen consequences. The tiny mote of light Jihoon had intended to create exploded into a brilliant, blinding flash. The entire interior of the wooden hut was instantly illuminated as if struck by lightning, the intensity rivaling that of a military-grade flashbang.


    The peaceful night was shattered by twin cries of shock and pain. Karim, jolted violently from his slumber, tumbled from his cot with a string of colorful curses. Jihoon himself, unprepared for the magnitude of his spell, was momentarily stunned, his vision filled with dancing spots and his ears ringing.


    As the initial shock subsided, leaving them both disoriented in the now pitch-black hut, Karim''s voice cut through the darkness, a mix of irritation and begrudging admiration.


    "By all that''s holy, what in blazes was that?" he demanded, fumbling to light a lamp.


    Jihoon, being the source of the light, was hit even harder. The sudden brightness seared his retinas, leaving him seeing nothing but white spots dancing across his vision. He yelped in surprise and pain, instinctively trying to shield his eyes far too late.


    As the initial flash faded, leaving behind a lingering afterglow, both men sat in stunned silence, blinking furiously as they tried to regain their sight.


    "Jihoon," Karim finally managed, his voice a mix of exasperation and begrudging admiration, " Jihoon! If this is your idea of a midnight prank, I swear I''ll double your training weights tomorrow! When I said you should practice, I didn''t mean in the middle of the night, and certainly not by trying to recreate the birth of the universe!"


    Jihoon, still seeing spots, could only offer a sheepish grin in response. "Sorry," he mumbled, "I guess I got a bit carried away with the whole ''Let there be Light'' thing."


    As their vision slowly returned to normal, Karim shook his head, a wry smile forming on his face.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be damned. Ranking up in the middle of night. Something that normally would take weeks or months on end for new practitioners. And you¡¯ve gone up in the middle of night. Impressive feat even if disruptive¡±.


    Jihoon couldn''t help but feel a mix of pride and embarrassment. "Sorry about the rude awakening. I guess I underestimated the power of divine creation myths."


    Karim waved off the apology. "No harm done, my boy. Though perhaps in the future, we should schedule your magical breakthroughs for more sociable hours, hmm?"


    Surprisingly, it gets the spite out of his system very well and soon he falls asleep much more comfortably than before despite the weight.


    [82 days left until Alvorna¡¯s Rite of Ascension]


    So¡­ about the details of the training regiment that Karim devised. Because of the limitation of resources, he had to be very prudent with it. No high-tech simulation ground or prestigious instructors from all over of Absence. Just pure grit and the nature around them.


    This method¡­ is called the ¡®Prohibition Shackle¡¯. Where the training involves making the simple training session as agonizingly difficult and brutal as possible to push the limit of the physique upward. Like doing push up not just the one¡¯s own weight but multiple of their own together.


    It is brutally effective and deceptively simple. Because each session is bound to push him to the utter limit of his current self every time.


    During push-up, a living tree is strapped on his back and for each repetition, the tree would become larger and grow its branches. What starts as a manageable exercise become a different brand of Herculean Labor and at the end of it all, he is practically trying to push up with a grand tree on his back whose entire weight eclipsed him by multiple times.


    Running exercises were transformed into grueling obstacle courses. Karim would manipulate the forest itself around the trail, causing roots to spring up from the ground, forming hurdles and tripwires. Trees would bend and sway, their branches becoming swinging obstacles that Jihoon had to dodge or deflect while maintaining his pace.


    The further he ran, the more difficult it naturally was along with his Livingwood weight.


    Even simple stretches became tests of endurance. Karim would create wooden bonds that gradually tightened around Jihoon''s limbs, forcing him to resist the increasing pressure while holding difficult poses. The living wood responded to Jihoon''s movements, constantly adjusting to provide maximum resistance.


    Perhaps the most challenging amongst them were the balance exercises. Karim would conjure narrow, unstable wooden beams for Jihoon to traverse. As Jihoon struggled to maintain his footing, the beams would shift and warp beneath him, forcing constant readjustment and engagement of stabilizing muscles.


    But what made this training regiment particularly relentless was Karim''s mastery of herbal medicine which comes naturally with his Wood Magic. Any time that Jihoon collapsed in exhaustion, Karim would apply poultices and tinctures crafted from his Wood Magic. These treatments accelerated Jihoon''s natural healing to an astonishing degree. Muscles that should have been sore for days recovered in mere hours and fatigues supposed to accumulate all swept cleanly in one night.


    This rapid recovery meant that Jihoon never truly got a "rest day." Each morning, he would wake to find his body refreshed and ready - much to his mixed relief and dread. Karim was always there, a glint in his eye, ready to push Jihoon even further than the day before.


    "Your body is adapting," Karim would say with a grin as Jihoon groaned at the sight of new, even more daunting wooden contraptions. "We must keep challenging it if you want to surpass your limits."


    Jihoon had mouth but his screams were silent.


    [79 days left until Alvorna¡¯ Rite of Ascension]


    Wind swept through the hill as he spars with Alvorna again. Thankfully that she is in control of her own self better than the last time. The purpose of the spar is like usual, trying to improve Jihoon¡¯s proficiency of his Light Magic.


    In the end, Jihoon never figures out what makes the angel of dark wing arises from Alvorna¡¯s subconsciousness. But she too didn¡¯t stay still or stall her own progress at all.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Daughter of the Matriarch


    Name: Alvorna (Absence) Lucifera


    Level: 105


    Class: Royalty


    Job: Overseer


    Race: Harpy


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: ??


    -END: ??


    -AGI: ???


    -DEX: ???


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 9


    -CHA: 19


    -MAG: ???


    -Active Skill:


    +Wind Magic (Expert)


    +Unfettered Flight (Advanced)


    +Mana Attunement (Advanced)


    +Celestial Connection (Intermediate)


    +[??????????????] (Innate Racial Ability)


    +Musical Prowess: Early-Expert


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    He remembered that she was just level 91 last time that he saw her or used [Observant] on her. He had no idea how someone like her becoming stronger at all and Jihoon simply knows too little of this world to make any meaningful discussion about it.


    Someone who had access to the System grows slower than the normal inhabitants, a kind of twisted joke that played the cruelest on the designated protagonist.


    This spar is without weapons, both are just hurling basic Magic spells of their own elements at one another. In Jihoon¡¯s case, it isn¡¯t even capable of harm in the slightest at his Initiate rank. The little particles that exploded into blinding, but harmless flash can¡¯t exactly penetrate into someone¡¯s whose proficiency far exceeds him.


    ¡°Jihoon, do you know how Wind Magic can cast lightning?¡± Alvorna asked question to him, subtly guiding toward him as to how he can proceed.


    He knows how basic physics works. Electricity occurs through static friction between air flows. Once static electricity reaches a critical point, it is immediately released and projected through the path of least resistance toward the ground. That¡¯s what his understanding of his world¡¯s physics told him.


    But of course, Alvorna didn¡¯t expect any answer from him. She just spoke about that question to make him rethink his approach toward his Light Magic. His chosen imagery is no doubt suitable for his affinity but that alone won¡¯t be enough.


    The next approach required would be his application. Maybe creating focused ray or hard light is beyond him but any tiny step forward might be meaningful for him. Something simple but effective.


    As he continues to ponder with the received question, his mind raced to question and research on the key physics knowledge that he has. With INT 10, the peak of unattuned human ingenuity. He quickly recalls and synthesizes the information he had in mind much more clearly. Drawing upon the connection between his world¡¯s physics and the magical applications.


    Light¡­ at its core is electromagnetic radiation. Just like lightning, it¡¯s also a form of energy that can be manipulated and directed.


    "Light isn''t just illumination," Jihoon muttered to himself. "It''s energy, it''s particles, it''s waves..."


    He thought about the nature of light itself, how it refracts and reflects, how it can be focused and dispersed.


    Then, he considered the various phenomena associated with light in nature: rainbows, mirages, auroras, and even the simple act of sunlight warming the earth.


    He closed his eyes, focusing on the imagery of creation that had served him well before. But this time, instead of just willing light into existence, he envisioned it as a stream of particles, each carrying energy.


    Opening his eyes, Jihoon extended his hand, concentrating on channeling his mana into this new concept of light. A small orb of incandescent light formed in his palm, but unlike before, it didn''t simply flash and dissipate. Instead, it pulsed with a steady rhythm like that of a miniature heartbeat.


    ¡°Pulse of Light¡±. Jihoon whispered, giving the name to his newly made technique.


    With a flick of his wrist, he sent the orb flying towards a nearby tree. Upon impact, the orb burst into a shower of light particles. While it didn''t cause any visible damage, the bark where it hit seemed to shimmer slightly, as if the very molecules had been excited by the energy.


    Alvorna''s eyes widened in surprise and approval.


    "That''s it, Jihoon! You''re starting to understand. Light isn''t just about illumination. It''s about energy transfer, about influencing the world around you on a fundamental level."


    Seeing his minor progression in action, suddenly, an idea struck him. If wind could generate lightning through friction, perhaps he could use his Light Magic to generate heat. After all, light and heat were closely related in many natural processes.


    Jihoon closed his eyes again, concentrating on the imagery of sunlight warming the earth. He imagined the light particles not just illuminating, but transferring energy, creating warmth. As he opened his eyes, he extended his hand, focusing his mana into his palm as unleashed is a small, concentrated beam of light.


    To his surprise and delight, he felt a warmth emanating from his palm. It wasn''t much, just barely enough to be noticeable but it was a start somehow. The light wasn''t just illuminating anymore, it indeed was carrying thermal energy.


    Jihoon''s mind raced with other possibilities seeing this success of his. He then thought about how light could be refracted through a prism, splitting into a spectrum of colors. Perhaps he could manipulate the wavelengths of his light magic, creating different effects based on the color he chose to emphasize.


    He also considered the concept of photosynthesis, the idea of how plants convert light energy into chemical energy. While he couldn''t replicate such a complex process right now, it gave him ideas about how his Light Magic might interact with living things, thus its potential for his own version of Healing Magic.


    Lastly, he remembered how light could be used for communication. From ancient signal fires to modern fiber optics of his world. This sparked thoughts about using his Light Magic for long-distance signaling or even as a form of non-verbal communication during intense battle.


    As these ideas flowed through his mind, Jihoon felt a shift in his understanding of Light Magic. It was no longer just about creating flashes of illumination. He was beginning to see it as a versatile tool with a wide range of potential applications.


    "I see you''re starting to understand," she said encouragingly. "Light is so much more than just brightness. It''s energy, information, and life itself. Keep exploring these concepts, and you''ll find your Light Magic growing in ways you never imagined."


    Invigorated by this new perspective, Jihoon resumed his sparring with renewed enthusiasm, eager to put his budding ideas into practice and push the boundaries of his Light Magic even further. He hasn¡¯t yet advanced to the next level of proficiency, but he is certain that day isn¡¯t too far away.


    [75 days left until Alvorna¡¯s Rite of Ascension]


    Today is his treatment time, again. After roughly 2 weeks since the beginning of this training regiment, Jihoon thought that it would only be a continuous cycle of self-torture and treatment until the day they departed for Calphennis for the Odyssey.


    But it is different now a bit as Karim brought himself what looks like acupuncture kit with him.


    ¡°So, kiddo. Let us try something a bit more different now that your Attunement has become much more fluid and cohesive than before¡±. Karim said as he opens the small box.


    Jihoon eyed the acupuncture kit with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.


    "Acupuncture? Where did this idea come from all of a sudden?" he asked, his voice tinged with both interest and slight apprehension.


    Karim chuckled, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief.


    "Ah, this little technique has its roots in Atria," he explained, carefully laying out the needles, some of them made out of what seems like esoteric wood for his manipulation, yet its sharpness is match with the metal needles either way.


    "It''s quite popular among the Yokai, especially their warriors."


    "Atria?" Jihoon''s eyebrows raised in surprise. "I thought they were more into... well, whatever it is Yokai are typically into."


    "You''re not wrong, but Atria is a fascinating melting pot of cultural practices, many of which you said reminded you of various East Asian traditions from your world. The Yokai, true to their name, have a constitution that''s naturally more attuned to spirituality and inseparable from their physicality. For them, these acupuncture techniques to open spirit channels in their bodies work like nothing short of a miracle." Karim nodded sagely.


    In gaming terms, if everyone else has HP and MP bars, the Yokai merged the two of them together into something called Lifeforce. This enabling them to display greater power at its expense yet at the same time walk the thin edge of life and death where exhaustion of lifeforce instead of Mana is understood to be lethal unlike other races.


    "So, you''re saying that all those spiritual practices I''ve heard about them like qi manipulation, meridian theory, and the like they''re actually real and work there?" Jihoon considered this for a moment, recalling what little he knew about Atria''s diverse cultural landscape that resembles of his world¡¯s East Asia.


    "More real than you might imagine," Karim confirmed with a nod. "In Atria, the line between the physical and spiritual is often blurred. What might be considered esoteric or pseudoscience in your realm can have tangible, measurable effects there."


    Jihoon''s mind raced with the implications. If acupuncture could have such dramatic effects on beings as spiritually attuned as the Yokai, what might it do for him, especially now that his own Attunement had improved?


    "And you think this will work on me?" Jihoon asked, a mix of excitement and hesitation in his voice.


    Karim grinned. "That''s what we''re about to find out. Your attunement has improved significantly over these past 2 weeks. I believe you''re ready to try more advanced techniques. And besides," he added with a wink, "after everything else you''ve endured in our training, a few needles should be a walk in the park, right?"


    Jihoon couldn''t help but laugh at that. "Well, when you put it that way... Alright, let''s give it a shot. Just... be gentle with those needles, okay?"


    He couldn''t help but marvel at the strange journey he was on, learning techniques from cultures that existed only in mythology or fables in his own world. It was yet another reminder of how vast and wondrous Absence truly was, and how much more he had yet to discover.


    As Karim began the acupuncture session, Jihoon closed his eyes, focusing on his breath and the subtle sensations in his body.


    [71 days left until Alvorna¡¯s Rite of Ascension]


    On the last day of the training regiment, Jihoon never thought that he would come toward a day that would miss the stupid Livingwood weights that he has strapped on him for so long that it felt wrong without the pressure placed on him.


    The last day of the three weeks where they would set toward Calphennis to the far south of Absence to enter the Odyssey. The coastal sea where the merfolk resides.


    After all the brutal training, Jihoon has made farther than what he would have imagined. Honestly, he never thought that becoming a real-life minmaxer but he should have seen that coming from the moment he received the System.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon


    Level: 44


    EXP: 284/592


    Class: None


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 13


    -END: 14 (+2.8)


    -AGI: 14


    -DEX: 13


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 10.2


    -CHA: 4


    -MAG: 30


    Attribute Points: 14


    +Musical Prowess: Early-Expert


    +Active Skill:


    -Doppelganger (Expert)


    -Mana Attunement (Novice)


    -Light Magic (Initiate)


    +Passive Skill:


    -Agony Resistance (Novice)


    +Song Magic:


    -Forgotten Melody (Intermediate)


    -Glint of Cold Steel (Intermediate)


    -Belief (Intermediate)


    -Exceed! (Intermediate)


    -RiET-949 (Intermediate)


    -SPIKA (Intermediate)


    -Alvorna (Expert)


    -Restia. (Expert)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    His innate Physical Attributes have broken through the 2-digit limit of unattuned human. From here on out, he is post-mortal. But seeing just how lop-sided the stats of various races of Absence, this is probably still inadequate compared to actual powerhouses of Absence and those that may participate in the Odyssey.


    Before their departure from this mountain forest, they both sat down at the campfire for one final discussion about the challenges that lay ahead of them. His expression remains serious as he begins outline the diverse arrays of challenges that Jihoon will face at the Odyssey.


    "The Odyssey isn''t just a test of strength, Jihoon," Karim explained, his voice grave. "It''s a gathering of the most promising individuals from across Absence. Think of it as a grand Olympics of your place, where each race sends their best and brightest."


    Jihoon nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. "What kind of races should I expect to encounter?"


    "Well, you''ll certainly see more Harpies like Alvorna. They excel in aerial combat and wind magic. Then there are the Merfolk of Calphennis itself, masters of water manipulation and underwater combat."


    He continued, ticking off races on his fingers. "The Dwarves of the Magni clan will likely send their sturdiest warriors, skilled in earth magic and craftsmanship. The Elves of Alberenth are renowned for their archery and nature magic. And don''t underestimate the Beastfolk from Solros with their keen senses and natural instinct".


    ¡°Is there more that I should know? Like the Yokais or many more major races?¡±. Jihoon asked as he leaned in toward the campfire, listening to him attentively.


    "There¡¯s also the Yokai from Atria are wildly unpredictable with their abilities can range from shape-shifting to elemental manipulation. And not only with their heightened physical power through unification of spiritual and physical.¡± Karim further elaborates on the future adversaries that he might face.


    "And where do I fit into all this?" Jihoon said as he finds the line-up that he is placing himself¡­ lopsided.


    Karim gave him a measured look. "That''s the challenge, isn''t it? As a human with your unique abilities, you''re something of a wildcard. Many will underestimate you, which can be both an advantage and a danger. You''ll more likely find yourself in situations where it''s you against representatives from multiple races, each with their own strengths that far surpass normal limitations of even their own races."


    "So, it''s me versus everyone else," Jihoon mused, a hint of worry in his voice.


    "In many ways, yes. But remember, your strength lies in your adaptability and your unique Song Magic. While others may have overwhelming physical advantages or innate magical abilities, you have the potential to surprise and overcome through creativity and strategic thinking." Karim nodded, seeing how Jihoon managed to overcome even an Expert-class Magic spell despite the disparity of power.


    It isn¡¯t Jihoon that should be afraid of others, it is everyone else that should be wary of him instead.


    Karim placed a metaphorical hand on Jihoon''s shoulder.


    "This Odyssey will test you in ways you can''t even imagine. But I believe the trials you''ve faced and the growth you''ve achieved have prepared you better than you realize. Trust in your training, in your music, and in yourself."


    Jihoon took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenges ahead. "I understand. It won''t be easy, but I''m ready to face whatever the Odyssey throws at me."


    Karim smiled, pride evident in his eyes. "That''s the spirit. Now, let''s get moving. Calphennis awaits, and with it, the true test of everything you''ve learned."


    As they gathered their belongings and prepared to leave the training grounds, Jihoon cast one last look at the place that had pushed him to his limits and beyond. Whatever lay ahead in the Odyssey, he knew he was stepping into it as a changed man, ready to prove himself against the best Absence had to offer.

 Chapter 24: Scatter Your Sorrow

    <u>[70 days left until Alvorna''s Rite of Asecension]</u>


    [9 days left until the Odyssey''s commence]


    Quickly catching their high-speed ether transit train toward Calphennis and seeing the great influx of tourists on the same route as him tells him with certainty of how much of a massive event that the Odyssey is.


    ¡°Good thing that we didn¡¯t try to squeeze in one more day of training or we would stuck trying to even maneuver through a much more dense crowd than currently now.¡± Karim said as he looked at the crowded station and the noisy ambiance surrounding them.


    Jihoon nodded in agreement with Karim''s observation about the crowded station. And after a little hurdle with the crowd of travelers between them, they made into their seats of their designated express train.


    "Karim, I''ve been meaning to ask - what exactly is our route to Calphennis? I know it''s quite a journey from Avanthal."


    With a smile on his sly face, Karim took out his personal device for public use and displayed a 3-dimensional holographic map, projecting from a handheld device. With a flick of his fingers, it expanded large enough to show him the glowing path across Absence¡¯s southern part toward Calphennis.


    "Good question. We''re taking what''s known as the Cross July Delta route," Karim explained, tracing the path with his finger. "First, we''ll head southeast to the river city of Nymphaea, one of the entry points of merfolk¡¯s domain. From there, we''ll board another ferry across the July Estuary to Port Siren. Finally, we''ll take another ether transit to reach Calphennis¡¯s capital undersea."


    Jihoon''s eyes widened. "Undersea? That sounds incredible."


    "Oh, it is," Karim grinned. "The views are breathtaking. But here''s the real kicker, we were incredibly lucky to snag our tickets when we did. I had them reserved months in advance when I had business there during its Odyssey season."


    He gestured to the crowds around them. "If we hadn''t, we''d be stuck with these folks, trying to find any available seat on any train heading even remotely in the right direction. During Odyssey season, it can take days to reach Calphennis without a proper booking."


    Jihoon shuddered at the thought. "That sounds like a nightmare. So all these people..."


    "Most of them are probably on their way to watch the Odyssey, not participate," Karim explained. "They''ll be bouncing from station to station, hoping to find an open spot. It''s doable, but it''s a special kind of purgatory that''s entirely avoidable with proper planning."


    Jihoon nodded, a new appreciation for Karim''s foresight washing over him. "Well, I''m glad you thought ahead. Seems like we dodged quite the train-sized bullet there."


    "Indeed we did," Karim chuckled. "We''ve got a long journey ahead, and you''ll need all your energy for what''s to come."


    With that, they made their way onto the train, leaving behind the chaotic sea of last-minute travelers and settling in for their journey to Calphennis.


    The transit itself is blazing fast. So much so that scenery passing through him, like he is taking a plane in his world again. Though with relief in mind, Jihoon have this strange feeling of unrest that remains. As someone who is a Hunter in his world, he wouldn¡¯t ignore that instinct of his that seemingly come to feel alert at something uneasy incoming.


    The journey itself toward Nymphaea remains uneventful. But what awaits him there would soon spoke of what likely will be his next uninvited ordeal.


    As their express train glided to a stop at Nymphaea¡¯s station, Jihoon and Karim gathered their belongings and stepped onto the platform. The air was thick with humidity, carrying the scent of salt and aquatic flora.


    "Welcome to Nymphaea," Karim announced, gesturing towards the sprawling city before them. "One of the main gateways to the merfolk domain."


    Jihoon''s eyes widened as he took in the sight around. A city that is a harmonious blend of land and water, with canals crisscrossing between elegant buildings that seemed to float on the water''s surface. It reminds him of Venice of Italy in his world before Gates destroyed nearly every vestige of the old world with their appearance.


    But what truly caught his attention were the inhabitants of this place.


    "Are those... merfolk?" Jihoon whispered, his gaze fixed on a group of beings emerging from one of the canals into the port.


    Karim nodded. "Indeed they are. Your first time seeing them in the flesh, I take it?"


    The merfolk was a mesmerizing sight on their own. From the waist up, they appeared mostly human, with smooth skin in various hues of blue, green, and purple. Their faces were expressive and undeniably human-like. There are traces of subtle differences that he noticed such as fins in place of ears.


    Basically, the typical merfolk depiction that numerous fantasies uses.


    As he watched from the distance, one of the merfolk lifted themselves out of the water, their tail shimmering before seemingly melting away, replaced by human legs. They stepped onto the walkway, now appearing entirely human save for their unusual coloring and aquatic features.


    "They can just... change like that?" Jihoon muttered in surprise.


    Karim explained, "That''s their transformation art unique to them. It allows them to walk on land like we do. However, there''s a catch. While in this form, they can''t use their vocal abilities. It''s a trade-off they make for mobility on land. Surprisingly close to the Little Mermaid isn¡¯t it? You can really imagine the effect of the language barrier for them before the Great Conclave and non-verbal language development"


    As they made their way through the city, Jihoon noticed a few merfolk hovering above the water, suspended by swirling currents. These individuals seemed to command attention from others around them.


    Noticing Jihoon''s curiosity like a fish out of water, Karim elaborated, "Those are likely members of the royal family or high-ranking nobles. They''re using at least Advanced-class Water Magic to lift themselves out of the water. It''s an incredibly difficult skill to master that you can see. Most merfolk don''t achieve it until well into adulthood, if at all. But for the royal family, it''s a rite of passage they typically accomplish in their teenage years."


    Jihoon nodded, absorbing this information. As they continued towards the ferry that would take them across the July Estuary, he couldn''t shake the feeling of unease that had been growing since they left the train. His Hunter instincts were on high alert, warning him of potential danger ahead.


    "Karim," he said quietly to him, not wanting to raise too much unnecessary alarm with how much they have hurt each other over their own actions. "Do you sense anything unusual?"


    Karim looked at him curiously. "Not particularly. Since you said something, we''d be wise to stay alert considering how sharp your precognition is at time.¡±


    Soon, they arrived at a ferry dock and they can already imagine the nightmarish overcrowding that can take place. It was prudent and wise of them to have arrived early before the real holiday could begin. And as they board the ferry boat, its speed was much slower compared to the ether transit before.


    But considering that they¡¯re already at the far south of Absence, this is the furthest that the transit network carries them toward. And that there¡¯s another transit that is dedicated solely to reach the underwater capital of Calphennis. Jihoon decided to ask Karim about what makes that particular transit line distinct that it can¡¯t be connected with the other despite Absence¡¯s supreme technology and magic.


    As their ferry slowly made its way across the July Estuary, Jihoon turned to Karim with curiosity in his eyes. "You mentioned earlier that there''s a separate ether transit system for reaching Calphennis. What makes it so different from the ether transit we''ve been using?"


    "You do certainly know how to ask a good question. It''s actually quite fascinating to hear in detail you know. While Absence does indeed boast incredible technology and magic and their unification, the underwater environment of Calphennis presents unique challenges."


    He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "The ether transit we''ve been using relies on a network of magical ley lines that crisscross the continent. These lines are carefully mapped and maintained, allowing for rapid travel. However, they don''t extend underwater in the same way."


    "Is it because of the water?" Jihoon asked.


    "Partly," Karim replied. "But it''s more complex than that. The underwater currents around Calphennis are infused with ancient merfolk magic. This magic interferes with the standard ether transit spell structure, making them unstable and potentially dangerous. Not to mention of how ambiance mana works underwater".


    Karim''s eyes lit up as he delved deeper into the explanation. "So, the merfolk developed their own transit system. It uses a combination of water magic and sound-based navigation. Their version of ether transit, if you can call them that, are more like enchanted bubbles that move through specially designed underwater tunnels."


    "These tunnels are lined with resonance crystals that respond to specific frequencies. The ''trains'' emit these frequencies, allowing them to be guided swiftly and safely through the complex network of underwater passages."


    Jihoon nodded, fascinated. "So it''s almost like a completely different form of transportation."


    "Exactly," Karim agreed. "And because it''s so specifically tailored to the underwater environment and merfolk magic, it can''t be easily integrated with the surface ether transit system. The two are fundamentally incompatible by design and conception."


    Jihoon leaned back, processing this information. "It''s amazing how much thought and innovation has gone into something as seemingly simple as transportation."


    "Indeed," Karim said with a smile. "It''s one of the things that makes Absence so fascinating. Each culture, each environment has its own unique solutions to common problems. It''s a testament to the ingenuity of all the races that call this place home."


    As their conversation drew to a close, Jihoon found his earlier unease momentarily forgotten, replaced by anticipation for the underwater journey that lay ahead. Yet, as he gazed out over the waters of the July Estuary, that nagging feeling of impending challenge lingered at the edges of his consciousness.


    He looked down into the water below and see the reflection of himself in it, the gloom remains on his face but it was somewhat refined into a solemn determination of its own.


    Then, the surface stir. Not from the ferry boat itself but something just swam toward him. And before he realized it, it jumped into his face.


    A mermaid dressed in white sailor shirt and blue skirt, skin as prismatic like sea foam and long hair with the azure of the sky¡¯s reflection. And as their face caught one another, they¡­ collided forehead first as both fall and sprawl all over the floor.


    His head still stung from the direct collision, but he quickly reobtains his bearing. The mermaid in blue seems to be in a daze of about the same. If anything, Jihoon should have died on the spot just because of how powerful that leap is from his current height, yet he perseveres without consequence.


    Karim however, looks like he is on the brink of another metal distress again as his eyes laid upon the mermaid in blue that intruded in their place. Yet still too shocked to say another word. Seeing that his own sponsor was stupefied, Jihoon quickly uses his [Observant] on her.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Direct Heiress of Sargasso Royal Family


    Name: Aquarius Sargasso


    Level:  1??


    Class: Royalty


    Job: Musician


    Race: Merfolk


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 2??


    -END: 1??


    -AGI: 1??


    -DEX: 97


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 6


    -CHA: 15


    -MAG: ???


    -Active Skill:


    +Water Magic (Advanced)


    +Mana Attunement (Advanced)


    +Wind Magic (Intermediate)


    +Shapeshifting (Intermediate)


    -Passive Skill:


    +Everlasting Youth (Innate Racial Ability)


    +Enhanced Senses (Intermediate)


    +Perspicuity (Intermediate)


    +Musical Prowess: Mid-Intermediate


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    The first thing he noticed of her was how her Level was high enough that [Observant] only register the first digit alone. However, the next pressing thing is why on Absence is the princess of royal family is here in the first place. But before any thought can be made, the reason why she swam away is also here.


    Before Jihoon could fully process the situation or the information from his [Observant] skill, the water around the ferry began to churn violently. In a series of powerful leaps, multiple figures burst from the waves, landing on the deck with heavy thuds.


    These new arrivals were merfolk as well, but unlike the princess, they were clad in full plate armor that seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly iridescence. A seamless blend of plates that resembled fish scales, allowing for fluid movement while providing formidable protection. Their helmets were adorned with fin-like crests, and their visors glowed with an eerie blue light.


    As they landed, their tails shimmered and transformed into legs, completing their metamorphosis into bipedal forms. However, true to Karim''s earlier explanation, not a sound escaped their sealed helmets. Their silence lent an even more menacing air to their already imposing presence.


    The armored merfolk immediately fanned out, their movements coordinated and purposeful. Their glowing visors scanned the deck, clearly searching for something¡­ or someone.


    Suddenly, Jihoon felt a tug on his sleeve. The mermaid princess had scrambled behind him, using him as a shield. Her eyes were wide with fear as she whispered urgently, "Please, you must help me! They''re here to kidnap me!"


    Jihoon''s mind raced. The princess of the Sargasso Royal Family, apparently fleeing from her own guards? It clearly didn''t add up, but he didn''t even have a moment to ponder the inconsistencies.


    The armored merfolk had spotted them and were now advancing, their weapons - tridents that crackled with barely contained energy - at the ready. Their inability to speak seemed to make them even more intimidating, as they communicated solely through sharp, precise hand gestures.


    If Jihoon knew that he would be at the trident-point of the Merfolk, he would have learned some hand signs as emergency communication but¡­ too late¡­


    Karim, finally snapping out of his stupor, moved to stand beside Jihoon. "This... this is not good," he muttered, his eyes darting between the princess and her pursuers. "We''ve just been dragged into what could potentially spiral into a major diplomatic incident."


    Jihoon felt the weight of the situation settling on his shoulders. He was caught between protecting someone who claimed to need help and potentially interfering with what could be a legitimate security operation. His earlier sense of unease now seemed prophetic.


    As the armored merfolk closed in, forming a semicircle around them, Jihoon realized he had only moments to decide how to respond. The princess clung to him tighter, her fear palpable. "Please," she whispered again, "I can''t go back. Not yet. Help me!"


    With the silent, menacing figures looming before them and the trembling princess behind him, Jihoon knew his next move could have far-reaching consequences. The peaceful ferry ride had suddenly transformed into a tense standoff, with him at the center of a royal drama he never asked to be part of.


    Unknown of what to do, Jihoon comes to a mental standstill as he questions of the decision of what to do. He knows too little about the context of this ordeal and the armored guards just won¡¯t give them the idea of what¡¯s going on. Genuinely stuck between a rock and a hard place, all his decisions seem to point at a hazy danger.


    Then, he remembered about [Doppelganger] Skill that he has. Sure, its previous display of what it can do is overboard of what he assigned. But as long as he is here, its capability of analyzing the situation exceed nearly everyone else around.


    With a mental gesture toward the System, his Doppelganger manifested into existence once more, its location atop the roof of the ferry where no one even noticed such a presence with the mermaid princess hogging all the spotlights toward her with her act.


    He wished that he had some form of mental communication toward it but before he could have done anything. The Doppelganger itself suddenly transmit its thought toward him through its idea of how to make use of Jihoon¡¯s Light Magic and its application.


    ''How... how are you doing this?'' Jihoon mentally projected, surprised by this new development.


    The Doppelganger''s response came swiftly, its "voice" a perfect mirror of Jihoon''s own inner monologue. ''I''ve utilized your Initiate-class Light Magic to establish a temporary psychic link between us. It''s a rudimentary application with your current proficiency, but it will make do for our current needs.''


    Jihoon''s surprise grew. ''I didn''t know you could make Light Magic could do that.''


    ''Most don''t or ever,'' the Doppelganger replied. ''You know already that Light isn''t just about illumination or energy projection. It''s also about how information transfer. You remember of how fiber optics work in your world, and we''ve essentially recreated the similar concept using magic.''


    Truth or false, that¡¯s the logic of literally everything. And from there all abstract information can be recreated and transmitted at will.


    Pushing this revelation aside, Jihoon focused on the matter at hand. ''What''s your analysis of the situation?''


    The Doppelganger''s response was prompt and analytical. ''The princess appears genuinely distressed, but her claim of kidnapping seems unlikely given the guards'' behavior. They''re attempting to apprehend, not harm. However, their silence due to transformation makes negotiation difficult.''


    Jihoon nodded mentally toward it. Then with inconspicuous look, he used [Observant] on the armored merfolk.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Sargasso Palace Royal Guard


    Level: 73


    Class: Noble


    Job: Bodyguard


    Race: Merfolk


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 1??


    -END: 84


    -AGI: 88


    -DEX: 77


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 6


    -CHA: 15


    -MAG: 66


    -Active Skill:


    +Water Magic (Intermediate)


    +Mana Attunement (Intermediate)


    +Shapeshifting (Intermediate)


    +Wind Magic (Novice)


    -Passive Skill:


    +Everlasting Youth (Innate Racial Ability)


    +Enhanced Senses (Intermediate)


    +Perspicuity (Intermediate)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Upon seeing their overall skills and titles, Jihoon made his confirmation that the merfolk in front of him aren¡¯t hostile. Seeing that the few seconds since the standoff between them didn¡¯t yet escalate into outright violence.


    They¡¯re likely also sicken of this very situation yet can¡¯t voice their dissent in their transformed state.


    ¡®The situation remains delicate. The princess''s increasing distress suggests she''s adamant about not returning. A violent clash might still occur if we don''t handle this carefully.'' Jihoon¡¯s Doppelganger continues his analysis of this situation from above.


    Jihoon felt the tension rising. The princess behind him was trembling more visibly now, her grip on his sleeve tightening. The guards, while not overtly aggressive, were clearly not backing down.


    ¡®Your suggestion?'' Jihoon asked his Doppelganger.


    ''We need to de-escalate,'' the Doppelganger replied. ''Perhaps we can use your status as an outsider to our advantage. You could propose a temporary compromise, offer to accompany the princess and the guards to a neutral location where they can sort out their issues without causing a scene here on the ferry.''


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Jihoon considered this. It was risky, potentially involving him deeper in this royal drama, but it might prevent immediate violence.


    ''Remember,'' the Doppelganger added, ''our primary goal is to reach Calphennis safely. If we can resolve this peacefully, it might even work in our favor later.''


    Jihoon exchanged a glance with Karim, who seemed to have picked up on the tension and was ready to follow Jihoon''s lead. Taking a deep breath, Jihoon began to speak, his voice calm and measured.


    "Let''s all take a moment to¡ª"


    But before he could finish his sentence, the mermaid princess''s eyes widened in panic. Realizing that Jihoon and Karim weren''t going to simply help her escape, she took matters into her own hands.


    "No!" she cried out. "I won''t go back!"


    In an instant, the air around them became thick with moisture. The princess''s hands moved in a complex pattern, her fingers tracing glowing sigils in the air. Jihoon felt a surge of magical energy, far more potent than he''d anticipated. The guards knew immediately of the action, but it was too late to intervene already.


    "Advanced-class Water Magic," his Doppelganger''s voice echoed in his mind, a note of alarm evident despite his stoic tone.


    Before anyone could react, a massive column of water erupted from the sea beside the ferry. It crashed onto the deck with tremendous force, sending passengers onboard screaming and scrambling for safety. The ferry lurched violently, seemingly almost capsizing from the sudden onslaught.


    Jihoon stumbled, barely managing to keep his footing on the now-slick deck. Karim wasn''t as fortunate despite his stats, flying across the whole board by the crashing force until he managed to grab onto a railing, when he was nearly tossed out of the ferry.


    The armored merfolk guards, quickly shifted into combat stances. Their earlier attempt at peaceful apprehension abandoned, they now moved with aggressive purpose, weapons crackling with energy.


    "Well, so much for diplomacy," Jihoon muttered, his earlier groan of frustration lost in the chaos around them.


    The Doppelganger''s voice cut through his thoughts. ''This situation has escalated beyond our control. Priority now is minimizing collateral damage and ensuring our own safety.''


    Jihoon nodded grimly. The illusion of having a choice in how this played out had been shattered along with the calm of the ferry ride. Now, he found himself in the middle of a royal conflict that threatened not just their journey to Calphennis, but the safety of everyone on board.


    As another wave crashed over the deck, sent by the increasingly frantic princess, Jihoon realized he would have to act fast. The armored guards were closing in, their silence somehow more menacing than any battle cry could have been. The princess, her earlier facade of helplessness gone, now stood with the fury of the sea itself seeming to swirl around her.


    Caught between these two forces, with panicked passengers and a destabilized ferry adding to the chaos, Jihoon knew that his next move would be crucial. A maritime battleground that his journey has become, and he was right in the center of it all.


    ¡°Fine¡­ If violence is what you asked for then¡­ don¡¯t you dare regret your decision!¡±. Jihoon said outloud as he also mentally commands the Doppelganger to also descend and help him with dealing the mermaid princess in hysteria.


    Following Jihoon¡¯s command, the Doppelganger made the jump straight from the ferry¡¯s roof into the deck below. With more than enough force to crack the wood planks of the deck by the force of landing. The Doppelganger then menacingly confronts the mermaid princess with complete stoicism like an opposite mirror of Jihoon himself.


    Even if it can¡¯t utilize any of the System¡¯s Skills, it¡¯s transcending decision-making capabilities would outmaneuver even prodigal strategist, especially in the heat of moment. Even with the overwhelming disparity in stats by comparison, the Doppelganger, somehows, managed to instill fear in her briefly to make her stop casting her Advanced-class Water Magic.


    The moment the Doppelganger landed on the deck with a resounding crack, all eyes turned to it in shock. The merfolk guards froze in their tracks, their weapons lowering slightly in confusion. The mermaid princess''s eyes widened, her concentration on her Water Magic momentarily broken as she stared at the two identical figures before her.


    Karim, who had just managed to climb back in and regain his footing, stumbled again at the sight. "By the Citadel," he muttered, his voice barely audible over the chaos. "There are... two of you?"


    Jihoon will confront the merfolk guards while his Doppelganger will deal with the mermaid princess herself.


    The mermaid princess, her earlier defiance falter, took a step back warily. "What... what manner of magic is this?" she demanded, her voice trembling slightly as she looked between Jihoon and his Doppelganger. Both virtually the same yet she couldn¡¯t tell the exact Magic that made it real.


    Jihoon''s eyes narrowed, a cold determination settling over his expressions. Gone was the compassionate mediator just from moments ago. In his place stood a man pushed to his limits, his patience worn thin by the reckless actions that had endangered innocent lives.


    "You wanted a fight?" Jihoon''s voice cut through the air, sharp and biting. "Congratulations. You''ve got one."


    The Doppelganger, its face an emotionless mirror of Jihoon''s, took a step towards the princess. Despite the extreme disparity of all of its stat in comparison to her, its presence alone somehow managed to unnerve her, causing her to falter in her spellcasting.


    Meanwhile, Jihoon turned to face the merfolk guards. Their earlier confusion was quickly giving way to a renewed sense of purpose, but uncertainty still lingered in their postures.


    "I tried to be reasonable," Jihoon addressed them, his voice carrying a hint of regret beneath its hardened exterior. "But if this is how it has to be, then so be it. Just remember, you''re not the only ones with tricks up your sleeves."


    The guards exchanged glances, their silent communication betraying their unease at this unexpected turn of events. They had come prepared to retrieve a runaway princess, not to face off against a man who could apparently duplicate himself at will.


    Karim, having finally found his voice, called out to Jihoon. "What are you doing? This isn''t our fight!"


    Jihoon turned around him with eyes that seemingly had seen hell itself. Anyone who lived past the day that the Gates broke out has that same look in their eyes if their minds wander too long.


    His response then was cold and determined.


    "It became our fight the moment she decided to endanger everyone on this ferry for her petty squabble. Sometimes, Karim, you have to stand your ground."


    Tension filled the air, with Jihoon squaring off against the guards and his Doppelganger advancing on the increasingly nervous princess, it was clear that the situation had escalated far beyond a simple retrieval mission.


    And it was his unexpected display of both power and resolve had shifted the dynamics dramatically.


    The mermaid princess, her earlier confidence now replaced by visible apprehension, glanced between Jihoon and his Doppelganger. She was beginning to realize that her impulsive actions had not only failed to secure her freedom but had also awakened a formidable opponent she hadn''t anticipated.


    As the standoff intensified, with all parties poised on the brink of conflict. Jihoon''s compassionate nature had given way to an indestructible resolve. The willingness to stand up straight, to protect the bystanders from this royal squabble. From a mere bystander into a central figure within this crisis.


    ¡®System¡­ Play SPIKA¡¯. Jihoon mentally gesture toward the System.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    SPIKA


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 30):


    -+100% to MAG


    (This effect can only be stacked once and is overlapped by stronger similar effect.)


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Mana Attunement


    Classification: Enhancement


    Rank: Novice


    Effect:


    -+35% to all of Physical Attributes based on MAG.


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 13 (+21)


    -END: 14 (+22.8)


    -AGI: 14 (+21)


    -DEX: 13 (+21)


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -MAG: 30 (+30)


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    The reason why he didn¡¯t utilize the System to play Song Magic is because of how it can¡¯t perform Linked Song Magic but only each individual Song Magic on their own. And after his using of Linked Song Magic and its overwhelming effect power by comparison, using any individual piece alone felt too incomplete and weak.


    This¡­ is still too pale in comparison to the Merfolk guard that he is going up against. But once again, he alone isn¡¯t all that he has.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Judgment of Light (Decayed)


    Classification: Polearm


    Rarity: Heroic


    ATK+: 35


    A sacred relic wrought by an order of noble paladins, now diminished to a decayed shard of its former glory amid the tides of corruption. Perhaps in the hands of a virtuous soul, it may yet be reforged into its original splendor once more...


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    This thing, with his Attunement with it, managed to deflect the final shot of Der Freischutz directly. A weapon far more lethal than this decayed polearm, yet unable to triumph against its first technique, Breaking Dawn.


    If it could overcome such despair darker than black, then none of this armored merfolk even with their overwhelming 3-digit STR can compare either.


    Back to the Doppelganger as it continues to approach the mermaid princess. Having initially afraid of him at first, she immediately take her step back as she prepare to cast her Water Magic toward the Doppelganger, yet its stoic silence against greater opponent make it somehow more terrifying as if he is defying natural order with his actions.


    ¡°Stand back, or I¡¯ll attack!¡±. The mermaid made her threats to the Doppelganger but it continues to march toward her. Impulsive desperation mounted, she vocalized her spell¡¯s name.


    ¡°Water Jet!¡±


    At her side, water spheres conjured out of the moisturized air of the estuary. Then by the weaving of her fingers, the water sphere condensed into shape as it then fired toward him like high-pressure water jets that threaten to cut apart even metal.


    Yet despite the extreme disparity of stats by an order of magnitude. The Doppelganger still evaded her water jet, not by reaction but preemptive decision by gauging the trajectory in split seconds. A feat that not even any of her peers can do yet the Doppelganger did with contemptuous ease.


    Jihoon¡¯s Doppelganger then took action. As he clenched his hand tightly as incandescent color condensed within his grip all while still evading her barrage of Water Jets fired at him. Something that it mentally gauged as Novice-class, the minimum for combat lethality. His Initiate-class Light Magic is lower than that by one level.


    Even if he couldn¡¯t exactly hurt her physically. All of her actions have shown of how inept she is social-wise, likely a very sheltered upbringing that completely disconnected her from the people outside. And that this is likely the first time she ever leaves her own safe haven.


    Even this princess here is completely unaware of her own potential yet putting every unrelated collateral at peril of her own impulsive actions. What exactly compelled her to do so now? That¡¯s what the Doppelganger came to conclusion on its own.


    It needs to make her mentally capitulated. To shut down an opponent overwhelmingly stronger than him. Yet, it felt more feasible than ever.


    The mermaid princess escalated into increasingly more powerful Water Magic, from Novice to Intermediate. It becomes apparent clear as she started to conjure and concentrated increasingly greater amount of water each time.


    ¡°Blue Drop!¡±.


    Suddenly, a sphere of water started to encapsulate him. With swift judgment, it knew that she is trying to crush him using this very prison of liquid once she detonated. Even if its Mana Attunement to the environment wasn¡¯t the best, the unflawed decision-making extrapolates what little information gleamed into the full answer.


    If it allows her to continue her casting unimpeded, the prison¡¯s explosion pressure and her 3-digit MAG stat would kill him instantly into sanguine liquid no different than water.


    Then, without hesitation, the Doppelganger unleashed the concentrated incandescent light within his clenched fist. All while yelling its incantation name.


    ¡°Kaleidoscope!¡±


    The incandescent light in his palm exploded, and the prison of water started to refract and reflect said light increasingly brighter. All until it caught the mermaid princess off-guard with the disorienting flash. With her concentration disrupted, the sphere of water collapsed harmlessly as the Doppelganger continues to cut the distance between them undaunted despite being at the epicenter of his own Light Magic.


    "Is this what you wanted?" the Doppelganger finally spoke, its voice a perfect mimicry of Jihoon''s, laced with disappointment and challenge. "To put innocent lives at risk for your freedom?"


    The Doppelganger soon started to channel Light into his palm again, then with chosen imagery and incantation, it casted.


    ¡°Illusion!¡±.


    Multiples of the Doppelganger appear out of the flash, all of them appear as lifelike as him with no difference. If the mermaid princess even had used her Mana Attunement to detect, she would have instantly figured out which one is the actual Doppelganger and not the illusions but in her disarrayed mental state, she just continues to waste her own spiritual reserve attacking blindly.


    Any of the Doppelganger that she struck down, it would collapsed into incandescent Light but another one would soon raise from the ashes of the predecessor. Then going for the mental killing blow, the Doppelganger then conjure illusion of the chaos before done by her reckless actions, all the endangered passengers that she is no doubt consequence of.


    Even if they are just illusions, it is clearly what has happened.


    "Is this what you wanted?" The Doppelganger finally spoke, its voice a perfect mimicry of Jihoon''s, laced with disappointment and challenge. "To put innocent lives at risk for your freedom?"


    The princess faltered, her next spell dying on her lips as the illusions sank in. The Doppelganger pressed its advantage, its words cutting deeper than any physical attack could.


    "You have power, but no understanding of its responsibility. You flee, but towards what? A world you know nothing about, that you''re not prepared for."


    ¡°Shut up! You don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re talking about! You don¡¯t understand my circumstances!¡± The mermaid princess yelled at him as she denied everything that is shown to her. With bitter resentment, she quickly fallback to the front deck of the ferry as she started to scale her Water Magic up again.


    It is one thing to fight a foolhardy. It is even more atrocious to fight a stubborn someone with too much power in their irresponsible hand. If the Doppelganger had any emotion beyond cold stoicism, it would certainly be angered at her cowardice.


    Back to Jihoon. His standoff against the merfolk guards has been broken by them after they observed him and considered as nothing special. Their 3-digit STR put into action as the little distance between them narrowed in no time. But then, Jihoon swung his decayed halberd, imbued in incandescent aura as its underlying power unleashed in conjunction with him.


    Judgment of Light ¨C Breaking Dawn


    A swift horizontal swing, yet despite its simplicity conceal complexity go into its refinement of its strength. The very same thing that deflected that final shot of Der Freischutz collided with the tridents of the Merfolk Royal Guard. And the result, is that even if they can withstand it, their footings aren¡¯t as the unleashed power send the vanguard flying out of the ferry into the water while the rest knocked back by considerable distance.


    Karim, who had been watching from a safe distance, let out a gasp of disbelief.


    "Jihoon, what... what was that, that you just did?" he muttered, his eyes wide.


    The remaining merfolk guards, those who had managed to keep their footing, stared at Jihoon with a mix of shock and newfound wariness. Their earlier dismissal of him as a non-threat had clearly been a grave miscalculation on their part.


    One of the guards, seemingly the leader of the group, raised a hand to halt any further advance. Though unable to speak due to their transformed state, the gesture was clear, they needed to reassess the situation.


    Jihoon, his halberd still glowing faintly, addressed the guards. "I don''t want to hurt you," he said, his voice firm but not aggressive. "But I will defend myself and the innocent passengers on this ferry. Your princess''s actions have put everyone here in danger, and we need to resolve this as peacefully as we can."


    The guards exchanged glances, their body language conveying a mix of confusion and respect. They had clearly underestimated this human, and now found themselves in a precarious position.


    Karim, having regained his composure, called out to Jihoon. "Be careful! We can''t afford to escalate this any further. If we harm the royal guards, the diplomatic fallout could be catastrophic!"


    Having already acknowledged the metaphorical knife¡¯s edge that they balanced upon. Jihoon nodded as it wasn¡¯t his intent to fatally harm any of them. But he couldn¡¯t back down or let things slide so inconspicuously like this at all. They made their first move to attack him with their superior strength, so it is clearly self-defense that his action was.


    As the standoff continued, with Jihoon facing the wary guards and the Doppelganger still confronting the retreating princess, the atmosphere on the ferry was charged with tension. However, anxiety started to show through the guards as they pointed toward something behind him.


    Karim''s eyes followed their gesture, and his face immediately drained of color.


    "Jihoon," Karim''s voice trembled, "look behind you."


    Behind them¡­ is a massive rectangular mass of water hung above with great height at the ferry¡¯s front deck. Jihoon felt his breath catch in his throat. And then, the connection between him and the Doppelganger flaring up again, signaling of one thing.


    The message was clear: the Doppelganger couldn''t handle this level of magic alone. It needed Jihoon''s help, and fast.


    Karim, his voice tight with fear, quickly assessed the situation. "If that mass of water falls, it''ll sink the ferry instantly. The sheer mass... we''d all be doomed."


    The gravity of the situation wasn''t lost on anyone. The standoff between Jihoon and the guards abruptly halted as they all recognized the greater threat at hand. Their earlier conflict seemed trivial in the face of this new, potentially catastrophic danger.


    The leader of the merfolk guards made a hurried series of gestures. Karim understood the intents even without deciphering.


    "They''re offering to help. We need to get to the front deck now!" Karim transferred his understanding to Jihoon with haste.


    Without hesitation, two of the guards scooped up Jihoon and Karim. Their incredible strength allowed them to move with astonishing speed, carrying the two individuals towards the front deck where the Doppelganger was still facing off against the increasingly desperate princess.


    As they raced across the ferry, passengers who had earlier been cowering in fear now watched in a mix of awe and terror as this unlikely alliance sprinted towards what could be their doom or salvation.


    On their way into the later half of the rush, they noticed multiple water barriers erected and maintained in midair. The merfolk guards dismantled by reverse casting the spell that maintained it but it is likely clear of why she obtained the time to cast that more powerful spell while the Doppelganger pursued her.


    Reaching the front deck, they were met with a scene of barely contained chaos. The Doppelganger stood firm, its light magic creating a shimmering barrier that was barely holding back the edges of the massive water construct, interfering with her conjuration. The princess, her eyes wild with a mixture of fear and determination, was visibly straining to maintain control over the colossal volume of water to enact her spell.


    This is unquestionably the strongest spell that she has, the limit of her Advanced rank in her Water Magic.


    Jihoon, now face to face with both his Doppelganger and the source of the threat, realized that the next few moments would determine not just the outcome of their journey, but potentially the lives of everyone on board.


    The merfolk guards, setting Jihoon and Karim down, looked at them expectantly. Despite their earlier conflict, it was clear that they were now all on the same side as they are now trying to prevent a disaster that would claim them all.


    A flash of insight appeared in his mind. Jihoon quickly takes out his electric guitar and look toward the Doppelganger who nodded in understanding. Once the Doppelganger takes the guitar, the princess will cast her Advanced-class Water Magic unimpeded.


    Jihoon turned to the merfolk guards, his expression remain urgent.


    "I need you to buy us some time," he said, gesturing towards the looming mass of water. "Use your Water Magic to hold it back, even if just for a few seconds. Can you do that?"


    The guards exchanged quick glances, then nodded in unison. Despite their earlier conflict, they recognized the dire need for cooperation. Without hesitation, they moved into position, their hands weaving intricate patterns as they prepared their own Intermediate-class Water Magic.


    All of them combined still pale in comparison to the princess but when the moment comes, even purchased seconds worth its weight more than gold.


    With the crucial buffer provided, Jihoon quickly passed the guitar to the Doppelganger. Because of its current nature, it can¡¯t receive any external buff from Song Magics.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Doppelganger


    Classification: Illusion Magic


    Rank: Expert


    Effect:


    -Create a temporary clone that share base stats of the user,


    can interact with mundane objects with equal proficiency as the user.


    Can''t utilize Skills. Stats can''t be enhanced by external effects.


    No duration limitation. Cooldown: 6 hours.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    One of the guards seems to exclaim something upon seeing Jihoon¡¯s electric guitar. That detail is only noted by Karim as Jihoon has his focus completely on the ordeal in front of him. He is obtaining fans from all over Absence, and he hasn¡¯t yet debuted officially at all with only SPIKA published by the conservatories circle for how good it is.


    With all hindrance removed, the princess muttered her incantation.


    ¡°My double, play Exceed!¡±. Jihoon said to the Doppelganger, well-worn notes played as its effect takes place.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Exceed!


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 60):


    -+700% to all Physical Attributes of self.


    ''A music piece composed of unyielding defiance. Even if one¡¯s circumstances have fallen into misfortune and ill-fate, hope only remains if one lives with determination. To surpass the previous self of yesterday, one must overcome challenges of today and tomorrow with confidence in self.¡¯


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    SPIKA -> Exceed!


    Classification: Linked Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 60):


    -+700% to all Physical Attributes of self.


    -+100% to MAG


    (This effect can only be stacked once and is overlapped by stronger similar effect.)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 13 (+101)


    -END: 14 (+112.8)


    -AGI: 14 (+108)


    -DEX: 13 (+101)


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -MAG: 30 (+30)


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    As the tension reached its peak, the mermaid princess''s eyes blazed with determination at emotional breaking point. She raised her arms before lowering it toward them, her voice ringing out clear and strong across the deck.


    ¡°Sinking Deluge!¡±


    At her command, the massive rectangular mass of water began to descend. The merfolk guards, true to their word, immediately sprang into action. Their hands moved in swift, practiced motions as they called upon their Intermediate-class Water Magic.


    Unified Hydrokinesis Theory ¨C Intermediate-class Water Support Magic ¨C Aqua Barrier


    Sheets of water rose from the sea, interposing themselves between the falling deluge and the ferry. For a brief moment, it seemed as though their efforts might be enough. But the princess''s Advanced Magic proved too powerful as the guards'' barriers began to buckle and break under the immense pressure, adding to the approaching deluge.


    Yet, those precious few seconds were all Jihoon needed.


    With ¡®Exceed!¡¯ amplifying his physical attributes to superhuman levels, stronger than even the merfolk guards presiding, Jihoon gripped his decayed halberd tightly. Feeling the ancient weapon thrumming with power, resonating with his own determination. As the water mass bore down upon them, Jihoon planted his feet firmly on the deck and his stance into motion.


    Judgment of Light ¨C Rising Sun


    With a powerful upward swing, Jihoon unleashed the technique. The halberd''s blade glowed with an intense, almost blinding light as it arced upward. The force of the swing was so great that it lifted Jihoon off his feet, propelling him skyward towards the descending water mass.


    As the glowing blade met the water, a biblical sight unfolded before the awestruck onlookers. The massive volume of water split apart, cleaving cleanly down the middle like the parting of a great sea. Jihoon continued his ascent, his halberd¡¯s imbued aura carving a path through the water as he rose.


    The separated halves of the water mass crashed down on either side of the ferry, sending up massive sprays but leaving the vessel and its passengers largely unharmed. Jihoon reached the apex of his swing, suspended for a moment in midair, the afterglow of the swinging arc reflected by the surrounding water droplets.


    As he began to descend, the full impact of what had just occurred hit everyone on the deck. The merfolk guards stared in disbelief, the princess''s Advanced-class spell had been completely negated much to her own. Karim''s jaw had dropped open, unable to process the scene he had just witnessed.


    This is the very same move that overcomes Alvorna¡¯s Expert-class Wind Magic ¡®Heavenly Tribulation¡¯. By logical conclusion, it could have easily done the same with the princess¡¯s Advanced-class Water Magic. But that doesn¡¯t negate just how momentous such a feat that he performed really is.


    Soon, he descended back with force that shattered the floor in his landing spot. He doesn¡¯t exactly have the chance to be gentle with how dire the situation is. The princess remained stunned seeing his performance, unable to think of a reason as to how he could overcome her strongest Magic spell no matter how she racked her brain.


    The ferry fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the lapping of waves against its hull and the distant cries of seabirds. As if judgment awaits this unruly daughter who caused nothing but trouble.


    All of the witnesses to this impulsive action of her has nothing but scorn and hatred toward her despite her status. All of that piercing gaze that landed on her continues to push her unstable mind as it pushes her to tear. As the guards about to approach to apprehend her, she immediately tries to jump into water away from this ferry. All as if she wanted to run away from this weighing burden in her heart.


    The Doppelganger took action with haste, and with incandescent Light that converged, it continues to push the boundary of what his Light Magic even capable of.


    ¡°Sol Corona!¡±.


    A thread made out of incandescent light weaved and manifested in both of his hands as he then threw it toward the fleeing princess as it wrapped around her figure. With how staggering their difference in stats as stated, he couldn¡¯t bind or stop her if he even wanted to. And the moment she jumped, the Doppelganger was immediately dragged along with her, and Jihoon quickly held onto his body double by impulse.


    And the result, he is also dragged with the Doppelganger by the immense merfolk strength that she possessed. Before even an appropriate response could be made, Jihoon has already gone into the water itself, following the mermaid princess who only now runs with no place in mind. Anywhere but here where her greatest disgrace is all shown and seen.


    Even the vanguard that Jihoon struck into the water tried to pursue but up to no avail as she now swims with all of her strength which exceeds all of the pursuing merfolk guards by double. And Jihoon who is now dragged along with her can only held tightly as she doesn¡¯t even notice the weight of two people dragging behind her.


    It is said that a mermaid¡¯s sorrow always scatters to the uncaring sea. Vanishing without a trace like sea foam.

 Chapter 25: Peace for the Tortured.

    Jihoon woke up again while coughing and sneezing out all the salty moisture in his mouth and nose. Then he quickly regathers his bearing much like all the Hunter training prepared him for. How he even managed to stay underwater for that long is beyond him.


    Out of the middle of nowhere and based on his surrounding nature, he is in a salt marsh of sorts which mean he isn¡¯t too far from July Estuary, but the exact location is beyond him.


    However, he noticed something isn¡¯t right as he looked into the sky and realize that it is already at dawn. And if that¡¯s the case, then any electronic that he carries with him at all is ruined beyond salvage due to overexposure of water.


    Then, he found the Doppelganger sat in contemplative silence beside him. And the fact that he isn¡¯t drifted ashore means that it has taken care of him to its best and make sure that he doesn¡¯t get any further complication. And the discarded canisters of oxygen for diving also lay about which he has taken stock in the spatial device that is his silver bracelet.


    His silver bracelet was his only grace. There are some constraints with it, but it carries with him all the survival necessary. Which points out that he likely collapsed in fatigue at the end.


    The focus, however, is to find that troublemaker of a princess and confront her about her reckless actions. He doesn¡¯t feel particularly safe with someone like her running around. And before he actually wasted any of his time, he also soon found the mermaid princess tied to a tree with the same tether of light that the Doppelganger used on her.


    It makes him confused and baffles of how his Doppelganger managed to overpower her at last.


    And once he has his complete overview of the situation, Jihoon has a sigh of resignation, again. That somehow, peace will forever be the last thing he will obtain.


    He glanced at the tied-up mermaid princess, then at his Doppelganger, and finally at the vast expanse of the salt marsh surrounding them. The situation was far from ideal, but his Hunter training had prepared him for scenarios like this.


    ¡°And here I was going to make practical use of them here rather than the Odyssey¡±. Jihoon muttered to himself, the self-deprecating and ironic humor being his only form of self-encouragement.


    He knew that he was going to be here for a while, in the middle of unknown wilderness that no one could tell. With nothing to say or point out the location. And the princess being missing will probably result in a massive search operation carried out. Until then, Jihoon knew that he could only make himself comfortable with his plight.


    The Doppelganger looked at him before nodding with his intents. What they will do is to establish a survival campsite. One that is designed by numerous veteran Hunters of his world when extended stay inside a Gate is inevitable. For the case of a salt marsh, a lean-to made by wood of its local forest fauna.


    Jihoon activated his spatial bracelet as he drawn out the spiked hand-axe but now with a twist of its own ever since fallen to disuse once he obtained the Judgment of Light.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Adamantium Spiked Hand-axe


    Classification: Hand-Axe


    Rarity: Mortal


    ATK+: 57


    A simple hand-axe made with one of the most durable materials existed.


    Reforged in the blast furnace of House Magni, its quality is unmatched amongst it peer.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ¡°Thanks, Rosa¡±. Jihoon said as he didn¡¯t particularly expected that this request would find its use fast.


    With a simple swing, the entire tree that Jihoon chosen is cut down cleanly. The reason that he didn¡¯t use Judgment of Light in place was because at that point, he would blow up the entire tree instead. And the irony of a Mortal grade item being more powerful than his Heroic didn¡¯t go unnoticed. Which further proves that raw statistics aren¡¯t relillable.


    With the Doppelganger¡¯s help with processing the wood with machine-like precision, Soon, he got a comfortable lean-to established. It wasn¡¯t meant to be permanent but, he had a bit too much on his mind to sort out with physical labor.


    The next matter came water, he doesn¡¯t have the all-element Magic talents that many overpowered main characters have so he still has to do it manually. The salt marsh certainly isn¡¯t the best place to have drinking water in anyone¡¯s mind for sure.


    Through a bit of effort, Jihoon has successfully made a bastardized version of a solar still. Using a mug, and another bigger glass mug. Using a piece of wrapping plastic that he brought along for some reason but it enabled the collection process of the still.


    Does it work? The instructors in his world said so. But one would prepare himself to clear the Gate fast, not staying indefinitely there.


    Although he has his supply for like two weeks on end, he still has to anticipate for worst-case scenarios which really loves to happen to him for some reason. If it can go wrong, it will.


    Then the matter of food can be resolved with the salt marsh which he can fish. Although fishing with the Judgment of Light certainly isn¡¯t the best idea in mind. With a sharpened wooden spear crafted, Jihoon lets his Doppelganger do it instead. Sure, he has the dexterity to do so but that is a different kind of tedium that he would rather not experience.


    As they worked, Jihoon kept a wary eye on their captive. The mermaid princess, whose name is Aquarius, remained silent and unconscious. He knew they''d have to deal with her eventually, but for now, survival took precedence.


    By nightfall, they had a functional camp set up. A small fire crackled nearby, carefully controlled to avoid attracting unwanted attention. Jihoon sat by the fire, roasting some small fishes the Doppelganger had managed to catch.


    "Not exactly five-star accommodations," Jihoon mused to his Doppelganger, "but it''ll do for now." He glanced at Aquarius, still bound to the tree. "Tomorrow, we''ll need to figure out what to do with our... guest. And maybe find a way to signal for help without getting arrested in the process."


    As the stars began to appear in the darkening sky, Jihoon couldn''t help but wonder how this unexpected detour would affect his plans. The Odyssey, Alvorna''s upcoming Rite of Ascension, the mystery of the Grand Mural fragments. All of it seemed so distant now in the moment right now.


    The Doppelganger has no need for rest. But it felt wrong to keep abusing himself like this. But just as before he could dispel his double, Aquarius woke up and she immediately tried to choose violence. Well, tried¡­


    She was so utterly exhausted from all the swimming before that she couldn¡¯t muster her true strength even if she wished. Swam so far that by the time she reached the shore, exhaustion has completely overtaken her. The Doppelganger then tied her up while she is unconscious, and the victory goes toward it effortlessly by the virtue of being the last man standing.


    Now that she is awake, fury and frustration compelled her as she yelled her hate toward him.


    ¡°Release me at once, you insolent land-dweller!¡± She demanded, her voice remained hoarse from lingering exhaustion.


    Do you have any idea who I am? I''ll have you thrown into the deepest trench for this!"


    Jihoon remain unfazed by her threats, simply raised an eyebrow. "You mean like that massive water construct you summoned on the ferry that is your strongest Advanced-class Water Magic? The same one I part in half?" he replied calmly. "I think we''re well past the point of threats, Your Highness."


    The mermaid princess''s face fell as the memory of her defeat came rushing back. Her bravado crumbled, replaced by a sullen silence.


    Seeing this change, Jihoon decided to take a different approach. He moved closer, careful to maintain a respectful distance.


    "Look," he began, his tone softening, "I don''t believe for a second that all this chaos was just about you wanting to sneak off somewhere forbidden or restricted. There''s way more to this story, isn''t there?"


    And since she is completely at his mercy either way. She has no choice but to be truthful on her account. Even if he couldn¡¯t lay his hand on her meaningfully, she definitely won¡¯t last very long in the wilderness that she is in.


    Aquarius remained silent for a moment, but Jihoon can tell the conflict in her eyes. Then, he made his press carefully.


    "The way you reacted to those guards... it wasn''t just about evading them. There''s some kind of conflict between you and your parents, isn''t there? Seeing that they are following an order to their utmost, and I can only imagine that the king of his domain would have authority over them"


    At this, Aquarius''s head snapped up, her eyes wide with surprise. Jihoon knew he had struck a chord.


    "How... how did you know?" she whispered, her defiance giving way to vulnerability.


    He approached this conclusion through simple deduction. She is a figure in a position of authority, one that is easily both of a power and imposed weight. The only one who really have much greater authority than her can only be the king himself, in other word, her father. The rest of the logic path comes naturally.


    Jihoon shrugged. "I''ve seen my fair share of family drama. Plus, running away from home is a pretty universal sign of trouble in paradise. Regardless of origin from lowliest common to royalty. It proves that things are so bad that one is willing to part from their own home when it becomes a prison instead"


    Aquarius sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping. Then her reluctance admittance of the truth comes rather cleanly on its own.


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    ¡°You¡¯re right¡­ I¡¯m not sneaking out if that is even what I managed to do.¡±


    Jihoon then started to slowly piece the disparate information together. Jihoon noticed that something is still missing from the story so far... He looked at her [Observant] status panel again and noticed the one Skill that struck his notice¡­


    [Everlasting Youth], the innate racial ability of the merfolk. How their beauty is ever preserved through their life without ever succumbing to decay. He knew how many cultures of his world obsessed with their beauty and seeing one up close seem to validify that statement.


    And then, the Doppelganger spoke to him through the mental connection conjured by Light Magic. It is telling him to examine the locket that the princess is wearing.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Mother¡¯s Locket


    Classification: Accessory


    Rarity: Mortal


    Effect:


    -Everlasting [Item can¡¯t be worn out]


    A delicate shell locket, its iridescent surface


    etched with intricate patterns of waves and coral.


    Inside, a miniature portrait of a regal mermaid with


    kind eyes and a gentle smile.


    The locket radiates a faint, comforting warmth, as if


    imbued with cherished memories and enduring love.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Jihoon''s eyes focused on the locket hanging around Aquarius''s neck with his [Observant]. It seemed to hold a special significance beyond mere jewelry. He decided to inquire about it.


    "That locket you''re wearing," Jihoon began gently as much as his demeanor could, "it looks important to you. Can you tell me about it?"


    Aquarius''s hand instinctively moved to touch the locket, her fingers tracing its contours with a tenderness that spoke volumes. Her eyes misted over as she replied, "It... it was my mother''s."


    Jihoon didn¡¯t fail to notice the past tense and quickly latch onto it. A decade since Gate Outbreak curbed all of his empathy but he did the best he could with his sense of compassion.


    "Was?" he prompted softly.


    The princess''s composure cracked, and tears began to well in her eyes. "My mother... she passed away two years ago. This locket is all I have left of her."


    For a merfolk to pass away, it must have been very sudden because of their [Everlasting Youth]. When one day, they just ceased entirely, this makes clear that it isn¡¯t immortality after all.


    And suddenly, the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place for Jihoon.


    "I see¡­ And your father... is he planning to remarry?" His voice filled with understanding.


    Aquarius then nodded, a mix of grief and anger crossing her face as vitriol mixed into her tone. "Yes. He says the kingdom needs a queen, that it''s for the best. But how can he just... replace her like that?!"


    The full picture became clear to Jihoon, and that it is about a daughter clinging desperately to her cherished memories of her mother. So much so that she is unable to accept the inevitable change in both of her family and the kingdom.


    It is awfully similar to the old patriarch of that dwarven conglomerate, it is similar to his plight before. People who dwelled in the past at the cost of their future even if they themselves knew deep down. It took immense force of will to even acknowledge that something was wrong with themselves and even more to reach said acceptance.


    For someone who is in great emotional turmoil like her, such inner peace can¡¯t be obtained with a few peptalks or even heart-to-heart.


    ¡°I see¡­ I understand what truly plagued you right now¡±. Jihoon said as he gave his nod of understanding toward her. ¡°I¡¯ve been in this low point too. Clinging onto what was and afraid of moving on. Realizing that everything that I did was meaningless and without purpose toward some ephemeral goal that held no substance. It¡¯s a terrible place¡±.


    As he spoke, Jihoon couldn''t help but reflect on his own journey, how he had struggled to let go of his past nostalgia as a musician, how he had nearly lost himself to despair before finding a new path by his lonesome self. He recognized in Aquarius the same pain, the same fear of change.


    "Princess," he said gently, "I know it''s hard, but sometimes we have to find a way to honor our past while still moving forward. Your mother will always be a part of you, locket or no locket."


    Aquarius looked at him, her eyes searching his face. "How... how do you let go without forgetting?"


    Jihoon smiled sadly. ¡°Don¡¯t forget, that¡¯s all it really is. You honor their memory by living the life they would have wanted for you. Your mother''s love for you, that''s what the locket really represents. And that love will always be with you, no matter what changes come."


    She knew already yet she was too afraid to confront the consequence of her actions the same. In silence that the mermaid princess remained, in quiet contemplation and remorse, tears still overflowing. Under the stars of that unfamiliar sky, a connection formed between them.


    When the night was supposed to just pass swiftly, Jihoon felt something uneasy about the fact that her father remarrying in his mind. The Hunter¡¯s intuition told him to never look past any information no matter how innocuous they might be for it might hold critical connection that can be the determinant of life and death itself.


    ¡°Hey, about your father¡¯s remarry ceremony, is it during the commence of the Odyssey¡±. Jihoon made his wild guess, not expecting any meaningful response in mind.


    Sometimes, he just wishes that his precognition doesn¡¯t work all the time.


    To his surprise and growing concern, Aquarius''s eyes widened in shock. "How... how did you know?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.


    And so, his heart sank when the implication settles in. But he has no control over the reality so he had no choice but bravely march toward uncertainty.


    "I didn''t. It was just a guess, but... you''re saying it''s true?" Jihoon made his admittance clear.


    Aquarius nodded slowly, her eyes distant. "The ceremony is scheduled to coincide with the opening day of the Odyssey. Father said it would be a grand celebration for all of Calphennis to be seen."


    As the princess spoke, Jihoon''s mind raced. The remaining unseen pieces of the puzzle were falling into place, forming a grand picture he didn''t like one bit. The Odyssey, the victor''s wish, the timing of the remarriage of his...


    "The victor''s wish," Jihoon muttered, more to himself than to Aquarius. "They get to ask for anything within reason, don''t they?"


    She knew¡­ And promptly answer the burning question in his mind.


    ¡°An arranged marriage with the princess of Calphennis, certainly within the reason for a victorious hero at the very end.¡± The mermaid princess made the statement of her reality cleanly. And that was the final straw that made her tried to runaway and her rash actions that endanger anyone else. Although the reason was valid, the guilt remains on her.


    Even if she had said it right when they first met at the ferry, she would have come off as being irrational than anything she wished to be seen as.


    "He says it''s for the good of the kingdom," she said, her voice a mixture of frustration and sadness. "To forge new alliances, to bring fresh blood into the royal line. But it feels like he''s trading me away for political gain."


    As Jihoon absorbed this information, he couldn''t help but analyze the situation from a different perspective. Someone who had lived such a sheltered lifestyle, someone as emotionally volatile as Aquarius, didn''t show great signs of self-control or discipline. Her rash actions that endangered others on the ferry were testament to that.


    He found himself reluctantly understanding her father''s position. How could he safely let his own daughter be independent when her actions today only further solidified concerns about her judgment?


    "I can see why you felt the need to run," Jihoon said carefully, "but surely you realize now that endangering innocent people wasn''t the right way to handle this?"


    Aquarius lowered her gaze, shame coloring her cheeks. "I... I know. I wasn''t thinking clearly. I just felt so trapped, so desperate."


    Jihoon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I understand that feeling, believe me. But actions have consequences, especially for someone in your position. Your father''s decision, while it feels unfair to you, might be coming from a place of concern for both you and the kingdom."


    The princess looked up at him, a mixture of defiance and uncertainty in her eyes. ¡®So you''re saying I should just accept it? Give up my freedom?¡¯ That¡¯s what her gaze alone conveys her thought to him which he had become adept at reading the language of expression during his stay in this world.


    "No," Jihoon replied, shaking his head. "I''m saying we need to find a better way to address this. One that doesn''t involve running away or putting others at risk. If we''re going to change things, we need to do it the right way."


    Her expression turned grim, telling of how she doesn¡¯t wanted to do what Jihoon is suggesting. She couldn¡¯t imagine herself being forgiven or willingly return to the glided cage that once her home. Her expression turned sorrowful as if surpassing the verge of emotional breakdown multiple time already.


    Jihoon mentally sighed in resignation because he really pity her father who has to deal with her behavior like this. While not forgiving for disregarding his daughter¡¯s will, he could see him getting tired constantly with babysitting his volatile undersea mine.


    As Jihoon observed Aquarius''s sorrowful expression, supposedly crossing the edge of an emotional breakdown multiple time already, a flicker of recognition sparked within him.


    Her state of apathy, the disregard for herself and others. It all felt hauntingly familiar. It reminded him of his own dark days before he discovered the power of Song Magic through the little goddess, when he felt trapped in a world that had left him behind.


    The memory of those days brought with it a sudden inspiration. Jihoon''s eyes lit up as he recalled the very first Song Magic that had turned his life around: the Forgotten Melody.


    "Aquarius," Jihoon said softly, his tone gentle but carrying a note of hope, "I know you''re hurting right now. I''ve been there too. But I want to show you something that might help. First, though, can I ask? What instrument do you play?"


    Jihoon''s instinct proved correct once again. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he nodded. "Perfect. I want to teach you a special melody. It''s called the Forgotten Melody, and it helped me when I was at my lowest point."


    He closed his eyes for a moment, recalling the details of the song:


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Forgotten Melody


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 30):


    -Immunity to all negative mental status effects


    -+500% EXP gain.


    ''A music piece composed of a nostalgic past that can''t ever be returned to. The harmonic of the Goddess''s harp bring peace to the tortured souls but since long forgotten for eternity.''


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Opening his eyes, Jihoon began to hum the melody softly, his voice carrying the bittersweet notes of the forgotten melody. As he did so, he gestured for Aquarius to listen closely.


    "This melody," he explained between phrases, "it''s about acknowledging the past we can''t return to, but finding peace in the present. It won''t solve all your problems, but it might help you find some clarity."


    With his INT 10, Jihoon could further analyze the Forgotten Melody in greater detail than before. Key signature is D minor, time signature is common 4/4. Its design is simple to the point that one could mistakenly think to have heard it somewhere before even if it is their first time.


    |D~~~| E F A+~ | G F E~ | D C F~ |


    |G C+~~| B+ A+ G~ | D~~~| A+~~~|


    |A+~~~|


    Slowly, carefully, Jihoon began to teach Aquarius the notes of the Forgotten Melody. Her fingers, though bound, twitched slightly as if plucking invisible harp strings. As she began to hum along, matching Jihoon''s notes with his battered acoustic, a subtle change came over her. The tension in her shoulders began to ease, and the wild desperation in her eyes softened.


    As they kept practicing the melody together, the ¡®Forgotten Melody¡¯ wove through the air, its haunting beauty seeming to calm not just Aquarius, but the very world around them. Jihoon watched as Aquarius''s expression gradually shifted from sorrow to something resembling peace.


    He knew the melody wouldn''t solve all her problems or instantly mature her, but it was a start. It was a tool to help her find calm in the storm of her emotions, a first step towards facing her challenges with a clearer mind.


    As the last notes of the Forgotten Melody faded into the darkest of night, Jihoon saw a glimmer of something new in Aquarius''s eyes - a spark of hope, perhaps, or the first flicker of understanding in this mishappened connection.


    Whatever challenges lay ahead, be it the Odyssey or the complex politics of her royal life, Jihoon felt that Aquarius now had a chance to face them with a bit more grace and resilience.


    As the all the turbulent emotion fades away, Aquarius falls into a peaceful slumber unlike that of her physical exhaustion from before. This is different and that he too is on the same page as her.


    If the royal family has decided that Aquarius must have someone to reel her worst behavior in, someone whose fortitude allowed to withstand the Odyssey¡¯s challenges themselves, the likelihood of the result having been rigged already stood apparent.


    He had come to Calphennis seeking adventure and answers about the Grand Mural fragments. Instead, he found himself embroiled in a royal conspiracy that threatened not just his plans, but the future of an entire kingdom.


    ¡°Rest well, princess¡±. Jihoon said as he too wanted to find his moment of rest yet the words that she said about the Odyssey¡¯s final reward lingers in his mind. But even thinking become too exhausting as he falls into his unconscious without notice.

 Chapter 26: I promise...

    <u>[69 days left until Alvorna''s Rite of Asecension]</u>


    [8 days left until the Odyssey''s commence]


    Today, it rained before dawn even appeared¡­ as if the sorrow the day before permeated their surroundings and refused to dissipate. Having decided to remove Aquarius¡¯s restraint that he placed before now that she regained her strength, these binding threads made of incandescent light would do little to stop her with her raw merfolk strength.


    Better that they started to get used to each other¡¯s present sooner than later.


    Jihoon summoned his Doppelganger again which never stopped surprising her because of how out of the left field such a Magic that he is using which she doesn¡¯t even recognize in both practice and textbook.


    ¡°So¡­ is the Doppelganger just you but¡­ emotionally stunted?¡±. Aquarius asked as she took shelter under his built camp.


    ¡°I supposed¡­ But you saw his judgment and decision-making for yourself, right? I doubt that even the best personnel assigned to guard you could last against him for long either¡±. Jihoon said as he seems somewhat proud of this capability.


    The search operation that is looking for the princess hasn¡¯t yet discerned this location with how important someone like her is baffled him somewhat but, he sees that his stay with her is lengthened again.


    ¡°So¡­ about the Forgotten Melody¡­ It felt¡­ familiar yet so out of this world. Whoever made such a simple yet profound musical piece like this has to be so attuned with the melody itself¡±. Aquarius said as she hummed the melody that Jihoon taught her last night.


    Hearing her saying that again, his thought drifted back toward the place where he first met the little goddess and received the power of Song Magic from her. A sword grave amidst a lake of ankle-deep water, white-rose vines crept upon each blade.


    At the center of it all under the sole shining light, a little girl with a large span of wing playing a harp.


    Aquarius¡¯s remark about it might as well be the truth. Someone whose musical prowess so out of anything humanly imaginable yet easily comprehended, nonetheless.


    ¡°Do you want me to teach more of it?¡±. Jihoon asked.


    Aquarius nodded eagerly, her eyes brightening for the first time since he''d met her. "Yes, please. There''s something... soothing about it. How did you feel when you first learned it?"


    Jihoon paused, considering her question carefully. "Well, I first learned the Forgotten Melody like way before, but only when I was at my lowest point that I tried to recreate it. It felt like a lifeline, something to hold onto when everything else was slipping away from your grasp. How about you? What did you experience as you played it?"


    Aquarius closed her eyes, her fingers moving slightly as if plucking invisible strings. "It''s hard to describe. At first, it was just notes, but as I kept playing, it felt like... like a gentle current, washing away some of the heaviness inside me. For a moment, I could breathe easier."


    Jihoon nodded, a small smile forming on his face. "That''s exactly what it''s meant to do. It doesn''t solve your problems, but it gives you the strength to face them."


    "I think I understand," Aquarius said softly. "Thank you for sharing it with me. I... I''ll keep practicing it once I have the chance."


    Hearing her words, Jihoon felt a sense of relief wash over him. The Forgotten Melody had been a precious gift to him in his darkest hour, and now he could see it working its magic on someone else. Even if Aquarius''s situation was far from resolved, this small step towards healing was far significant.


    "I''m glad," Jihoon said. "Music has a way of reaching us when nothing else can. Keep it close, and let it be your anchor when things get tough."


    As he watched Aquarius hum the melody to herself, her posture slightly more relaxed than before, Jihoon felt confident that he could leave this piece of himself in her care. She might still have a long way to go, but this small step of responsibility towards her own well-being was a promising start.


    Leaving her on her own for a moment, Jihoon sat next to the Doppelganger again and listen to what it could share on its usage of Light Magic despite his proficiency only at Initiate.


    Even if without lethality, Light Magic if focused enough could disrupt concentration of other casters. It is because its lack of immediate lethality that it is most effective. That¡¯s what makes it able to bypass the disparity of Aquarius¡¯s innate magic defense.


    The ability that Jihoon saw most promising so far is [Sol Corona], the strands of incandescent light that refused to be broken. It has no additional ability but there is something promising about it that Jihoon can see that the Doppelganger felt the same.


    Then next is [Illusion], that goes without saying although some folk with sufficiently powerful or proficiency with their own element and Mana Attunement could discern the illusion although the barrier is high due to being Light in the first place.


    Then there¡¯s mental link technique performed with their Light Magic that they just come to creating without a name to assign.


    And the rest is simply just flashbang and its variations. Now that he is seeing it, having a one-of-a-kind power certainly is a disadvantage if he couldn¡¯t just create an appropriate spell for it out of thin air.


    Jihoon stood at the edge of their makeshift camp even under the rain, his eyes fixed on the cloud-covered horizon. The gentle sound of Aquarius humming the Forgotten Melody drifted through the air, providing a soothing backdrop to his thoughts.


    Grasping at straw of how to even advance to even at least Novice-class so that his Light Magic isn¡¯t just there for the sole purpose of making a lightshow. But it wasn''t enough. Jihoon knew he needed to push further, to elevate his Light Magic beyond mere parlor tricks.


    As he grappled with this challenge, his thoughts drifted back to his world, to the Hunters and the perilous existence they led.


    He remembered how Hunters were glorified, painted as invincible heroes that can¡¯t be defeated. So much so that the attention of the media and its people steered totally toward them. He once loathed them so much because he wanted a reason to shift the blame, anything to be the target of his loathing.


    Yet the reality was far grimmer once he had become one. No matter their rank, death lurked around every corner. Each Gate dive, each monster encounter could be the last. In such a world, the simple act of witnessing another dawn became a precious gift that everyone took for granted, a poetic reminder of survival against overwhelming odds.


    When light and darkness is but a thin edge away, when orders are upheld on a shaky foundation against the encroaching chaos.


    This realization struck Jihoon like a bolt of lightning. The key to advancing his Light Magic or even Magic in general wasn''t just about understanding or imagination¡ªit was about infusing it with personal meaning.


    If it was just that, he would have become the fastest Grandmaster-class Light Magician from just the sheer plethora of knowledge about light itself and its potential applications.


    If he had tried to use the dawn as a natural phenomenon for his imagery, it would just be another variation of flashbang. But if it was a symbol of hope, of perseverance, of life itself in a world constantly threatened by darkness then the potency of the spell becomes much more concrete than otherwise.


    And he suddenly understands why people here with the same Magic proficiency can have wildly different Magic potency and range.


    With this epiphany, Jihoon felt something shift within him. He raised his hand, focusing on this new understanding of light and its significance. Incandescent light once again began to coalesce around his fingertips, taking on a form he''d never achieved before.


    Dawn¡¯s Edge


    A blade of pure light materialized in his grasp, its edge sharp enough to cut through shadow itself. This wasn''t just an illumination spell or a simple projection. It was his first true Novice-class Light Magic, born from his experiences and the weight he placed on each new day.


    As he held the radiant sword in hand, Jihoon felt a surge of accomplishment. More than just a step forward in his magical abilities, it was a testament to his growth, the lessons learned from his world and his journey in Absence.


    Its light that it cast was as warm as daybreak. And as he situated it right across the horizon in the distance, it mimics the actual dawn. It was substantial unlike other spells before his advancement to Novice, as he could feel the weight of his experiences placed upon them.


    A proud smile appeared on his face, before he dispels the sword of light away. Returning to the camp as if nothing noteworthy had happened.


    Time passed for a moment as their thoughts inevitably turned toward the matter of the Odyssey. She can¡¯t run forever, and it spoke of the immense weight of uncertainty to willingly make her return.


    Even if she could do so, what¡¯s there to stop her father from just continuing this arranged marriage?


    Jihoon didn¡¯t fail to notice her distraught as he timely intervened instead of just waiting for it to pass like before. How his slothfulness from earlier days led to the regretful event which its effect still lingers upon him till now.


    "What''s on your mind, Aquarius?" he asked gently.


    She sighed deeply before responding. "The Odyssey... and what comes after. Even if I return now, what''s to stop my father from proceeding with this arranged marriage? I''ve thought about the potential victors, and each possibility terrifies me more than the last."


    Even if she is lucky enough to have someone from outside Calphennis to win, the chance of it happening in the entirety of Odyssey¡¯s history was rare enough to be considered as flukes or outliers. For purpose of reliability, she must prune that out.


    And then the merfolk candidates, a lot of them¡­ didn¡¯t seem to have a good head on top of their physique. Nearly all of them have that one weird personality trait which makes every other good thing about them rendered moot. Which is surprising because of how merfolk is often lauded as the fairest amongst many races with the exception of the Harpies.


    She shook her head, despair evident in her eyes. "I know it''s too late to prove my independence now. I''ve played the role of the dutiful princess for too long. Who would believe I''ve suddenly found my voice?"


    Jihoon listened intently, his mind racing. He had his own reasons for needing to win the Odyssey. The access to the forbidden area that contains the Grand Mural fragment, which was crucial for unraveling the mysteries of this world. But now, he realized, there was another compelling reason to emerge victorious.


    After a moment of contemplation, Jihoon made his decision.


    "Aquarius, I promise you this: I will win the Odyssey." Jihoon said, his voice firm with resolve.


    Her eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of hope and confusion crossing her face. "You... you will?"


    "Yes," Jihoon nodded. "Even if there are underhanded advantages given to others, I''ll find a way to overcome them. I have my own reasons for needing to win, but I give you my word: If I''m victorious, you won''t be forced into a marriage you don''t want."


    For a moment, Aquarius stared at him, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Are you... are you declaring your love for me?"


    Jihoon had a surprised expression before he blinked, then chuckled softly.


    "No, I''m not. I already have someone else in mind, actually." His thoughts briefly drifted to Alvorna before he refocused on Aquarius. "This promise is about your freedom, not about me. You''ve started to grow, to take responsibility for yourself. I don''t want to see that progress undone by circumstances beyond your control."


    Aquarius''s expression softened, a mix of relief and gratitude washing over her features. "I... Thank you, Jihoon. That means more than you know."


    Jihoon nodded, a small smile on his face. "We''ll face this challenge together. You focus on continuing your personal growth, and I''ll do everything in my power to win the Odyssey. Deal?"


    "Deal," Aquarius agreed, her voice stronger than it had been in days.


    As they shook hands, sealing their pact, Jihoon felt the weight of his promise settle on his shoulders. The Odyssey would be no easy feat, but now he had even more reasons to emerge victorious.


    Now¡­ the next problem lays in his actual participation. Now that he had crossed blades with the merfolk guards, he realized that he didn¡¯t truly have any experience fighting other races in combat. Karim had suggested him to get the chance once he registered but with this unfortunate detour, he wouldn¡¯t even be able to spar with any participant.


    Aquarius, noticing his furrowed brow, spoke up. "What''s troubling you now?"


    Jihoon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I just realized... I have no real experience fighting against the various races of Absence. Karim had suggested I practice before the Odyssey with other participants, but with our detour..." He trailed off, frustration evident in his voice.


    Aquarius was quiet for a moment, then her eyes lit up with an idea. "I think I can help with that," she said, a hint of excitement in her voice. "As a princess, I''ve studied the history of the Odyssey extensively. Even directly witness at the front seat of many recent ones so I know about many of the honored past participants, not just merfolk."


    She stood up, moving closer to the water''s edge. "Watch this," she said, her hands moving in intricate patterns as she called upon her Water Magic.


    Intermediate-class Water Magic. Mirror of Water.


    The water before them began to ripple and rise, taking on humanoid shapes. Within moments, a small army of water clones stood before them. Not only of just merfolk, of course, but also representations of other races: dwarves with stocky builds, lithe elves, towering beastfolk, and more.


    "These are recreations of some of the most notable Odyssey participants from over the years," Aquarius explained. "I can control them to mimic their fighting styles and abilities. It''s not perfect, but it should give you a good idea of what to expect."


    Jihoon stared at the shimmering figures before him before a sense of amazement started to visibly appear on his expression. This was an unexpected boon, a chance to gain invaluable experience before the real challenges began. Suddenly, all of his grievance toward her is casually put aside without care.


    "Aquarius, this is... incredible," he said, genuine gratitude in his voice. "Thank you."


    She smiled, a hint of pride in her expression. "Well, your success in the Odyssey affects me too, doesn''t it? Besides, I''m curious to see how you''ll fare against these legends of the past."


    Jihoon nodded, a determined glint in his eye as he readied his halberd. "Alright then. Let''s begin."


    As the first water clone moved into a fighting stance, Jihoon motioned in his stance in the same way. He would be lying if he said that he didn¡¯t feel excited fighting against the echoes of Calphennis¡¯s hall of fame themselves. Regardless of victory or defeat, he would at least become more prepared to face the trials ahead.


    With a mental gesture sent toward the Doppelganger, it soon also appeared by his side. The two of them, confronting a small army on their own that supposed to be overwhelming but not so much anymore with another him by his side.


    ¡°Together?¡±. Jihoon said for the thematic of the scene he is in.


    It nodded. No further words were needed. Jihoon didn¡¯t really expect another last-minute training arc either, but he has come to accept what he is given.


    Soon, the sound of combat started to fill the air.


    The first water clone, a representation of a past merfolk champion, surged forward with incredible speed. Jihoon met its charge, his halberd clashing against the clone''s watery trident. The exchange was brief but intense, and Jihoon found himself pushed back, barely holding his ground.


    As extended combat ensued, it quickly became apparent that Jihoon''s real-world fighting experience, while impressive for his background, fell short of the Odyssey''s demanding standards. His movements, though determined, lacked the finesse and adaptability required to face such a diverse array of opponents.


    As more clones joined the fray, Jihoon''s lack of experience against Absence''s diverse races became painfully apparent. He struggled to anticipate their movements, and often caught off-guard by abilities he''d never encountered before in practical combat.


    A dwarven clone''s earth-shaking stomp nearly toppled him, while an elven archer''s impossibly quick shots kept him constantly on the defensive. A beastfolk cunning instinct seemingly stays ahead of him in every step, a yokai whose life-imbued strike overpowering even with simple received strikes.


    His performance would have looked pathetic in actual proving ground.


    The Doppelganger meanwhile was a different story entirely. With access to Jihoon''s newly created Novice-class Light Magic ¡®Dawn''s Edge¡¯, it manifested two swords of pure light, one in each hand. The water clones, formidable as they were, found themselves hard-pressed against this dual-wielding opponent that seemed to anticipate their every move as the disparity in power didn¡¯t matter in the slightest.


    Where Jihoon faltered, the Doppelganger excelled, its emotionless efficiency allowing it to analyze and exploit weaknesses in real-time.


    Jihoon, catching his breath after a particularly challenging bout, began to observe his duplicate more closely. It was both fascinating and enlightening as he further examines what his clone is capable of.


    The Doppelganger wasn''t just fighting. It was analyzing, adapting, and exploiting in real time. Against a dwarf clone, it used quick, high strikes to overcome the opponent''s low center of gravity. When facing an elven recreation, it disrupted the fluid movements with unpredictable changes in rhythm. For beastfolk, it targeted areas where their enhanced physical abilities couldn''t compensate completely for vulnerabilities.


    Most impressively, the Doppelganger seemed to identify the core racial abilities each opponent relied on, then systematically undermined them from there. Not only just countering strengths, it goes beyond exposing the flaws that arose when fighters became overly dependent on their innate advantages.


    Against a beastfolk clone''s overwhelming strength, it used the creature''s momentum against it. When faced with a yokai''s illusions, it relied on its Light Magic to cut through the deceptions.


    Jihoon had nothing so the only thing he can rely on is himself. That alone has no apparent weakness on its own.


    Most intriguingly, Jihoon noticed how the Doppelganger consistently exploited the very abilities that made each race formidable. It used the merfolk''s affinity for water against them, turning their fluid movements into predictable patterns. The dwarves'' sturdy defenses became liabilities when the Doppelganger targeted their less-protected joints.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "Are you seeing this?" Jihoon called out to Aquarius, his voice a mix of awe and realization.


    Aquarius nodded, her eyes wide with surprise. "It''s incredible. Your... other self is fighting in ways I''ve never seen before. It''s as if it''s breaking down each race''s strengths and weaknesses in real-time."


    A surge of understanding overcame Jihoon. He recognized that it is not just raw power or speed that matters, but adaptability and tactical insight. The Doppelganger, unencumbered by preconceptions or ingrained habits, was showcasing the ideal approach to the Odyssey''s diverse challenges.


    He knew already that he must learn a lot of different subjects to suitably adapt to the Odyssey but in doing so, he missed so many minor details that were no less crucial to him in the long term.


    Determination renewed a bit more, Jihoon joined the fray again, undaunted by the setback that he received. He began to mimic his Doppelganger''s approach, not just reacting to his opponents but actively looking for the flaws in their seemingly perfect techniques.


    For example, a dwarf¡¯s pride is as much of a boon as it is a setback. This extends not only into their craftsmanship but also reflects in combat as they put their all into every individual blow and never resort to deception for any amount of advantage. This makes each of their attacks consistently powerful but leaving them vulnerable should they overextend.


    Jihoon managed to weave through the offense of a dwarven construct as he landed a decisive blow with his halberd. His first true claimed victory. He is nowhere near the Doppelganger¡¯s in its ruthless efficiency, but he could keep approaching it with consistent efforts.


    Paying close attention to the lessons his Doppelganger was inadvertently teaching. He began learning to read opponents more effectively and exploit the gaps in their defenses. Even if an insurmountable wall presents itself in front of him, he must not falter and keep pushing for a gap inevitably shows.


    The Odyssey still shows itself as a monumental challenge, but he believed that as long as he holds its key, it will not be something that can stop him in his track.


    Aquarius watched from the sidelines, a mix of admiration and hope in her eyes. Perhaps, she thought, Jihoon''s promise wasn''t so far-fetched after all. With this innovative approach to combat, he might just stand a chance against the best warriors Absence had to offer.


    The training goes on, from early morning through even afternoon. But the overcast sky concealed any sense of time from them as Jihoon in his trances completely disregarding the perception of time. Now, he and his Doppelganger stood back-to-back as they are encircled by numerous water clones, all seemingly going for the kill.


    The glove is off, and gauntlet is now on, the beginning of Jihoon¡¯s assumption that the merfolk king has decided to break the rules for the sake of his daughter¡¯s marriage arrangement.


    Throughout the entirety of this continuous onslaught of attacks, the difficulty has been consistently rising as this battle goes on. Now, they will slowly remove each guideline that separates the Odyssey as a good-spirited tournament from a death game.


    All rules and regulations are written in blood. And by removing them, one needlessly creates preventable bloodshed. This applies everywhere regardless of worlds.


    One of the major guidelines, no ganging up on downed participants. Removed. What should be a test of skill transformed into a potential bloodbath.


    This is what he had arranged for Aquarius to do, because a thumb rule of Hunter has told him. Always be wary and assume of worst-case scenarios in unfamiliar places.


    The simulation of the gradual erosion of the Odyssey¡¯s guideline. Begin.


    This scenario mirrors the ruthless tactics the merfolk king might employ to ensure his daughter''s arranged marriage.


    As the encircling clones tensed, ready to charge, Jihoon spoke quietly to his Doppelganger. "We need to break out. Divide and conquer won''t work here."


    The Doppelganger nodded imperceptibly, its grip tightening on the twin blades of light.


    In that split second before the onslaught, Jihoon formulated a plan. "On my mark, create a light barrier. I''ll use it as a springboard."


    The water clones surged forward, a tidal wave of simulated warriors converging on the pair. Just as they were about to make contact, Jihoon shouted, "Now!"


    The Doppelganger reacted instantly, forming a dome of solid light around them. Jihoon, timing his move perfectly, used his halberd to vault himself high into the air, breaking through the top of the dome.


    From his elevated position, Jihoon unleashed a barrage of Light Magic, raining down [Sol Corona] strands to ensnare and divide the mob below. The Doppelganger, seizing the moment of confusion, burst through its own light barrier, its blades carving a path through the disoriented clones.


    Jihoon landed nearby the Doppelganger as the encirclement has greater width than just one personnel, then he immediately engaging the nearest opponents. Fighting fiercely with newfound adaptability, switching between wide sweeps of his halberd to keep multiple foes at bay and precise strikes to disable individual threats.


    The Doppelganger, meanwhile, became a whirlwind of light blades, its movements fluid and unpredictable. It used the chaos of the melee to its advantage, pitting opponents against each other and exploiting every opening.


    Despite their initial success in creating a path through the encirclement, Jihoon and his Doppelganger are still constantly on the move. The water clones, relentless in their pursuit, showed no hesitation in striking at vulnerable moments or targeting a downed opponent. Much like what happened if every participant is replaced with savages.


    "We need to thin their numbers!" Jihoon called out to his Doppelganger. "Focus on disabling for now! Not defeating. We can''t match their total stamina in a prolonged fight!"


    Understanding flickered between them. They began to synchronize their movements, creating openings for each other and maximizing the impact of every attack. Jihoon''s "Dawn''s Edge" flashed brilliantly, temporarily blinding groups of opponents, while the Doppelganger''s precision strikes disrupted the clones'' water-based forms.


    Through intense combat and bravery in face of death, Jihoon¡¯s control and advancement of his Light Magic made quick progress as he could conjure more Dawn¡¯s Edges at once. At certain point, he believed that he could perform Blade Spam with it, but he hasn¡¯t yet reached such mastery.


    When was the last time he felt truly overwhelmed? It isn¡¯t even like his first Gate delve when the Gate becomes inescapable, and that he must confront the Gate Boss to leave. He had reliable allies and Song Magic at use. But here neither he nor the Doppelganger can use while beset at all side and he felt powerless without the melodic enhancement.


    Even in the face of direst strait, his heroic spirit didn¡¯t fail to push him against the unrelenting horde. The idea of one man alone fighting against an entire army and winning has been the fantasy of many. But to accomplish it, was an entirely different thing.


    Jihoon thrust his decayed halberd forward, creating a momentary gap in the seemingly ceaseless wall of attackers. The Doppelganger capitalized on this opening, its light blades flashing as it carved a path through the clones. They pushed outward, back-to-back, rotating to cover each other''s blind spots.


    Water splashed and reformed around them as they fought, the clones relentless in their assault. Any clone that fell was quickly replaced, the onslaught never ceasing.


    They continued to press their advantage, slowly widening the gap they''d created in the encirclement. Water clones fell and reformed around them, but the relentless duo continued to push outward, refusing to be boxed in again.


    As they fought, Jihoon''s mind raced, analyzing each opponent, each movement in complete overdrive. He began to see patterns in the chaos. In the way that certain clones would prioritize targets, how others would try to flank or distract. It was a complex dance of strategy and instinct, formulating with each passing moment, Jihoon felt himself adapting, improving as he begins to see the combat in the way that the Doppelganger did.


    "Break for the edge!" Jihoon called out, identifying a slight weakness in the encirclement.


    The Doppelganger understood immediately. It dropped low, sweeping its light blades in a circular motion to clear a path forward to finally reach a clearance. Jihoon vaulted over his duplicate, using the momentum to drive his halberd into the ground and pole-vault through the final gap.


    As soon as they breached the circle after what could be perceived as an unbelievable amount time passed, their strategy quickly shifted. Back-to-back no longer, they now flanked the group from opposite sides. Jihoon''s halberd kept the clones at bay while the Doppelganger''s agile swordplay picked off stragglers.


    They then wove through the melee, never staying still long enough to be overwhelmed. When one clone fell, they didn''t hesitate - moving on to the next target immediately, denying their opponents the chance to gang up on a "downed" fighter.


    Jihoon felt his muscles burn with exertion, but his mind remained sharp even with exhaustion tinge its essence. The overcast sky rumbled ominously above, a fitting backdrop to the relentless battle unfolding on the shore.


    Aquarius looked in worry and anticipation since this is exactly what he had asked for of her. But at this pace, she worries more about Jihoon¡¯s well-being than the chance of him attain victory the actual Odyssey. Yet with anxiety, she still heed his wish to raise the stake even higher.


    Another major guideline removed. No permanent maiming or lethal force upon other participants.


    As Jihoon and his Doppelganger continued their relentless dance of survival, Aquarius''s voice cut through the chaos, her tone laced with both concern and determination.


    "Jihoon! The next guideline removed: No use of lethal force or permanent maiming!"


    The implications hit Jihoon like a literal physical blow. In an instant, the already dangerous training scenario escalated to a potentially deadly one. The water clones, as if sensing this shift, became even more aggressive. Their attacks now aimed for vital points such as throats, eyes, joints, etc¡­ with devastating precision.


    Jihoon barely dodged a spear of water aimed at his heart, the projectile grazing his side and drawing blood. "Adapt!" he transmitted his thought to his Doppelganger through their mental link made by Light Magic, his mind racing to formulate a new strategy.


    The Doppelganger, understanding immediately, shifted its fighting style. Its wielding light blades elongated, creating a greater reach to keep opponents at bay. Then it began targeting the water clones'' legs and arms, no longer to disable, but to disperse their watery forms entirely.


    Jihoon, following suit, channeled his Light Magic through his halberd. With each swing, arcs of searing light extended his reach, vaporizing portions of the water clones on contact. No longer aimed to simply knock opponents down, each strike was now meant to completely neutralize a threat much like the Hunters do in his world.


    Aquarius could stop the whole thing at any time she deemed the situation too dangerous. But she doesn¡¯t know which to place her faith more, her trust in Jihoon or her own judgment. And with how catastrophic her recent actions were, her idea of trusting her own actions seems too much to ask of her.


    "We can''t hold back any more like this," Jihoon panted, his back pressed against his Doppelganger''s as they found themselves momentarily surrounded again. "If this is how the real Odyssey might turn out, we need to be prepared to... to do whatever it takes."


    The Doppelganger made no response, it simply acted accordingly to the situation no matter how dire with complete stoicism. No fear or hesitation dragging its actions behind, only logical development for the best possible outcome drives everything. Every potential that Jihoon has, it quickly makes complete use as the situation pushed its limit.


    [Sol Corona] manifested once again, strings of incandescent light weaved together as it formed into tightly bonded rope then from rope refined and condensed into a searing whip. Extracting from Jihoon¡¯s memories, a personal meaning and experience applied transforming its lethality into something much more concrete.


    ¡°Ardor of the Sun!¡±. The Doppelganger that has mostly been silent and never once spoken out loud break its stoic character. Something that spoke weight of how dire the situation is that it must make full use of everything.


    This is Jihoon¡¯s second Novice-class Light Magic, or more exactly the Doppelganger¡¯s.


    The once harmless strands of light now coalesced into a blazing whip, pulsing with intense heat and energy like solar flare.


    The personal meaning behind this evolution stemmed from Jihoon''s memories of his world''s relentless battles against monsters emerging from Gates - the constant struggle for survival, the burning desire to protect, and the searing pain of loss of his own failure.


    He recalled the dusk when Jin died. Ever so peaceful after so much time in torturing agony. To Jihoon, that pain of his death passed on to him as he must now live and survive for his sake. One of the original reasons he set out for Absence to begin with.


    As the Doppelganger wielded this new weapon, its effects were immediately apparent. The water clones that came into contact with [Ardor of the Sun] didn''t just disperse but also evaporated instantly, leaving behind wisps of steam. The whip cut through the battlefield like a ray of concentrated sunlight, carving a path of destruction through ranks and clusters of enemies that meant their demise.


    The Doppelganger transmitted the casting formula directly to Jihoon''s mind using their Light Magic. In an instant of shared consciousness, Jihoon grasped the intricacies of the spell. Without hesitation, he manifested his own [Ardor of the Sun], and realizing its wide reaches and range, he did the next unthinkable thing.


    Mentally threading the searing whip¡¯s end at his halberd¡¯s shaft, the two of them combined into something a bit more devastating than individually.


    With a mighty swing, Jihoon unleashed a devastating arc of solar energy. The battlefield lit up as if dawn had suddenly broken if ever briefly, the scorching light vaporizing a wide swath of water clones. For a moment, the onslaught paused, the remaining clones seeming to reassess their approach.


    Panting heavily, Jihoon and his Doppelganger stood back-to-back once more, his decayed halberd humming with power while his clone manifesting numerous light-based weapons. They had survived this latest escalation, but both knew the reprieve would be brief.


    As if on cue, Aquarius''s voice rang out again, her tone now trembling with a mix of awe and fear. "Jihoon... the next guideline. It''s... it''s worse than just the risk of death."


    Jihoon''s heart sank. What could possibly be worse than lethal force being permitted? He braced himself, readying [Ardor of the Sun] for whatever new horror awaited them.


    "The next guideline removed," Aquarius continued, her voice tremble as she starts to feel that Jihoon is going too far with his personal request, "No use of civilians or hostages as leverage or blackmail against other participants."


    This doesn¡¯t exactly reflect or portray well in this simulated battleground since there¡¯s no innocent to take advantage of. But with no incentive, the clones¡¯ behavior started to become very deranged even in just idle stance. In this very moment, this had cease being a battle of warriors with the honor discarded in the two previous guidelines, and it is now just a complete catastrophe in total sense.


    Then another guideline is removed¡­ Then another one¡­ It goes on until it completely devolved into total anarchy where one doesn¡¯t even register what part of the Odyssey this is supposed to be. That¡¯s when Aquarius realized something¡­ Jihoon is obsessing over something so extreme that it could never happen.


    As the simulated battlefield descended into chaos, Aquarius found herself watching Jihoon with growing concern. The water clones, now unbound by any semblance of rules or honor, began to act in increasingly erratic and vicious ways. Yet Jihoon and his Doppelganger continued to fight, adapting to each new horror with grim determination


    Suddenly, a realization struck Aquarius as she had borne witness to the total duration of this increasingly punishing session. This wasn''t just training anymore. This had become something else entirely, a manifestation of Jihoon''s deepest fears and anxieties.


    If one were to think about it and reflect totally of Jihoon¡¯s journey so far. It¡­ was rife with terrible scenarios that really shouldn¡¯t have happened to someone who just entered the Hunter industry like him. There¡¯s true misfortune, and then there¡¯s his life. Each experience had reinforced Jihoon''s belief that the worst would always happen to him.


    She saw the tension in Jihoon''s jaw, the haunted look in his eyes that spoke of more than just physical exertion.


    From the beginning, or at least to anyone¡¯s thought¡­ Jihoon never had any intent on training for the sake of self-improvement. Although he resolved the matter with the identity of what he wanted to be, solving one issue won¡¯t suddenly make one the pinnacle of perfection.


    This whole increasingly brutal training session was Jihoon''s way of punishing himself, of preparing for the absolute worst-case scenario that he had convinced that would inevitably befall him.


    Aquarius''s mind raced back through their interactions. Jihoon''s insistence on pushing harder, on removing more and more guidelines, wasn''t just about being prepared. It reflected his deep-seated belief that everything would go wrong, that he needed to be ready for the most catastrophic outcome possible.


    She finally realized with a start that Jihoon was in a constant state of self-penance, blaming himself for events far beyond his control. He carried the weight of every tragedy, every setback, as if it were solely his responsibility.


    It was Jihoon''s way of trying to atone, to prove to himself that he could handle anything the world threw at him, no matter how dire or unfair. Absence may still be far from the utopia of equality, but he didn¡¯t see himself as having any place to belong to. In his view, he himself is the scum of earth that deserves no one¡¯s affection or empathy.


    Aquarius made a decision for herself. This had gone too far. Jihoon''s obsession with preparing for the worst was pushing him to dangerous extremes of no return. Where was the man who raised her up from the darkest part of her life, now succumbing to a different pitfall of his own emotional turmoil?


    "Enough!" she cried out loud, her voice cutting through the cacophony of battle. With a wave of her hand, she dispelled all the water clones, leaving Jihoon and his Doppelganger standing alone on the now-quiet shore. Bringing the chaotic simulation to an abrupt end.


    Jihoon turned to her, confusion and a hint of frustration in his eyes. "Why did you stop? We need to be ready for¡ª"


    "Jihoon," she said softly, seemingly on verge of crying for his plight, "I think... I think we need to talk. About all of this. About you."


    The look of confusion on Jihoon''s face only confirmed her suspicions. He didn''t even realize the extremes to which he had pushed himself, the unrealistic standards he had set.


    "This... this isn''t about being ready anymore. What you''re doing, it''s not healthy. You''re punishing yourself for things you couldn''t control." Aquarius interrupted as gently as she could but her anger toward his own self-disregarding sickens her in way she couldn¡¯t empathize.


    Someone so kind harbors such disgusting self-loathing. Empathic toward others yet apathetic toward oneself the most.


    I see it now. You''re carrying so much guilt, so much fear of what might go wrong. But Jihoon, not everything is your fault. Not everything will turn out for the worst." Aquarius said as her eyes filled with understanding and concern.


    Jihoon''s shoulders slumped, the weight of his self-imposed burden suddenly visible. "But if I''m not prepared for the worst..."


    "Then we''ll face it together," Aquarius said firmly. "But we can''t live assuming the worst will always happen. That''s not preparation, it''s self-destruction."


    As the overcast sky began to clear, letting through the first rays of sunlight, Aquarius reached out to Jihoon. "It''s time to stop punishing yourself. Let''s prepare for the Odyssey, yes, but not like this. Not by tearing yourself apart."


    Yet as her words sank in, Jihoon''s demeanor began to shift. Instead of relief or understanding, his expression hardened, a stubborn glint appearing in his eyes.


    "You don''t understand," he said, his voice low and intense. "I have to do this. I must be ready for everything, for anything. It''s the only way to ensure¡ª"


    "To ensure what, Jihoon?" Aquarius interrupted, her concern growing. "That you''ll never fail again? That you can control everything?"


    Jihoon''s fists clenched at his sides. "I have to be strong enough. I must be able to handle it all myself. If I rely on others, if I''m not prepared for the absolute worst..."


    Aquarius could see Jihoon spiraling, his obsession with self-reliance and preparation reaching a fever pitch. She realized that simply talking him down might not be enough. Force wasn''t an option either ¨C it would only delay the inevitable, pushing the problem to another day without addressing its root.


    Then, a memory stirred. The Forgotten Melody. The song Jihoon had taught her, the one that had brought her a measure of peace in her darkest moment. Perhaps now it was time for her to return the favor for someone so lost in delusion of self.


    Taking a deep breath, Aquarius began to hum the melody. Soft at first, then growing in strength and clarity. The notes hung in the air, a gentle counterpoint to the tension radiating from Jihoon.


    As the familiar tune reached his ears, Jihoon''s rapid-fire justifications faltered. His eyes widened, a flicker of recognition passing across his face.


    Aquarius continued and then she began to vocalize, weaving her Water Magic into the song, creating subtle harmonies and countermelodies. She poured her emotions into the music ¨C her gratitude for Jihoon''s help, her concern for his well-being, and her hope for a future where he didn''t have to carry the weight of the world alone.


    Even if this connection is unlasting or meant to fade. She will not allow it to lessen the impact of her actions done for his sake.


    Slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, the rigid set of Jihoon''s shoulders began to soften. The frantic energy that had been driving him seemed to ebb, replaced by a look of confusion, then dawning realization.


    "I... I taught you that," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.


    Aquarius nodded, not breaking the melody. She reached out, gently taking Jihoon''s hand in hers. As she did, she guided his fingers to move as if playing an invisible instrument, helping him reconnect with the music he had created.


    Gradually, Jihoon''s breathing steadied. The wild look in his eyes faded, replaced by a sheen of unshed tears. As the last notes of the Forgotten Melody faded away, Aquarius finally spoke.


    "You showed me that there''s hope, even in the darkest times," she said softly. "Now it''s my turn to remind you. You don''t have to do everything alone, Jihoon. You don''t have to be perfect or invincible. Sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is accept help, to trust that not everything will go wrong."


    And so Jihoon¡¯s self-imagery as an invincible paragon shattered when it took only day for someone to feed back the lesson he taught. He was far more fragile than he thought, and a single character development likely won¡¯t be enough to cover everything that is wrong with him, let alone properly addressed.


    As the facade crumbled entirely. The weight of his self-imposed burdens, the constant strain of trying to prepare for every worst-case scenario, came crashing down. He sank to his knees on the shore, tears finally falling freely. His Doppelganger only turn his back toward, letting Jihoon to his own device with Aquarius.


    Aquarius knelt beside him, her hand still in his. "We''ll face the Odyssey together," she promised. "Not as infallible heroes, but as people who are willing to try, to support each other, and to believe that sometimes, things might just turn out okay if you just believe."


    And so¡­ the cloud slowly disperses, revealing the time to them. The final hour of day as the radiance shown in soft golden glow that felt relief and uplifting. Unlike the usual incandescent color that does nothing to soothe their spirits.


    The Golden Hour. The most majestic period of the day that has never once failed to enrapture the spirit of many. This world is no different in that sense and here, it felt cathartic for Jihoon to the point that he has no words to describe.


    While still kneeling on the shore, felt a sudden urge to capture this moment, to imprint it as deeply in his mind as possible. The beauty of Golden Hour, with its warm hues and long shadows, stirred something within him. An idea began to form, a new understanding of his Light Magic and its potential.


    Without a word, he stood up, his movements slow but deliberate. Aquarius watched curiously as Jihoon began to manifest multiple Dawn''s Edges, planting them in the sand in a pattern reminiscent of a magic circle. As he worked, his mind raced with new insights into the nature of magic proficiency that his System and this world categorize.


    "The levels of magic... they''re not just about power, but about understanding and connection." Jihoon murmured, more to himself than to Aquarius.


    Aquarius titled her head, intrigued by what he was saying.


    The distinctions between magical proficiency levels that had once seemed arbitrary now made perfect sense:


    Innate was understanding the element in its raw form, seeing it as it exists in nature and the imagery that convey it.


    Initiate was learning to manipulate that element, to make it work according to one''s will. In his world, that would be general physics that he learned.


    Novice was infusing personal meaning into the magic, giving it depth and power beyond mere manipulation.


    And now, as he stood surrounded by his circle of light blades, each catching and refracting the golden twilight in unique ways, Jihoon understood what it meant to reach the Intermediate level.


    Intermediate¡­ was connection. Taking all the elements that so far being the constitute of his Light Magic. The imagery, the technique and the personal meaning¡­ All of them being simply just stacked atop one another without structuring. But it all changes once he grasped the method.


    As if responding to his epiphany, the Dawn''s Edges began to pulse in unison, their light intermingling with the golden rays of the setting sun. The magic circle he had created started to glow, not with the harsh light of combat, but with a warm, encompassing radiance that seemed to reflect the peace of the twilight hour.


    Magic becomes stronger is the side effect of it becoming more complete and attuned to the nature around them.


    As he spoke, the light from the magic circle began to spread, creating a domain of soft, golden light around its perimeter. Within this space, both Jihoon and Aquarius felt a profound sense of calm and clarity. And due to the nature of how Magic Circle works, Jihoon could modify it to do anything he wanted it to do within the range of his Light Magic.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ beautiful¡±. Aquarius said as she looked around in awe.


    Jihoon realized something after so long spending his time not ever fully placing his faith in trustworthy allies. That his approach to life isn¡¯t just to prepare for the worst but to make the best out of all given situations.


    Anticipate for the worst but hope for the best. Don¡¯t let that pessimism control him so terribly like that anymore.


    When the sun finally dipped down below the horizon and the sky entered its blue hour. Jihoon took a step back to reorganize the battered spirit and assess everything that is still wrong with him. But even then, self-investigation doesn¡¯t turn out anything meaningful and all he could hope for is when he is pushed again, he would be able to fare better next time.

 Chapter 27: Shared Understanding

    <u>[66 days left until Alvorna''s Rite of Asecension]</u>


    [5 days left until the Odyssey''s commence]


    The last 3 days were more of a healing episode rather than any actual training. After Jihoon had his relapse into his worst behavior, he decided to rightfully abstain himself from doing anything intensive for a while.


    Honestly, the fact that at the very beginning of this whole tale, Jihoon was in a state of apathy in which a true stoic would never have fallen into in the first place.


    And instead, he and Aquarius experimented with what he can do with his newfound understanding of Intermediate-class Light Magic along with some words of insight from her own.


    To the various races of Absence, the elements that they¡¯re attuned to are chosen from birth and inseparable from them. Because of it, they are naturally drawn to the element they conjured. Like why Harpies have Wind Magic and Merfolk have Water Magic. That element isn¡¯t just their innate power, it is no different than their life in literal sense.


    That¡¯s why when one¡¯s Magic develops since birth, they just feel it is natural when it evolves. But to Jihoon who had nothing of sorts until his attunement to the Judgment of Light, i.e. his decayed halberd, it is a struggle to understand the concept for himself until it would just suddenly click for him as if naturally make sense after all.


    But¡­ relying on chance-based epiphany isn¡¯t really the best way to improve his Magic proficiency and Aquarius being awfully vague with how she understands her Advanced-class Magic doesn¡¯t make it a good learning experience either.


    Back to his Light Magic¡­ again. Jihoon diversified his Light Magic in all level of proficiency by a lot. His Novice-class Light Magic spells that he had in mind are now designed for different kinds of scenarios in mind.


    For example¡­


    Piercing Glare


    The sun is particularly harsh to stare into, like a needle that digs into one¡¯s eyes upon exposure. Because of that, it took form a throwing spear that Jihoon can throw with great force as it leaves behind trace of its own refraction. The personal meaning is¡­ the harsh truth that power comes with responsibility that one must be prudence of. The same thing that sustains can harm oneself as easily.


    Jihoon refrains himself from naming any of his Skills in too grandiose names when it is just simple things. Can¡¯t really name a shield an Aegis when it is just Novice-class, isn¡¯t it? He had seen enough of that in wuxia stories and its subgenres.


    Then¡­ he quickly lists the remaining Novice-class Light Magic spells that he devised in the meantime.


    Mirror Reflection


    A barrier of light that repels incoming Magic attack, if timed correctly, it could reflect even incoming attacks of both physical and magical back at the attackers. Can¡¯t withstand attack greater than a Novice-class however but it fulfills the purpose of being a Novice class spell.


    Its personal meaning¡­ is how actions have consequence that often would come back toward oneself in no time. For better or for worse.


    Afterimage


    Jihoon commanded the Doppelganger to strike at him. Heeding his command without hesitation, it formed its Dawn¡¯s Edge before it cut his form apart. However, the him that took the blow dispersing like aurora. The actual him is already a few feet away from the original position and it works very well to deceive an opponent.


    The imagery is of the usual illusion that caused mirage to form and its personal meaning¡­ is how someone¡¯s surface impression can conceal the true appearance underneath. Much like how his old friend Jin hides his own corruption when they first reunited.


    Refraction Array


    Manifesting his Piercing Glare once more, Jihoon mentally chanted as something within the spear altered subtlety. Then with all his might that he threw, halos of light appeared around the shaft of the spear of light itself as the thrown spear now has its trajectory completely altered and randomized as it heads toward the directed target.


    All of it is done in a manner similar to actual refraction of light where its trajectory alters if going through any different medium. Its personal meaning is how experience can change someone subtlety yet equally drastically the same. Its persona meaning¡­ is obviously the First Gate Outbreak that utterly upheaval his previous life as a musician.


    Plenty more Novice-class Spells are performed with different properties such as offensive, defensive, support and debilitative. But right now, the most important thing that he can perform so far is this¡­


    ¡®Summon Intermediate magic rite preparation¡¯. Jihoon thought in his mind as multiple Dawn¡¯s Edges and Piercing Glares manifested above adjacent him in midair. As they levitate, he then mentally commands them to fall as all of them plunges into the ground around him in an organized manner.


    Then, a magic circle is established underneath him and the perimeter established by his summoned incandescent weapons.


    Intermediate-Class Light Magic, Golden Hour


    Golden Hour on its principle is an amplification circle which makes every spell of Novice to Intermediate-class gain increased potency of its output. Using the method of synthesis and total connection of the previous building blocks that brought him to this point, he could potentially apply Advanced-class level of power using only Intermediate-class spells.


    Its personal meaning¡­


    In his contemplation of the essence of the Golden Hour, the profound significance lies in the almost magical nature that it has even in his world. The Golden Hour is essentially the time when daylight is at its brightest yet softest, occur at the first hour of dawn and the last hour of dusk.


    To him. It¡¯s the duality of a new bright beginning, and graceful descent at journey¡¯s end. The dawn being the usual indisputable symbol of hope it simply is, the fresh start that the little goddess has given him to start his journey of assembling the greatest ensemble and his decision to embark upon Absence.


    The dusk, once again, spoke of the ending. But not with despair but with any remaining shred of dignity that one still has for that is the only solace for those who reached said conclusion. A reminder of those who have nothing left to lose but to go out on their own terms.


    His thought returned to Jin once again, a friend of his, in his final moment chose to be his true self.


    To leave a lasting impression even if one is fading away.


    There¡¯s simply no better encapsulation of his experience so far. He had been at rock bottom, a musician discarded in a world of Hunters taking the center stage. Yet from that low point, a new beginning he inadvertently found by retracing his original steps once again.


    And with conviction and solemn determination, he faces his challenge head-on.


    The synthesis of Golden Hour, its established theme is ¡®transformation¡¯. The moment of change when day becomes night and night becomes day. The turning point of life, the pivotal moment that defines each and every one that must eventually undergo.


    This duality - the soft yet intense light of both beginnings and endings - resonated deeply with Jihoon. It encapsulated his journey from a struggling musician to a Hunter with a unique power, from someone who felt worthless to someone who now bore the weight of promises and responsibilities.


    Upon channeling this understanding into the magic circle. He felt his own Light Magic surge as his attunement to the domain of light around him strengthen. Golden Hour isn¡¯t simply just strengthening or amplifying magic, it is about embracing the complete spectrum of experience. Both triumph or near-defeat, his utter low points or his peaks.


    To acknowledge that even in darkest moments, there exist at least glimmering light no matter how faint.


    Soon, time passed swiftly as night befalls them again. No such scene of Golden Hour to occur again so far but the night was peaceful as Jihoon slowly assess his own being again. People can relapse to bad habits now and then, and that obsession of his with worst-case scenario stemmed from somewhere after all.


    After their short dinner, Aquarius took an early rest tonight, leaving Jihoon to his device while pondering to himself.


    Now that he thought about it, where on Absence was the search team that was supposed to be finding her highness? They are certainly taking their crazily sweet time with how important Aquarius is.


    As Jihoon finished his introspective thoughts, the peaceful night was suddenly interrupted by the arrival of a massive ship. Its sheer size and imposing presence immediately caught his attention, breaking the tranquil atmosphere that had settled over their makeshift camp.


    The vessel was unlike anything Jihoon had ever seen before. It combined the firepower of a battleship with the sleek design of a nuclear submarine, all while maintaining the elegant lines of a luxury cruise liner. Its hull gleamed a pristine white, reminiscent of the finest pearls, standing out starkly against the dark night sky.


    As the ship drew closer, Jihoon''s gaze was drawn to the front deck. There, he could make out two figures - one a well-built merfolk with an air of authority about him, and beside him, to Jihoon''s surprise, stood Alvorna.


    The sight of the Harpy heiress alongside what appeared to be merfolk royalty triggered a sudden realization in Jihoon. He suddenly remembered the Harpy''s Plume that Alvorna had given him, a talisman capable of allowing her to track his location. The fact that they had only now chosen to approach meant that this delay of theirs was likely intentional.


    Using [Observant] again at the merfolk, he quickly discerns the identity of the man.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    King of Sargasso Kingdom


    Level: ???


    Name: Neptune Sargasso


    Class: Royalty


    Job: Bodyguard


    Race: Merfolk


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: ????


    -END: ????


    -AGI: ???


    -DEX: ???


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 17


    -CHA: 77


    -MAG: ???


    -Active Skill:


    +Water Magic (Master)


    +Mana Attunement (Master)


    +Shapeshifting (Advanced)


    +Wind Magic (Advanced)


    -Passive Skill:


    +Everlasting Youth (Innate Racial Ability)


    +Enhanced Senses (Master)


    +Perspicuity (Master)


    +Aura of Authority (Master)


    +Stalwart (Advanced)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Definitely someone important that he would really better not making an enemy out of. With base attributes reaching 4-digit, Jihoon could hardly perceive himself even fighting him anywhere remotely close even with the most absurdly powerful Linked Song Magic combination that he has so far.


    The timing was awfully convenient, just days before the Odyssey. Thus, it can¡¯t be possibly chalked as coincidence in the same way. The King was clearly waiting for something specific to happen or occur.


    And as a rescue boat is deployed from the massive vessel and heading toward the shore. A small sigh of relief washed over him that he can finally leave but at the same time, he felt anxious when facing such a powerful figure and the curiosity toward the true motive of this delayed rescue.


    He glanced at Aquarius who is now fast asleep in her little shelter, wondering about her reaction at her father¡¯s arrival and return. This probably felt like a long and wild dream for her, but the effect of their stay here remains abundantly clear and lasting.


    Jihoon straightened his posture, ready to face whatever challenges this new development might bring. He knew that the arrival of the Merfolk King and Alvorna would undoubtedly complicate matters, potentially altering the course of events leading up to the Odyssey.


    But now that things have come to this, Jihoon can only embrace the challenge ahead.


    As the rescue boat approached the shore, Jihoon carefully observed the merfolk king. To his surprise, Neptune Sargasso appeared far younger than expected, looking to be in his early thirties rather than the weathered ruler Jihoon had imagined. The king''s youthful appearance was undoubtedly a result of the [Everlasting Youth] ability shared by all merfolk.


    King Neptune''s posture exuded regal authority, yet his expression held a hint of concern as his eyes fell upon his sleeping daughter. Alvorna, standing beside him with her wings folded properly behind, offered Jihoon a reassuring smile.


    "Jihoon," Alvorna called out as she seems to take the moment to stay as close to him as possible. "I hope you''re well. We''ve come to bring you and Princess Aquarius back."


    Jihoon nodded, still wary of the situation. "Your Majesty," he addressed the king, bowing slightly. "I assume you''ve known our location for some time?"


    King Neptune stepped onto the beach, his movements graceful despite being on land. "Indeed, we have," he admitted. "Alvorna''s tracking ability led us here days ago. However, I made the decision to allow Aquarius some time to process her emotions before our return."


    Alvorna added, "As a Harpy Overseer and representative of the Matriarch''s authority, I can assure you this is a genuine rescue mission, Jihoon. There''s no need for concern."


    Jihoon relaxed slightly at Alvorna''s words. He turned to the still-sleeping Aquarius and gently scooped her up in his arms.


    "Your Majesty," Jihoon said as he carried Aquarius towards the boat, "I believe your daughter has some valid concerns about her future and the upcoming Odyssey."


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    King Neptune''s expression softened. "I know," he sighed. "Aquarius made some poignant arguments before she fled. I realize now that I could have handled things better. This time away has given me the opportunity to reflect on my decisions."


    As they boarded the rescue boat, Jihoon carefully placed Aquarius on a cushioned seat. The princess stirred slightly but didn''t wake.


    "She''s been through quite an emotional journey these past few days," Jihoon explained. "I think she''s found some peace, but there''s still much to discuss."


    The king nodded solemnly. "Indeed. And I owe her that discussion. Thank you, Maestro Jihoon, for looking after her and providing her the support she needed."


    As the boat began its journey back to the grand vessel, Jihoon felt that the immediate crisis might be over, but he knew that the complexities surrounding the Odyssey and Aquarius''s future were far from resolved properly.


    Alvorna moved closer to Jihoon, speaking in a low voice. "I''m glad you''re safe. There''s much we need to talk about regarding the upcoming events. Now is not the place however, but we will talk about everything once we¡¯re onboard of the grand vessel.


    Jihoon nodded, his mind already racing with questions about the Odyssey, the political implications of recent events, and his own role in the unfolding drama.


    As they approached the grand vessel, Jihoon finally made out the name emblazoned on its pristine hull: ''Ark of Naphistim''. The sheer scale of the ship became even more apparent as they drew near, its immense form dwarfing their small rescue boat.


    Upon boarding, Jihoon''s earlier assessment of the vessel being a fusion of battleship and cruise liner proved remarkably accurate. The interior seamlessly blended luxury with functionality, creating an environment that was both opulent and efficient. Plush carpets lined corridors that could have easily belonged on a high-end cruise ship, while state-of-the-art control panels and reinforced bulkheads hinted at the vessel''s formidable capabilities.


    A massive crew bustled about, their movements precise and purposeful as they manned various stations throughout the ship. Despite the clear military precision in their actions, the overall atmosphere wasn''t far removed from what one might expect on a luxury liner. Elegant common areas and well-appointed cabins coexisted with what Jihoon assumed were advanced weapon systems and tactical rooms.


    As Jihoon took in his surroundings, a familiar figure approached, Karim. The merchant''s face, as usual, betrayed little emotion, but there was a hint of relief in his eyes as he greeted Jihoon.


    "I see you''ve managed to stay in one piece," Karim remarked dryly, though the underlying concern in his voice was evident to Jihoon.


    "Karim," Jihoon nodded, genuinely glad to see his friend and mentor. "It''s good to see you too. I assume these past few days have been eventful on your end as well?"


    Karim gestured for Jihoon to follow him to a quieter corner of the deck. Once there, he began recounting the events from his perspective.


    "After you were dragged away by the princess, chaos ensued," Karim explained. "The royal guards were in a frenzy, and I found myself suddenly at the center of a diplomatic incident. It took some... creative negotiation to convince them that we weren''t conspirators in Aquarius''s escape."


    He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Of course, I had my suspicions about the true nature of the situation. The delayed response, the convenient timing¡­ it all seemed too orchestrated."


    Jihoon nodded, having come to similar conclusions himself.


    Karim continued, "I was brought aboard this vessel almost immediately. They''ve been tracking your location for days, but as you''ve probably guessed, they chose to wait. I''ve been... advising them, in a manner of speaking."


    A slight smirk played at the corner of Karim''s mouth. "I must admit, it''s been an interesting few days. But I only truly relaxed when I saw you board with my own eyes."


    Jihoon felt a warmth in his chest at Karim''s admission. Despite the merchant''s often stoic demeanor, it was clear he cared deeply for Jihoon''s well-being.


    "Thank you, Karim," Jihoon said sincerely. "I''m glad you were here to help manage the situation. I have a feeling we''re not out of the woods yet, though."


    Karim''s expression turned serious. "Indeed. The Odyssey is still ahead, and now we find ourselves entangled in royal politics. We''ll need to tread carefully."


    Soon, all of them are to gather at the command room of this vessel. All the recipients involved except for the mermaid princess who is brought to her own room.


    As they gathered in the command room of the Ark of Naphistim, Jihoon found himself seated on a plush couch alongside Karim and Alvorna. Across from them sat King Neptune and the striking figure Karim had quietly identified as "The Sea Witch."


    Jihoon couldn''t help but study her appearance. She was indeed beautiful, with flowing dark hair and eyes of deep purple. Her lower half, comprised of octopus tentacles, moved with an otherworldly grace. Despite her appearance fitting the archetype of a storybook villainess, Jihoon sensed no malevolence from her.


    ¡°The Sea Witch¡±. Karim muttered lightly just enough for Jihoon to hear. ¡°So she is his remarrying fianc¨¦e¡±.


    Without reservation, and without any risk of detection, Jihoon used [Observant] on any new important figure he comes across.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    The Sea Witch


    Level: ???


    Name: Ursula Hans Andersen


    Class: Royalty


    Job: Witch


    Race: Scylla


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 3??


    -END: 3??


    -AGI: 2??


    -DEX: 3??


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 22


    -CHA: 134


    -MAG: ????


    -Active Skill:


    +Water Magic (Master)


    +Witchcraft (Master)


    +Mana Attunement (Master)


    +Metamorphosis (Advanced)


    -Passive Skill:


    +Intuitive Knowledge (Innate Racial Ability)


    +Enhanced Senses (Master)


    +Perspicuity (Master)


    +Enchantment (Master)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    After a moment of tense silence, Jihoon decided to address the elephant in the room. "Your Majesty," he began, looking at King Neptune, "I''ve heard Aquarius''s side of the story, but I believe it''s important to understand the full picture. Could you please explain the events that led to her running away?"


    King Neptune nodded, his expression somber. "Of course. It''s a complex situation, one that I only realize later that I didn''t handle as well as I should have." He glanced at the Sea Witch before continuing. "As you may know, Aquarius''s mother, my beloved wife, passed away two years ago. It was a devastating loss for both of us. Unlike Aquarius, I didn¡¯t get the surplus of time to go on mourning for her"


    The Sea Witch, Ursula, spoke up, her voice surprisingly melodious. "I was brought in as an advisor to the court shortly after. My role was to help stabilize the kingdom during this difficult time. But as you aware of how our relationship develop, I supposed that her resentment toward me was almost guaranteed"


    King Neptune nodded. "Ursula''s counsel proved invaluable. Over time, we grew close, and I made the decision to remarry. However, as you can see with her upbringing, I wasn¡¯t the model father that I¡¯m supposed to aspire to. I will not fall back to the excuse of a ruler¡¯s responsibility. I failed to be there when she needed me, and my thoughtless action only drive a wedge between us¡±.


    Their announcement of remarriage right at the opening of the Odyssey. In Aquarius¡¯s view, who still grieves for her mother¡¯s passing at the time is no doubt very inconsiderate of him to do so.


    Jihoon furrowed his brow. "And the arrangement for Aquarius to marry the victor of the Odyssey?"


    King Neptune sighed heavily. "I said that the champion¡¯s reward a wish is whatever that is within the purview of the royal family. I intended to use it as a method to find someone that I can entrust her to without fear, but it seems that there¡¯s no need for it anymore seeing that you managed to calm her down¡±.


    ¡°Which a lot of the time during the Odyssey¡¯s recorded history, many merfolk nobles wished to ascent their lineage to be part of the royalty and many of the previous royal family members no doubt loved to be married to one such champion.¡± The Sea Witch chided in to give further context as to why the idea of the Odyssey¡¯s champion will receive the right to marry one of the royal lineages perpetuated.


    "Aquarius felt that her choices were being taken away," Jihoon observed. "The loss of her mother, a new stepmother, and an arranged marriage - it was too much change, too quickly."


    Ursula nodded, her expression sympathetic. "I understand her reservations. I''ve tried to connect with Aquarius, but she sees me as an intruder, a replacement for her mother. That was never my intention."


    ¡°Dear Sea Witch, I¡¯m afraid that despite your own power, you seems to have missed the most obvious thing when it comes to relationship between people. One judges themselves by intention and others by their actions. From there, a tragedy is built upon by what is left unspoken between¡±.


    Karim, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "And what are your intentions, Lady Ursula? Surely you understand how this looks from the outside."


    Ursula met Karim''s gaze steadily. "I care for Neptune, and I want what''s best for this kingdom. That includes Aquarius''s happiness. I have no desire to replace her mother or force her into a life she doesn''t want."


    Painful misunderstanding and poor communication between all sides. A perfect storm that was nearly brewed if it weren¡¯t for Jihoon¡¯s intervention. A complex situation that doesn¡¯t seem to have any easy solution.


    Breaking the tension, Jihoon spoke up, "Your Majesty, Lady Ursula, I believe I might have a suggestion." All eyes turned to him as he continued, "Given the current state of affairs, it might be beneficial if I act as an intermediary between you and Princess Aquarius, at least until both parties are willing to talk things out on their own accord." Jihoon said as he had far more than plenty of examples in his world which only drives the poignancy of it all.


    King Neptune nodded slowly, considering the proposal. "That... could work. Aquarius seems to trust you, and you have a unique perspective on the situation."


    Ursula agreed, her tentacles shifting slightly as she spoke, "I think that''s a wise suggestion. It''s clear that direct communication between us has been challenging. Perhaps having a neutral party involved could help bridge the gap."


    "It''s not the best solution," Jihoon admitted, "but it''s a start. Aquarius is comfortable with me, and I believe I can help facilitate understanding on both sides."


    King Neptune leaned forward, his expression one of gratitude and curiosity. "We appreciate your willingness to help, Jihoon. Is there anything you would ask of us in return? Perhaps access to the Royal Treasury of Sargasso? I understand there are artifacts of interest there that might be suitable for you."


    The typical protagonist would have easily used this moment to obtain the right to enter the Grand Mausoleum of Calphennis. And he would have done so in a heartbeat if it weren¡¯t for one thing.


    I promised¡­


    He had promised Aquarius that he would declare her independence and freedom there so that no one else will take advantage of her again. For someone who is just starting to honestly live for themselves even if the path ahead is still long and arduous.


    "Actually, Your Majesty, what I ask is this: allow me to participate in the Odyssey alone." Jihoon said with the same sincerity that he had when he made this promise for her.


    Surprise flickered across the faces of those present. King Neptune''s brow furrowed. "Alone? That''s highly unusual, and potentially dangerous. May I ask why?"


    "I made a promise to Aquarius," Jihoon explained, his resolve evident in his tone. "I vowed to declare her freedom during the Odyssey, and I intend to uphold that promise. If I can''t remain sincere in a civilized world, then I am beyond hopeless. This request is simply my way of fulfilling that vow."


    A moment of silence followed as the weight of Jihoon''s words settled in the room. King Neptune exchanged a glance with Ursula before turning back to Jihoon.


    "Your integrity is admirable, Jihoon," the king said finally. "While it''s not traditional, given the circumstances and your role in this situation, I will grant your request. You may participate in the Odyssey alone."


    Ursula nodded in agreement. "Your dedication to your word is commendable. We will ensure that the necessary arrangements are made."


    Karim, who had been quietly observing, gave Jihoon a look that mixed pride with concern. Alvorna, too, seemed impressed by Jihoon''s decision.


    As the meeting concluded, Jihoon felt the weight of his commitment settling on his shoulders. When was the last time he lived responsibly? And so for Aquarius, and his integrity, he will confront any challenge with all he has.


    Calphennis, ahead.


    <u>[65 days left until Alvorna''s Rite of Asecension]</u>


    [4 days left until the Odyssey''s commence]


    The Ark of Naphistim moved fast. And at some point within the trip, the vessel started to submerge underwater while maintaining the same speed. Originally, even underwater transit system that connects to Calphennis¡¯s capital would have taken at least two days or so of continuous travel.


    So, the comparison of it being sleek like a nuclear submarine isn¡¯t wrong, again. Seeing the populated seabed beneath makes the experience similar to the plane flight in his world when the sky of it isn¡¯t plagued with sudden flying monsters.


    And within the horizon distance, the capital city Sargasso is within approach. Slowly materializing like mirage made solid.


    Its architecture was a breathtaking blend of organic and constructed forms, with towering spires that seemed to grow from the ocean floor itself. Bioluminescent structures pulsed with soft, ethereal light, creating a cityscape that looked both alien and inviting. Massive bubble-like domes enclosed sections of the city, allowing for both aquatic and air-breathing inhabitants to coexist.


    As the destination of his slowly approach, Jihoon recounts the experience during his stay in the Ark of Nephistim. Its provided luxury and comfort far beyond what even is shown in actual cruise liner in his world. The fact that he only gets one night to stay felt disappointing.


    However, he knew that if he had stayed any longer, he would no longer be able to live without this ship.


    During the said time, he interacted with the crew manning the defense of the vessel. Some of them were amicable enough to speak of the details considering that their king placed enough faith in him to let him onboard.


    According to one of the engineers, this vessel itself is a massive magical conduit, capable of channeling Grandmaster-class Water Magic with its built-in glyph and circuits that as long as any merfolk onboard capable of projecting their element through it. Anything at that level is no different than a natural catastrophe in the making.


    But because Absence is a peaceful place right now, this unused function of the Ark is just there as a proof of the merfolk¡¯s capability, not an actual weapon of war. But to someone who has suffered at the end of a Chekov¡¯s gun, he just can¡¯t help but feel like anything new he learned is about to be used against him.


    Immediately casting away from that anxious thought, he focused on the immediate present. Not everything will immediately happen to him, life isn¡¯t supposed to be like that.


    Alvorna arrived by his side, seemingly noticing him being anxious of something. She did what was obvious to anyone with remotely a sense of sensibility.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? It isn¡¯t like you to suddenly be afraid of something¡±. Alvorna said as she noticed his uneasy twitches of his body.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing¡­ Just that¡­ I¡¯m afraid of the unknown, you know? I¡¯m not like some sort of time traveler to the past to redo past mistakes and know all about future to become peerless amongst prodigy¡±. Jihoon said as he suddenly felt envious of those terribly written protagonists with their cheats to breeze through challenges with a carefree attitude.


    Comparing himself to fiction, that¡¯s his method to keep himself from the brink because that¡¯s just how much his life has become a terrible story of its own.


    Alvorna listened intently to Jihoon''s confession, her expression softening with understanding. She gently placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch carrying a comforting warmth.


    "Jihoon," she began, her voice gentle yet firm, "fear of the unknown is natural. It''s what makes us mortal, what makes our choices matter. You''re not meant to know everything or have all the answers."


    She paused, looking out at the approaching city of Sargasso. "In a way, I envy your position. The path ahead of you is uncharted, full of possibilities. It''s scary, yes, but it''s also exciting in its own way."


    Jihoon turned to face her, surprised by her words. Alvorna continued, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. Looking out at the approaching city of Sargasso.


    "You know, I understand your plight more than you might think. As the future Matriarch, my path has been laid out before me since birth. Yet, despite knowing what lies ahead, I still feel that same anxiety you''re experiencing now." She said before pausing for a moment. Then with a sigh, her wings rustling slightly.


    "Sometimes, I wish I could face the unknown as you do, to forge my own path."


    Her confession hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken implications. Jihoon felt a pang of sympathy for Alvorna, realizing that her seemingly privileged position came with its own set of challenges and limitations. They¡¯ve discussed this already yet sometimes it just slipped out of his mind with all the recent events.


    "But you know what?" Alvorna said, a small sincere smile forming on her lips as she looked at him. "Watching you face these challenges head-on, making your own choices despite the uncertainty - it''s inspiring, Jihoon. It reminds me that even within the confines of our predetermined roles, we can still find ways to assert our will."


    Jihoon turned away shyly toward the scenery in front of him. Having lost his words now that he finally realized and absorb her words.


    "I... I never thought of it that way. I guess we''re all just trying to do our best with what we''re given, aren''t we?" Jihoon said as he partially did not want her to see him acted not so calmly at all with his own disposition.


    "And that''s why your journey is so inspiring, Jihoon. You''re not relying on some magical foresight or time-traveling advantages or similar. You''re facing each obstacle head-on, with nothing but your wits, your skills, and your determination. That''s true strength that no one can replicate like you do." Alvorna shares her agreeing sentiment.


    She gently turned Jihoon to face her, her eyes meeting his with unwavering resolve. "Remember, you''re not alone in this. You have friends, allies who believe in you. Whatever challenges lie ahead in Sargasso and beyond, we''ll face them together."


    Jihoon felt a weight lift from his shoulders. The anxiety didn''t disappear entirely, but it no longer seemed as overwhelming. He managed a genuine smile that felt too difficult to do but not now.


    "Thank you, Alvorna. I needed to hear that."


    As they both turned back to watch Sargasso grow ever closer, Jihoon felt a renewed sense of purpose. The path ahead might be uncharted, filled with unknown dangers and challenges, but he was ready to face them.


    In a new understanding that he realized, he wasn''t alone in facing the unknown - everyone, in their own way, was navigating uncharted waters with their own efforts.


    "Are you ready?" Karim asked, sensing Jihoon''s thoughts. Having suddenly appear beside him without a warning, likely heard the entire conversation between him and Alvorna. Nearly taken aback, Jihoon narrowly suppressed the afraid that he nearly displayed. But swiftly, he regained his composure before looking at him with a direct gaze


    Jihoon took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the shimmering city before them. "As ready as I''ll ever be," he replied, his resolve strengthening with each passing moment.

 Chapter 28: Mirrored Resentment

    <u>63 days left until Alvorna''s Rite of Asecension]</u>


    [2 days left until the Odyssey¡¯s commence]


    His stay in Sargasso was a fruitful one as far as he knows. With all honesty, it probably is dreary that he might never get to experience something like this in his world.


    Seeing the merfolk moving freely while under the cerulean light cast by the sun through the seawater which removes a lot of the harshness it may have otherwise. The towering spires with bioluminescent glow and the architecture that is designed to withstand the immeasurable depth otherwise. Sargasso is as much like a metropolis of usual which explains the feeling of both familiarity and wonder it may have.


    Still, he didn¡¯t exactly spend the last 3 days just sightseeing and nothing else. Since the Odyssey is about to come up, he decided to also try to investigate with Karim about potential places that the Odyssey might also go through using both the knowledge of his world¡¯s version and this world¡¯s recorded history.


    During his three-day stay, Jihoon took every opportunity to familiarize himself with the city and its inhabitants. He explored the grand libraries of Sargasso, poring over ancient texts that detailed the history of the Odyssey. The librarians, impressed by his genuine interest and respect for their culture, were more than happy to assist him in his research.


    Thank the little goddess for the universal language comprehension, he silently remarked in his mind.


    Armed with this knowledge, Jihoon decided to take a proactive approach as he quickly scout out together with Karim on some of the location.


    Within the purview of his expectation, he managed to discover a few locations within his limited time that is similar to what the Odyssey of his world entailed. Both in actual places and similar veins.


    First is the Isle of Sirens, a haunting inlet of waters where the water itself seemingly sings. According to the top magicians of Sargasso¡¯s royal court and the Sea Witch herself, the Isle of Siren is a case of magic formation formed from the nature itself. The mana flows here circulated in the same method that induced bewitchment and enchantment that once caught no few merfolk during ancient times before any proper investigation is made.


    Today, it is a recognized trail of willpower where one of the Odyssey¡¯s trails involve its contestants tied up while a ship circle around in the area. Those who can remain of themselves the longest earn their victory. Don¡¯t worry, at lest a method to clear up the bewitchment exist with ease of use for the medical department of the Odyssey.


    Second, is the Cave of Cyclopes which is an underwater cave with an ¡®eye¡¯ that glows deep inside. It is unclear to him how a test of strength and cunning will take place here since there¡¯s no actual cyclopes that exist here.


    Third is the Whirlpool of Charybdis, a treacherous area with powerful currents all leads, direct and form toward a certain massive vortex that would normally spell destruction to lesser vessels. The trail of Odyssey involving it has the contestants maneuver through the entire area with a rowboat only. If the boat gets caught in this dangerous current, they will immediately be rescued but also disqualified from continuing.


    There are many others that he has yet to find to complete the entire journey of Odyssey but with his given limited amount of time, he decided that this is already the best he could prepare for otherwise. He doesn¡¯t expect every part of the Odyssey to be translated into a competitive event perfectly.


    ¡°Time to make our way to the athlete village, I guess¡­¡±. Jihoon said as he signals the boat driver that he hired to make the return.


    As Jihoon and Karim returned from their scouting expedition, the bustling energy of Sargasso had shifted. The city was now abuzz with excitement as contestants from various races arrived for the Odyssey which already presented itself a few weeks prior.


    Their boat glided through the water, approaching the newly constructed athlete village that bore a striking resemblance to the Olympic villages Jihoon remembered from his world. A sense of nostalgia occurred even though he himself was just a spectator back then. There are things that people don¡¯t realize that they have lost until it struck them unopposed.


    Upon disembarking, Jihoon was immediately met with a diverse set of participants all over Absence joining the competition. Merfolk of various colorations mingled with other aquatic races he had never seen before. There were also other races from many other regions of Absence who were also participating and were granted abilities to compete, although it is rather unclear that they have yet gotten used to or not.


    As Jihoon made his way through the village, he couldn''t help but notice the curious and sometimes skeptical glances thrown his way. Whispers followed in his wake, and he caught snippets of conversation:


    "Is that the guy I¡¯ve been hearing about? I heard he''s competing alone."


    "How did he even qualify? This is supposed to be a team-based competition event."


    "Maybe he''s just here for show. No way he can actually compete with that overwhelming disadvantage."


    The atmosphere of camaraderie that typically characterized such gatherings seemed to falter whenever Jihoon passed by. Many of the other contestants viewed him as an interloper, an anomaly in their carefully structured competition.


    A group of merfolk athletes, their scales shimmering with iridescent hues, openly stared as Jihoon walked by. One of them, a muscular merman with a shock of blue hair, called out, "Hey, land-dweller! You lost? The spectator area is that way."


    Jihoon paused, thinking about how to respond for a moment before decided that¡­ "Not worth it¡±, is what he thought before he decided to go on despite their talking behind his back. Actions speak louder than words and he would show it at the competition to silence any criticism otherwise.


    As they continued toward their assigned quarters, Jihoon couldn''t shake the feeling of being an outsider. The fact that he had joined the Odyssey with the Merfolk King''s personal endorsement was not common knowledge. While people still follow the method of fair play, the feeling of constantly being underestimated by others still nag him in uncomfortably.


    Normally, a typically written protagonist would certainly make a scene upon hearing it. Or a self-centered and egoistic someone would try to take advantage of it because apparently, they never outgrown their 8<sup>th</sup> grader syndrome.


    Reaching their lodging, a modest but comfortable bubble-dome structure, Jihoon turned to Karim. "Well, that was... interesting," he said with a wry smile.


    Karim nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Remember, Jihoon, perception can be a powerful tool. Let them think whatever they want for now. You''ll have your chance to prove yourself soon enough."


    As Jihoon settled into his temporary home, he could hear the excited chatter of other contestants through the translucent walls of the bubble-dome. The Odyssey was about to begin, and despite the cold reception, Jihoon felt a surge of determination.


    He may be an outsider, but he was here to compete, to fulfill his promise to Aquarius, and to uncover the secrets that lay hidden beneath the surface of this underwater world.


    With a deep breath, Jihoon began to prepare himself mentally and physically for the challenges that lay ahead. The Odyssey was about to begin, and he was ready to face whatever it might throw his way.


    Time passed, and when he stepped outside his quarter again, it was already late afternoon with the period of twilight about to enter its period. Thinking that he probably should check up on his own skill again, he mentally checked his System again.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon


    Level: 46


    EXP: 112/622


    Class: None


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 13


    -END: 14 (+2.8)


    -AGI: 14


    -DEX: 13


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 10.2


    -CHA: 4


    -MAG: 30


    Attribute Points: 16


    +Weapons:


    -Judgement of Light (Decayed) ¨C Halberd


    +Musical Prowess: Early-Expert


    +Active Skill:


    -Doppelganger (Expert)


    -Mana Attunement (Intermediate)


    -Light Magic (Intermediate)


    -Judgement of Light ¨C Halberd (Novice)


    +Passive Skill:


    -Agony Resistance (Novice)


    +Song Magic:


    -Forgotten Melody (Intermediate)


    -Glint of Cold Steel (Intermediate)


    -Belief (Intermediate)


    -Exceed! (Intermediate)


    -RiET-949 (Intermediate)


    -SPIKA (Intermediate)


    -Alvorna (Expert)


    -Restia. (Expert)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Now that he thought about it, when was the last time he wrote another Song Magic? Inspiration has been eluding him now that his focus on the Odyssey overtakes anything else in priority. He can only think that this will be enough because he has too little faith in hope at this current moment.


    Moving on from that line of thought, he thinks about sharpening his own skill a bit more so that he doesn¡¯t feel too rusty when the Odyssey begins.


    At the training ground, he saw numerous other races of Absence training and sparing with one another with their skills. Some more mastery-based things and some more magical-oriented. With him entering the competition solo, everyone here is his opponent and vice-versa.


    As Jihoon observed the other contestants training, he couldn''t help but feel the weight of his unique position. Being a solo participant in the Odyssey came with its own set of rules and expectations, which he had been briefed on earlier.


    In team-based events, Jihoon''s performance would be measured against the combined efforts of entire teams. His scores would be multiplied to compensate for the lack of teammates, effectively making him a one-man team. This adjustment was meant to level the playing field, but it also raised the stakes significantly.


    For the other contestants, this meant that losing to Jihoon wasn''t just losing to an individual - it was equivalent to being defeated by an entire team. The implications were clear that any team that fell short of Jihoon''s performance would face a severe blow to their overall standing in the competition.


    This dynamic created a palpable tension in the air. While solo participants weren''t unheard of in the Odyssey''s history, they were rare enough to be considered anomalies. And Jihoon, being not just solo but also a human in a predominantly aquatic competition, stood out even more.


    As he made his way to an open area to begin his own training, Jihoon could feel the eyes of other contestants following him. Their gazes held a mix of curiosity, skepticism, and poorly concealed hostility. The pressure was immense - every team saw him as a potential threat to their success.


    But he already has gotten used to hostility, having already confronted rogue Hunters in his world as a mere F-rank at the time make all of this felt like a childish tantrum at worst.


    A group of selkies paused their sparring session to watch as Jihoon began his warm-up exercises. One of them, a lithe female with sleek grey hair in her bipedal transformed state, muttered to her companions, "Can you believe it? If we lose to him, it''s like losing to four opponents at once."


    He had a look at the general line-up of the participants and teams assembled for the Odysseys. Apparently, the Selky is basically the seal version of merfolk, living in the northern tundra sea at the far north of Absence, otherwise known as the Solros Winter Wonderland where its majority population is the Beastfolk, followed by the ice fey, then vampires, wyverns and all that excels in icy environment.


    Attuned more to the frigid ice of their home rather than the merfolk¡¯s water-based element, their transformed state apparently was far less punishing in effect considering how much that woman is running her mouth while the merfolk in transformed state couldn¡¯t vocalize anything at all.


    There are many numerous rivers that spread their paths and interconnect across all of Absence. One could eventually make their way from Solros to Calphennis strictly in a water route if they wanted to.


    Her teammate, a burly male, snorted in response. "Let''s make sure that doesn''t happen then. No way I''m letting some land-dweller show us up in our own element."


    They¡¯re not even Calphennis¡¯s native. Jihoon remembered with certainty that seals strictly live in frigid poles and not tropical. Where do they even get the gall to act like this?


    Jihoon pretended not to hear these comments, focusing instead on his training. He knew that the animosity, while not openly displayed, was simmering just beneath the surface.


    He looked at many other participants in their respective training and focus on the trails ahead of them. He quickly recalls the various races that reside in Absence and in the four axis of direction that spread from the center of it.


    The Southern Coastal Sea of Calphennis, resides numerous aquatic races.


    The Western Mystic Forest of Alberenth, resides the fair folk and all that similar.


    The Northern Winter Wonderland of Solros, resides the hardy and adapted to the frigid environment.


    The Eastern Land of Shadow, Atria, where resides the specters that ¡®haunt¡¯ the lands.


    Near the selkies, he spotted a group of merfolk from Calphennis. Their scales shimmered in various hues of blue and green, and their movements in the water were graceful and effortless. They are the majority opponents that he will no doubt come across and face during the trials. Their physical stats gauged by the System essentially scored over 3-digit at minimum and that fighting them without making use of Song Magic is a different hell of his own.


    Further along, Jihoon''s attention was drawn to a team of fair folk from Alberenth. Their ethereal beauty was striking, even in the aquatic environment. They seemed to be practicing some form of water manipulation that involved intricate finger movements, causing small whirlpools to form and dissipate at will. Their pointed ears twitched slightly as they concentrated, which Jihoon knows atypical of his world¡¯s usual fantasy story.


    Through discernment with his INT 10, Jihoon recognized those elves as naiads. They¡¯re freshwater nymphs, presiding over rivers, streams and brooks. And that they¡¯re basically minor goddesses, often depicted as overwhelmingly beautiful and associated with the nature and fertility.


    Using [Observant] on them gets him the average MAG stats of roughly 300-ish because the overwhelming difference in stats and levels resulted in the rest of the digits just redacted in question marks. Like 3?? Or something closely like that. Even the weakest amongst them is Advanced in Water Magic proficiency and with only the merfolk princess before as the measuring benchmark, he knew that he was up for something punishing if he had to cross their path eventually.


    Then moving onto the contestants from the distant north tundra, he saw people with wolf ears and fang sparring with one another with ferocity and tactic equal as Jihoon could hardly caught onto their attack patterns. With speed and dexterity that leaves one following the afterimage, Jihoon can only guess that their AGI and DEX exceeds 3-digit, which is quickly confirmed by using [Observant]


    Moving on toward the participants from Eastern Land of Shadow, he noticed a team of fox-tailed Youkais or kitsunes as they would otherwise be called. Their multiple tails swirling around them like living mist. Dressed in what seems to be like traditional kimono garbs, they practice their own illusion magic as shimmering image created in the water for a moment before dispelled. Their movements were precise and calculated, each gesture imbued with mystical significance.


    Jihoon silently used [Observant] on them, and despite all blanketly classified as Youkai, the kitsunes have their own racial ability called [Irresistible Allure] which makes their charm needs far less exertion to take effects. If anyone is a bit weak-willed or has too little control of their own mentality, they would probably get themselves reeled by the kitsunes in front of their nose. And their MAG stat is in the 3-digit too.


    With all honesty, Jihoon would probably be lucky to even defeat one of them, let alone the entire team.


    After having seen nearly everyone in the village, Jihoon felt like the weight of expectation would just crush him altogether. And in the contest, would he even get the chance to make use of Song Magic? Certainly not and that if his [Doppelganger] is exposed to the wider public, he would likely lose his few and sole advantage that he has should his path eventually cross the Matriarch of the Harpy.


    Quickly leaving the premise of the athlete village into the forest nearby, Jihoon cast his [Doppelganger] as a copy of him appeared in his decided location. The training method unique to him with this skill though now with greater difficulty added because of it now being ranked as Expert.


    His training method is to have himself tested by his own Doppelganger, something that has no human hindrance or hesitation in its decision making and analyzing. It has every skill that he has and learned manually outside of the System¡¯s intervention. And it will use all of said skills to the utmost maximum efficiency and effect. Disparity of stats be damned as it could overcome target stronger than multiple of what it has.


    ¡°What was my record again, right¡­ 22 seconds. Nowhere close to even considered as its equal or peer¡±. Jihoon muttered as the Doppelganger looked the same, and dressed the same as him looked blankly at him as it awaits his instructions.


    He had no better mentor than that of himself at the apex. Even if it is the most brutal one that he had the displeasure of having.


    As Jihoon stood face-to-face with his Doppelganger in the secluded forest, a mix of emotions washed over him. The clone, an exact replica down to the last detail, stared back at him with an unsettling blankness in its eyes. Jihoon couldn''t help but feel a twinge of unease at the sight of his own face devoid of emotion.


    "You''re the best and worst of me," Jihoon muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Everything I could be without the burden of hesitation or self-doubt. My potential made manifest."


    The Doppelganger remained silent, awaiting instructions. Jihoon knew that behind those lifeless eyes lay a ruthless efficiency, a version of himself stripped of human limitations. It was both inspiring and terrifying.


    "Twenty-two seconds," Jihoon repeated, clenching his fists. "That''s how long I''ve managed to last against you. Not even half a minute against my own potential."


    He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. "But I have to keep pushing. I have to get closer to that ideal, or I don''t stand a chance in this Odyssey."


    With a determined nod, Jihoon called upon his Light Magic, focusing his energy into his palm. A spear of brilliant light formed in his hand, its tip gleaming with piercing intensity. "Piercing Glare," he named the technique.


    As if mirroring his actions, the Doppelganger manifested its own light spear, the movement fluid and instantaneous. There was no hesitation, no build-up. Just pure, efficient execution.


    "Begin," Jihoon commanded, and in that instant, the forest clearing erupted into a flurry of motion.


    The Doppelganger moved with blinding speed, its light spear a blur as it thrust towards Jihoon. Jihoon barely managed to parry the first strike, the clash of light against light sending sparks flying. But before he could counter, the Doppelganger was already launching its next attack, each movement precise and calculated.


    Jihoon found himself on the defensive, desperately trying to keep up with the relentless assault. He knew every move his clone was making, could anticipate each strike, yet the sheer speed and perfection of execution left him struggling to respond.


    Seconds ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity as Jihoon fought to hold his ground. But inevitably, a misstep, a fraction of a second too slow, and the Doppelganger''s spear found its mark. The light construct dissipated harmlessly upon contact, but the point was made.


    Panting heavily, Jihoon glanced at his wrist device. Eighteen seconds. He''d fallen short of his previous record.


    A growl of frustration escaped his lips as he straightened up, facing his impassive doppelganger once more. "Again," he demanded, readying his stance. "I have to do better. I have to be better."


    As the Doppelganger reset its position, Jihoon pushed aside his disappointment, focusing on the lessons learned from each defeat. He knew that each failure brought him one step closer to his goal, to bridging the gap between his current self and his potential.


    With determination renewed by discipline, Jihoon formed another light spear.


    "Begin," he commanded once more, throwing himself back into the brutal training regimen, determined to surpass his limits and prove himself worthy of the challenges that lay ahead in the Odyssey and against its far more talented participants.


    Soon, the golden hour approaches and the many other participants stopped their training to take a break. Strangely, their talk of the day is nowhere to be seen which is Jihoon who had so brazenly entered the competition solo against all these trained individuals.


    ¡°Hey, I heard the sounds of clashing somewhere in the forest. Maybe that nepobaby is in there somewhere¡±. A beastfolk pointed his thumb toward the forest while keeping a snide expression on his face.


    Suddenly, something completely flew out of the forest with great force and too sudden for anyone to notice or detect whoever that person was. And as said figure landed in the seawater, someone steps out of the forest.


    It was Jihoon, or more exactly his Doppelganger with the blank expression on his face that shows no distinct emotions at all. But none of the contestants there knows about that. All they know is that a certain person they mocked about so much underneath has just stepped up, seemingly about to confront them.


    "Did you see that? Something just flew out of the forest!" a merfolk exclaimed.


    A selkie scoffed, crossing her arms. "Probably just some fancy trick to try and impress us. As if we''d fall for such obvious showboating."


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    The beastfolk who had pointed out the forest earlier sneered. "Looks like the nepobaby wants attention. Let''s see if he can back up his little stunt."


    A burly minotaur or more of a huge man with bull¡¯s horns stepped forward, towering over the Doppelganger. "Hey, human," he growled, cracking his knuckles. "Think you''re tough now? Let''s see how you handle a real opponent."


    The Doppelganger''s empty gaze settled on the minotaur, its lack of reaction unnerving some of the onlookers. Without warning, the minotaur lunged forward, aiming a powerful punch at the Doppelganger''s face.


    In a fluid motion that seemed almost impossibly fast, the Doppelganger sidestepped the attack. Its hand shot out, fingers imbued with Light Magic precisely targeting a cluster of nerve points on the minotaur''s extended arm. A sharp, controlled jab sent waves of pain through the minotaur''s limb, causing him to bellow in agony.


    ¡°Native of Calphennis¡¯s coastal land¡­ Large build, larger need for veins and blood flow¡± The Doppelganger muttered lightly beneath his breath, too light for even the most perceptive amongst them to notice.


    Before anyone could react, the Doppelganger had already moved again. It swept the minotaur''s legs destabilized from the influx of agony from under him without resistance, then applied pressure to specific points on his back as he fell with Mana-attuned speed. The minotaur crashed to the ground, his muscles spasming uncontrollably.


    The entire exchange took less than five seconds. Minimum efforts to incapacitate a target without lasting injury since the Odyssey¡¯s draw near.


    Gasps and shocked murmurs rippled through the crowd. The minotaur, known for his incredible strength and durability, lay groaning on the ground, unable to rise.


    "What... what did you do to me?" he managed to grunt out, his eyes wide with a mix of pain and fear.


    The Doppelganger didn''t respond, its blank gaze now sweeping across the other contestants. Its stance shifted subtly, ready to engage anyone else who might challenge it.


    Sensing the rising tension, a group of selkies moved to surround the Doppelganger. "You think you can take us all on, human?" one of them snarled.


    The Doppelganger''s eyes flickered from one opponent to another, its thoughts rapidly calculating weaknesses and optimal attack patterns for each race present.


    ¡°Attunement with the frigid tundra, easy to succumb under heat¡±. The Doppelganger thought to its own as it prepares for disadvantaged combat.


    Meanwhile, the real Jihoon was frantically swimming back to shore. He had just managed to surface after being unceremoniously launched into the water by his own Doppelganger during their training. He should have known that he stood absolutely no chance if they had gone full unrestraint, but he just has to try and now he is paying the price for it.


    Spitting out seawater, Jihoon''s eyes widened as he took in the scene unfolding at the training grounds. "Oh no," he muttered, realizing the potential disaster brewing. His Doppelganger, with its lack of restraint and perfect combat efficiency, was about to take on the entire athlete village. And knowing the animosity brewing, the chance of him being disqualified even before beginning the Odyssey now suddenly become real.


    Jihoon redoubled his efforts to reach the shore, knowing he had to stop this before it spiraled completely out of control. As he swam, he could hear the sounds of combat erupting in front as he approached, punctuated by cries of shock and pain. Jihoon can only wince because this isn¡¯t the exact impression that he had in mind to show everyone.


    Cutting the distance of a few dozen meters in just seconds with his 2-digit physical stats which is already beyond measure of human physical peak. A merfolk got thrown out into the sea while his face seemingly pales from being overwhelmed in pain. Using [Observant], he checked up on the victim¡¯s status which only showed as fainted, but the injury sustained is none.


    He remembered that he received Acupuncture lesson and treatment and Karim from a while ago as preparation for the Odyssey but his Doppelganger just weaponize everything that it received and has with ruthless efficiency that it is unbelievable unless he directly witnessed it.


    The training ground had become a battlefield. Unconscious bodies of various races littered the area, all in states of induced paralysis or pain, yet without lasting injuries. The Doppelganger stood at the center, its movements precise and economical as it faced off against the remaining contestants.


    A ring of opponents had formed around the Doppelganger, trying to coordinate their attacks. Jihoon watched through his clone''s eyes as a naiad attempted to ensnare it with water tendrils, while a kitsune launched illusory duplicates to confuse it. Simultaneously, a beastfolk with snow leopard-like features dashed in for a high-speed attack.


    But the Doppelganger moved with uncanny prescience despite massive gap in stats. It sidestepped the water tendrils moving with speed that breaks sound barrier without flinching, dispelled the vivid illusions with a burst of Novice Light Magic which deconstructs it, and intercepted the charging beastfolk with a perfectly timed counter with precision into fraction of a fractioned second.


    Each movement flowed seamlessly into the next, as if the Doppelganger was performing a deadly dance that it had rehearsed a thousand times already.


    Jihoon''s eyes widened as he began to understand the true extent of his Doppelganger¡¯s abilities that just never mentioned at all. It isn¡¯t reacting to physical attacks, it is reading the intent behind them. Every shift in stance, every flicker of the eyes, every tensing of muscles. The Doppelganger interpreted these signals with inhuman accuracy, always staying one step ahead of its opponents.


    This precognitive ability gave the Doppelganger a consistent window of preparation time, regardless of how fast or strong its opponents were. It didn''t matter if an attacker had triple-digit stats; the Doppelganger always seemed to move just before they did, turning their own strength and momentum against them.


    Through the Doppelganger¡¯s vision, Jihoon obtained the insight of just how increasingly more absurd his Doppelganger really is. And the fact that it now has his stats mean it goes beyond than just distraction but can substitute for him in immensely dangerous situations that would have done him in in instead.


    As he watched, a selky attempted to blindside the Doppelganger from behind as its focus is kept in front by everyone else in the perimeter. But before the attack even began, the clone had already started to pivot, its hand moving to intercept the blow at the perfect moment and proceed to use said selky as a meat shield against said onslaught of attacks. Although they have stats to tank it, it is technically their fault that they tried to intervene.


    Jihoon felt a chill run down his spine. The ability to read intent isn¡¯t something even supernatural. It is literally just within his physical ability yet so overwhelmingly powerful that it isn¡¯t remotely fair.


    He knew he had to act fast. The longer this continued, the greater the risk of serious injury or his disqualification from the Odyssey. With renewed urgency, Jihoon sprinted towards the fray, determined to put an end to this demonstration before it spiraled even further out of control.


    "I need to stop this," Jihoon muttered, pushing himself to run faster. "But how do I counter something that can read my every intention?"


    All eyes laid upon the Doppelganger as no one noticed the presence of the real Jihoon. But that¡¯s perfectly acceptable because he soon formulated a plan to redeem himself. Since he can¡¯t exactly undo the situation, salvaging it is the best he could do. And if there¡¯s anything that his Light Magic can do best, it would be representation.


    Grabbing the ether phone in his pocket that despite being soaked still functions perfectly somehow. Karim purchased this thing for him so that they could discreetly communicate with one another. With a quick dial, Jihoon made his call toward the wood elf who still sleep so soundly in his quarter, oblivious to the chaos outside.


    As Jihoon approached the chaotic scene, he quickly dialed Karim''s number on his ether phone. After a few rings, a groggy voice answered.


    "Jihoon? What''s going on?" Karim mumbled, clearly just woken up.


    "No time to explain fully," Jihoon spoke rapidly. "I need you to bring my electric guitar to the training grounds immediately. And Karim... you''ll need to play it."


    There was a pause on the other end. "Play it? Jihoon, I don''t know how to-"


    "Trust me," Jihoon cut him off. "Just get here as fast as you can."


    Ending the call, Jihoon focused on his plan. He needed to create a spectacle, one that would clearly differentiate him from his Doppelganger and hopefully salvage the situation.


    As Jihoon neared the crowd, he saw Karim arriving, looking bewildered and clutching the electric guitar. Using his Light Magic, Jihoon established a mental link with Karim, similar to the one he had with his Doppelganger. That¡¯s the specialty of his Light Magic which he understood consciousness as constant rapid-firing flashes of light. That¡¯s the understanding of the brain in his world which translates to him able to obtain minor bodily control of others through the unseen stream of light.


    "Karim," Jihoon projected his thoughts inside the wood elf¡¯s mind. "Don''t freak out. I''m going to control your movements to play the guitar. Just let it happen naturally."


    Before Karim could respond, Jihoon stepped into view, drawing gasps from the crowd as they saw two identical versions of him.


    "That''s enough," Jihoon called out, his voice ringing with authority. The Doppelganger turned to face him, its blank expression unchanging.


    Jihoon nodded to Karim, who hesitantly raised the guitar. Through their mental link, Jihoon began to play, his fingers moving Karim''s with precision. A powerful riff echoed across the training grounds, drawing everyone''s attention.


    Not of something already exists within his reserve of Song Magics. Something special that makes the distinction between each song clearly.


    A battle against oneself. And it deserves something much more special than just a special theme. Jihoon¡¯s thought quickly tries to compose a central motif that the song will build its foundation upon. In the split second that stretched for eternity, a glint flashed in his eyes.


    Key signature: G minor. A key filled with discontent, uneasiness and worry. Like the gnashing of teeth, it is a key signature of resentment. His decided time signature is typical 4/4.


    G~ F~|G~~~|G F Bb A|G F Eb F| G F Bb A|


    As the introduction melody swelled, Jihoon recognized that this is the first time he is composing a Song Magic on the fly and in the heat of combat. Performing multitasks at once isn¡¯t his forte but perhaps there might be something to be found when one confronts one¡¯s own self.


    With the motion of his hand, multiple blades and spears of incandescent light formed above as the contestants around quickly dispersed knowing something is about to happen.


    Intermediate-class Light Magic ¨C Golden Hour


    Once they did so, those weapons lanced toward the ground and a circular perimeter formed by them as a formation of light is created as they surround the Doppelganger at its center. It is about 5 meters wide in diameter but that¡¯s enough for the purpose of his action. Because after all, quite a convenient timing that the sky is also in its Golden Hour state too.


    One hour of the Golden Hour, that¡¯s all he needed. With a burst of speed, he lanced toward the Doppelganger with his own spear of light manifested and directed toward it. Weaving a melody that spoke of duality, of facing one''s own potential and limitations.


    G F G~| C+ Bb A G| A F C+~|


    F+ Eb+ D+ C+| D+ C+ Bb+ A+| B+ C+ D+ F+| Eb+ D+ C+ Bb+| D+ C+ Bb A| G~~~|


    With the central motif devised, Jihoon confronted his own Doppelganger in a domain of twilight glow. Attention poured all over him as Karim struggled to even grasp the notes that he even played.


    ¡°Mirror Match¡±. Because there can be no harsher opponent than your own self.


    G~ Bb~| C+ Bb A G| A F C+~|


    F+ Eb+ D+ C+| D+ C+ Bb+ A+| B+ C+ D+ F+| G+ Eb+ G+ Bb++| A++~~~|


    The assembled contestants watched in awe as the two Jihoons battled, neither gaining a clear advantage. The real Jihoon knew he couldn''t win outright, but that wasn''t his goal. He needed to show his skills, to prove that the earlier display wasn''t just some trick of sight.


    Song Magic alone isn¡¯t enough to overcome a foe that knows nought of the disparity of power. But his Intermediate Light Magic, Golden Hour is the trump card to overcome someone who seemingly always one step ahead in planning. The only way is to make the Doppelganger unable to plan properly against him.


    G F G~| C+ Bb A G| A F C+~|


    F+ Eb+ D+ C+| D+ C+ Bb+ A+| B+ C+ D+ F+| Eb+ D+ C+ Bb+| D+ C+ Bb A| G~~~|


    The central harmony refrained once again. But the intensity of the battle still continues to scale without stop.


    Golden Hour in its principle is an amplification circle which makes every spell of Novice to Intermediate-class gain increased potency of its output despite using only the same amount of mana cost. Using the method of synthesis and total connection of the previous building blocks that brought him to this point, he could potentially apply Advanced-class level of power using only Intermediate-class spells.


    Much like the actual Golden Hour, where it occurs in the earliest hour of dawn and the final hour of dusk. This duel between them is like that between an old veteran and an aspiring greenhorn. Both are giving their all for there is nothing to lose at the end of the day.


    As the battle raged on within the golden perimeter, Jihoon''s mind raced, formulating his strategy constantly. The many other contestants watched in awe as he is the only one who managed to last against the Doppelganger longer than ten seconds without being instantly incapacitated.


    The Doppelganger lunged forward, its movements precise and deadly. Jihoon dodged, his body seeming to blur as he moved.


    Suddenly, Jihoon''s form shimmered, and multiple images of him appeared, each one indistinguishable from the original. The crowd gasped as a dozen images of Jihoon charged at the Doppelganger from all directions.


    Golden Hour Metamorphosis. Novice-class Light Magic - Afterimage


    Intermediate-class Light Magic - Mirage Reflection


    G~ Bb~| C+ Bb A G| A F C+~|


    F+ Eb+ D+ C+| D+ C+ Bb+ A+| B+ C+ D+ F+| G+ Eb+ G+ Bb++| A++~~~|


    The Doppelganger, reading the intent behind each image, began to strike out in a sweeping blow, attempting to dispel the illusions all at once. But as its light-imbued fist passed through one of the images, another landed a glancing blow on its side.


    "You can''t dispel light with more light," Jihoon''s thought echoed to himself. "Each image is a construct of focused light, as real as it is illusory."


    The Doppelganger doesn¡¯t show any emotion or reaction at all, which only further amplifies the eeriness that it conveys unintentionally.


    With that, Jihoon continues to press his advantage.


    G~ F~|G~~~|G F Bb+ A+~ G F~| Eb F~ G| F~ Bb+ A+|G F Eb F| G F Bb+ A+|


    The introduction melody refrained again. The Doppelganger still seemingly wield the upper hand despite the overwhelming number of mirages it is pit against. Having discarded the idea of reading his intents which now easily falsified through manipulated illusions in this boundary.


    Yet with the same stats as he is, the Doppelganger continues to push onward no matter the adversity. Pushing the utter limit of his limited stats, even miracle is claimed through herculean efforts and decisive actions.


    Soon, even the mirages that Jihoon conjures do nothing to overturn the state of their duel.


    G~ F~ |D~~~| D~ F~| G~ Bb+~| A+~~~| G A+ Bb+ C+| Bb+~ A+~| A+ B+ C+ F+| Eb+~ D+~|


    Longer notes duration started to convey the looming sense of hesitation in Jihoon¡¯s mind. All of these shows of force yet when it matters, the Doppelganger continues to stand like an insurmountable wall that just make light of all his efforts. As if everything has already been anticipated in its train of thought already.


    Then, the worst possible thing happened. It is now also utilizing Golden Hour to also create its own Intermediate-class Light Magic much like Jihoon did.


    Golden Hour Metamorphosis. Novice-class Light Magic ¨C Piercing Glare


    As the battle approaching its climax, the Doppelganger suddenly shifted its strategy. Jihoon''s eyes widened as he recognized the familiar stance, realizing too late what was about to happen.


    The Doppelganger''s voice, an unsettling echo of Jihoon''s own, rang out for the first time. In a blinding flash, a barrage of light spears, far more potent than their Novice counterparts, erupted from the Doppelganger''s form.


    "Intermediate-class Light Magic - Radiant Onslaught"


    The enhanced Piercing Glare, now transformed into a devastating area-of-effect attack despite limited solely in this domain of light, it swept through all of Jihoon''s mirages like a tidal wave of light. Each illusion shattered then dispersed, unable to withstand the sheer intensity of the assault. Jihoon, caught in the midst of his own technique, took the a significant brunt of the attack.


    Pain lanced through his body as he was thrown backwards, feet skidding across the ground. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he teetered on the edge of consciousness.


    G~ F~ |D~~~| D~ F~| G~ Bb+~| A+~~~| G A+ Bb+ C+| Bb+~ A+~| A+ B+ C+ F+| Eb+~ D+~|


    The thought of using the System command to disengage the Doppelganger then flashed through his mind. It was a quick and easy way out of this increasingly dangerous and frustrating situation. At this point, he¡¯ll just come clean that he has gone overboard with his method and that-


    Jihoon¡¯s thought ceased as an unfamiliar power flows through him.


    "Hold on, human!" a gruff voice called out. Jihoon felt a surge of invigorating energy flow through him as a beastfolk shaman cast an Ice-based healing spell. His body was still shaking from that agonizing precision blow that shut him down in mere seconds.


    "Don''t give up now!" This time, it was a naiad, her Water Magic soothing his injuries and restoring his stamina.


    One by one, contestants from various races stepped forward, lending their support. Healing magic, protective barriers, and empowering enchantments surrounded Jihoon, rejuvenating his battered body and spirit.


    The selkie who had earlier sneered at him now stood at his side, her expression determined. "You''ve shown us something extraordinary today. We can''t let it end like this."


    Jihoon looked around in amazement. The very people who had doubted and mocked him earlier were now rallying to his aid. Their faces showed not just support, but a newfound respect.


    In that moment, Jihoon realized he couldn''t take the easy way out. These contestants had set aside their initial animosity, offering their help unconditionally. To simply disengage the Doppelganger now would be an insult to their gesture of goodwill.


    Absence is still a civilized place after all. Had he repaid their kindness with insincerity then he is truly unforgivable. People may dislike one another at the time. But when the cards are placed down, they will not hesitate to put aside the meaningless trifles to help with all they have.


    Slowly, Jihoon stood up, bolstered by the combined magic of his fellow Odyssey participants. He faced his Doppelganger once more, a determined glint shown in the corner of his eyes.


    "Thank you," he said, his voice carrying across toward the people around. "You''ve reminded me of something important that I should have and never forget¡±


    CCCC| DDDD|EbEbEbEb|FFFF| CCCC| DDDD|EbEbEbEb|DDDD|BbBbBbBb|


    CCCC| DDDD|EbEbEbEb|FFFF| CCCC| DDDD|EbEbEbEb|DDDD|BbBbBbBb|


    The notes that he thought in his mind played as if they were trembling. The urgency of the situation is undeniable, he has no concrete solution to rely on. In music theory terms, this is a tremolo. Used explicitly to create tension or to work in place of percussion.


    Turning back to the Doppelganger, Jihoon readied himself for the next round. The easy way out was no longer an option. He had to see this through, not just for himself, but for everyone who now stood with him.


    C~~~|F Eb D Eb |D C Bb~|Bb C D Eb |F~ G A+|C+++|


    With the bridging part for the resolution complete, the entire Song Magic that Jihoon mentally composed in his mind is finalized as he maneuvers to the very beginning introduction melody once more. The foreboding introduction played out again, as he prepares to confront his own Doppelganger at a losing game that he has no choice but to overcome.


    The definition of insanity is to do something again and again while expecting something different to occur.


    So instead of trying to reach the impossible height out of his reach. Jihoon chose a different approach yet unquestionably more dubious whether it will work or otherwise.


    The Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains approach.


    Jihoon charged at his Doppelganger with reckless abandon, his Light Magic blazing around him. The Doppelganger responded in kind, meeting Jihoon''s attacks with equal ferocity.


    "Let there be Light!" Jihoon called out, unleashing a blinding flash of light. The Doppelganger countered with "Prism Refraction," dispersing the attack to harmless level.


    The two clashed repeatedly, light spears, blades and constructs colliding in dazzling displays of power. However, it quickly became apparent that Jihoon was outmatched. For every blow he managed to land, the Doppelganger struck back twice as hard.


    "He can''t keep this up!" a naiad exclaimed, her face etched with great concern.


    A selkie nodded grimly. "But look at his determination. He refuses to stay down!"


    Wave after wave of supportive magic spells flowed into Jihoon from the surrounding contestants. Healing spells knitted his wounds, protective barriers absorbed some of the Doppelganger''s blows, and empowering enchantments bolstered his flagging strength.


    Despite this constant support, Jihoon''s condition grew increasingly dire. His body was a canvas of bruises and cuts, his breathing ragged and labored. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and his legs trembled with each heavy step.


    "How is he still standing?" a beastfolk warrior marveled, his voice a mix of awe and concern.


    Unbeknownst to the onlookers, Jihoon''s [Agony Resistance] skill was working overtime. Each crushing blow from the Doppelganger, each searing burst of Light Magic that tore through his defenses, only served to strengthen his ability to endure pain. The torturous experience of the Body Reconstruction Liquid had prepared him for this moment, allowing him to push far beyond normal human limits.


    As the battle approached the one-hour mark, the golden light of the domain began to flicker and fade. The Doppelganger, despite its emotionless facade, showed signs of weariness. Its movements, once lightning-fast and precise, had slowed fractionally.


    Jihoon, on the other hand, looked like a man who should have collapsed long ago. His body was a testament to the brutal beating he had endured, yet his eyes burned with an indomitable will. Each time he was knocked down, he rose again, driven by a determination that defied logic.


    "This is insane," a kitsune muttered, her tails swishing nervously. "He looks half-dead, but he just won''t stay down."


    The minotaur who had been the first to fall to the Doppelganger earlier nodded grimly. "I''ve never seen anything like it. It''s like he''s becoming stronger the more he gets beaten."


    As the last remnants of the Golden Hour began to fade, Jihoon stood face to face with his Doppelganger. Both were battered and exhausted, but while the Doppelganger''s blank expression remained unchanged, Jihoon''s face bore a grim smile of triumph.


    "You may be the perfect version of me," Jihoon rasped, his voice barely above a whisper, "but there''s one thing you can''t replicate. The will to keep going, no matter how hopeless it seems."


    With the last of his strength, Jihoon prepared for one final clash, ready to prove that sometimes, it''s not perfection that wins the day, but the sheer, stubborn refusal to give up.


    Jihoon lunged with all the remaining strength that he could muster. The Doppelganger did the same as if they are both approaching for the killing blow upon each other.


    No hesitation, no fear, no restraint. All or nothing. Many thoughts ran through his mind but there was only one driving force behind it all.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    You have pushed your own mentality to your limit


    Innate Skill unlocked.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Deadly Obsession


    Classification: Innate Passive Skill


    Status: (Lv. 1)


    Effect:


    -Lv. 1: Reduce the effect of injury on physical performance


    by 75%. Can perform 150% of maximum physical limit.


    -Lv. 2: ???


    -Lv. 3: ???


    Description:


    When the user''s will is pushed to the brink, their body and mind enter a state of desperate obsession, granting enhanced physical abilities to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. However, this power comes at a great cost - the user''s own well-being.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    As Jihoon and the Doppelganger lunged towards each other for their final clash, time seemed to slow. In that fractional moment, a translucent blue screen flickered in Jihoon''s peripheral vision, displaying the System status.


    But Jihoon''s focus was singular, his mind consumed by the desperate need to overcome his perfect mirror image. He didn''t spare even a glance at the notification, his eyes locked onto his opponent as they hurtled towards each other.


    The Doppelganger, a being of pure efficiency and calculated precision, had never known desperation. It had never felt the primal surge of adrenaline that comes from pushing beyond one''s limits, the raw human instinct to survive against impossible odds.


    In that moment, as their final attacks were about to connect, Jihoon tapped into something primordial within himself. His body, battered and broken as it was, suddenly moved with a speed and power that defied his current state. The effects of his newly awakened Innate Skill manifested, though Jihoon remained oblivious to its existence.


    The state of his mind was a maelstrom of emotions, a whirlwind propelled by desperation, determination, and a primal need to uphold his sincerity even if it is the most illogical course of action. He refused to lower his standard and depth that he would inevitably go. To him, it is a taste similar to addiction, Just one taste and the rest of the act suddenly become easier.


    In the heart of the maelstrom of conflict, Jihoon and the Doppelganger were locked in a desperate struggle, each one determined to overwhelm the other. Their movements had become a blur, a dance of light and shadow that defied the mortal eye.


    As the two forces collided, the very fabric of the Golden Hour domain began to falter.  The domain of light flickers unstably, signaling the impending collapse of the constructed dueling ground. But neither Jihoon nor the Doppelganger paid any heed. Their sole focus was on the battle at hand, a clash of self whose importance transcended all matters physical.


    Time itself appeared to bend to his newfound focus, granting him an eerie clarity amidst the chaos. In this moment, Jihoon knew with absolute certainty that he would not, could not, be defeated.


    With a guttural cry, he poured the last of his strength into his Light Magic, his body wreathed in a blinding aura. The Doppelganger responded in kind, its own light-infused attack colliding with Jihoon''s in a cataclysmic burst of energy.


    Jihoon moved into his punching motion. His swollen fist wreathed in luminous essence. The Doppelganger did the same as if it tacitly understands his thought down to the sentiment despite not showing any of it.


    The following impact shook the very ground beneath their feet, sending shockwaves rippling outward. The onlooking contestants were forced to brace themselves against the sheer force of the clash, their expressions a mix of awe and apprehension.


    The earth had trembled, and for a heartbeat, everything seemed to hang in suspension. Then, with a blinding flash, the golden domain of light shattered, dispersing in a shower of sparks.


    When the dust finally settled, Jihoon and the Doppelganger stood facing each other, both swaying on their feet. The Doppelganger''s blank expression remains like always but something akin to disbelief seems to have found its way on that ironclad face, while Jihoon''s face bore a weary, but triumphant, smile.


    His fist, briefly exceeding his own Doppelganger and his personal limit had pierced through the impenetrable boundary that the Doppelganger set for its own with its ruthless efficiency. It lay squarely on where supposedly the center of his chest is. It is blow that would have put himself down, but the Doppelganger is stoic to the point it shrugged off a fatal blow by force of will.


    The other contestants watched in stunned silence, unable to comprehend what they had just witnessed. The sheer intensity of the clash, the raw power that had been unleashed, left them in a state of awe and trepidation.


    The Doppelganger lay down its own guard, the look in its own eyes admitting its own defeat to its own original. Seemingly somewhere deep inside that stoic gaze, Jihoon too shared that sentiment.


    Soon, the Doppelganger dispersed into a different kind of light that is different than that of incandescent which further made distinct the difference between the Light Magic of his and that which make up the System.


    The battle has ended, and Jihoon still remain uncertain if he really did solve the animosity or just replaced his problem with an even bigger one. Not that he could remain conscious for any longer as [Deadly Obsession] is wearing off now that he has completed his task.


    Then¡­ a System notification flashed in front of him.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Host has defeated their own Doppelganger


    Doppelganger Ranked up! Expert -> Master


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Doppelganger


    Classification: Illusion Magic


    Rank: Master


    Effect:


    -Create up to 3 duplicate clones that share base stats of the user,


    can interact with mundane objects with equal proficiency as the user.


    Can''t utilize System [Skills]. Stats can''t be enhanced by external effects.


    User could customize the appearance of the Doppelgangers if one wished


    No duration limitation. Cooldown: 3 hours.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    The little goddess that gave him this System still observes him. That¡¯s the only reason why the timing of this [Skill] rank up is just that convenient and that she decided that she must reward him for his effort to go up and beyond without her intervention. It wasn¡¯t even in his intent to ever defeat the Doppelganger at all but¡­ he¡¯ll accept since it is his effort after all.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Mirrored Resentment


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 30):


    -+150% to all physical attributes.


    The closer one is to death, the stronger this effect (Max: 900%)


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    And here¡¯s the Song Magic that he just made. And already he could imagine the next disgusting combination that he could make with his Song Magic. Though this particular effect is hard to use, but inferring from the current state he is in, he probably is going to make use of this a lot more often than he is going to believe.


    Combined with the awakening of [Deadly Obsession]. It truly seems already determined that he will never escape from any fight unscathed anymore. Every meaningful fight is going to the tooth and nail of his until he has nothing left to scrape by.


    With all that said, Jihoon let himself drifted to unconsciousness as the contestants around quickly gathered toward him. Karim who has been playing his electric guitar by command for 1 hour non-stop was the unsung hero of the whole situation. Yet the attention poured only to Jihoon himself.

 Chapter 29: Opening Ceremony

    <u>[61 days left until Alvorna''s Rite of Asecension]</u>


    [The day of Odyssey¡¯s commencement]


    Jihoon''s eyes fluttered open, his mind still hazy from what felt like an eternity of sleep. As his vision cleared, he found Karim sitting beside his bed, looking utterly exhausted.


    "Welcome back to the land of the living," Karim said, his voice hoarse and strained. "You''ve been out for two days straight. Barely woke up in time for the opening ceremony."


    Jihoon bolted upright, wincing at the lingering pain from his battle with the Doppelganger.


    "Two days? But the Odyssey¡ª"


    Karim raised a hand to silence him. "Don''t worry, I''ve been cleaning up your mess. Again." He sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "Do you have any idea what playing that infernal guitar of yours whose thrash on one¡¯s ear as brutal as a demon claw for an hour straight does to someone who''s never touched one before?"


    Jihoon''s eyes widened as he remembered Karim''s role in his victory. "Karim, I''m so sorry. I didn''t think¡ª"


    "No, you didn''t," Karim interrupted, but his tone was more resigned than angry. "My fingers are blistered beyond recognition. I''ve got a migraine that feels like a Harpy''s screech, and I''m pretty sure I''ve developed some kind of magical tinnitus. The things I do for you, kid."


    Guilt washed over Jihoon as he took in Karim''s disheveled appearance. "I never meant for you to suffer like this. How can I make it up to you?"


    Karim leaned back in his chair, a wry smile on his face. "Well, for starters, you can win this damn Odyssey. After all the trouble we''ve been through and the crud that you made me suffer, it''d be a damn shame if you didn''t at least make it to the finals."


    Jihoon nodded solemnly. "I promise, Karim. I won''t let your sacrifices be in vain."


    "Good," Karim said, standing up with a groan. "Now, get dressed. The opening ceremony starts in an hour, and you''ve got a lot of explaining to do to your fellow contestants. They''re still pretty shaken up by your little display with the Doppelganger."


    As Jihoon prepared for the ceremony, Karim filled him in on the aftermath of his battle. The other contestants were a mix of awed and terrified, unsure whether to view Jihoon as a potential ally or a dangerous threat. The Odyssey organizers had been in an uproar, debating whether to disqualify Jihoon for his actions.


    "It took a lot of smooth talking, and a few favors called in, and every other contestant who despite suffered because of that whatever esoteric magic of yours still vouch for your sincerity" Karim explained.


    "But I and the people who believed in you managed to convince them that your actions were unintentional and that you pose no real danger to the other participants."


    "Thank you, Karim. I don''t know what I''d do without you." Jihoon said with gratitude once again, he couldn¡¯t fathom himself navigating this unfamiliar world on his own.


    Karim smiled tiredly. "Just remember that feeling when I ask you to compose a soothing melody for my poor, abused ears and this soul of mine after this is all over."


    As Jihoon is about to make his way out of his bed. Karim also made his gesture for him toward the bedside table beside him. An azure envelope remained there seemingly inviting him. Its sender: Aquarius, the Merfolk Princess herself.


    ¡°Huh? When did this thing appear?¡± Jihoon said as the receiver address on it has his name and the title of Maestro to go along with it. Since his title of Maestro is being used, then this must be a formal invitation. Being the fastest and youngest Maestro in the entirety of Absence since his arrival probably gives him a lofty reputation that doesn¡¯t seem to be destroyed or exceeded anytime soon.


    Jihoon carefully opened the azure envelope, his curiosity piqued. Inside, he found a letter written in elegant script, the ink shimmering with an iridescent quality reminiscent of fish scales.


    Dear Maestro Jihoon,


    I hope this letter finds you well. News of your extraordinary feat in becoming the youngest and fastest to attain the title of Maestro has reached the depths of Calphennis, causing quite a stir among our people. Your reputation precedes you, and many are eager to witness your unique musical style firsthand.


    It is with great pleasure that I extend to you an invitation to perform at the Odyssey''s opening ceremony. Your unique and innovative approach to music has intrigued many, and we believe your performance would set a perfect tone for the commencement of this grand event.


    Furthermore, I wanted to inform you that I, too, will be performing at the ceremony. The "Forgotten Melody" you taught me has become a source of strength and solace for me when I was lost in my own sorrow. I have practiced diligently and wish to share its beauty with all those in attendance. It would mean the world to me if you could be there to witness this performance. Even if it is a small repayment for the kindness and understanding you showed me during our unexpected encounter.


    I ask for no impossible favors, Maestro Jihoon. Your presence alone would be an honor. To see you there, supporting me as I take this step forward, would give me the courage I need to face what lies ahead.


    May the currents be ever in your favor during the Odyssey.


    Sincerely, Princess Aquarius of Sargasso.


    After reading it and then rereading its content again, Jihoon felt a surge of complex and mixed emotions whirling in his mind. Pride at the recognition that the music he made resonated with the people of Absence and that his name is still spreading wider than ever. Some nervousness of showcasing himself at the grand stage within the sight of many spectators witnessing his craft.


    But most important and ever. He changed someone¡¯s life with his music. That in itself is an impossible milestone that many musicians and composers the like. Even if the ¡°Forgotten Melody¡± wasn¡¯t his exactly, to see it bring someone¡¯s life direction around means that he wasn¡¯t wrong to go on this path.


    How many typical overpowered protagonists actually used their power to meaningfully change someone¡¯s life around? He is certain that alone pushed his ranking above the mediocre amongst them and any that would be created later. He doesn¡¯t care if he prides himself on doing better than examples of subpar fiction, his life has already become a terrible one at that.


    "Welp," Karim said, noticing Jihoon''s expression, "it seems you''ve made quite an impression on our aquatic princess. Are you up for a performance of a lifetime?"


    Jihoon returned with a nod and a solemn smile on his face. He couldn¡¯t exactly call himself as a strong-willed or determined someone, but he certainly has the obsession to keep up with determinators and the like.


    ¡°It''s the least I can do after everything that''s happened. Plus, I''m curious to hear how Aquarius has interpreted the ''Forgotten Melody''." Jihoon said as he wonders just what her interpretation of it would be like.


    As Jihoon began to prepare himself mentally for the upcoming performance, he couldn''t help but feel anticipation of the event ahead of him. He mostly stuck into his studio, not actually performing in front of a crowd. Nervous is too strong of a word to be used in this situation for him but he certainly feels the pressure in the atmosphere.


    "Karim," Jihoon said, turning to his friend, "I think I know what I''m going to play. It''s time to show them what Song Magic can really do."


    Karim raised an eyebrow, a mix of curiosity and concern on his face. "Just try not to bring down the entire venue, alright? I don''t think my nerves can handle another cleanup operation so soon."


    Jihoon chuckled wryly knowing his rotten luck, but he remained optimistic either way.


    As Jihoon prepared to leave for the opening ceremony, his mind wandered to deeper philosophical territories out of boredom. He couldn''t help but contemplate the trope of the "overpowered protagonist" that dominated so many stories he''d encountered in his world before Gate.


    One which has its philosophical implications for his actions and the nature of power itself.


    "You know, Karim," Jihoon mused as they walked together toward, "I''ve been thinking about the whole ''with great power comes great responsibility'' trope. It''s funny how many stories feature these incredibly powerful characters, yet they rarely use their abilities to make meaningful changes in individual lives. Let alone fulfill the responsible part of theirs."


    Karim raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Jihoon''s train of thought.


    "I mean, sure, they save the world and all that," Jihoon continued, "but how often do you see them actually sitting down with someone, understanding their struggles, and using their gifts to help that person grow? It''s like... there''s this fatal disconnection between having immense power and actually applying it on a personal, transformative level."


    He thought about Aquarius and how the "Forgotten Melody" had given her a new perspective, a method for her to overcome her pain and find a way forward. It wasn''t a world-shattering event, but to her, it was everything that mattered.


    "It''s not about grand gestures or epic battles all the time. Sometimes, the most profound use of power is in those small, intimate moments of connection and understanding." Jihoon said as he is fully aware that he would have a horde of angry mobs formed if overheard because he dared voice his opinion.


    Karim nodded thoughtfully. "I see your point... It''s the difference between spectacle and substance."


    Jihoon can''t help but feel that so many of these ''strong'' characters in stories are... well, kind of flat. They have all this power, but their impact often feels shallow. They lack the depth that comes from truly engaging with others on an emotional level. So many of these fictions have a title that says outright the premise of the story and often they become the reflection of author¡¯s depth themselves.


    These fictional strong protagonists often seem to exist in a vacuum, their strength serving no purpose beyond defeating the next big bad or overcoming the next challenge. But real strength, he is starting to think, lies in the ability to connect with others, to inspire change and growth


    They''re strong, sure, but are they wise? Are they compassionate? Do they use their power for anything beyond self-serving goals or vague notions of ''protecting and saving the world''?


    He shook his head, a wry smile on his face. "I know it''s ridiculous to compare myself to fictional characters, especially given how absurd my own situation has become. But I can''t help but want to be better than that flat characterization. I want my strength, my music to have meaning beyond just its surface, to create anything tangible positive change in this world."


    As they made their way to the ceremony venue using the hired boat again, Jihoon couldn''t help but chuckle at the irony. Here he was, in a world of magic and technology united with mythical beings as common as minor human traits, participating in an epic quest that he is on, yet his most significant achievement so far was helping a mermaid princess find solace through music.


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "Life really is stranger than fiction," he mused. "And far more complex."


    Under the clear starry night never seen before in his recent memory, and the sea wind blowing seemingly soothes his weary soul. At their arrival destination and as their boat approached the venue, Jihoon''s breath caught in his throat. Rising before him was a structure that defied imagination and expectation of his. A colossal stadium that seemed to blend the ancient grandeur of Colosseum of ancient Rome with cutting-edge modern architecture.


    And based on his estimation, there probably are at least tens of thousands of people from all over of Absence there right now.


    He was genuinely struck awed and that it is unbelievable that he hasn¡¯t yet seen everything that Absence has yet to offer.


    The stadium wasn''t merely floating on the water. It seemed to be an integral and natural extension of the sea itself. Massive support structures extended deep into the ocean, while floating platforms and bridges connected various sections. The entire complex pulsed with an ethereal blue glow, as if the very essence of the sea had been captured and woven into its design.


    As they approach the immediate vicinity, Jihoon once again recognized various cultural echoes of his world in the vessels around them. From the early Eastern boats that looked like they sailed straight out of ancient China, and sleek vessels that could have been designed in the most advanced shipyards of the future.


    He also saw ships that looked like they came out directly of Norse mythology, their dragon-headed prows cutting through the waves. There were elegant elven boats that seemed to be grown rather than built, their organic forms blending seamlessly with the water. Dwarven steamships chugged along, their brass fittings gleaming in the starlight.


    Jihoon noticed a clear trend toward authenticity rather than performance. Guessed that living in a post-scarcity society means that having obvious solutions to any flaw could just be omitted for one¡¯s sake of freedom of artistry. It¡¯s not the most effective but certainly cool to say the least.


    As they drew closer, Jihoon could see beings of all shapes and sizes moving about - merfolk gliding gracefully through water channels, winged creatures soaring between floating platforms, and land-dwellers of various races navigating the intricate network of bridges and walkways.


    To say that all of Absence has poured all over wasn¡¯t wrong to say the least.


    As they finally docked onto one of the platforms and leave the boat, Jihoon could feel the excitement in the atmosphere around even if he couldn¡¯t share in it. The familiar elements from his world, juxtaposed with the fantastical and magical, created a surreal atmosphere that both comforted and thrilled him despite his jaded attitude that came from how his life turned out to be.


    ¡°Guess it¡¯s time to add our melody into this grand symphony¡±. Jihoon thought to himself as he and Karim navigated through the massive crowd of people that only continued to converge here.


    Using the pre-given instructions that came additionally, they found the employee route separated from the tourist path. Since he has shown proof of his identity and Aquarius¡¯s recommendation, he was given the fast pass by the Colosseum¡¯s staff to the designated area. The massive interior that came about from the sheer scale makes this place difficult to navigate without a guide for any first-time visitor.


    As Jihoon and Karim made their way through the spacious labyrinthine corridors of the grand stadium, they finally arrived at the performers'' quarters. The moment they stepped inside, Jihoon was struck by the sheer diversity and talent gathered in one place.


    The expansive room was a hive of activity, filled with performers from every corner of Absence. Still wide-eyed as he was, he looked upon the lineup that will perform in the opening ceremony.


    There were ethereal elven harpists tuning their instruments, their fingers moving with inhuman grace. There are some dwarves adjusting their brass instruments arguing about some musical theory stuff that Jihoon himself don¡¯t have too much experience with said instrument to understand. In one corner, a trio of merfolk vocalists practiced their scales, their voices blending in haunting harmonies that seemed to make the very air shimmer.


    That¡¯s just what he could discern in the moment. There are many more races that he hasn¡¯t yet given the proper attention to but suddenly, he felt like he was being dwarfed by all the people who has centuries of study in the making.


    Jihoon didn¡¯t say anything but intimidated is his certainly is something he is feeling in the moment.


    ¡°Well, any large-scale ceremony would certainly attract a massive gathering of performers everywhere across Absence. Not just strength and wit but certainly cultural prowess too¡±. Karim said as he doesn¡¯t hide his impressed expression of the performers.


    As they made their way through the room, Jihoon couldn''t help but overhear snippets of conversation about the various acts. There was talk of a Harpy wind ensemble that could literally control the weather with their music, and rumors of a Yokai illusionist whose performance would blur the lines between reality and fantasy.


    Feeling a bit overwhelmed, Jihoon sought out the performance schedule. His heart sank a little as he found his name near the bottom of the list, scheduled to perform after nearly everyone else.


    "Well, that''s certainly not ideal," Karim said, peering over Jihoon''s shoulder at the schedule. "Being one of the last acts means the audience might be tired by the time you get on stage."


    Jihoon nodded, a crease of worry forming between his brows. "And after all these incredible group performances, my solo act might seem... underwhelming in comparison."


    He glanced around the room again, taking in the elaborate costumes, the exotic instruments, the sheer spectacle of it all. For a moment, doubt crept in. How could his lone performance possibly measure up to all of this?


    Taken a deep breath, steadying himself. He remembered the impact his music had on Aquarius, how the "Forgotten Melody" had touched upon her tormented soul. He thought of the unique power of his Song Magic, something none of these other performers possessed.


    "You know what, Karim?" Jihoon said, a determined glint in his eye. "Maybe being last isn''t that bad a thing after all. After all the flash and spectacle, maybe what the audience will really need is something... genuine. Something that speaks and resonates to the heart of each individual."


    But Aquarius likely will perform the ¡®Forgotten Melody¡¯ and Jihoon has nothing that has that soul-touching capability that it has. And despite him being the one to teach it to her, he would immediately be drowned in plagiarism complaints if he dares try to play it after her.


    ¡°Something that unquestionably mine, huh?¡± Jihoon thought as he scrounges his memory for everything that he could make his performance about. The already diverse selection leaves little for Jihoon to leverage.


    Then he glanced back at the electric guitar on his back and realized that it is a solely unique instrument even in the world of Absence. While everyone and their mother was using the classical instruments of theirs, this thing was the only thing that he brought which has nothing replicate it despite their technology.


    He had an idea¡­ And he intends to leave a lasting impression to all of the Absence¡¯s denizens.


    The grand colosseum-like stadium was abuzz with excitement as spectators from all corners of Absence filed into their seats. The air was thick with anticipation, a cacophony of unified language and dialects blending into a symphony of expectation.


    Beings of all races and forms found their places, merfolk in their water-based area, winged folk in their high balcony and the usual land-dwellers of every description filling the main seating areas.


    As the last of the audience settled in, the lights dimmed, focusing attention on the central stage. A circular platform that seemed to hover over both water and land, accessible to performers of all elements. A shimmering curtain of light surrounded it, ready to project images and enhance the performances.


    A hush fell over the crowd as a voice boomed across the stadium, magically amplified to reach every ear:


    "Esteemed guests, noble contestants, and citizens of Absence! Welcome to the opening ceremony of this year''s Odyssey!"


    The announcer, a tall figure with iridescent skin dressed in a sharply prepared suit, continued with a brief history of the event and its significance. As he spoke, holographic images danced above the crowd, illustrating the rich tapestry of Absence''s cultures and the spirit of unity the Odyssey represented.


    "And now," the announcer''s voice swelled with pride, "to commence our celebration, we are honored to present a very special performance. Please welcome Her Royal Highness, Princess Aquarius Sargasso of the Merfolk Kingdom!"


    A collective gasp rippled through the audience as Aquarius gracefully rose from a pool of water at the center of the stage. She was a vision of ethereal beauty, her scales shimmering with an otherworldly light. In her hands, she held an instrument that looked like a cross between a harp and a conch shell.


    Dressed specifically for the occasion, her beauty in this very moment exceed all that is imaginable to everyone here. Like a goddess descent from the mythical tapestry in the flesh, she positioned herself into a sitting position. Her long azure hair unfurled like curling waves of the sea. Her pure white sundress seemingly creating the feel of divinity out of the ether itself.


    A silent expectant spread fell all over the stadium. Then with a gentle touch of, she played the first note of the Forgotten Melody.


    D~~~| E F A~| G F E~| D~~~| C F~~|


    F C~~| B A G~| D~~~|A~ F B |G F A~|


    The introduction melody was played in C major chord, the most simplistic chord possible seemingly to display the pristine and innocent nature that this melody has. Everyone who has first stepped into the learning of music knew this very chord when they first familiarize themselves with the notes.


    As the melody unfolded, it seemed to touch something deep within each listener. It was at once deeply personal and universally resonant. Seemingly already about to move into tears with just the introduction alone.


    Both Jihoon and Karim are watching the broadcast of the performance right in the perfomers¡¯ quarter. Karim seemingly lost amidst the melody itself that he just heard. Jihoon, however, isn¡¯t surprised to say the least since this was the first Song Magic that he made and what saved him from his aimless life.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Forgotten Melody


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 30):


    -Immunity to all negative mental status effects


    -+500% EXP gain.


    ''A music piece composed of a nostalgic past that can''t ever be returned to. The harmonic of the Goddess''s harp brings peace to the tortured souls but since long forgotten for eternity.''


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    C B A B| C E F E| D E F~|


    C B A G| A B D E| D C D E|


    B A G F| G A C D| C B C D|


    A G F E|F G F E|F E Eb F|


    A hushed silence fell as Aquarius''s rendition of the "Forgotten Melody" filled the air through the broadcast. The bustling activity from earlier ceased entirely, replaced by a collective stillness as the music washed over them.


    D E F E| D E F A| Bb~~~|


    The band of elven harpists stood motionless, their instruments forgotten in their hands. Tears glistened in their eyes, reflecting the deep emotional resonance they felt with the melody. One of them whispered, barely audible, "In all my centuries, I''ve never heard anything quite like this..."


    Bb A G F| E D F~|


    E D C D | E G A~|


    The dwarven percussionists, usually boisterous and animated to prepare for the performance that will surpass their previous, sat in stunned silence. Their leader, a grizzled veteran of countless performances, removed his cap and held it to his chest, a gesture of profound respect and his eyes closed as if deeply praying. His weathered face showed a mix of awe and a hint of envy at the raw emotional power of the piece that he willingly concedes to.


    A G F E| D C E~|


    D C Bb- C|D F G F |E F G~|


    In the corner, the merfolk vocalists who had been practicing earlier now listened with rapt attention. One of them, overcome with emotion, sank to her knees, her hand covering her mouth as silent tears streamed down her face. The melody seemed to touch something deep within their aquatic souls, reminding them of the vast, mysterious depths of their oceanic homes.


    D+ C+ Bb A| G F E D| E F G A|Bb C+ D+ E+|


    As the scales of the chord progression run higher and higher, Aquarius moved the whole song one octave higher as if to emulate the heaven¡¯s feel through the higher notes.


    F+ E+ D+ E+|F+ A+ Bb A|G+ A Bb~|


    A group of Yokai illusionists, known for their ability to create stunning visual spectacles, stood transfixed. Their leader, a being of usually ever-shifting form, had solidified into a static appearance for the first time in memory, too moved by the music to maintain their usual fluid state.


    F+ G+ F+ E+| D+ C+ Bb A| Bb A G A| Bb A G A| E+~~~|


    Even the Harpy wind ensemble, who had been boasting earlier about their weather-controlling abilities, now stood with wings slightly drooped, humbled by the sheer emotional impact of Aquarius''s performance. A wordless sentiment shared amongst them. They may control the wind but this¡­ controls the heart itself.


    Bb A G A| Bb D E D| Db D E~|


    Bb A G F| G A Db D| Db E Db D| Db C~~|


    Throughout the room, performers of all races and backgrounds found themselves united in a shared experience of wonder and emotion. Many who had come with a competitive spirit now felt a sense of camaraderie, recognizing the universal language of music that transcended their differences.


    For a moment in time, no one moved or spoke, each lost in their own thoughts and feelings stirred by the Forgotten Melody.


    Left hand: A~~~|G F G~|~~F E |F~~~| G A Bb~| A G A~|


    Right hand: DEFABbAGF|EDCDEGAG|FEDCBbCD|FGFEFGEA|E~~~|


    (No space means half-note)


    ¡°Did she just perform a polyphony on a live instrument!?¡± Jihoon¡¯s thought suddenly raced across his mind as he directly witnesses the act that Aquarius just did. Playing two different melodies even if simple at once is something that can only be feasibly conceived in a music composer, not in a live solo performance with real instrument.


    Then, the melody approached its decrescendo phased as her fingers run across all the note in descending tone as if fallen slowly from the heavenly approach she once was. All across an entire octave lower. All finally to play the introduction melody again.


    F E D E| F A Bb~| A G F E| D C D E| D C D E | G A~ G F |E D C Bb| C D C Bb |


    C D F G| G F E F|~~~~|


    The ending approaches as if all the wistful feeling contained within are about to imparted completely into the melody itself. Like a last farewell, not knowing if one will reunite ever again. Like a lasting decision that one can¡¯t ever undo.


    D E F A|~ G F G |E F G~|


    C D E G|~ F E F |D E F~|


    E F G Bb|~ A G A|F G Bb A|


    As the final notes of the "Forgotten Melody" faded away, a collective sigh seemed to ripple through the performers'' quarter. For a moment, no one moved or spoke, each lost in their own thoughts and feelings stirred by the music.


    Then, slowly, they began to turn to one another, exchanging glances of shared understanding. Without words, they acknowledged the profound impact of what they had just witnessed. The bar had been set incredibly high, and many were reassessing their own planned performances in light of this opening act.


    During everyone else¡¯s quiet moment of reflection, Jihoon stood apart, a small and unnoticeable smile remained on his lips. Only he knew the origin of this melody and witnessing its impact upon not only talented artists but the average audience has ascertained and strengthened his resolve.


    Still, with the thought about his own performance occupying his mind, Jihoon can only hope that one day, he would manage to create something unforgettable on his own.

 Chapter 30: Release of the Far South Ocean

    After the masterful performance that Aquarius did, the entire crowd of audience remained in their tentative silence. Only when she leave the stage however did the floodgate of emotions repressed unleashed as everyone shows their reverence toward her.


    "Honestly, I can''t believe that my own tears well up at such a simple yet emotional piece despite my long years as the stage MC." The ceremony announcer spoke as if he simply wearing his heart on his sleeve right now.


    The silence that once blanketed the stadium gave way to thunderous applause, cheers, and even tears from those present. The haunting beauty of the "Forgotten Melody" had touched the hearts of all in attendance, truly leaving none unmoved.


    The broadcast then cut to reactions from notable attendees. Renowned musicians and examiners praised the performance.


    "Her Royal Highness has reminded us of the core beauty of music," one examiner commented. "Her interpretation was pure and heartfelt, resonating deeply with all of us. It''s a rare gift to evoke such deep emotions with a single performance."


    A veteran composer, with tears in his eyes, admitted, "I''ve played countless pieces over decades, but tonight''s melody moved me in ways I thought I was beyond feeling. Aquarius has transcended music tonight."


    The camera panned to the audience, showcasing famous figures, including the legendary mermaid maestro, Minerva Velasquez, who was visibly moved.


    "In all my years," she said softly, "I have never witnessed such a combination of technical mastery and raw emotion. It was more than a performance¡ªit was a moment captured in time. An unreachable past conveyed in both literal and spiritual"


    Then, the interviewer approached the star of the evening, Princess Aquarius, still glowing from the performance. She smiled graciously, though there was a sense of humility in her expression.


    "Your Highness," the interviewer began, "your rendition of the ''Forgotten Melody'' has touched the hearts of all present. Could you share what this piece means to you?"


    Aquarius hesitated briefly, her voice soft but steady.


    "This melody... it was gifted to me by someone who showed me that even in the darkest depths, there is light. The ''Forgotten Melody'' is not just a piece of music. To me, it is a reminder that no matter how far we fall, there is always a way back. Tonight, I just wanted to share that message with everyone."


    The broadcast returned to the audience, where more reactions were gathered. Every word echoed the same sentiment: reverence, awe, and inspiration. The performance had become a historic moment for the ceremony, perhaps for all future instances afterward.


    ¡°I wonder who it is to compose such a heartfelt melody like that¡­ That person must be so brilliant to convey such emotions that tug at heartstrings of all listeners from all walks of life¡±. The ceremony announcer spoke his praise of the unnamed composer who gifts her the ¡®Forgotten Melody¡¯ in the first place.


    Jihoon had a mental chuckle because no one would believe that the fastest Maestro of all of Absence is the one giving it in the first place. There¡¯s a limit to how much one can be considered genius before it just becomes outright unbelievable by all standards.


    Soon after her bedazzling performance, other performers step up to their respective stage. Cheers and praise were spoken and of course none of them could match to the standard that the Forgotten Melody has set. The broadcast of the ceremony goes far and wide to the millions who live in the entirety of Absence and couldn¡¯t directly witness the occasion to themselves.


    And they accepted it, not even begrudgingly because they knew that very height wouldn¡¯t be reach any time soon.


    The schedule goes on with each performance. From each race such as the elves, beastfolks, dwarves and so on. Each has put on their best performance to honor the Forgotten Melody which seemingly takes them back to their respective beginning of their musical career.


    And so¡­ it is Jihoon¡¯s turn. Each performance took up at least half an hour of time and within that amount of time... he couldn¡¯t create a piece of his own.


    While there are internet challenges in his world where a music artist would use only a half an hour or even less to create their original music, that is just making the skeleton structure. Mixing and refining the melody and notes together into a proper song took way longer that not even an entire day is enough. And he was already aware of that when he first saw the schedule.


    So what did he had in mind?


    He will¡­ steal from somewhere that he knew¡­ Not exactly steal from other composers but rather borrows what he had known beforehand during his time in Arisen Studio. And within the vast southern sea of Calphennis, there was that one music piece in his world that he had in mind which he felt resonate with its spirit.


    While he could just go with a solo electric guitar performance. He is putting himself against numerous collaborative orchestral performances and unless he knew precisely what he is doing like Aquarius with ¡®Forgotten Melody¡¯, he would just be underperforming.


    Thus, this is what he intended to do.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Doppelganger


    Classification: Illusion Magic


    Rank: Master


    Effect:


    -Create up to 3 duplicate clones that share base stats of the user,


    can interact with mundane objects with equal proficiency as the user.


    Can''t utilize System [Skills]. Stats can''t be enhanced by external effects.


    User could customize the appearance of the Doppelgangers if one wished


    No duration limitation. Cooldown: 3 hours for each clone if dispelled or destroyed.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Honestly, it was Big Band that gave him the idea of a one-man band with how that big old man just carry control all the music instruments and make them perform through his will. Now that [Doppelganger] have increased deployment count, he intends on just filling the empty seats of his ensemble with¡­ himself¡­


    And the short hours that he spends pondering writing down how to the structure of the song he intends to perform and that it even has vocal lyric too. By deploying his Doppelganger while nearly every performer in his place having already moved to the stage, he quickly coordinated and customized the appearances of his Doppelgangers.


    One of them, he customized them to look like Jin Sarae and give him the battered acoustic guitar he had with him. The time-worn instrument in the Doppelganger''s hands added an air of melancholic nostalgia, embodying the soul of a musician who had walked a hard path. The audience would see this and likely assume Jihoon was paying tribute to someone close. An emotional touch that wouldn''t go unnoticed.


    Another Doppelganger, he manipulated its appearance to look like¡­ the total opposite of his appearance. Creating a sort of dichotomy that he had in mind, although he isn¡¯t sure of the execution.


    People often said that he looked like a stereotypical Korean action manhwa protagonist, so he made the Doppelganger an romance-genre transmigration female self-insert of himself. Her assigned instrument is¡­ probably the keyboard instrument that can swap between all variants.


    This Doppelganger had soft, flowing black hair like his that framed an almost regal face with wide, innocent eyes. Her slender form was adorned in an elegant but modest black dress, almost as if she had been plucked from a fantasy world of aristocratic ballrooms.


    But¡­ because Doppelganger doesn¡¯t display emotions at all and only calculating all their actions with complete rationality, it ended up unintentionally steering into the villainess territory more than heroine.


    Jihoon knew that people might raise their eyebrows at this choice. Some might think it was a bad joke or a strange self-insert that would feel out of place in such a prestigious musical event. He could almost hear Karim muttering something about his "questionable decision-making skills." Yet, Jihoon stood by this choice. It was audacious, yes, but it was also intentional. There was a method to his madness.


    And finally, the third Doppelganger¡­ He actually is stuck wondering what its appearance should be. He¡¯s not the best character designer to roam the earth since his focus is more in music composing.


    So¡­ he decided to just make his third Doppelganger a burly and rugged old man, resembles a certain D-rank veteran that first guided him through the Gate delving in his world. A tribute, although never spoken or known. This man will play the percussion as the song he had in mind has very heavy focused in it.


    ¡°Alright, since we still have some time left. Let¡¯s practice together to see how well we would do.¡± Jihoon said as he guides the Doppelgangers with him into the performance test room.


    As Jihoon led his three Doppelgangers into the performance test room, he felt a flicker of confidence. After all, he had crafted the ensemble, chosen the song, and spent what little time he had mapping out the structure. But as he positioned himself at the center with his electric guitar, and his Doppelgangers took their places


    "Okay, let''s start," Jihoon said, giving them the signal.


    The opening bars rang out. And immediately, Jihoon could sense something was wrong.


    The villainess Doppelganger''s keyboard performance, while perfectly in time, was utterly devoid of nuance. Each note she played was stiff and mechanical, as if someone had programmed a machine to execute the song with mathematical precision.


    The lack of emotion, combined with the pristine black dress and regal posture, made her seem more like a cold-hearted villainess than the heroine he had intended. Her hands glided over the keys with technical perfection, but it was like she was casting a spell of monotony over the room.


    Then came the Jin-lookalike Doppelganger. The acoustic guitar strumming was equally precise, but with none of the raw emotion that Jin himself would have infused into the performance. The timing was flawless, but it felt soulless, as though the guitar was playing itself.


    It was a total anti-thesis to Jin himself and that if he was still here, he would be more offended that his lookalike failed disastrously rather than the fact that he had a lookalike.


    And the percussion¡­ Jihoon winced as the burly Doppelganger played the drums with brutal efficiency. There was no subtlety or dynamic control. Each hit sounded like a hammer crashing down on metal, turning what should have been rhythmic and powerful into something closer to a military march. The song was being pounded into submission, rather than allowed to flow.


    As the performance dragged on, the sense of disaster became undeniable. Jihoon, trying to hold the ensemble together with his electric guitar, realized he was fighting a losing battle.


    His Doppelgangers weren''t just following the score¡ªthey were following it too perfectly. No room for emotion, for interpretation, or for the little mistakes that made music human. They were simply executing the notes like a computer reading lines of code.


    The harmonies were technically correct, but there was no warmth. The dynamics shifted exactly where he had marked them, but with none of the organic flow that a real band would have. And worst of all, even Jihoon could feel the dissonance between his own playing and that of his clones. His electric guitar, though filled with emotion, clashed with their sterile precision.


    Finally, the last note rang out, echoing awkwardly in the empty room. Jihoon stood there, frozen for a moment, before sighing heavily.


    "That was... a disaster," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "An absolute trainwreck."


    The Doppelgangers stood there, emotionless, awaiting further instructions. Jihoon shot a glance at the score he had scribbled down earlier. It had seemed like a good idea at the time¡ªjust jot down the basic structure, leave some room for improvisation, and let the music breathe.


    But now, seeing the results, he knew that if he didn¡¯t carefully ink out every note, every dynamic, every subtle variation, the actual performance would be an unmitigated disaster. This would be likely the last time he would ever use Doppelganger for anything musically complicated until he could breath his own life into all of them.


    He couldn¡¯t allow this kind of cold, calculated execution on stage. Not in front of a live audience. Not after the performances had already set the bar so high.


    Jihoon felt a wave of relief wash over him. "At least it happened here, and not on the actual stage. If this was the real deal, I¡¯d be the post-credit joke of the entire ceremony," he muttered under his breath.


    Glanced at his Doppelgangers, who still stood at attention. "Alright," he said, a determined glint in his eye.


    "No more improvising. I need to rewrite everything. We¡¯re starting from scratch."


    With that, Jihoon sat down with a fresh sheet of paper, determined to get every note and dynamic perfect. This was going to take a while, but it was better than being remembered as the guy who tried to pull off a one-man band¡ªand failed spectacularly.


    It was fortunate thing that he was last amongst the schedule. Because he wouldn¡¯t even imagine time would be on his side either. If there¡¯s any silver lining to this whole mess, it is the fact that they played so perfectly that they stood as a stand-in for music-composing software. They played the section he edited, and they would do so with precision without shame or embarrassment or fatigue and boredom.


    Who could imagine that he is doing a speed-composing challenge in another world?


    After numerous trials and errors, the performance began to feel less robotic. Though the Doppelgangers would never fully emulate the organic, spontaneous emotion of real performers, Jihoon managed to imbue the piece with enough life to give the illusion of feeling.


    Soon, the allotted time that he is given is approaching its end. And with the confirmation that rendition piece is satisfactory, although isn¡¯t without some mind-numbing struggle to its own. This is the moment to show if his effort will pay for itself or not.


    This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    ¡°Okay,¡± he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow as he finished the final edits. ¡°This might actually work.¡±


    But there was still one last element to enhance the performance, that is ¡®stage effects¡¯. Jihoon had already submitted a request to the stage organizers beforehand for something simple yet atmospheric. He wanted effects that would simulate the environment of the vast southern sea, where the performance would take place.


    A bit of rolling fog, the sound of distant waves, and a subtle breeze would be enough to add a touch of drama without overwhelming the music itself. Compared to what other performers were doing with stage effects, this is nothing but tame by comparison.


    Now that the stage effects were arranged, Jihoon felt a small but growing confidence building within him. The song was finished, the Doppelgangers were prepared, and the atmosphere was set.


    He glanced at his clones one last time, giving them each a mental nod of approval. The villainess-like keyboardist, Jin-lookalike guitarist, and rugged old percussionist all stood ready to take their places.


    ¡°Alright, team,¡± he said with a slight smirk of confidence, ¡°this is it. Time to show them what we¡¯ve got.¡±


    The time had finally come for his turn on the stage. As Jihoon and his Doppelgangers made their way to the elevator that is also the performance stage. Jihoon is already feeling the weight of expectation, knowing that he was following an array of stunning orchestral performances.


    However, this wasn¡¯t about surpassing anyone¡ªit was about making an impression, leaving the audience with something unforgettable that even the Forgotten Melody itself.


    With a nod toward the female Doppelganger, he lets the introductory melody first permeate while they slowly make their ascent to the audience view. When they finally reached the destination, the performance stage was permeated in a dense fog, making it impossible to perceive through without resorting to special vision.


    It was time¡­


    D# minor, the key signature of anxiety and deepest distress. Of unrequited feelings and unspoken exchange. All the fear and hesitation, expressed within this key signature itself.


    Release of the Far South Ocean


    |D#~~~|F F#~~|B#~~~| A# G# F#~| D# C# ~~|D#~ F~| D F# F D|


    The air was thick with anticipation, and the ethereal sound of the female Doppelganger¡¯s introductory melody cut through the mist like a beacon. It was soft at first, a serenade that eased the audience into a false sense of calm. But then, without warning, the pace quickened, and the serene atmosphere shattered.


    His female Doppelganger to immediately sprung into fast-paced note progression much like instructed. The sudden departure of the usual serenity takes people by surprise as the act easily captures their attention if they haven¡¯t yet.


    (All notes connect together by _ is a singular note, in this case 4 notes connected is all quarter-note)


    |D#_F_F#_D# G#_F#_F_F# D#_F_F#_D# G#_F#_F_D#|


    |C#_D#_F_C# F#_F_D#_F C#_D#_F_C# D#_F_F#_G#|


    Heads turned. Eyes widened. Conversations halted. The entire crowd, from the elves to the dwarves, beastfolk, and merfolk, collectively leaned forward in their seats, captivated by the immediate intensity of the piece.


    Then refrain upon the previous chord progression, the pitch is shifted upward as if the song is approaching climax already this early. As if the spirit within


    |F#_G#_A#_F# B_A#_G#_A# F#_G#_A#_F# B_A#_G#_F#|


    |F_F#_G#_F A#_G#_F#_G# F_F#_G#_F F#_G#_A#_B|


    This time as if to ascent seemingly higher and accentuate the climax, Jihoon immediately joined the fray as he refrained the previous progression with his electric guitar as he thrash its string at a finger_bleeding speed. Most people of Absence have never seen or heard of this instrument that he is using right now, and he intends on making this showcase the most unforgettable.


    As his fingers danced across the strings, the distinct, electrified tone of the instrument filled the air, cutting through the sea_like fog with a sound both sharp and melodic. His electric guitar, still a mystery to most in Absence, emitted a sound unlike anything they had ever heard before.


    The audience, already caught off guard by the tempo shift, was now mesmerized by the unfamiliar instrument. The electric guitar''s bold, powerful voice stood in stark contrast to the classical, orchestral pieces that had dominated the performances earlier.


    Its resonance was raw and untamed, as if the very spirit of the ocean was being channeled through the strings. There was an undeniable energy in the air, a sense of rebellion against tradition that drew even more attention.


    A murmur spread through the crowd. Whispers of astonishment could be heard from every corner of the grand stadium. Some were confused, others enthralled. But one thing was clear.


    No one had expected this.


    The merfolk exchanged glances, their usual grace momentarily replaced by shock. The dwarves, known for their precision and craftsmanship, stared in awe at the instrument¡¯s mechanics, fascinated by the sheer sound it produced. The elves, who prided themselves on their mastery of traditional instruments, couldn¡¯t help but feel the electric guitar¡¯s raw, emotional power reach them in ways they hadn¡¯t anticipated. Even the Yokai illusionists, who had boasted earlier of their illusion magic, found themselves momentarily humbled by the sheer audacity of Jihoon¡¯s performance.


    And then, as Jihoon ascended to the heart of the melody, blending his guitar¡¯s electrifying tone with the Doppelgangers¡¯ rapid accompaniment, the announcer¡¯s voice boomed across the stadium, breaking the trance.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen,¡± the voice echoed, ¡°you are witnessing history.¡±


    The crowd hushed, hanging on every word.


    ¡°For the first time in this grand ceremony, we present to you the fastest Maestro to ever rise in the history of Absence¡¯s academic halls. Please welcome¡­ Maestro Jihoon Hyunwoon, the youngest and quickest to attain the title, gracing us with this unparalleled performance!¡±


    Gasps rippled through the audience as the weight of the announcer¡¯s words settled in. The fastest Maestro in history? Here, now, on this very stage? The significance of the moment hit them like a tidal wave crashing against the shore. The fog swirling around the stage seemed to disperse, revealing Jihoon in full view, his electric guitar still singing its defiant melody.


    For many, this was the first time they had seen the famed Maestro, who had made a name for himself in record time. And the spectacle unfolding before them, with the electric guitar at its heart, was something entirely new¡ªsomething no one could have prepared for.


    Jihoon, feeling the eyes of thousands upon him, didn¡¯t falter. He strummed with even more vigor, letting the notes of the electric guitar rise and fall like the tides of the southern sea. His Doppelgangers, perfectly synchronized, supported him, but it was Jihoon who stood at the center, the focus of all attention.


    The Forgotten Melody had moved them earlier, but Jihoon¡¯s piece¡ªRelease of the Far South Ocean¡ªwas doing something different. It was awakening something deeper within, something primal. The tension in the music, the anxiety in the D# minor key, the unspoken emotions in every note. It resonated with the audience in ways they had not expected.


    In this very moment of time, he will hold nothing back.


    **(X*Note/Y means notes divided by Y last for X of Yth-note. 3A/2 means half-note A last for 3 half-notes)**


    Oh ooohhh, ohh oh¡­


    I¡¯m here for you!


    Jihoon initiates his vocal role. All while letting his female Doppelganger handle the central melody as everyone else perform their instrument.


    |G#-_A#-_C_C# D#~~| D#_F_F#_G# C#+_A#+_F#_9C#/4| C#_D#_F_F# F_D#_F_C D/2 3A/2|


    Unable... to hold back my feeling¡­ as I chase after the distant stars~


    |C D#~~|D#_F_F#_5G#/4 C#+_A#+_F#+_5F#/4| F#_G#_A#_2G#/4 F#_D#_F#_C#+ C# |D#~~~|


    Clutching¡­ onto the singular courage¡­ with my own calloused fingers.


    As Jihoon¡¯s voice broke through the mist, layered atop the electrifying melody, the audience fell into a stunned silence. His vocals, raw with emotion, blended seamlessly with the fast-paced, intricate instrumentation, creating an atmosphere that was both intimate and grand. The lyrics, carrying a sense of longing and unspoken connection, stirred something deep within those listening.


    The crowd, already captivated by the intense instrumental arrangement, now found themselves drawn even deeper by his raw, emotional vocals. It was a rare sight, because it is a musician not only playing an unfamiliar, electrified instrument but also singing with such palpable emotion.


    Then with another refrain, Jihoon pushed the melody¡¯s intensity upward as he played with the previous melody again while pitch shift it two semitones above. All while singing on top of that.


    |G#_A#_C+_C#+ D#+~~| D#+_F+_F#+_G#+ C#++_A#++_F#+_9C#+/4| C#+_D#+_F+_F#+ F+_D#+_F+_C+ D+/2 3A+/2|


    Regret¡­ more often than memories. As I prepare myself in front of the next stage.


    |C+ D#+~~|D#+_F+_F#+_5G#+/4 C#++_A#++_F#++_5F+#/4| F#+_G#+_A#+_2G#+/4 F#+_D#+_F#+_C#+ C#+ |D#+~~~|


    I can''t¡­ get used to calling out to your back as I move forward without your presence.


    People immediately began to murmur, wondering aloud who the song was meant for. Whispers spread like wildfire through the crowd, with some speculating that the lyrics were directed toward Princess Aquarius.


    After all, she had just performed the unforgettable "Forgotten Melody," and the two had been seen together on more than one occasion. To many, it seemed plausible that Jihoon was expressing something personal to the mermaid princess, especially with the song''s themes of longing and separation. Combined with the name being ¡®Release of the Far South Ocean¡¯.


    But the words Jihoon sang didn¡¯t carry the reverence of a suitor courting royalty. In fact, they were too personal, too filled with a different kind of yearning¡ªa longing that went beyond duty or obligation. It wasn¡¯t about distance or titles; it was about something far more profound.


    However, as the magi-tech cameras panned to Aquarius in the audience, her expression told a different story. Though she listened intently, her eyes held no shock or surprise. She knew the truth already. Jihoon¡¯s heart, the soul behind these lyrics, wasn¡¯t singing for her. The deep emotion in his voice was not directed toward the ocean or its princess but someone else¡ªsomeone much closer to his heart, yet just as distant.


    It was for the sky.


    Then to juxtaposition with the intensity of the electric guitar before. The Jin lookalike Doppelganger quickly motioned as Jihoon¡¯s instructed as it draws out the acoustic guitar to play the next section.


    |A#+ G# F# F| F#_G# F#_F D~| C#_D#_F_F# F_C#+_G#_B+ A#+_G#_F#_F A#+|


    On the other side of the ocean, while recovering from my soaked body.


    |D# C# B A#| B_C# B_A# G#~|F#_G# A#_B A#_B C#_D# |C#_D# F# A#+~|


    I''m sure I''ll look up at the same sky as you. As the wind blows and conveys our feelings to each other.


    Far away, hidden from the view of the audience, in the upper balcony a certain Harpy listened intently. Alvorna, the daughter of the Citadel¡¯s Matriarch, had always been able to sense the subtleties of emotions in music, but tonight it hit her harder than she ever expected.


    She recognized the melody Jihoon was playing, but more than that, she recognized the feelings behind it. As his voice rose and fell with the intensity of the song, she could hear the affirmation message woven within the lines themselves.


    I¡¯m here for you¡­ The words echoed in her mind, lingering with a bittersweet clarity. Jihoon wasn¡¯t just performing a song¡ªhe was baring a piece of himself. In the same way she fully exposed her inner feelings for him within the cloud stage as she performed Restia, this too is his returning gesture for her.


    Her feathers ruffled slightly in response to the emotions welling up within her. Alvorna had made her claim, silently and without expectation, but hearing Jihoon sing now, in front of thousands, confirmed what she had felt all along. His heart was singing for her.


    She remained silent, watching from the shadows. She didn¡¯t need to be seen. The song itself was enough. His music had always been his way of communicating feelings that words could never express, and tonight, as the song carried through the mist, it spoke to her more clearly than anything else.


    And as the rest of the Doppelganger ensemble started to pick up and follow the instructions given by Jihoon, the pace of the song then started to hurry as follow.


    |F#_F# F# F#~|F#_F# F# F#~|


    I¡¯m on your side. I¡¯m here for you~


    |D#_F_F_F  F#_G#_A#_B A_G F~|


    Carrying on the feelings that will never reach you


    |F#_F# F# F#~|F#_F# F# F#~|


    I¡¯m on your side. I¡¯m here for you~


    |D#_F_F_F  F#_G#_A#_B A_G F~|F#_F_D~|


    Because I''m waiting for you with the same faith as that day


    |C#_C# F D#~|


    I''m here for you


    |D#_F F#_F D#~| C#_C# F# D#~|


    I''m here for you, forevermore¡­


    Back in the audience, those unfamiliar with the deeper story behind Jihoon¡¯s life could only guess. Some were moved by the powerful combination of his vocals and the unrelenting melody of the electric guitar, while others wondered about the identity of the one who had inspired such heartfelt lyrics.


    Yet, no matter their assumptions, the performance of his captivated them all. It was unlike anything they had ever witnessed so far¡ªa fusion of raw emotion and technical mastery, both in his singing and in the music itself. Theatrical plays or soap operas, this is something entirely different that they have never known that they wanted.


    That was just the first half of the song and yet it seems that he has already fulfilled his performance quota already.


    With swift motion, and his double-digit DEX, his fingers moved with haste as he immediately performed a solo variation with the introduction melody. Keeping the tension of the listeners going, like a rollercoaster in motion. Freestyling on his own personal emotion in the immediate moment as it isn¡¯t something that he has intended on writing down.


    It was pure instinct, a raw expression of what he felt in the moment, and the audience could feel it too. Each note struck their hearts like waves crashing on the shore.


    (// means pause)


    ([X Y] means at the same time)


    ({X} xN means repeat contained X in bracket N times)


    |C_D#_F#_A#+_C+_F+_F#+_G+ // // // |


    |F_G#_F_C# A#+~/2 F#-_D#-_F#-_D#- A#_C#_F#_G# C+_D#+ C+|


    |G#_F_C#_A#- C#~_A#-_[G#-/2 A#-/2]_A#-/2 A#-_G#-~_F#- D#-_C-_A#--|


    |{C_F_G#_F_G#}x4 {C_D#_F_G#_F}x2 | C_D# F~~|D#_C_D#_B+  G#~ F#_D#|


    |F+ F#+~~| F+_C#+_G#_C#+ G#_C#_F#_G# F#/4_C#/4 5A#/2|


    |F# G#~~|C#+ A#~~|F#-_F# D#_C#_D#_F#_G#_F#_G#_B G#_F#_6D#/4|


    A rapid firing arpeggio that is moving in-between the octave, ascending and descending like the raging tides within stormy sea. But once an equilibrium slowly reached, he proceeds with the song¡¯s second-half.


    |G#-_A#-_C_C# D#~~| D#_F_F#_G# C#+_A#+_F#_9C#/4| C#_D#_F_F# F_D#_F_C D/2 3A/2|


    You said¡­ that you¡¯ll rather recollect your shattered dream rather than discarding them away.


    |C D#~~|D#_F_F#_5G#/4 C#+_A#+_F#+_5F#/4| F#_G#_A#_2G#/4 F#_D#_F#_C#+ C# |D#~~~|


    ''So long'' I''m sure you said those words with a bitter smile as I stood behind¡­


    This time, all the other instruments ceased playing as Jin¡¯s acoustic takes the sole spotlight, letting the juxtaposition of the acoustic quench the intensity of the electric guitar for briefly as if a fleeting inner peace within turbulent emotions.


    |A#+ G# F# F| F#_G# F#_F D~| C#_D#_F_F# F_C#+_G#_B+ A#+_G#_F#_F A#+|


    The shining light within the farthest wilderness¡­


    |D# C# B A#| B_C# B_A# G#~|F#_G# A#_B A#_B C#_D# |C#_D# F# A#+~|


    What will be there when you grab the last star shining in the sky with your hands?


    |A#+ G# F# F| F#_G# F#_F D~| C#_D#_F_F# F_C#+_G#_B+ A#+_G#_F#_F A#+|


    When you are overwhelmed by the end of the world and your heart feels like it is about to stop.


    |D# C# B A#| B_C# B_A# G#~|F#_G# A#_B A#_B C#_D# |C#_D# F# A#+~|


    Remember the place of the promise that was close to your heart.


    Alvorna knew exactly what Jihoon is referring to. Something that so closely secretive to them that only they knew. Their promise above the cloud stage where only they are audience to each other¡¯s truest performance.


    Immediately, the rest of the ensemble of himself rejoins the performance again as Jihoon played with all of his efforts and emotions behind.


    |F#_F# F# F#~|F#_F# F# F#~|


    I¡¯m on your side. I¡¯m here for you~


    |D#_F_F_F  F#_G#_A#_B A_G F~|


    Carrying on the feelings that will never reach you


    |F#_F# F# F#~|F#_F# F# F#~|


    I¡¯m on your side. I¡¯m here for you~


    |D#_F_F_F  F#_G#_A#_B A_G F~|F#_F_D~|


    Because I''m waiting for you with the same faith as that day


    |C#_C# F D#~|


    I''m here for you


    |D#_F F#_F D#~| C#_C# F# D#~|


    I''m here for you, forevermore¡­


    I¡¯m here for you¡­


    A variation of the introduction melody seemingly to put closure for the song.


    |D#_F_F#_D# G#_F#_F_F# D#_F_F#_D# G#_F#_F_D#|


    |C#_D#_F_C# F#_F_D#_F C#_D#_F_C# D#_F_F#_G#|


    |F#_G#_A#_F# B_A#_G#_A# F#_G#_A#_F# B_A#_G#_F#|


    |F_F#_G#_F A#_G#_F#_G# F_F#_G#_F F#_G#_A#_B|


    But¡­ Jihoon decided not to end here yet. Because it is about time to enter the encore phase. Only the most confident in their own capabilities are willing to go beyond what¡¯s written. And with how his Doppelgangers doesn¡¯t seem to ever go beyond what he instructed. This is something only he can do.


    Jihoon could have used his Light Magic to link and transmit thoughts to his own Doppelgangers but¡­ playing 4 different instruments at the same time is beyond his reach. Besides, the purpose of an encore is to put his own music skill to the test.


    |A#+ G# F# F| F#_G# F#_F D~| C#_D#_F_F# F_C#+_G#_B+ A#+_G#_F#_F A#+|


    |D# C# B A#| B_C# B_A# G#~|F#_G# A#_B A#_B C#_D# |C#_D# F# A#+~|


    |F#_F# F# F#~|F#_F# F# F#~|


    |D#_F_F_F  F#_G#_A#_B A_G F~|


    |F#_F# F# F#~|F#_F# F# F#~|


    |D#_F_F_F  F#_G#_A#_B A_G F~|F#_F_D~|


    |C#_C# F D#~|


    I''m here for you


    |D#_F F#_F D#~| C#_C# F# D#~|


    Finally, the ending approaches as Jihoon performs his last bridge toward the end.


    |F F# F#~ |G# C#+ C#+~| D#+ D#+ F#+ F#+| G#+~~~|


    And then, as if reaching the peak of a mountain, Jihoon¡¯s final strum echoed through the venue, lingering in the air like a heartbeat. The stadium fell into a stunned silence. No one moved. No one spoke. It was as though time itself had stopped, leaving only the fading hum of Jihoon¡¯s electric guitar in its wake.


    Alvorna could barely contain herself. Her sharp Harpy senses felt every vibration, every note, as if Jihoon¡¯s performance was speaking directly to her heart. She had never seen him like this before, never felt such intensity radiating from him. For the first time in a long while, the words she wanted to say remained stuck in her throat. She could only watch, entranced, as Jihoon poured every ounce of his being into the song.


    The silence hung over the audience like a veil, until finally, as if on cue, the first few claps rang out, hesitant at first, then growing louder and louder until the entire stadium erupted in a deafening ovation.


    People rose from their seats, some with tears in their eyes, others with wide grins of disbelief, but all of them clapping, cheering, acknowledging that they had just witnessed something that transcended the ordinary.


    Jihoon, still breathing heavily, glanced around at the standing ovation, the crowd cheering louder and louder. But as the applause echoed in his ears, his eyes found Alvorna in the distance, a small smile playing at her lips. He knew, in that moment, that she had heard him. She had understood.


    And that was all he needed.

 Chapter 31: The First Trial of Odyssey

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 31: The First Trail of Odyssey


    [60 days left until Alvorna¡¯s Rite of Ascension]


    After the opening ceremony last night, Jihoon was still in a half-asleep trance as even Karim have to drag him toward the boat that will take the contestants to the location of their first trail. Apparently, the performance last night has taken a significant toll out of him that he decided to skip the wedding ceremony of the Merfolk King of Sargasso taking place after his performance.


    If Aquarius haven¡¯t met him and learned the Forgotten Melody from him back during their stranding in heaven¡¯s know-where, she would probably cause ceaseless trouble in her rebellion and deceiving random strangers to fight back her father¡¯s decision. It would be misunderstanding upon more misunderstanding until it become irreconcilable.


    Actually, Karim also handed him another letter from her saying that while she still understandably disdainful of what eventually come, she decided to at least stand strong on her own accord and not acting like a petulant child.


    Many were still buzzing about the wedding of the Merfolk King and the Sea Witch, a union that held significant political importance. Some spoke in hushed tones about the Sea Witch¡¯s mysterious origins, others debated the implications of Aquarius being a central figure at such a pivotal event.


    The letter he held brought his thoughts back to her. Her words echoed in his mind.


    <hr>


    Dear Jihoon,


    I once rebelled against the idea of my father remarrying. I fought him, in my own way, and caused a great deal of pain. But, now I understand. Though the pain of losing my birth mother is ever-present, I have come to realize that life moves on, and so must I. Thank you for showing me a way forward, for teaching me to look past my fears. I won''t act like a child anymore. There is strength in standing tall, even if I¡¯m standing alone for now.


    I wish you well in the Odyssey. I know the path ahead will not be easy, but if anyone can face the trials, it¡¯s you.


    Aquarius


    <hr>


    Around him, the contestants whispered among themselves, their conversation inevitably veering toward the grand wedding that took place last night. Some marveled at the Sea Witch¡¯s powerful presence, while others mocked the Merfolk King¡¯s swift remarriage.


    ¡°Two years and already a new queen? Feels rushed if you ask me,¡± a beastfolk muttered. Another chimed in, ¡°Did you see the guards? I heard some of them were from the Sea Witch¡¯s own entourage. Seems like she¡¯s consolidating power.¡±


    But the Odyssey lay ahead, and the conversations around him soon shifted from wedding politics to speculation about the first trial.


    Contestants from all races whispered theories and shared half-baked strategies. They wondered if the first trial would mirror the legends of old, and Jihoon, silently observing, couldn''t help but recall the myths from his own world¡¯s retellings of the Odyssey. The boat cut through the fog as an organizer appeared before them, their voices booming over the sound of the water.


    A merfolk, one who had enough proficiency with their Water Magic to lift themselves in the air without resorting to transformation. Don¡¯t ask Jihoon how one comes to figure that out. Just like how people of Absence managed to figure out healing magic from all elements even with Fire and Shadow.


    ¡°You will soon arrive at the shore of Cicone. There, your first trial will begin.¡±


    The merfolk organizer, hovering in mid-air thanks to their mastery of Water Magic, continued to address the gathered contestants. Their voice, smooth yet firm, carried easily over the mist-shrouded waves.


    "This will be the site of your first trial in the Odyssey. The rules are simple: it is a long-distance running contest, but along the way, you will face ¡®sentinels¡¯¡ª humanoid constructs stationed throughout the course who will attack you on sight. Your objective is to make it to the designated point and return, as quickly as possible.¡±


    A pair of merfolks made their jump into the boat as they entered bipedal transformation state. Carrying on each of their backs is a large backpack. During their transformed state, they are physically unable to speak at all, as if the creator of this world really takes inspiration from the Little Mermaid and applies it on the entire race.


    Silently, they take out a bracelet and hand it to each of the participants. Jihoon received one and looked at the smooth and stainless metal surface with embroidery design and a cerulean jewel at its center. Using [Observant], he analyzed the item.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Shield Bracelet


    Classification: Accessory


    Rarity: Heroic


    Effect:


    Shield its wielder and take in the damage host would otherwise


    receive to itself. Will break if received too much damage


    either accumulative or at once.


    Description:


    A masterpiece of magitech engineering, this bracelet is forged from enchanted mithril alloy, mined at the depth of Trench of the Lost. Intricate runes of protection are etched along its surface, pulsing with a faint blue light. The central cerulean jewel serves as both a power source and damage indicator, gradually dimming as it absorbs harm. When activated, it projects a shimmering, translucent barrier around the wearer.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    "The Shield Bracelet you''ve been given is your lifeline in this trial. It will protect you from attacks by the sentinel guards, but be warned ¨C its power is not infinite. As you progress through the course and time passes, more sentinels will be deployed, and they will grow stronger. If your Shield Bracelet fails or turns off, you are considered ''dead'' and immediately disqualified from the trial. At that point, the sentinels will cease targeting you, and you will be swiftly evacuated from the premise." The merfolk organizer continued to elaborate on the rules of the first trial.


    Questions immediately erupted from the crowd. The participants, hailing from various races and cultures, were all eager to clarify the rules and strategies they could employ in the trial. A tall, stern-looking elf with emerald eyes was the first to speak up.


    ¡°If the Shield Bracelet is damaged but not fully destroyed, will it recover over time?¡± the man asked, his voice calm yet insistent.


    The organizer shook their head. ¡°The bracelet will not regenerate or heal. Once damaged, it remains compromised. The only way to protect yourself is to avoid further damage until the trial is complete.¡±


    A burly warrior with bull horn, seemingly hail from a distant desert tribe somewhere based on his getup raised his hand next, speaking with a deep, gravelly tone. ¡°What if the sentinels focus all their attacks on one person? Can we split their attention somehow?¡±


    Jihoon listened intently as more hands shot up. A young woman with pale skin and shimmering silver hair and wolf ears, likely from one of the moon-blessed races of northern tundra of Absence, inquired, ¡°Can we use magic or external tools to reinforce our shields? Or is the Shield Bracelet our only defense?¡±


    The organizer gave her a brief nod. ¡°Evacuations happen the moment a bracelet is destroyed, but only for the individual whose bracelet has broken. The trial continues for the others. There will be no reprieve once it starts. You must adapt to the chaos as it unfolds.¡±


    Jihoon could see some of the participants visibly tense up at this clarification, the weight of the trial dawning on them. Some were already strategizing in hushed whispers, while others seemed lost in thought, considering their options.


    Then, just as Jihoon was about to ask his own question, the organizer added one more rule.


    "For those of you who seek greater challenge, know this: you can choose to partake in additional laps. If you complete them without disqualification, your final score in this trial will increase significantly. However, the risk grows with each lap. You may find that what seems like a small advantage turns into your downfall."


    A lizardfolk participant with gleaming scales on his cheeks raised his hand next. ¡°You mentioned that additional laps could increase our final score. Can you clarify the risks associated with this? Will the sentinels reset between laps, or do they retain their strength and numbers?¡±


    The organizer¡¯s gaze narrowed slightly. ¡°The sentinels will not reset. They will continue from where they left off, and their strength will compound. If you choose to push for additional laps, you must face not only new waves but also the remnants of the previous ones. It is a choice for the bold¡ªor the reckless.¡±


    The crowd murmured louder now, and Jihoon could see several participants weighing the cost of this added risk. The promise of a higher score was tempting, but the threat of compounding difficulty was enough to make many reconsiders.


    One participant, a tall and muscular beastfolk, shouted from the back. ¡°What happens if we try to work together to destroy as many sentinels as possible? Is cooperation allowed, or will it hurt our individual scores?¡±


    ¡°Cooperation is allowed,¡± the organizer replied. ¡°However, the final scores will be assessed individually. If you believe working together will benefit your survival, that is your decision to make. Just be aware that only the strongest will stand out.¡±


    ¡°What happens to those who fail? What is the consequence of ¡®death¡¯ in this trial?¡±


    ¡°Those who fail the trial will be disqualified. But in this place, disqualification does not mean actual death. You will simply be removed from the challenge.¡± The organizer¡¯s gaze darkened slightly as they answered, seemingly deliberate to strike fear in the hearts of those around.


    Murmurs spread through the crowd as participants weighed the risk versus reward. Jihoon, though, was lost in thought. His mind raced back to the ancient myths of his world, searching for something familiar. Then, it hit him¡ªthe myth of the Cicones.


    In his world¡¯s Odyssey, Odysseus and his men had landed on the shores of the Cicones after a hard-won victory in Troy. Drunk on the spoils of their recent triumph, they allowed themselves to be overtaken by hubris. Rather than leaving after the initial raid, they lingered, indulging in their success.


    But their complacency would cost them dearly as the reinforcements of the Cicones arrived. Fierce warriors, fresh and prepared with powerful weapons. What began as a triumph quickly turned to tragedy, as Odysseus''s men were caught off-guard, outnumbered, and devastated significantly as they are forced into a shameful retreat.


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    The price of their arrogance was steep, as many of their number were lost in that ambush. And since then, Odysseus has been in deep water both literally and figuratively because of it.


    Jihoon¡¯s gaze lowered to the Shield Bracelet, his thoughts thick with the weight of realization. The first lap of this trial was much like Odysseus¡¯s initial victory¡ªa chance for glory, a test of skill. But the additional laps, the temptation to push further, mirrored the reckless decision to linger in Cicones.


    He glanced around at the others¡ªsome already strategizing for those additional laps, their eyes filled with ambition. He could feel the stirrings of overconfidence in the air, a sense of invincibility that came before a fall. He wondered how many of them saw the danger. How many would succumb to the same hubris that had claimed Odysseus''s soldiers?


    "Know your limits," Jihoon thought grimly.


    That was the lesson of Cicones, the one Odysseus¡¯s men had ignored until it was too late. The first lap might be winnable for most of them. Perhaps even the second. But beyond that lay chaos, danger multiplying at a rate no one could predict or forethought.


    He had seen what came next in the myth. The reinforcements and the collapse of Odysseus¡¯s army. And yet, despite everything, despite the clarity of his thoughts now, he felt that same pull¡ªthe desire to push forward, to test his own limits. Even with the lessons and insights of the Odyssey, saying it didn¡¯t mean fulfilling it. Knowing the path to destruction didn¡¯t make it easier to avoid.


    Because when the time came, could he really resist the temptation at all?


    While his mind still remains the train of thoughts, the hazy mist that surrounds them slowly dispersed as they eventually arrived at this world¡¯s Cicones. A coastal city with much semblance like any other tourism site in his world. A glimmering expanse of stone and steel rising from the shore, though far humbler than the grand metropolis at the center of Absence.


    The buildings here were smaller, less imposing, but there was a rough charm to the place. A sense of history woven into the cobblestones and weathered docks. Despite its less impressive stature, the city was still alive with activity. People were everywhere, gathering in throngs along the streets and lining the edges of the harbor. Jihoon could hear the hum of excited voices, their eager chatter carried on the salty sea breeze.


    Above, flying vehicles hovered, capturing the scene from every angle. They moved with the grace of birds, their sleek metallic frames glinting in the midday sun. The sight of them gave Jihoon an eerie sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu¡ªit was all too familiar.


    The gathering crowd, the spectacle of the moment¡ªit was like an event pulled straight from the Olympic Games of his world before the Gates. The cheers, the anticipation, the countless eyes watching from the skies, waiting to see who would rise and who would fall.


    Jihoon let his eyes wander to the starting line, visible at the edge of the square, marked by a grand stone archway that had clearly stood for centuries. As he approached, he could feel the eyes of the crowd on him, on all the participants. The air buzzed with expectation, the tension of the moment settling deep in his bones.


    This was it, the beginning of this trial. And although the surroundings were unfamiliar, the feeling wasn¡¯t the most foreign as he had seen in on broadcast, just that the anticipation of being in one still feel palpable no matter what.


    He glanced up, catching sight of this world¡¯s equivalent of a helicopter, with a camera operator observing from its side toward the below. Focusing its gaze on him and the others partaking in this trial. Jihoon exhaled slowly, letting the weight of the moment wash over him.


    As he joined the others at the starting line, the cheers of the crowd grew louder, as if forming a roar that seemed to shake the very air around them. Jihoon felt his heart quicken in response, but he kept his face neutral, eyes set forward.


    The story of Odysseus echoed in the back of his mind, a reminder of the thin line between victory and ruin.


    As the last of the participants gathered at the starting line, the merfolk organizer from before ¡®stepped¡¯ forward, their voice booming over the crowd, amplified by unseen magics or technology.


    "Welcome to the first trial!" they began, eyes sweeping across the eager faces before them. "From here, the journey will test your endurance, strategy, and resilience. The path you must take has been prepared, and it begins in the heart of Cicones."


    A large map materialized in the air above them, suspended in a shimmering holographic display for all to see. The city sprawled beneath it, with a clear route marked from the center to the outskirts, winding through narrow streets and past the towering buildings. A glowing line traced the participants'' intended course.


    "The first leg of your journey will be through the city''s core," the organizer continued, pointing toward the glowing route. "A path has been cleared for you to run through without obstruction. Your first checkpoint is Cicones'' checkpoint gate, located at the city''s edge. From there, the trial will truly begins."


    The urban landscape gave way to rugged terrain, hills, valleys, forest. Each seemingly no less hazardous than the forementioned. Off in the hazy distance, the jagged outline of a mountain rose, its peak obscured by hazy clouds. At the top of the mountain, barely visible, was a small but unmistakable flag.


    "Once you pass the checkpoint gate, the sentinels will be deployed," the organizer warned, voice growing darker. "They will hunt you, and they will not relent. But the route beyond is yours to choose. You may stay on the main path, or if you have the skill and courage, you may go off-road. Just know that venturing into the wilderness carries its own risks."


    The map zoomed in on the mountain peak, the ultimate goal of the trial. "Your destination is the flag at the summit of that mountain. Once you reach it, you will be required to return here to the starting line. This will complete one lap of the trial. If you wish, you may then attempt additional laps. But be warned¡ªeach lap grows more dangerous, and the sentinels will become more relentless with each passing hour."


    Jihoon¡¯s eyes narrowed as he examined the map more closely. The distance from the city¡¯s center to the mountain looked immense, far greater than he had anticipated. He quickly did the mental calculations in his head, matching the map¡¯s scale to what he knew of terrain and geography.


    It¡¯s at least the distance of three marathons, he realized, feeling a twinge of unease. For a single lap, no less.


    If this had been his world¡ªwhere the average human was limited to a fraction of the physical capabilities seen here¡ªthe trial would have been impossible. The unawakened, those without the powers or enhancements in his world, would cap out at physical stats around 10. Enduring this trial in his world would be madness except for the Hunters, the kind of feat that would take a full day or more to complete, if it were even survivable.


    Yet this was the norm of Absence. The place where its folks were far more hardy than he could imagine. His usage of [Observant] has shown that even untrained people can reach 2-digits easily, the participants here have at least 3-digits stats. In some fringe cases, even 4-digits with people like the Dwarf Ancestor of the Magni Conglomeration.


    Then, Jihoon found himself exhaling slowly, his unease fading into a strange sense of relief. While the trial would still be a monstrous challenge, it wasn¡¯t beyond him. Not here, not with his abilities.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon


    Level: 49


    EXP: 162/690


    Class: None


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 13


    -END: 14 (+8.4)


    -AGI: 14


    -DEX: 13


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 10.2


    -CHA: 4


    -MAG: 30


    Attribute Points: 19


    +Weapons:


    -Judgement of Light (Decayed) ¨C Halberd


    +Musical Prowess: Early-Expert


    +Active Skill:


    -Doppelganger (Master)


    -Mana Attunement (Intermediate)


    -Light Magic (Intermediate)


    -Judgement of Light ¨C Halberd (Novice)


    +Passive Skill:


    -Deadly Obsession [Inactive] (Innate Trait Skill)


    -Agony Resistance (Advanced)


    +Song Magic:


    -Forgotten Melody (Intermediate)


    -Glint of Cold Steel (Intermediate)


    -Belief (Intermediate)


    -Exceed! (Intermediate)


    -RiET-949 (Intermediate)


    -SPIKA (Intermediate)


    -Alvorna (Expert)


    -Restia. (Expert)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Agony Resistance


    Classification: Mentality (Passive)


    Rank: Advanced


    Effect:


    +60% to END


    +Considerably reduce the effect of pain and agony on mental capacity.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    The goddamn beating that he received from his own Doppelganger, it really doesn¡¯t pull its own punches as it proceed to demolish his body apart to no end during the day before the ceremony. Straight from Novice to Advanced with just how much pain he was in that he could not quantify it at all. If it weren¡¯t for other participants providing him with their supportive magic, he would have kicked the figurative bucket in the attempt of fighting his own perfected combat self.


    But the most important part here, is his Song Magic. With their effects to boost his physical stats by his own MAG. He could stand at equal measure with the other participants.


    Still, Jihoon didn¡¯t let his guard down. He knew better than to underestimate a trial like this, especially with the added threat of the sentinels. The fact that participants were given the freedom to choose their own routes meant that some would push the boundaries, attempting dangerous shortcuts or unorthodox paths. Some would succeed and others¡­ would not.


    The organizer¡¯s voice echoed through the square, signaling the final instructions. ¡°Remember: you must reach the flag and return. Speed is your ally, but so is survival. Choose your path wisely, and let the trial begin!¡±


    The roar of the crowd swelled again as the participants prepared themselves. Jihoon glanced toward the distant mountain, eyes narrowing in focus. The path ahead was long, and the dangers many. But this was only the beginning.


    Without a word of warning, a System notification panel popped up again. This time gives him another quest. The little goddess behind it has been quiet for a surprising amount of time. He didn¡¯t even remember the last time he received a quest, was it back when he was at the dwarven conglomerate mall or something?


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    The Great Escape


    Difficulty: C+


    Description:


    A trial of endurance and strategy. You are to complete


    a single lap of the trial course through the city of Cicones and beyond.


    The route will grow increasingly treacherous as sentinels are deployed


    to hunt down participants.


    Survival is key, but speed is also rewarded.


    Take caution, but know when to push your limits. Time is of the essence.


    Objective:


    -Complete the race with at least 1 lap.


    Reward:


    -5,000 EXP


    -Depends on your performance


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Jihoon grimaced at the difficulty rating¡ªC+ was no joke for the current him right now. Even for someone with his abilities, it would be a grueling challenge. After all, it was a race against time and survival, with hunters on their heels. The reward wasn¡¯t bad, either. 5,000 EXP would push him further along, and if he performed well, there were even greater rewards to be had.


    Just as he was about to contemplate the best strategy, the sharp crack of a starting signal rang out, cutting through his thoughts. The race had begun.


    In an instant, the air erupted with movement. Participants surged forward, a blur of colors and forms as they raced from the starting line. Jihoon¡¯s eyes widened as he was jostled, nearly knocked off his feet by the sheer force of the rush.


    From all sides, beings of various races charged ahead¡ªdwarves, with their stocky builds and surprising speed, barreled past him like armored tanks. Elves, their movements graceful and swift, slipped through the crowd like wind. Beastfolk, with their powerful strides, leaped forward with primal energy. Even the more exotic youkai of Eastern Absence with their otherworldly auras and swift motion sprinted ahead with ease.


    Jihoon found himself struggling to avoid being trampled. A massive beastfolk, muscles rippling and bodily hair visible, nearly crashed into him as it leaped past. He barely sidestepped out of the way, his heart pounding. Elbows, arms, and feet blurred in his peripheral vision as everyone seemed hellbent on getting ahead.


    The tide of bodies forced him to stumble back, almost sending him to the ground. He gasped, catching himself just before he hit the dirt, only to realize that the entire group had already pulled far ahead. When he finally regained his bearings, Jihoon looked up in disbelief.


    He was dead last.


    For a split second, frustration flared within him. The entire pack had surged ahead, and he had been left standing at the starting line. But Jihoon shook off the panic quickly. This wasn¡¯t the time to wallow in self-pity.


    With the mental gesture toward the System, he used one of his Song Magic, his own character theme.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Exceed!


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 30):


    -+[10*MAG]% (Currently: 300%) to all Physical Attributes of self.


    ''A music piece composed of unyielding defiance. Even if one¡¯s circumstances have fallen into misfortune and ill-fate, hope only remains if one lives with determination. To surpass the previous self of yesterday, one must overcome challenges of today and tomorrow with confidence in self.¡¯


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Gritting his teeth, he activated his Song Magic. The familiar hum of Exceed! resonated within him, flooding his body with a surge of amplified energy. His legs felt lighter, his muscles stronger. With the boost coursing through him, he launched himself forward, the ground blurring beneath him as he began to close the distance.


    The city streets stretched out before him, and Jihoon pushed harder, his breath steady, his mind focused. The others were still ahead, but he could feel his momentum building. He wasn¡¯t out of the race yet.


    Without wasting another moment, Jihoon launched himself forward, feet pounding the ground as he sprinted after the others. The distance between him and the rest of the pack was wide, but not insurmountable. He could make up the ground.


    The race had only just begun.

 Chapter 32: Exceeding. Again.

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 32: Exceeding. Again.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Exceed!


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 30):


    -+[10*MAG]% (Currently: 300%) to all Physical Attributes of self.


    ''A music piece composed of unyielding defiance. Even if one¡¯s circumstances have fallen into misfortune and ill-fate, hope only remains if one lives with determination. To surpass the previous self of yesterday, one must overcome challenges of today and tomorrow with confidence in self.¡¯


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 13 (+39)


    -END: 14 (+50.4)


    -AGI: 14 (+42)


    -DEX: 13 (+39)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Running as quickly as his enhanced stats provided by ¡®Exceed¡¯, Jihoon attempted to bridge the gap between him and other contestants that have left him eating dust. However, because a lot of these contestants have 3-digit stats in their specific racial advantage such as AGI and DEX, it soon become clear that such meager boost isn¡¯t enough as even their images disappear in the distance.


    Jihoon isn¡¯t a slowpoke by any means. That¡¯s what the audience¡¯s perception is telling him as they seemingly cheer on for the underdog like him. However, his Song Magic is clearly more capable of having wider effect than what it is, using Linked Song Magic to stack their effects together which he devised through adaptive transitioning which is used often in video games. Yet¡­ there is one fatal flaw with it.


    It doesn¡¯t work for extended amount of time. By using Linked Song Magic, each Song can only last for a determined amount of time equal to its original duration without looping. Despite the stacked effects of each Song Magic together being far more explosive that one of his combinations allowed him to reach 5-digit physical stats even if for a temporary moment.


    Now, it is just stupid to talk about it with all the crazy feats he has performed with it such as deflecting Alvora¡¯s Expert Wind Magic ¡®Heavenly Tribulation¡¯ using just the physical stat boost up to 5-digit. Or deflecting the final shot of Der Freischutz although that is likely attribute more toward the Judgement of Light than actual Linked Song Magic.


    But the key point of discussion here¡­ is that all said feats above were attribute to a singular action. While Linked Song Magic has absurd level of enhancement that is just outright cheating, the level of unspoken precision and focus required to maintain said effects scale exponentially with the more Song Magics he tried to link together. That¡¯s why 3-link Linked Song Magic is his established hard limit.


    Although the transition simply moved onto the other Song while its effect is then kept and stacked with the next. Keeping the whole thing focused while being chased by sentinels, competing with others in a high-stake race is clearly way too much for someone like him.


    That¡¯s why Jihoon couldn¡¯t keep using Linked Song Magic despite its clear abuse potential.


    But still¡­ that¡¯s why he himself isn¡¯t alone isn¡¯t the ordeal. Because there¡¯s still a certain someone that he has come to request for help.


    Somewhere near the trial¡¯s race route, a certain dwarf with rose-gold twintail hair. Dressed sharply for the occasion as she waited alongside the parked helicopter that she requested and provided for her.


    Rosa Magni. The certain dwarf princess/CEO of the Magni Conglomeration and one of the people in which Jihoon has helped in his quest using his ability as a music composer. In her case is to help with her father to relinquish his nostalgic prison. During his stay in Sargasso, Jihoon made a request that she would come to assist him during the trials of Odyssey.


    Normally, this would be considered cheating but because what he intended to use isn¡¯t anything material and already belongs to him, they barely skirt the trial¡¯s organizer scrutiny and use the excuse that they are here just to record the race.


    ¡°Now¡­ where on Absence is his so-called helpers?¡± Rosa said with as she grunts with a scowl on her face.


    She crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of Jihoon¡¯s so-called "helpers." The helicopter she had arranged, complete with a certified pilot, sat waiting behind her, its rotor blades still. The sharp clang of her business attire held tightly to her absurdly voluptuous figure that isn¡¯t fitting her small height reflected her mood, that is impatient. But also, if she were to admit it, a bit curious. And perhaps something more.


    "When he made this request, I figured it would be something ridiculous, but really... asking me to arrange a helicopter just to help him win a race? Of course, he didn¡¯t even bother to explain why," she thought, gritting her teeth slightly. He¡¯d only asked for something nearby for his ''recruited'' helpers to use. But here she was, having gone well beyond the bare minimum.


    Sure, she could have just ordered one of her subordinates to take care of this. That¡¯s what a good CEO does, delegate. But something about Jihoon¡¯s request stirred something stubborn in her, something she refused to acknowledge directly.


    ¡°He¡¯s a complete fool,¡± she muttered to herself, her cheeks tinged slightly red beneath the sharp contours of her usual expression. ¡°I went through all the trouble of coming here myself, and what does he do? Just asks for the bare minimum, a stupid helicopter. I even hired a top-tier pilot, just in case! Like this is some amateur production¡­¡±


    Not to mention, she had cleared her own schedule to personally oversee this entire arrangement. Rosa was a CEO, after all. Her time was valuable, yet here she was, standing around for his plan.


    She scowled, remembering how casually Jihoon had made the request back in Sargasso, barely acknowledging the effort it would take. He hadn''t asked for her presence, but¡­ well, Rosa wasn''t about to leave this task to just anyone.


    ¡°Besides, someone needs to keep an eye on that reckless fool¡±, she reasoned to herself. Having already muttered the same thing out loud.


    Deep down, she knew she didn¡¯t have to be here in person. After all, she had already done more than enough when he helped with her father¡¯s nostalgic prison, freeing him from his creative rut. That should have been the end of their professional relationship, but no¡ªshe had to show up again, always right there when Jihoon needed something.


    Always going above and beyond. Always making sure things were done right. It wasn¡¯t like she wanted to help him specifically... no, not at all. Definitely not.


    But even as she stood there, tapping her foot and scowling, there was a warmth in her chest she couldn''t quite push away.


    ¡°Where on earth are his so-called helpers?¡± she grunted, doing her best to mask the twinge of concern she felt as more time passed. She hated that she cared.


    Suddenly, the faint hum of footsteps caught her attention. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw them¡ªJihoon''s Doppelgangers, still dressed in their ceremonial outfits from the last event, approaching in eerie unison. Each of them was carrying a musical instrument, their faces blank, eyes focused forward as they marched directly toward the helicopter.


    They didn¡¯t acknowledge her. Not a single word, not a glance, not even a nod of recognition. They simply moved past, as if she wasn¡¯t even there.


    ¡°Seriously? You¡¯re not even going to say anything?¡± Rosa huffed, half expecting them to at least explain what was going on. But no, Jihoon had apparently sent them with one goal in mind, and that was to execute his plan flawlessly.


    A sigh escaped her lips, though she quickly disguised it with a grunt. "He really does think of everything, doesn''t he? Idiot." Despite her irritation, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of admiration for his cleverness. But she¡¯d never admit that out loud. Not ever.


    ¡°Just don¡¯t go getting yourself killed, you stubborn fool,¡± she muttered under her breath, watching as the helicopter slowly lifted into the air, carrying the silent Doppelgangers and their instruments, ready to support Jihoon¡¯s race from above.


    With her hands on her hips, Rosa looked away, still scowling.


    "Not that I care or anything..."


    Back to Jihoon, as the numerous broadcasts of different perspectives show for the spectators. From the rooftop camera crews to bird¡¯s eye view. The ranking between each participant has been changing place rapidly. Despite being just the first trial of the Odyssey, a lot hinged on the atmosphere alone.


    Yet despite all of that, there¡¯s one constant that remains. Jihoon being in last place as he desperately tries to catch up.


    Above the noise of the crowds, the live broadcast commentary continued to fuel the excitement.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, here we are at the opening stage of the Odyssey. It¡¯s an intense battle for the top spot here as far as we can tell. Leading the charge here are our top 3 participants. The current first place holder is Fenrir Snowbreak, a beastfolk girl with wolf ears and white hair like snow is rushing down the path at great speed. No surprise right there as she hailed from the Solros Winter Wonderland of northern Absence.¡±


    ¡°Just behind her, in a close second, is Legolas Virentleaf, the elven prodigy of Alberenth Faewild, western Absence. This guy has been absolutely flawless with his strategic maneuvering, using their trained agility and dexterity to keep pace with that born natural talent!¡±


    The commentator¡¯s voice boomed with enthusiasm, charting the progress of the top contenders.


    ¡°We can¡¯t forget Zorn the Ironclad, the dwarf warrior! Despite his bulk and armor, he¡¯s been holding steady in third place, relying on his enhanced endurance and brute strength to plow through obstacles that others have to avoid! Truly a testament to the diversity of skills in this competition.¡±


    His co-worker chimed in, her tone more casual but equally as invested, ¡°Yeah, Fenrir''s been holding the top spot pretty consistently. It¡¯s going to take a lot to knock her off at this point. Legolas is closing in, but Fenrir¡¯s just too fast right now. And Zorn, well, it¡¯s only a matter of time before his stamina and persistence gives him an edge. We could be looking at a major shift in ranking soon as we head into the rougher parts of the trial once we leave the city¡¯s premise.¡±


    The pair continued to discuss the top performers, their names flashing across the leaderboard for all to see. The excitement surrounding the front-runners was electric, but then something caught the co-worker''s eye, her voice wavering for a moment as she glanced at the other end of the rankings.


    "Wait a second, is that¡­?¡± Her eyes squinted as she focused on the last-ranked participant. "Is that Jihoon? The Maestro Jihoon? The guy who stole the show during the opening ceremony?"


    Her partner blinked, startled by the sudden shift in tone. "Jihoon? You mean the Jihoon who played that so called ¡®electric guitar¡¯ piece? What¡¯s he doing here?"


    ¡°I¡¯m just as surprised as you are," she replied, zooming in on the feed that displayed Jihoon, visibly straining to keep pace with the other racers. Having only 2-digit stats right now doesn¡¯t serve him well at the moment.


    "Why would someone like him, who made such a huge impact with his performance, be stuck in last place in the Odyssey? And why is he even participating? He¡¯s not exactly known for, you know, racing.¡±


    ¡°Well, I mean, I heard he does have some combat experience, but yeah, I don¡¯t think anyone expected him in a competition like this. And being in last place? That¡¯s¡­ well, kind of expected if you think about it a bit more.¡± The male commentator chuckled awkwardly, scratching his head.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°Maybe he¡¯s got some kind of crazy plan up his sleeve. It wouldn¡¯t be the first time a dark horse like him turned things around.¡± The other commentator made her remark of Jihoon¡¯s situation. After all, participants with uncommon power isn¡¯t a one-and-only thing that has occurred in the history of the Odyssey.


    The camera zoomed in on Jihoon, his expression a mixture of determination and frustration as he struggled to catch up to the rest of the participants.


    ¡°Well, if there¡¯s anyone who can pull off the impossible, it¡¯s definitely him. But right now, it looks like Jihoon¡¯s having a hard time just keeping pace. Last place or not, I have a feeling this guy isn¡¯t going down without a fight.¡±


    ¡°I guess we¡¯ll just have to wait and see what the Maestro has in store for us,¡± one of his co-workers added, watching as Jihoon continued to push forward, a glint of something unspoken in his eyes.


    As the race goes on, Jihoon felt like he was completely left behind as he goes on running with all determination. He wonders just when his ¡®reinforcement¡¯ was supposed to come. Just as he starts to ponder, the sound of a helicopter coming nearby above him signals the familiar face¡¯s arrival.


    ¡°So the dwarven princess has fulfilled the request¡±. Jihoon thought as he couldn¡¯t help but feel like his prayer was answered. Even if he isn¡¯t particularly religious.


    Using his Light Magic, Jihoon established a mental link of Light, unseen by others because of just how faint it was. This Initiate-class Light Magic has no name, perhaps there will not be one at all. It is used to transmit thoughts between the two connected recipients and the Doppelgangers boarding above said flying aircraft will do whatever he commands them to do.


    ¡®Perform Linked Song Magic, Exceed! into Belief¡¯. Jihoon thought as he transmitted his mental command into his connected Doppelganger.


    The Doppelgangers aboard nodded at one another without additional words spoken as if they too shared an invisible link between. Then, with a few impromptu maneuvers, the Doppelgangers on their musical instruments made their transition.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Belief


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 30):


    -+[8.5*MAG]% (Currently: 255%) to all Physical Attributes to self and one ally within Song Magic¡¯s range.


    Effect becomes +2*[8.5*MAG]% (Currently: 510%) to all Physical Attributes if caster is performing this song directly.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Exceed! -> Belief


    Classification: Linked Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Linked Effect:


    -+[18.5*MAG]% (Currently: 555%) to all Physical Attributes to all allies within Song Magic¡¯s range.


    Effect becomes +2*[18.5*MAG]% (Currently: 1,110%)  to all Physical Attributes if caster is performing this song directly.


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 13 (+144)


    -END: 14 (+206)


    -AGI: 14 (+155)


    -DEX: 13 (+144)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    With his stats breaching through the 3-digit threshold, Jihoon quickly accelerates with all he has. With speed gathering, his cycle motion hastens. The running cycle at first perceivable suddenly all become a blur like a train piston in motion. His forceful stride, stomping into the asphalt below him as if crushing the earth beneath.


    The differences in stats seem so vast before, now suddenly in his reach as Jihoon quickly accelerates toward the crowd.


    Posture leaning forward, thrusting ahead. In before his steps was deliberate and consistent, legs motion now in frenzied, mechanical rhythm until they all blurred into afterimages. The constant motion that seemingly pushed him beyond the boundary of ordinary movement. Arms fully extended to the back. Facial features contorted dramatically as teeth bared and eyes clenched in frenetic rage.


    Moving at speed at least 16 times faster than human limit. Jihoon started to overtake the participants that have left him in the dust before.


    One by one, Jihoon began overtaking the participants who had left him in the dust earlier. They, once specks on the horizon, now found themselves being surpassed by the same man they¡¯d thought of as an afterthought. As the commentators tracked his rapid ascent, disbelief quickly filled their voices.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen... you¡¯re not going to believe this!¡± the main commentator stammered, his voice climbing in pitch as the screens showed Jihoon¡¯s rapid ascent. ¡°Jihoon¡ªMaestro Jihoon¡ªhas suddenly skyrocketed through the rankings! He was dead last just moments ago, and now¡­ now he''s overtaking participants at an unbelievable rate!¡±


    His co-commentator, equally stunned, fumbled for words. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t believe it! Just moments ago, he was in last place, struggling to keep up, but now he¡¯s¡­ overtaking one participant after another like they¡¯re standing still! What in the world is happening?!¡±


    The feed cut to a live shot of Jihoon, his blurred form cutting through the pack with unstoppable momentum. Participants that had once been miles ahead were suddenly left behind in a matter of seconds. From the crowd of spectators watching the broadcast, gasps of shock and awe erupted as Jihoon¡¯s name climbed the rankings rapidly.


    ¡°He¡¯s in the top 100 now! No¡ªwait¡ªtop 80!¡± The commentator¡¯s voice trembled as Jihoon¡¯s rapid ascension continued. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anything like this in all my years covering the Odyssey. It¡¯s absolutely insane!¡±


    The audience all over roared as Jihoon overtook more and more racers, their disbelief turning into awe. The magical screens across the city of Cicones flashed as Jihoon¡¯s rank shot into the top 50, just as they approached the outskirts of the city and neared Cicones¡¯ checkpoint.


    The lead commentator, his voice filled with awe, responded, "This has to be one of the most incredible comebacks in Odyssey history! For someone who was dead last to now be in the top 50? It defies logic! Jihoon is making a statement¡ªhe''s not just here to compete, he¡¯s here to win!"


    As Jihoon continued to surge forward, the camera followed him, capturing the faces of the other participants as they were left in his wake¡ªastonished, confused, and struggling to understand how this man, who had been in last place, was now outpacing them with such force and precision.


    The crowd roared in excitement, fully aware that they were witnessing something legendary unfold before their eyes.


    Back on the helicopter, Rosa watched the entire spectacle unfold from the mounted screens inside. Her usual sharp demeanor was replaced with a mix of bewilderment and growing disbelief.


    She had known Jihoon¡¯s magic was tied to his songs, and she¡¯d seen his capabilities in the past¡ªbut this? This was something else entirely. His Linked Song Magic had pushed him far beyond the limits of what she had expected.


    ¡°What¡­ what in the world is happening down there?¡± she muttered, her voice low as she tried to wrap her mind around what she was witnessing. Even with all the resources of the Magni Conglomeration, Rosa found herself at a loss for answers. She prided herself on being able to understand complex machinery and logistics as part of being a dwarf, but this? This was chaos woven into something beautiful, and it baffled her.


    She glanced toward the Doppelgangers, their expressions blank and focused as they played their instruments, following Jihoon¡¯s mental command with eerie precision. They showed no sign of strain, no sign of hesitation, as if this performance was second nature to them. The helicopter hovered above the race, keeping a close pace with Jihoon, who had become a blur of motion on the ground below as he surged toward the checkpoint.


    The Doppelgangers continued their performance, their movements eerily synchronized, as if they were the conductors of some unseen symphony.


    Rosa¡¯s eyes darted between the Doppelgangers and the screens, her mind racing to make sense of it. She had seen them in action before, during the opening ceremony, but what they were doing now as they are powering Jihoon¡¯s incredible comeback from the skies. It felt like something out of a legend.


    ¡°How¡­?¡± she whispered, staring at the scene before her. ¡°How does he do this? Just what kind of magic is this?¡±


    Despite her confusion, one thing became clear: Jihoon¡¯s true strength wasn¡¯t just his music. It was the way he seamlessly merged that music with magic, creating something unpredictable, something nearly unstoppable. And as she watched him blaze through the ranks, surpassing hundreds of participants, Rosa couldn¡¯t help but feel a strange sense of pride mixed with exasperation.


    She crossed her arms, frowning slightly, though her voice betrayed a trace of admiration.


    ¡°That idiot¡­ always pulling off something ridiculous when you least expect it.¡±


    Still, there was an uneasiness in her heart. Jihoon was tapping into something she didn¡¯t fully understand¡ªsomething even beyond his musical prowess. The power that surged through him now felt like a force that could easily spiral out of control. Yet, there he was, racing ahead with unwavering determination.


    Rosa leaned back, her thoughts swirling as the helicopter trailed behind Jihoon. The Doppelgangers continued their relentless performance, every note pushing him faster, stronger, and farther ahead. She couldn¡¯t help but shake her head, still baffled but quietly impressed.


    ¡°Whatever you¡¯re doing, Jihoon... just don¡¯t overdo it. I don¡¯t have a clue what your plan is, but you better come out of this in one piece.¡±


    And with that, she sat back, eyes glued to the screen as the race pressed on.


    Somewhere in the entertainment district of Cicones, people gathered in great number in front of the magical holographic screen floating in the air, displaying the race for all to see.


    The vibrant atmosphere of the festival was palpable, with music, laughter, and excitement filling the air as people partied under the open skies, sharing in the spectacle of the Odyssey.


    In the middle of it all, is Karim. His sponsor when Jihoon first steps into this new world. Someone who is solemnly watching Jihoon performing his best. His appearance and expression seemingly if isolated from the general atmosphere.


    The broadcast continued to track the race as the participants transitioned from the smooth, urban asphalt roads of Cicones to the rougher, more treacherous dirt trails that lay beyond the city¡¯s outskirts. This next leg of the race signaled the beginning of the true test away from the concrete. The place where nature and magic coiled together, and where the Odyssey¡¯s sentinels awaited their prey.


    The top participants, still blazing ahead, showed no signs of slowing. Fenrir, with her wolf-like agility, easily vaulted over obstacles that emerged from the uneven terrain. Legolas, with the elegance and precision of an elf, deftly maneuvered past any challenge, his every step deliberates and flawless. Zorn, the Ironclad, bulldozed his way through, using sheer force to plow through obstacles that would have stopped others in their tracks.


    Then the real test began as the first sentinels appeared, magical constructs tasked with impeding the racers, designed to hunt and disrupt their progress. Clad in ethereal armor, constructed into form of ancient warriors of Absence¡¯s past, the sentinels launched toward the participants, their movements swift and deadly.


    The crowd roared as the top contenders used their momentum to sidestep, dodge, and overwhelm these obstacles. Fenrir shot past the sentinels with her speed alone, Legolas neutralized them with precise arrows, and Zorn knocked them aside with his sheer brute strength.


    Karim¡¯s eyes narrowed, watching as Jihoon continued to rise through the ranks slowly, as he quickly approaching the checkpoint. His posture remained unchanged, though inside he knew the real trial had only just begun.


    Just then, a man approached Karim, his face alight with curiosity.


    ¡°Excuse me,¡± he began, his voice raised slightly to be heard above the noise of the festivities. ¡°Are you watching the race? I couldn¡¯t help but notice¡­ you¡¯re not surprised at all by what¡¯s happening with Maestro Jihoon, are you? The way he¡¯s shot up the ranks¡­ it¡¯s almost miraculous! Everyone¡¯s talking about it right now.¡±


    Karim glanced at the man, his expression calm, almost unreadable, before turning his gaze back to the screen. He considered the question for a moment, then answered in a measured tone,


    ¡°Of course it is. But it¡¯s not a miracle¡ªit¡¯s an obvious thing that should happen knowing him.¡±


    The man blinked in surprise. ¡°You mean¡­ you expected this?¡±


    Karim¡¯s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. He doesn¡¯t intent to answer that question but within his eyes, there are something that flicker briefly. Pride, perhaps.


    The man looked back at the screen, where Jihoon¡¯s progress continued at breakneck speed, still overtaking participants as the competition pressed deeper into the trial. ¡°I guess that explains it then,¡± the man said, shaking his head with a laugh. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anything like it ever.¡±


    ¡°Most people haven¡¯t,¡± Karim responded, his tone cryptic but confident. "But he always had a way of doing the impossible when the stakes are highest. Differences in physicality may be describe in numbers but his determination is something in him that goes beyond mere quantification"


    As the two stood in the heart of the bustling entertainment district, surrounded by the noise and excitement of the festival, Karim remained still, his focus entirely on Jihoon¡¯s journey.


    Back to Jihoon within the dirt trail, his ranking remains fluctuate somewhere in the top 50 placement. The competition now intensifying as the sentinels deployed across the dirt trail. These magical constructs, clad in ethereal armor and formed in the image of ancient Absence warriors, were tasked with impeding the racers, their swift and deadly movements designed to slow down even the most skilled participants.


    For Jihoon, the change was immediate. As the sentinels launched toward him and he knew that has officially entered the next, more brutal phase of the trial. What had first seemed like a simple test of speed had evolved into something far more dangerous. The obstacles that had once appeared manageable now felt like traps set to test not only his endurance but his resolve.


    He hadn¡¯t considered how the sentinels would affect his already strenuous pace even with Linked Song Magic in effect, and now he was forced to navigate a deadly gauntlet while maintaining his momentum.


    As the sentinels are deployed and interfering in his path, Jihoon draws out his decayed halberd as Light imbued its rusted edge. It glowed faintly, like the first rays of dawn breaking through the night, illuminating the path before him.


    Judgment of Light ¨C Breaking Dawn


    A swift horizontal swing as if the daybreak unleashed bisected the sentinels in his path cleanly. The force of the strike sent a ripple through the air, scattering the constructs like dust in the wind. All as Jihoon rode the momentum forward, his eyes focused on the path ahead, but his mind still processing the challenge that lay before him.


    ¡°This ain¡¯t a race any longer. It¡¯s a goddamn gauntlet.¡± Jihoon muttered beneath his breath as he keeps his stride forward. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter how fast you try to move if you can¡¯t even approach the finish line.¡±


    It doesn¡¯t just test your speed. It forces the participants to strategize in real-time. A level of tactical acumen that isn¡¯t achieved by being merely an armchair strategist.


    From the distance, Jihoon began to hear cries¡ªa mix of frustration and pain. Several participants were already struggling, their progress hindered as they were cornered or slowed by the relentless assault of the sentinels. The sounds of clashing weapons and desperate shouts echoed around him.


    Some racers were already falling behind, their overconfidence turning to panic as they failed to anticipate the ferocity of the trial. Jihoon clenched his teeth, pushing through the exhaustion gnawing at him. He knew that this was only the beginning.


    For some, the challenge was already proving too much, and the race had barely reached its midpoint.


    But despite the rising difficulty, Jihoon¡¯s resolve hardened. The sentinels might slow him down, but they wouldn¡¯t stop him. Not when he had come this far.


    And so, Jihoon marched forward with all he has.

 Chapter 33: Smashing Through Mountain Path

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 33: Smashing Through Mountain Path


    The race having reached its midpoint, and the true challenge has just only begun. 15 minutes into the second stage of trial, however, over 50 participants have been disqualified from the race already due to various reasons involving the sentinels deployed.


    Jihoon being soon approaching the ending part of the second song in Linked Song Magic, thus he mentally command his Doppelgangers that are playing on the helicopter which is following him.


    ¡°Transition to SPIKA, now!¡± Jihoon commanded as the Doppelgangers heed his command without


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    SPIKA


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 30):


    -+100% to MAG


    (This effect can only be stacked once and is overlapped by stronger similar effect.)


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -MAG: 30 (+30)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Exceed! -> Belief -> SPIKA


    Classification: Linked Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Linked Effect:


    +100% to MAG


    Effect becomes +200% to MAG if caster is performing this song directly.


    (MAG 90)


    +[18.5*MAG]% (Currently: 1,650%) to all Physical Attributes to all allies within Song Magic¡¯s range.


    Effect becomes +2*[18.5*MAG]% (Currently: 3,300%)  to all Physical Attributes if caster is performing this song directly.


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 13 (+429)


    -END: 14 (+470)


    -AGI: 14 (+462)


    -DEX: 13 (+429)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    He had a more explosive combination of Linked Song Magic but that one is only for singular moment. This would stay consistent at least to the final duration of SPIKA, 5 minutes and a half. Mid-boundary of 3-digit Physical stats, Jihoon is certain that this alone is faster than everyone else who is participating in this trial. Seeing how the top-ranking positions hasn¡¯t yet completely ditched him behind.


    And so, with focus once the transition activated, he accelerated ahead. Forgetting the devil in the details.


    Moving at speed 46 times the human limit, being 10 meter/s. Doing the simple multiplication, Jihoon will break the sound barrier. When he surpassed that boundary for the first time during training, there was only himself and Alvorna observing because they were in middle of nowhere. But here, he was being observed by everyone watching the broadcast. Thousands if not millions of people are watching the race unfold in real time.


    This was no minor feat. In Absence, only Expert-class magic users above, those who had reached mastery of an element, were known to achieve this level of speed through manipulation of their own element in methodical ways suited solely for them.


    Yet, Jihoon who only registered his best magic proficiency at Intermediate-class Light Magic. No one remotely aware of the nature of his Song Magic as people used the melody to compliment their elements rather than making it a separate form of magic of its own.


    Not to say that they couldn¡¯t possibly known but because the element they wield is no different than their life since it came with them since birth. In their view, their own elemental magic is their best to develop and everything else in supplementary toward it.


    And as he accelerated, the atmosphere ahead of him started to press against him, forming a barrier to halt his advance but it wasn¡¯t enough. Then in an instant, a deafening boom smashed through the air. The shockwave rippled outward, tearing through the dirt trail¡¯s terrain with overwhelming force.


    Dust and debris, thrown into the air as his great trampling motion blurred into afterimages as the very earth seemed to quake in response. Trees bent and cracked under the sheer pressure, and even the sentinels, those manmade constructs made in image of warriors of Absence¡¯s past, were caught off guard as their magical forms thrown amidst the powerful shockwave


    The crowd watching the broadcast went utterly silent for a moment. Across Cicones, in homes, taverns, and the bustling entertainment district, jaws dropped as people watched the impossible unfold. No one could comprehend what they were seeing. How could a participant at Jihoon¡¯s level achieve something only those of Expert-class proficiency and above were capable of?


    Back in the entertainment district, Karim remained still, his eyes fixed on the screen as Jihoon tore through the ranks. The man next to him looked on in disbelief. ¡°Did he just¡­ break the sound barrier?¡±


    Karim¡¯s expression remained calm, somewhat coming to the same conclusion that Jihoon did something with his unique talent back during their preparation training. Seeing that a trace of Expert-class Magic spell used and dispelled by force.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he replied simply. ¡°He did.¡±


    People across Absence, regardless of race or proficiency, struggled to understand what had just happened. The principles of magic had always dictated that such feats required an understanding far beyond Jihoon¡¯s supposed capabilities.


    The magic scholars who observed the race through the broadcast from their gilded halls frowned, shaking their heads as they scribbled notes frantically, trying to understand the principles behind what they had just witnessed. Some postulated about unknown magic, others speculated that Jihoon was tapping into forces beyond their comprehension.


    But all agreed on one thing¡ªwhat Jihoon had just done should not have been possible on his level of registered proficiency.


    The commentators, recovering from their shock, tried to put words to the event. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, we¡­ we¡¯ve just witnessed something incredible. Jihoon Hyunwoon has broken the sound barrier! This¡ªthis isn¡¯t something we normally see outside of Expert-class magic users, how did he do this!?¡±


    Their disbelief mirrored the astonishment spreading across the spectators.


    As Jihoon¡¯s speed continued to increase, so did his rank. With every step, he left more and more participants behind, moving through them like a blur, his momentum unstoppable. The leaderboard flickered again as Jihoon¡¯s rank surged, climbing higher and higher with each passing second.


    From 50th to 30th, to 20th¡ªand still climbing.


    Every step seemed to tear apart the ground beneath him, creating mini-craters with every powerful stride. The wind itself screamed in protest as Jihoon left shockwaves in his wake, his speed tearing through the trail as if it were a mere obstacle to be shattered.


    Back on the helicopter, Rosa watched the display in utter disbelief. The sound barrier? That was¡­ beyond what she could have ever imagined. Her sharp intellect, honed through years of running the Magni Conglomeration, tried and failed to rationalize what she was seeing.


    ¡°What... is he doing? What kind of magic is that?¡± she muttered, shaking her head in complete astonishment.


    From the sidelines, veteran racers and participants stared in awe as Jihoon blazed past them, his speed creating a whirlwind of dust and debris. Some of them had trained their whole lives for the Odyssey, honing their physical and magical attributes, and yet this man, who was just only a name in the opening ceremony, was outpacing them with ease.


    At the very top ranking, Fenrir, Legolas and Zorn whose placement have been changing between one another suddenly felt the ripple of broken sound barrier. And that Jihoon was approaching close behind.


    He was about to overcome his adversity yet again.


    "Is that¡­ him?" Legolas muttered under his breath, his sharp elven senses detecting Jihoon¡¯s approach even before he appeared.


    Fenrir, eyes wide, turned to look back just in time to see Jihoon¡¯s blurred form ripping through the distance, his speed now undeniable.


    ¡°Impossible¡­¡± Zorn growled, the dwarf warrior gritting his teeth as Jihoon shot past them like a comet, leaving the top three in the dust.


    And just like that, Jihoon overtook them all.


    The crowd, the commentators, even the other racers were left speechless. Jihoon, who had once been dead last, was now leading the Odyssey.


    ¡°Jihoon Hyunwoon¡ªhe¡¯s done it! He¡¯s taken first place!¡± the commentator¡¯s voice boomed, barely able to contain his excitement. ¡°This is unbelievable! From last place to first in one race! I¡¯ve never seen anything like it in Odyssey history!¡±


    The crowd erupted in cheers, their excitement palpable as Jihoon stormed ahead. But in his pursuit of speed, Jihoon overlooked one critical detail. The sharp turn at the end of the dirt trail, where the course transitioned into a winding mountain path.


    Moving at Mach speed, Jihoon had little control over his momentum. His body, now operating beyond even his own control, couldn''t make the sharp turn required to stay on course. Before he realized it, he had run straight off the trail, hurtling off the side of the path and into the wilds beyond.


    In a blink, Jihoon had flown completely off the course.


    ¡°Oh no! Jihoon¡ªhe¡¯s off the track!¡± the commentator cried, his voice filled with shock and disbelief. ¡°At those speeds¡­ there¡¯s no way he could¡¯ve made that turn!¡±


    Expert-class magic user could somehow compensate for lack of control during supersonic speed movement. But Jihoon was merely mimicking the power of one with his Song Magic can only stumble with a delicate system.


    ¡°He¡¯s completely lost control! His speed¡ªit¡¯s working against him now!¡± the co-commentator added, her tone urgent. ¡°This could cost him the entire race!¡±


    The crowd¡¯s cheers before turned to gasps as Jihoon tumbled out of sight, his body crashing into the rough terrain beyond the course in a cloud of dust and debris.


    His Linked Song Magic, nearing its final moments, began to wane. The boost from Linked Song Magic started to fade, his physical stats returning to normal as the power of the song ebbed away.


    Groaning, Jihoon staggered to his feet, realizing too late the cost of his reckless speed. He had flown so far off the course that it would take precious time to return even if he somehow could utilize.


    And worse¡ªhe¡¯d completely forgotten about his helicopter. The flying aircraft, carrying his Doppelgangers who fueled his Linked Song Magic, couldn¡¯t keep up with him during his Mach run. They were now far behind, out of range, and he could no longer rely on them to maintain the magic¡¯s effects.


    The realization hit him like a brick. He had lost them as he muttered in frustration.


    Back on the screens, the commentators couldn¡¯t help but voice the collective shock of the audience. ¡°What a blunder! Jihoon, who was just in first place, has flown off the course! At this rate, he may have just thrown away his victory!¡±


    The co-commentator sighed. ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate¡­ He had everything in his hands, but sometimes, even the greatest power can be a double-edged sword. He¡¯s going to have a hard time recovering from this.¡±


    No one watching truly understood the intricacies of Jihoon¡¯s Song Magic, the subtle balance between his performance and the magic it created. They saw only his sudden fall from grace, not realizing the delicate system he had built around his Doppelgangers. Without them, Jihoon was left exposed, and his error had seemingly cost him the race.


    This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    As Jihoon scrambled to find his way back to the course, the other participants continued forward, Fenrir, Legolas, and Zorn regaining their positions at the front. Jihoon, once the impossible frontrunner, was now left scrambling to return to the race he had nearly claim its entirety for himself.


    But even as the odds seemed stacked against him, Jihoon¡¯s eyes narrowed with determination. He had come this far¡ªand if there was anything he had learned, it was that he had never been one to give up, no matter how dire the situation seemed.


    Jihoon uses the System to play one of his Song Magic again, it can¡¯t perform Linked Song Magic on its own since that is strictly his method to chain Song Magics together. The little goddess gave him the foundation, the fire of his power which manifested as a System since it is a suitable interface for him. But to make it ablaze was his own effort and idea.


    ¡®System, play Mirrored Resentment¡¯, Jihoon mentally commanded as he tries to return to the path post-haste.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Mirrored Resentment


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 30):


    -+[4*MAG]% (Currently: 120%) to all physical attributes.


    The closer one is to death, the stronger this effect (Max: -+6*[4*MAG]%) (Current multiplier: *1.5)


    (Current effect: 180%)


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 13 (+23.4)


    -END: 14 (+33.6)


    -AGI: 14 (+25.2)


    -DEX: 13 (+23.4)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    First composed during the heat of battle when he tried to fight against his own Doppelganger, a being whose combat prowess utterly perfected that Jihoon can only briefly surpass its impenetrable domain through deadly obsession. Because of it, its power solely designed with the idea of him fighting to the death and hopefully, that obsession is stronger than his opponent.


    With the accident occurred at moving at Mach speed, if it weren¡¯t for his Agony Resistance and END stats boosted by Linked Song Magic before, that would have been his end right there. Imagine getting vehicular manslaughter-ed with a flying fighter jet. That¡¯s what has happened to him by equivalent. So yeah, he had some injury right now but not the life-threatening, yet.


    And the shield bracelet¡­ took considerable damage because of him flying off-course. His situation would have been funny in hindsight if it also didn¡¯t have real consequence slapped upon.


    With grumbling frustration, he rushed back at the cliff which he ran off from. It was steep and climbing it would be a hell of its own. He had no one to blame but himself for his own setback.


    Using the subspace storage bracelet that he is allowed. The participants are allowed to bring their own equipment to combat against the sentinels. But not allowed to harm each other to disqualify one another. This isn¡¯t his halberd, more of an auxiliary survival tool even if it¡¯s rather overkill for its purpose.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Dual Adamantium Survival Knives


    Classification: Dual Knives


    Rarity: Mortal


    ATK+: 33


    Description:


    Forged by the renowned blacksmiths of the House Magni and its Conglomeration,


    this custom-crafted knife is made from a rare blend of adamantium alloy,


    granting it unparalleled durability and sharpness.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    The pair of knives gleamed within Jihoon¡¯s hands as he gripped them firmly. His survival tool, designed specifically for him alone. At the request of even its CEO.


    With his enhanced strength, now three times the peak human limit, scaling the cliff wouldn¡¯t be difficult physically. The challenge was more in the sheer length of the climb. He estimated it would take several minutes to reach the top again, and in that time, the helicopter carrying his Doppelgangers would be struggling to catch up.


    Every second he spent off the course meant his ranking was plummeting. The leaderboard displayed on the holographic screens in Cicones showed his placement steadily dropping, much to the crowd¡¯s dismay. People who had watched his miraculous rise to first place were now witnessing his fall, and the once-roaring cheers turned to murmurs of concern.


    Jihoon had slipped from the first place, then top 50, then into the bottom half. By the time he neared the top of the cliff after much struggle and squalor, he had fallen all the way back to last place.


    ¡°This¡­ this is a disaster,¡± the commentator said, disbelief dripping from his voice. ¡°Jihoon Hyunwoon, who was just leading the race moments ago, is now dead last. It seems his incredible speed worked against him when he couldn¡¯t control his momentum. He¡¯s fallen far behind!¡±


    A co-commentator nodded, her tone filled with trepidation. ¡°I¡¯m afraid his comeback beforre might have cost him the entire race. The cliff he fell from was steep, and with his placement dropping like this, it¡¯ll be nearly impossible to recover.¡±


    The spectators watched with bated breath as Jihoon¡¯s name remained stuck at the bottom of the leaderboard. Some shook their heads in disappointment, while others still clung to the hope that he would find a way back into the race.


    Meanwhile, Jihoon¡¯s fingers tightened around the adamantium knives in both hands as he carved his way up the cliff. The magic of Mirrored Resentment still pulsing through him, and his resolve only hardened. He wasn¡¯t finished yet, not by a long shot. He had come back from the last place before, and he would do it again. As many times or as long as it takes.


    Whatever lowest point he faced right now, can¡¯t be possibly lower than the mire or slum he was in before he recreated the Forgotten Melody.


    After completing his climb back to the trail, the helicopter came to him just in time. Normally, he would just have the Doppelgangers performed another Linked Song Magic to catch up but¡­ he needed something more suitable for the terrain ahead.


    The winding mountain path is far more unforgiving by comparison and if his previous performance is any indication, he would have thrown himself off the mountain and that probably going to get him worse than just disqualification.


    ¡°Follow my cue, we¡¯re going to make another Song Magic¡±. Jihoon mentally commanded all the Doppelgangers on the helicopter through the link of light that he reestablished between them.


    With their instruments on the ready, Jihoon rummaged his memory as he walked the trail toward the mountain path with what can be perceived almost as leisure. Taking the electric guitar out of his inventory bracelet, he begins in earnest with his Doppelganger.


    Time signature, 4/4. Key signature, B minor. The key signature of patience and calmness. As if awaiting something in far distance away with yearning.


    [B minor key signature: B C# D E F# G A B]


    Smashing Through Mountain Path


    D_D C#_D_D~ E_D_D~ C#_D_D~ | E_D_D~ C#_D_D~ E_F#_G_F E_C#|


    D_D C#_D_D~ E_D_D~ C#_D_D~ | E_D_D~ C#_D_D~ E_F#_E_D C#|


    The strum of acoustic guitar performed by the Jin-lookalike Doppelganger conveys a consistent backdrop for the song. The consistent rise and drop of the notes make one felt as if ascending and descending a mountain path.


    Jihoon then joined in with his electric guitar, as the introduction backdrop is refrained again. Giving the


    D_D C#_D_D~ E_D_D~ C#_D_D~ | E_D_D~ C#_D_D~ E_F#_G_F E_C#|


    D_D C#_D_D~ E_D_D~ C#_D_D~ | E_D_D~ C#_D_D~ E_F#_E_D C#|


    Immediately, Jihoon stopped to let the Jin-lookalike play the verse alone with the acoustic guitar. To set the atmosphere for the rest of it.


    B_G A+_B+ A+_G F#_E| D_E-E A_B-B|


    B_C#_D_E F#~_A~ G F#|


    F#_G F#_E D_E-E| E_G F#_E D_C# B|


    B C# D~| E_F# C# F#~|


    An almost idyllic melody played, seemingly contradicting the nature of the race they''re in. While participants are competing fiercely, Jihoon seemingly just played while everyone is metaphorically bleeding amidst the path ahead, fighting against the sentinels placed on their way.


    To anyone watching, it seemed like he was in his own world, far removed from the chaos surrounding him.


    The broadcast caught this peculiar scene, and the commentators were completely baffled.


    "What is he doing¡­?" one commentator asked, stunned. "Jihoon¡¯s¡­ playing music? While everyone else is fighting for their lives up there, he¡¯s just walking and playing?"


    The co-commentator, equally confused, could only shake her head. ¡°I don¡¯t understand. He was in last place and just managed to climb back into the race, and now he¡¯s¡­ composing a song? This is¡ªthis is unprecedented. No one does this in the Odyssey! Is this some sort of strategy?¡±


    From way ahead, some of the participants noticed as they looked back on the lone figure that is merely a dot in the distance. Here they were, desperately trying to hold their lead, bodies aching from the treacherous terrain, and Jihoon was taking a leisurely stroll, playing an acoustic melody. Some sneered, others laughed, thinking he had completely lost it. None of them understood.


    "Has Jihoon given up? Is this his way of accepting defeat?" the commentator speculated, completely unaware of what Jihoon was planning.


    The audience, too, was puzzled. Spectators all across Cicones watched in confusion, unsure whether to cheer or question his sanity. Some even began to voice their concerns, wondering if the Maestro had finally bitten off more than he could chew.


    But Jihoon knew better. He had a plan, a carefully crafted Song Magic that would ensure his return to the race wasn¡¯t just a comeback but a triumphant surge. As the Jin-lookalike Doppelganger¡¯s fingers start to dance across the string, it refrained the verse again. But with a little twist to the end.


    B_G A+_B+ A+_G F#_E| D_E-E A_B-B|


    B_C#_D_E F#~_A~ G F#|


    F#_G F#_E D_E-E| E_G F#_E D_C# B|


    C# D~~| A B~~|


    With the refrained verse end with the key signature note, it properly concludes the verse for transition into pre-chorus. As if arriving at the destination. The acoustic melody blended effortlessly into the electric guitar¡¯s backdrop, each note flowing like a stream over the jagged rocks of the mountain path.


    The air of confusion wasn¡¯t confined to the spectators and commentators. In the helicopter above, Rosa sat in stunned silence, watching as Jihoon leisurely walked the mountain path, strumming his electric guitar and coordinating with his Doppelgangers to create music. Her analytical mind, honed through years of managing the Magni Conglomeration as its CEO, simply couldn¡¯t reconcile what she was seeing with the urgency of the race.


    "What in Absence is he doing?" she muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing at the screen. She had known Jihoon to be unpredictable, but this was beyond anything she could have anticipated. A race of this magnitude, where competitors were pushing themselves to their absolute limits, and Jihoon¡­ was taking a stroll? Composing music?


    Her fingers tapped against the armrest, her thoughts racing.


    "Is this how he plans to win? By¡­ playing songs? In the middle of a mountain path, no less?" The very idea sounded ludicrous, even for someone like him.


    Despite her disbelief, Rosa ultimately couldn¡¯t tear her eyes away from the screen. The strum of the guitars, the graceful movements of the Doppelgangers, the intricate composition, all of it together spoke to a method that she didn¡¯t fully grasp. She was frustrated by how much of his plan remained a mystery to her. But one thing she did know was that Jihoon wasn¡¯t someone who gave up easily.


    The Doppelganger that Jihoon designed as his own otome genderbend gracefully picked up the flute¡ªa delicate instrument, yet in the hands of it, a flawless performance is played with precision. The soothing pre-chorus filled the air, each note deliberates.


    B+ C#+ D+~| C#+ B+ F#~| F# A+ G~| F# E F#~|


    B C# D~| C# B F-| B+ C#+ D+~| C#+ B+ F|


    F# E F#~| A+~ F#~| D E D~| G D C#~|


    C# D E~| B~ D E |F#~~~|


    By ending on a dominant chord (fifth note of any key signature), it gave off the feeling inconclusion. As if heralding of something greater to come.


    The dominant chord at the end of the pre-chorus lingered in the air, creating a tension that seemed to stretch out into the horizon. The crowd watching in Cicones could feel it¡ªthe music was building, pulling them into a moment of anticipation that none of them fully understood.


    Far below, Karim stood in the bustling entertainment district, still watching Jihoon¡¯s progress on the holographic screen, but his expression was entirely different from Rosa¡¯s. While everyone else was questioning Jihoon¡¯s actions, Karim¡¯s lips curled into a knowing smile. His sharp eyes gleamed with recognition as the music flowed through the speakers, growing more complex with each passing note.


    "That fool," he murmured softly, shaking his head, though his voice carried an unmistakable tone of admiration. "He¡¯s always been like this. When things get tough, Jihoon doesn¡¯t panic¡ªhe composes."


    Karim wasn¡¯t fooled by Jihoon¡¯s seemingly leisurely pace. He knew better than anyone that this was no act of surrender. Jihoon had a plan, and if his understanding of his pupil was right, the Maestro was laying the foundation for something remarkable.


    The tension in the air wasn¡¯t just in the notes¡ªit was in the atmosphere surrounding Jihoon. While the other participants fought tooth and nail against the unforgiving mountain path, struggling to stay in the race, Jihoon was setting the stage for his next move. He wasn¡¯t a competitor, rather¡­ a composer, and his greatest composition so far was yet to unfold.


    The audience, commentators, and fellow racers had no idea what was coming. But for those who knew Jihoon, like Karim, the calm before the storm was all too familiar.


    F_F F F~|


    And so, Jihoon and all of his Doppelgangers synchronized together for the chorus.


    A_B A_B A_B-B| G_F# E_D B~|B_C# D_E A F#_F#_F#_F#|


    E_F# G_F E_C#-C#|D_E F#_E D_C# B|


    B A B~|F# E_G F#_E D_B|


    A_B A_B A_B-B| G_F# E_D B~|B_C# D_E A F#_F#_F#_F#|


    E_F# G_F E_C#-C#|D_E F#_A+ G_F# E_D |C#_B-B  F#~|


    E_A+_G_F E_D C#~| D B~~|


    This chorus, is why he called it ¡®Smashing Through Mountain Path¡¯. Its melody so energetic and uplifting that one truly felt like that they could literally smash through the mountain themselves. The melancholic undertone of the B minor key work in its favor as if truly convey a longing that the bearer allowing nothing to stop its resolution.


    An unstoppable triumphant return. That¡¯s what Jihoon wants to describe it. Everything else falls short of description.


    B_B B A_B-B|


    With a resolve using the key signature¡¯s tonic performed by everyone. He officially completes the song. It¡¯s just looping back to the verse again.


    The System then registered his composed Song Magic, something that will adjust his stats appropriately for the stage ahead of him.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Smashing Through Mountain Path


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 30):


    -+[3.5*MAG]% (Currently: 105%) to all Physical Attributes of self.


    -+[5*MAG]% to AGI and DEX for every obstacle encountered during duration. (Max: 10 stacks)


    If in a difficult mountain region. Stack is set to max.


    -Increased mental clarity during high-pressure situations. (Improve reaction time, focus)


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    The song was built for exactly this environment. Not only just enhance his physical attributes, but it gave him an edge where it mattered most right now, his agility and endurance would spike with every difficult obstacle but takes effect instantly here. His mind would sharpen, allowing him to react instantly to the unpredictable terrain.


    This was his song for the mountain path¡ªcrafted for the sole purpose of overcoming it with precision and force.


    As the final notes echoed in the air, back in the helicopter, Rosa found herself leaning forward, caught completely off guard by the emotion that surged through her. She wasn¡¯t a musical prodigy by any means¡ªshe had never really understood Jihoon¡¯s obsession with his compositions before. But as she listened to Smashing Through Mountain Path, something inside her stirred.


    She felt the power in the music, the raw, unstoppable determination that seemed to pulse with every beat. The melancholic undertones wrapped around her like a bittersweet memory, but instead of pulling her down, it lifted her up, as though the longing in the melody was paired with an unbreakable will to overcome.


    Musicians have their methods to weave their personal learning into every song. Even without any word spoken, she knew that Jihoon was telling one of his own stories. One of triumph, of rising from the lowest point, of crushing through any obstacle with sheer force of will.


    For once, she placed her unconditional trust in him. That he knew precisely what he needs to do.


    Back to Jihoon, he puts away his electric guitar into the subspace inventory bracelet. Looking at the destination far away at the top of the mountain.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do this¡±. Jihoon said with certainty in his voice.

 Chapter 34: Mighty Obstacle

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 34: Mighty Obstacle


    Upon completion of the ¡®Smashing Through Mountain Path¡¯, Jihoon devises a new plan for his approach toward the mountain peak. His ranking can¡¯t drop below last anyway so he took his time. And from the distance he is seeing, many of the participants are already on the conflict with deployed sentinel constructs somewhere mid-height of it.


    The destination flag at the top of the mountain fluttering within his sight but it is the winding turns of the climb makes the path lengthier than otherwise. Acknowledging his previous blunder that sends him careening off the trial into the wilderness below, he now needs to account his momentum during his movement toward the mountain path.


    ¡°Alright... Let¡¯s do this¡±. Jihoon said as he proceeds in earnest.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Exceed!


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 30):


    -+[10*MAG]% (Currently: 300%) to all Physical Attributes of self.


    ''A music piece composed of unyielding defiance. Even if one¡¯s circumstances have fallen into misfortune and ill-fate, hope only remains if one lives with determination. To surpass the previous self of yesterday, one must overcome challenges of today and tomorrow with confidence in self.¡¯


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 13 (+39)


    -END: 14 (+50.4)


    -AGI: 14 (+42)


    -DEX: 13 (+39)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    His own character theme, a solo electric guitar piece. The most standard, simplistic yet but always the most consistent and the foundation of any powerful combination of Linked Song Magic that he has. Compare to many other participants that are now ahead of him, his current state remains dead last in the competition.


    But still not faltered, Jihoon made his steps no matter how meager by comparison.


    With the effect of ¡®Exceed!¡¯ active, he made his march into the mountain path with deliberate precision. Accelerating and maintain his speed at its current limit, at 5 times peak human capability. Yet the mountain path is still remain a daunting challenge as it isn¡¯t just the terrain but the deployed sentinels lies in their wake with his arrival.


    Drawn out his decayed Judgement of Light again, the halberd imbued in shimmering light as his enhanced stats cleave them apart with relative ease. Something that is bound to change in later laps when even a sentinel could easily instantly end someone¡¯s career.


    The winding turns make the climb feel infinitely longer than it is, each obstacle extending the distance between him and the mountain''s peak. His body empowered by the melody, now moves faster than before, yet it only highlights how far behind he is compared to the other competitors, who now scale the heights ahead of him.


    Another clash again, each horde of sentinels on his way test his resolve unhesitatingly. Each swings their weapons at him with maximum allowed strength yet Jihoon deflects all of them swiftly. But the further he progresses, the more their numbers start to rise.


    Not now, he can¡¯t afford to lose his regained momentum already after all that he fought for. Mustering his force of will, the fierce determination that drives him forward smash through their numbers unhesitant. Not just physical obstacles that he surpassed but one of mentality, he refused to give up even in dire strait.


    The core definition of ¡®Exceed!¡¯ after all, is to rise against the overwhelming odds no matter the setbacks.


    The climb itself remains as a steep adversary as always but throughout the duration of Jihoon¡¯s ¡®Exceed!¡¯ which last for 4 minutes, his 5 times peak human physical stats managed to achieve about a fourth of the mountain path. Not too bad for what he intends to do.


    During the duration of it however, the top participants have reached somewhere close to completion of the ascent.


    The helicopter which flew above him, exempt from the terrain that Jihoon had to manually traverse. The Doppelgangers have been performing his Song Magic for him and now they are about to perform Linked Song Magic, using ¡®Exceed!¡¯ as a foundation step.


    ¡°Perform SPIKA next¡±. Jihoon commanded the Doppelgangers through the unseen link of light between as he maintains his hurried pace.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    SPIKA


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 30):


    -+100% to MAG


    (This effect can only be stacked once and is overlapped by stronger similar effect.)


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -MAG: 30 (+30)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Exceed! -> SPIKA


    Classification: Linked Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Linked Effect (MAG 30):


    +100% to MAG (This effects only applied once and can¡¯t be compound by similar buffs)


    (MAG 60)


    +[10*MAG]% (Currently: 600%) to all Physical Attributes to self.


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 13 (+78)


    -END: 14 (+92)


    -AGI: 14 (+84)


    -DEX: 13 (+78)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Well, it looks disappointing right now compared to the mid-boundary 3-digit physical stats he achieved before. At his current state, he has gotten at least 9 times faster than peak human. This puts him somewhere on the lower rung of the current participants on overall capability.


    That is¡­ if it is strictly just running toward a destination.


    The free-spirited melody of SPIKA echoed again, as the Doppelgangers onboard the helicopter moved to and organized all the instruments they brought with them with haste. The path of mountain winding up and down, like life itself having its ascent and descent.


    SPIKA¡¯s key signature is E-flat minor. It is the key of worry, and distressing lament. And the active yearning and pursue of hope no matter how small. All of that whimsical and free-spirited nature would eventually dissolve away as the tone itself become too undeniable to be hidden by note progression.


    Once the song entered its middle progression. The pace of the song started to become frantic as if desperately trying to keep up the fa?ade of frolic it had in the beginning.


    This piece is what earned him the title of Maestro in Absence. It¡¯s such a profound compositional piece that the surface listeners only hear the innocent frolic above but not the wistful parting of said thing beneath it.


    Bittersweet wisdom etched in a decade after the Gates appeared in his world. The lighthearted nostalgia that will never return. Jihoon made peace with it as he continues to stride forward in hastened speed again.


    Deliberate and precise steps once again turned into blurred cyclical motion. As if reflecting in the frantic nature of SPIKA, his leg motion once again moved in frenetic pace.


    Arms fully extended to the back. Facial features contorted as teeth bared and eyes clenched in determined rage. Slowly but surely, he is catching up to the competition once again.


    Twisted and coiled like a serpent that the path he has taken, each time a sharp turn threatens him to just throw him off the route. Yet despite all of that, his movements remained precise. His body twist and leans into every curve, narrowly avoiding the missteps. A delicate balance of power and control that he maintained during this section of the trial.


    On the route toward the destination, more of the sentinel constructs are deployed. With his current stats, he quickly rush through their formation and moved on without stop or letting them hinder him any longer than required. Their shattered form scatters behind as Jihoon continues onward.


    Daunting his path maybe but his determination burned fierce with every step. He couldn¡¯t lose his momentum now¡ªnot after everything he had fought through to regain his place in the race. The relentless tempo of SPIKA echoed in his ears, its free-spirited melody driving him onward, its undercurrent of wistfulness pushing him forward with urgency.


    As Jihoon moved deeper into the climb, the participants who had once left him far behind now came into view. They were the scattered lower-rung competitors, struggling against the same mountain path and massed sentinels that Jihoon had overcome on his own. Their placement was simply that they have a headstart against him.


    To them, his appearance again was a shock. He had fallen dead last due to his high-speed blunder but now he was tearing his own way through with speed and fury. Something that a lot of these participants couldn¡¯t keep up after fighting over hundreds of sentinels until now.


    With swift motion, Jihoon started to overtake each one of them consistently. From dead last back into top 200, then to mid-rank with each passing second. Like a master musician striking a chord with precision. The winding path no longer felt like a barrier but an extension of the music, his body in the moment a conduit for the song¡¯s frantic, bittersweet energy.


    Jihoon overtook another group of racers, their surprised faces registering only for a moment before he disappeared from their view. The scattered lower-rung participants were no match for his pace now. He was catching up, one step at a time, breaking through their ranks just as he had broken through the sentinels.


    With the duration of SPIKA being 5 and half minutes. His effective movement speed roughly at 7-times peak human due to the difficult terrain. He had officially completed 80% of the mountain trial, given this entire stage has the length of a marathon in his world. Worst is that the whole duration of this stage was like¡­ 15 minutes since participants first reached this mountain path.


    Now, that SPIKA is approaching its end, it is time for the climax to be performed.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Smashing Through Mountain Path


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 30):


    -+[3.5*MAG]% (Currently: 105%) to all Physical Attributes of self.


    -+[5*MAG]% to AGI and DEX for every obstacle encountered during duration. (Max: 10 stacks)


    If in a difficult mountain region. Stack is set to max.


    -Increased mental clarity during high-pressure situations. (Improving reaction time, focus)


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Exceed! -> SPIKA -> Smashing Through Mountain Path


    Classification: Linked Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Linked Effect (MAG 30):


    +100% to MAG of self (This effects only applied once and can¡¯t be compound by similar buffs)


    (MAG 60)


    -+[5*MAG]% to AGI and DEX for every obstacle encountered during duration. (Max: 10 stacks)


    If in a difficult mountain region. Stack is set to max. (Currently: 3,000%)


    -Increased mental clarity during high-pressure situations. (Improving reaction time, focus)


    -+[13.5*MAG]% (Currently: 810%) to all Physical Attributes to self.


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 13 (+105)


    -END: 14 (+122)


    -AGI: 14 (+533)


    -DEX: 13 (+495)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    He probably had blundered his combination somewhere, but at the end, this is a choice that he made. Now with his movement speed limit at 53 times peak human, combined with the narrow route of the mountain. This probably would be another recipe for disaster that he brought himself upon.


    But with no fear or hesitation, he starts to accelerate once more. Another sharp turn is ahead of him which would have become another repeat of that blunder of his previously unthoughtful Mach run but...


    His body shifted sideway, reorient itself toward the turn¡¯s direction while the momentum threatens to throw him off the edge. All while the leg motions still move in cyclical blur too fast for naked eyes.


    As if likening his own body motion like that of a motorcycle, he performed the equivalent of a drift with his own body as he plunged one hand into the ground as it claws into the dirt as if tearing it apart trying to fight against the momentum he rode before.


    Like a rally motorcycle navigating a hairpin curve, Jihoon¡¯s body leaned into the turn, his hand acting as an anchor as he scraped through the soil. His legs continued their rapid motion, but his balance enhanced by ¡®Smashing Through Mountain Path¡¯ allowed him to keep control, navigating the curve with precision. The sheer audacity of it left the audience watching him stunned.


    ¡°Did¡­ did he just drift with his body?!¡± one of the commentators shouted in disbelief, barely able to keep up with what had just happened.


    ¡°No way! I¡¯ve never seen anything like that! He was going too fast to make that turn, but he¡­ he pulled it off!¡± the other co-commentator added, her voice rising with excitement.


    The crowd erupted in cheers as Jihoon, against all odds, made the impossible look effortless. The other participants ahead, now within his reach, glanced back, their expressions a mix of shock and confusion as Jihoon rapidly gained on them.


    "How is he doing that?!" one of the racers muttered, eyes wide as Jihoon drifted through yet another sharp turn, cutting down time and distance with each maneuver.


    Every time he approached a sharp bend, Jihoon repeated the move¡ªplunging his hand into the earth, leaning his body into the turn, and drifting through the narrow, winding path. His speed was too fast for the sentinels to react in time. Each time they tried to intercept him, he was already gone, moving past them in a blur before they could even swing their weapons.


    With every drift, every sentinel bypassed, Jihoon¡¯s rank climbed. The competitors ahead of him, who had once left him far behind, were now within striking distance. His speed, though limited by the difficult terrain, was still unmatched in precision and efficiency.


    One by one, Jihoon surged past them, their faces filled with disbelief as they watched him tear through the mountain path like a storm. His pace, once slow and deliberate, had now turned into a lightning-fast blur of motion. The narrow and treacherous mountain path could no longer hold him back.


    Jihoon¡¯s mind was in a state of clarity that he could hardly imagine describing in fitting words. As the melody of ¡®Smashing Through Mountain Path¡¯ played, a sense of tranquility encompassing him as if there¡¯s truly nothing left to worry about. He truly felt unstoppable as he genuinely felt that he could smash apart all the obstacles in the mountain path.


    Soon, his presence would be felt by the top-rankers of the race.


    For the duration of the final link, at effective speed of 12 times peak human due to difficult terrain. Jihoon quickly starts to reach toward the peak within¡­ a minute and a half.


    At the very top ranking, Fenrir Snowbreak, Legolas Virentleaf and Zorn the Ironclad whose placement has exchanged of each other throughout the duration except for the little moment when Jihoon managed to overtake them briefly. And now, that they have reached the very peak ahead of anyone else. The destination flag is now within a striking distance.


    The current first place holder is Fenrir Snowbreak, a beastfolk girl with wolf ears and white hair like snow is rushing down the path at great speed. No surprise right there as she hailed from the Solros Winter Wonderland of northern Absence.


    Just behind her, in a close second, is Legolas Virentleaf, the elven prodigy of Alberenth Faewild, western Absence. This guy has been absolutely flawless with his strategic maneuvering, using their trained agility and dexterity to keep pace with that born natural talent.


    Zorn the Ironclad, the dwarf warrior! Despite his bulk and armor, he¡¯s been holding steady in third place, relying on his enhanced endurance and brute strength to plow through obstacles that others have to avoid.


    The same as during the start, and the same it is now.


    And now, Jihoon was closing in on them, his body a blur as he surged up the mountain. He had managed to overtake them briefly earlier in the race, but now he was right behind them again, his legs moving faster than any of the others could comprehend.


    The top three competitors could feel the shift in the air as Jihoon approached. His pace quickened, and once a clear path to the flag is within sight, in an instant did his body accelerate to 52 times peak human speed¡ªbreaking the sound barrier with a deafening boom. The shockwave echoed across the mountain, sending a tremor through the rocky terrain.


    ¡°What the¡ª!?¡± Legolas glanced back, startled by the sudden sonic boom behind them.


    ¡°Impossible¡­ He''s doing it again!¡± Fenrir growled, her wolf ears twitching at the sound.


    But before any of them could react, Jihoon had already caught up to them, and in a split second, he passed them entirely, his speed propelling him directly toward the flag. His body moved like lightning, a blur of motion that none of the top-rankers could match.


    As he closed in on the flag, time seemed to slow for everyone watching¡ªJihoon reached out, his hand stretching toward the fluttering flag in the wind.


    Jihoon¡¯s hand grasped the flag, and confirmed his arrival. He had done it. He had reached the peak, his comeback complete. But the race wasn¡¯t over yet and there was still the run back to the starting point. The moment his hand touched the flag, Jihoon knew he had to turn around and descend the mountain with the same intensity he had used to climb it.


    Just as Jihoon prepared to turn and make his way down, something unexpected happened.


    The ground beneath him shook violently, and a low, ominous roar echoed through the air. The once clear sky above the peak darkened, and suddenly, the terrain around the flag tremored. Out of nowhere, a massive sentinel construct materialized¡ªa creature unlike any of the sentinels the participants had faced thus far.


    Designed in the shape of a griffon in mythology. With towering size, the body of a lion and the wings and head of an eagle. Its form seem to shimmer in ethereal magic flow, eyes emulating the sharp and fierce intelligence that they would have. Then it lets out a powerful screech before unfurling its wings and locking upon him.


    ¡°What the¡ª!?¡± Jihoon skidded to a halt, his eyes widening in shock. He had expected a clear run down the mountain, but this was something else entirely.


    The commentators watching from afar were just as stunned. ¡°A boss fight? No one told the participants about this!¡± one of them exclaimed, their voice filled with disbelief.


    ¡°That construct¡ªit¡¯s targeting Jihoon specifically!¡± the co-commentator added. ¡°Is this some kind of hidden challenge for whoever reaches first place?¡±


    Jihoon knew that this trial supposedly reflect what happened in the Odyssey but he certainly didn¡¯t expect them to even go as far to make the first place holder the Odysseus to suffer like the story.


    The answer quickly became clear as the griffon lunged at Jihoon with terrifying speed, its claws slashing through the air, aimed directly at him. Jihoon barely had time to react, using his enhanced reflexes from Smashing Through Mountain Path to dodge the first strike. But the beast wasn¡¯t letting up¡ªit circled around in the air, preparing for another attack.


    As Jihoon squared off against the massive sentinel, Fenrir, Legolas, and Zorn reached the flag, verifying their arrival. They exchanged quick glances, realizing the gravity of Jihoon¡¯s situation. However, none of them seemed eager to stick around and help.


    ¡°Good luck with that,¡± Fenrir muttered, her wolf ears twitching as she sprinted off toward the descent.


    ¡°I¡¯m not getting involved in that,¡± Zorn grunted, his heavy form already moving toward the path down.


    Legolas, the last to glance back at Jihoon, gave a short nod of acknowledgment before turning to leave. ¡°He¡¯ll handle it,¡± he said, more to himself than to anyone else.


    And just like that, Jihoon was left alone to face the griffon.


    The beast let out another ear-piercing screech, its massive wings flapping as it charged at Jihoon again. He clenched his teeth, his decayed halberd, Judgment of Light glowing with shimmering power as he prepared to defend himself.


    As the griffon descended upon him with terrifying force, Jihoon¡¯s mind raced. The race wasn¡¯t over. He had to survive this and make it back down the mountain, fast.


    ¡°Alright, then,¡± Jihoon muttered under his breath, gripping his halberd tightly. ¡°Let¡¯s finish this.¡±


    First, [Observant]. Know your enemies and every battle comes out victorious.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Sentinel Construct Model 22 - Griffon


    Name: *none*


    Level: 2??


    Race: Non-sentient Mechanical Construct


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 160


    -END: 150


    -AGI: 5??


    -DEX: 4??


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: NAN


    -CHA: NAN


    -MAG: 133


    -Active Skill:


    +Wind Magic (Advanced)


    +Sharp Sight [Imitation] (Advanced)


    +Predator Instinct [Imitation] (Advanced)


    +Aerodynamic (Intermediate)


    -Description:


    A massive mechanical griffon construct designed to mimic


    the behaviors and hunting instincts of the legendary mythological beast.


    Outfitted with advanced wind magic capabilities,


    granting it immense speed and aerial agility, making it


    nearly impossible to outrun or outmaneuver in open terrain.


    Its mechanical design includes enhanced visual tracking and


    predatory instincts, making it capable of detecting the slightest movement


    or weakness in its prey.


    Though non-sentient, it is relentless, programmed to pursue and destroy any target locked in its path.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Jihoon¡¯s eyes narrowed as the information processed in his mind. The griffon was a beast of raw power and speed, far beyond anything the other sentinels had thrown at him so far. Its strength and endurance were overwhelming, and its wind magic and predatory instincts made it nearly impossible to escape.


    He immediately recognized that even with his current Linked Song Magic, there was no way he could outrun this thing. If he tried to simply descend the mountain and make it to the next checkpoint, the griffon would tear him apart before he could get far.


    A drawn-out battle was inevitable.


    Jihoon gritted his teeth. ¡°So, running¡¯s not an option... I guess we fight.¡±


    He immediately switched his focus to his own magic. If the griffon had advanced wind magic and predatory instincts, Jihoon needed to rely on his own strengths: his versatility and the power of his Song Magic combined with his Light Magic.


    ¡°Golden Hour it is,¡± he muttered to himself, as his fingers started weaving the familiar sigils in the air.


    Golden Hour was his Intermediate-class Light Magic¡ªa tactical spell that allowed him to combine various Novice-class Light Magic techniques into a single cohesive strategy. By anchoring his spells into the ground in the form of luminal-substance weapons, he could enhance them and maintain a powerful magical circle that would boost his output while limiting his magic cost.


    A spell of his own that came from his own enlightenment during his stranding with Aquarius. Of how the Golden Hour is both the most brilliant hour of the day occurs just before daybreak or sundown. Symbolizing the personal feeling of which he had nothing to lose.


    Whether being the grizzled veteran or new blood having nothing, the only shared sentiments to do their best with all their given.


    He began with Piercing Glare, summoning spears of pure light energy, sharp and radiant like sunlight piercing through a storm and a gaze too harsh for the eyes. One by one, the spears manifested and stabbed into the earth, glowing brightly as their power anchored the spell into the battlefield. He followed it up with Dawn¡¯s Edge, a series of luminal-substance blades forming around him, each one shimmering with radiant energy like crack of dawn when the day arrives.


    The ground beneath him began to glow as the magic circle formed, the light from the spears and blades connecting into a grid-like formation. The circle pulsed with raw light magic as the Golden Hour effect took hold, boosting the strength of his Novice-class spells into Intermediate-class power, all while maintaining the same mana cost.


    The griffon sentinel, sensing the buildup of magic, let out a ferocious screech and flapped its wings. The wind magic surrounding it intensified, the air distorting as razor-sharp gales swirled around its form. It charged at Jihoon, claws extended, ready to strike.


    But Jihoon was ready.


    With a flick of his wrist, numerous Dawn¡¯s Edges appeared as they shot toward the mechanical griffon mid-flight. It screeched once more in frustration as gleam blades of light scratched its body. Sparks fly as radiance clash with the barrier of wind surrounding it. As he is aware already, its END is still too much for someone of his capabilities.


    The griffon twisted mid-air, using its agility and wind magic to deflect several of the spears, but a few found their mark, piercing into its wing joints and slowing its movements. The construct screeched again, its eyes glowing brighter as it prepared another charge.


    Without hesitation, Jihoon followed up as he commanded the Piercing Glare spears to rise from the ground, each one homing in on the griffon¡¯s exposed joints and weak points. The spears shot upward, leaving trails of light as they converged on the sentinel¡¯s body


    Jihoon clenched his halberd, feeling the radiant energy of Golden Hour surging through him. The battlefield around him was now bathed in light, his magic circle amplifying the strength of every spell he cast.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t going to be easy,¡± Jihoon muttered to himself, eyes locked onto the griffon. He could sense the intensity of the battle that lay ahead¡ªevery moment would be a test of his resolve and precision.


    The griffon swooped down again, its massive form cutting through the air with terrifying speed. But Jihoon stood his ground, his light magic shining brighter than ever, ready to fight the mimicry of mythological beast head-on.


    The real battle had begun.

 Chapter 35: Fly My Wings

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 35: Fly My Wings


    The mechanical griffon¡¯s massive body collide with the ground as it tried to pounce on him. With Jihoon¡¯s current stats in the moment somewhat equal to it due to the current effect of Linked Song Magic but with the remaining duration, he has to dealt with it fast given his capability and that other participants would claim their checkpoint while he is locked in combat with it.


    Scrounging the sensation and memories of his enlightenment to his Intermediate-class Light Magic, Jihoon puts his practiced magic knowledge and proficiency to the test.


    Innate is when one only perceives the elements as they are, only the raw imagery depicting them.


    Initiate is when one understood the methods and underlying physics that allows the magical elements to gain substantial effects.


    Novice is imparting personal meaning into the methods themselves. Granting more substantive power more than just manipulation. This is also why users of same proficiency and element can have vastly different application range and potency of the spells they used.


    Intermediate is when one synthesizes and connects the imagery, understanding, and meaning together instead of just sequentially linking them. This complexity allows Magic spell to gain far greater potency or effects.


    Using his enhanced physical attributes, Jihoon moved and react as fast as the griffon could be. In the next moment of instant, Jihoon was directly above it midair.


    Golden Hour Metamorphosis. Novice-class Light Magic ¨C Dawn¡¯s Edge


    Intermediate-class Light Magic ¨C Daybreak Gleam


    The blade of light that Jihoon¡¯s manifested in his hand transformed into that of a greatsword. Far too unwieldy for one of his size and stature but Jihoon proceed to drive the massive blade downward into the mechanical griffon as its edge split the air in its path into a deafening whistle. Threatening to bisect the griffon apart on impact.


    The griffon however too detected him quickly using its Wind Magic to detect the airflow surrounding it. Then a maelstrom manifested around it as the force of the wind was powerful enough to propel him skyward. Its MAG stats was 3-digits, far greater than his current state (MAG 60) even with Linked Song Magic.


    With his attack off-course, Jihoon quickly used the other Light Magic he has within disposal.


    Golden Hour Metamorphosis. Novice-class Light Magic ¨C Ardor of the Sun


    Intermediate-class Light Magic ¨C Prominence Brilliance


    Erupted from the ground which his Golden Hour operates, multiple threads of light intertwine into ropes and the effect of Golden Hour enhance them further as ropes intertwine into cables. These large-sized cables the size of cargo ship¡¯s anchor cable bind the hilt of Daybreak Gleam. Then at his internalized command, the greatsword of light is pulled against the mighty wind by the cables of light into the griffon with great force like a double-fold ballista firing its bolt.


    The griffon quickly realizing what Jihoon is doing so it tried to increase its wind output to push the greatsword that is falling at it back but once it recognized that it does little. It chose to flee by disengaging the wind spell but it¡¯s too late otherwise as despite its speed, the greatsword crashed into its side with enough force to break its outer hull.


    Although it managed to avoid an instant destruction at his hand. It quickly retaliates with fury with a screech as another blast of wind unleashed, this time in the form of razor-sharp gales that sliced through the air like blades. Jihoon twisted midair, narrowly avoiding the first wave of wind blades,


    The second wave is when his limitation is tested as numerous grazing cuts inflicted on his body as there¡¯s a limit to just how much a ground-borne like him can maneuver midair.


    Landing with a hard thud, Jihoon barely had time to recover as the griffon lunged at him again, its talons gleaming in the dim light. Jihoon gritted his teeth as he once again used another Light Magic of his, enhanced by the Golden Hour.


    Golden Hour Metamorphosis. Novice-class Light Magic ¨C Piercing Glare


    Intermediate-class Light Magic ¨C Radiant Onslaught


    When a glint of the sun burst through the dark cloud after a bad weather, it wasn¡¯t just only one that followed. More would always arrive as slowly as the dark sky would slowly but surely clear under its radiance.


    Multitudes of spears of light manifested, now all of their shape clearly refined as weapons instead of just a stick with sharp end. They appeared suddenly on top of the griffon before crashing down on it as volleys. Its Wind Magic still clearly works, seeing how it actively steering off the incoming barrages although at great strain since the received injury.


    Each impact of the individual spear sent a shockwave through the ground, the force of their blows carving deep scars into the battlefield. Dust and debris swirled around them, the sheer intensity of the fight transforming the once pristine mountaintop into a war zone.


    The battlefield grew more and more damaged as they exchanged blow after blow. Jihoon¡¯s Light Magic clashed with the griffon¡¯s Wind Magic, the air around them crackling with energy. Each spell he cast, each swing of his halberd, pushed him to his limits. But despite the griffon¡¯s overwhelming strength, Jihoon refused to back down. He knew that if he faltered for even a second, the beast would tear him apart.


    Meanwhile, the other participants who had reached the flag hurriedly verified their arrival, glancing at the intense battle before them. None of them dared intervene. One by one, they turned and made their way back down the mountain, leaving Jihoon alone to face the griffon construct.


    ¡°Typical,¡± Jihoon muttered through gritted teeth as he parried another swipe from the griffon. ¡°Everyone¡¯s too scared to stick around.¡±


    But before he could fully recover from the latest clash, the ground beneath him trembled violently. Without warning, a large crack formed, splitting the earth at his feet. The sheer force and damage of the battle had destabilized the mountaint, and the section of ground Jihoon stood on¡ªalong with the magic circle he had created¡ªbegan to tilt toward the edge.


    ¡°Aw shiet¡­¡± Jihoon muttered beneath his breath once the realization settles in.


    With a deafening rumble, the piece of the mountain gave way, and Jihoon found himself sliding downward, the griffon hot on his trail. The broken piece of terrain slid down the mountainside like a makeshift raft, carrying both Jihoon and the griffon with it. The griffon screeched, lunging at him as they descended the mountain together.


    Jihoon braced himself, using his enhanced agility to maintain his balance on the shifting ground. The magic circle he had formed earlier began to flicker as the terrain crumbled around him. But he couldn¡¯t afford to let it break¡ªnot yet. As the piece of land slid further down the mountain, Jihoon cast more Piercing Glare spears into the ground, anchoring them to keep his magic in place. And to keep this piece of sliding earth from splintering more as they descent into the bottom.


    The griffon swooped down, its claws aiming for Jihoon¡¯s head, but he sidestepped at the last second, using the momentum of the slide to launch himself toward the beast. His decayed Judgement of Light shimmered with light as he swung it in a wide arc, the blade connecting with the griffon¡¯s mechanical wings. But before it could dig any dipper, the wind imbuing its outer body reacted as it violently hurled him back into the sliding chunk of earth.


    The battle had turned into a chaotic, sliding duel, the two of them locked in combat as the ground beneath them continued to fall. Jihoon¡¯s mind raced as he realized how dire the situation had become. He couldn¡¯t simply outlast the griffon¡ªnot when the terrain was collapsing.


    ¡°Guess I¡¯ll have to take this fight all the way to the bottom,¡± Jihoon muttered, his grip tightening on the glowing hilt of Judgment of Light.


    With the ground continue to slide beneath them and the griffon relentless in its pursuit, Jihoon prepared for the next phase of their battle, knowing that this might be his only chance to defeat the beast and make it out alive.


    The battle had devolved into utter chaos¡ªa sliding duel between man and mythic construct, both locked in combat while the ground beneath them continuously fell. Rocks crumbled, and debris flew as they descended toward the bottom of the mountain at breakneck speed.


    Each clash and strike rippling across the magical broadcasts being streamed throughout Cicones. The tension was palpable as the scene of Jihoon battling the griffon on a massive, sliding and crumbling chunk of earth played out for the world to see. The landscape was crumbling beneath them, and yet Jihoon fought on, his Judgment of Light clashing with the griffon¡¯s Advanced Wind Magic.


    In the helicopter above, Rosa¡¯s heart raced as she watched the scene unfold. Her sharp mind, always calculating and composed, was now clouded with worry. Her usual frustration with Jihoon¡¯s reckless stunts had turned into genuine fear.


    Her sharp eyes scanned the scene as the helicopter''s pilot scrambled to keep up with the sudden drop. "Get lower!" Rosa commanded as her voice tinged with desperation. The helicopter began a rapid descent, but the piece of sliding earth was falling faster than they could catch up.


    "What the hell are you doing down there, Jihoon?" Rosa muttered under her breath, her knuckles white as she gripped the edge of her seat anxiously. Despite her usual composed demeanor, the worry in her eyes was unmistakable.


    Her eyes flickered to the helicopter¡¯s altitude meter, but it wasn¡¯t descending fast enough. She felt the sting of frustration as there was nothing that she could do but just watch. The griffon¡¯s claws, the unstable terrain, and Jihoon¡¯s fierce determination were all on display, and yet, in her eyes, it was all too fragile.


    Far below in the entertainment district, Karim stood in the crowd, his usually calm demeanor cracking as he watched the screen. His eyes narrowed as he saw Jihoon¡¯s precarious situation¡ªthe massive griffon and the sliding battlefield creating a deadly mix. Even though he had always believed in Jihoon¡¯s capabilities, this¡­ this was different.


    "You''re cutting it way too close, kid," he murmured, his arms crossed as his eyes stayed glued to the screen. Karim had always believed in Jihoon¡¯s resourcefulness, but this was pushing the limits of what even he thought was possible. The consequences of a single mistake were far too high.


    The audience around him gasped, unable to tear their eyes away from the broadcast. Jihoon, locked in a desperate struggle, was not just fighting the sentinel but the mountain itself, the earth beneath him tumbling toward the base like a landslide.


    People gathered in crowds, watching the holographic screens broadcasting the race, couldn¡¯t believe what they were seeing. The chaotic nature of the battle, the earth crumbling beneath Jihoon¡¯s feet as he fought the griffon, seemed like something out of a larger-than-life legend rather than the reality of the race.


    ¡°Look at that! I¡¯ve never seen anything like it!¡± one of the commentators shouted, his voice thick with shock and awe. ¡°Jihoon Hyunwoon is literally sliding down the mountain, fighting the griffon mid-battle! This is beyond dangerous¡ªhe could be crushed by the terrain at any moment!¡±


    ¡°I-I don¡¯t know how he¡¯s still in one piece,¡± the co-commentator stammered, her voice tinged with nervous laughter. ¡°I mean, the griffon alone is enough of a challenge, but now the terrain is literally collapsing beneath him. How is he planning to get out of this?¡±


    The tension in the audience only grew as the battle raged on. Jihoon¡¯s blows clashed with the griffon¡¯s wind-powered strikes, each hit sending shockwaves through the unstable ground. The sheer spectacle of it all had the spectators on edge, torn between awe and fear for Jihoon¡¯s life.


    As Jihoon and the griffon slid down the mountain, the leaderboard flickered. The rankings shifted. And in a turn of events that no one saw coming, Jihoon¡¯s name jumped ahead of the top three participants¡ªFenrir Snowbreak, Legolas Virentleaf, and Zorn the Ironclad.


    The commentators gasped audibly. ¡°Wait¡­ did Jihoon just overtake the top three? How is that even possible?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s descending the mountain faster than anyone else, but¡­ it¡¯s not exactly the safest method,¡± the co-commentator replied, clearly still reeling from the shock. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it, but technically, Jihoon¡¯s in first place right now!¡±


    Fenrir, Legolas, and Zorn, who had been steadily making their way down the mountain, glanced at their ranking displays in disbelief as Jihoon¡¯s name shot past them. The realization struck them all at once: Jihoon was somehow descending the mountain far faster than they were. Though not in any way they would have considered sane.


    ¡°This guy,¡± Fenrir growled, her wolf ears twitching in irritation. ¡°I don¡¯t know what kind of insane stunt he¡¯s pulling, but he¡¯s going to get himself killed.¡±


    Legolas glanced back up the mountain, his elven eyes sharp as ever. ¡°If he makes it out of this alive, it¡¯ll be a miracle.¡±


    Zorn merely grunted, his massive form continuing to barrel down the path. ¡°Good luck to him. He¡¯s going to need it.¡±


    As Jihoon continued his descent, locked in combat with the relentless griffon, the spectators, the commentators, and even his fellow racers were left in awe of the sheer madness of his situation. And yet, despite the danger, despite the chaos, Jihoon had somehow claimed the lead.


    Back in the helicopter, Rosa''s eyes widened as she caught sight of Jihoon¡¯s ranking climbing. Despite the danger, despite the madness of the situation, Jihoon was still somehow turning it into an advantage. She gripped the armrest tighter, her thoughts racing.


    ¡°He¡¯s actually doing it¡­¡± she whispered, the disbelief mixing with a grudging sense of awe. But the worry hadn¡¯t left her eyes. The battle was far from over, and the griffon wasn¡¯t backing down.


    The griffon screeched again, its wind magic swirling around it as it lunged at Jihoon. The powerful gusts of wind sent shockwaves through the air, tearing chunks of the sliding terrain apart. But Jihoon, with his enhanced reflexes and Light Magic, met the griffon¡¯s attack head-on. His Judgment of Light gleamed with radiant energy imbued as he blocked the beast¡¯s talons, but the force of the blow still sent him skidding across the unstable ground.


    Karim¡¯s fist clenched as he watched Jihoon narrowly avoid another deadly swipe. ¡°That daredevil¡­ He¡¯s cutting it way too close,¡± he muttered under his breath. For the first time in a long time since they first met, Jihoon has just kept making him felt genuinely uneasy with his method to the madness.


    The audience was split between awe and terror. The scene before them was mesmerizing¡ªJihoon¡¯s daring battle against the odds, the sliding mountain beneath him, and the relentless griffon sentinel all combined into something that felt larger than life. People held their breath, waiting to see if Jihoon could survive this reckless descent.


    As Jihoon and the griffon continued their battle down the mountain, the piece of earth they fought on began to break apart even further. Rocks and debris tumbled around them, the sheer speed of their descent leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Every of his movement was calculated in the heat of moment, his mind racing as he balanced combat and survival. The wind magic from the griffon¡¯s attacks sliced through the air, but Jihoon met each strike with a fierce counter of his own, his Light Magic flickering with intensity.


    Even as the mountain crumbled beneath them, Jihoon refused to slow down. He couldn¡¯t afford to¡ªnot when the griffon was still on his heels.


    With one last burst of energy, Jihoon prepared another swing of his Judgement of Light again. The mechanical griffon perceived his action once again prepared to retaliate again with another surge of Wind Magic. However, he anticipated everything for this moment.


    Riding on the momentum of the falling rock, Jihoon launched himself forward, halberd already moving into motion.


    Judgement of Light ¨C Breaking Dawn


    His decayed halberd imbued with shimmering light, performing the technique instilled upon him as he resonated with the weapon. A horizontal swing with all of one¡¯s focus and strength behind.


    The halberd¡¯s technique applied during its spell casting which temporarily let down its own barrier of wind. During that moment, Jihoon managed to strike a clear blow into one of its wings.


    The mechanical griffon screeched as if in pain, its balance faltering as its damaged wing struggled to maintain flight. Jihoon¡¯s eyes narrowed, knowing this was his chance.


    ¡°Now or never,¡± he only muttered, his focus unwavering.


    With the chunk of earth continue to slide downward into the bottom. Jihoon consigned himself into a decisive duel. Numerous eyes laid upon him, the audience, Rosa, Karim. All of them watched in tense silence, waiting for an outcome to be decided.


    The griffon, with one of its wings crippled, was no longer capable of sustained flight. It crashed down onto the sliding rock, its talons digging into the earth as it attempted to close the distance between itself and Jihoon. With its advanced flight capabilities diminished, it switched to a more direct approach, its claws slashing out with incredible force, bolstered by Wind Magic.


    Jihoon, however, was already preparing his next move.


    Golden Hour Metamorphosis. Novice-class Light Magic ¨C Ardor of the Sun


    Intermediate-class Light Magic ¨C Prominence Brilliance


    With a flick of his wrist, numerous cables of radiant light shot forth from the ground, wrapping around the griffon¡¯s body. The glowing cables ensnared its limbs, binding the griffon in place and preventing it from closing in. The beast struggled against the binding, but Jihoon wasn¡¯t finished yet.


    His magic circle, Golden Hour, was still active though flickering and unstable due to the chaotic battlefield¡ªbut it was enough for what he needed.


    Golden Hour Metamorphosis. Novice-class Light Magic - Afterimage


    Intermediate-class Light Magic - Mirage Reflection


    Jihoon¡¯s form blurred for a moment, then split. His body fragmenting into multiple reflections of himself. Each Mirage Reflection moved as fluidly as the original, indistinguishable from one another, their movements synchronized in perfect harmony.


    The mechanical griffon screeched in frustration, unable to discern which Jihoon was real. Its predatory instincts, honed by Sharp Sight [Imitation] and Predator Instinct [Imitation], failed to pinpoint a single target as the multiple Jihoons surrounded it, each reflection moving with precision.


    The griffon, sensing the danger, immediately shifted into a defensive stance. Its Advanced-class Wind Magic surged to life, forming a powerful barrier around its body.


    The griffon, realizing it was at a disadvantage, shifted to a defensive stance, its damaged wing folding inward as it channeled its remaining strength into a powerful wind barrier. The Advanced-class Wind Magic formed a swirling vortex around it, a shield of razor-sharp gales meant to repel any attack.


    But Jihoon wasn¡¯t deterred. With his enhanced mental clarity from Smashing Through Mountain Path and his Light Magic bolstered by Golden Hour, he coordinated his reflections to strike simultaneously. Each of Jihoon¡¯s mirages, real as they are illusory, raised their halberds in unison, their movements a flawless symphony of light and power.


    The wind barrier roared to life, the gales cutting through the air with deadly precision, but Jihoon¡¯s illusions moved as one. They darted in and out of the wind, using the momentum of the slide to avoid the deadly gusts while closing the gap.


    The griffon¡¯s mechanical body trembled terribly under the combined assault. Its wind barrier flickered and wane as the combined strength of Jihoon¡¯s reflections pressed in unison. For a moment, it seemed as though the tide had turned in Jihoon¡¯s favor, as the sentinel¡¯s wind barrier began to shatter under the pressure.


    But the griffon was relentless.


    With a deafening screech, the griffon summoned every last ounce of power it had left. The cables of light binding it began to fray, the sheer force of its struggling threatening to tear them apart. Jihoon¡¯s eyes widened as he felt the tension in the air shift. The sentinel, no longer able to sustain its offense or defense, made a final, desperate push.


    Forcing itself into flight, using nothing but all of its raw Wind Magic to keep itself airborne. With its remaining wing too damaged for extended flight, the griffon¡¯s body wobbled and jerked as it struggled to stay aloft, but it refused to fall.


    Jihoon cursed under his breath as he saw the griffon ascend once again, its body radiating with unstable wind magic. The beast¡¯s flight was erratic, but it was determined to just stay airborne, no longer able to strike or defend¡ªits only goal was to survive the duel.


    After all, Jihoon remained confine strictly to the sliding earth that will inevitably crashed into the ground at full-force and take him out of the trial, it doesn¡¯t need to do anything else.


    Jihoon¡¯s reflections shimmered, merging back into a single form as he readied his next move. He could feel the weight of the battle pressing down on him¡ªthe unstable terrain, the faltering magic circle beneath him, and the relentless griffon now forcing itself to maintain flight. He couldn¡¯t let it end here.


    His mind raced, cycling through a torrent of thoughts and recollections. Life and death danced before his eyes. They say epiphanies come at the brink of death, and as Jihoon hurtled toward that brink, something clicked inside him.


    With another recklessly maneuver, borderline on suicidal. The sliding rock they were standing on teetered at another edge of the mountain path, gaining neck-breaking speed as it neared the precipice. Using his 500-ish DEX, Jihoon successfully timed his stomp on the border of the sliding rock as the platform flipped upside down and launched of the cliff midair. Right when it was about to plunge itself into the abyss.


    Jihoon then falls off it and having no method of flight, Jihoon by the previous momentum during his free fall reached beneath the griffon, thinking he would just crash hard into the ground beneath. The wind roared past his ears as he accelerated downward.


    However, it fails to recognize his gambit. As it is now right between the now flipping sliding rock and Jihoon himself. The magic circle glimmers he enacts his gambit.


    Golden Hour Metamorphosis. Novice-class Light Magic ¨C Ardor of the Sun


    Intermediate-class Light Magic ¨C Prominence Brilliance


    From the glowing magic circle that had been anchored to the sliding platform, radiant cables of light erupted with explosive force. The cables shot toward the griffon¡¯s back, piercing through the sky like luminous tendrils. Before just moving past it, leaving it in brief confusion as to what¡¯s going on.


    The glowing cables extended past the griffon, anchoring themselves to Jihoon¡¯s decayed halberd, Judgment of Light, binding the weapon toward the magic circle.


    Jihoon, suspended mid-fall, moved his body into a stance as if standing on solid ground. His mind, body, and weapon resonated in perfect harmony, preparing for the finishing blow technique.


    Judgment of Light ¨C Rising Sun


    The halberd, now glowing with an intense luminal brilliance, surged with power. Jihoon swung upward in a swift, vertical arc, as if he were guiding the very sun to rise toward the empyrean heavens above. The radiant blade cleaved through the air, and with the aid of the pulling force from Prominence Brilliance, the halberd¡¯s trajectory accelerated with immense speed and force.


    The griffon, caught between the now-flipping rock platform above and Jihoon¡¯s halberd rising from below, realized his gambit far too late. With its wing damaged and Wind Magic expended to keep itself propelled. It could do nothing but brace itself for the inevitable.


    The radiant arc of Rising Sun met its mark with devastating precision.


    The worst is that it was the same mechanic of using Prominence Brilliance to send the Daybreak Gleam at it at the very beginning of the battle that he performed but just upside down. The same attack at the beginning will now be the final blow to end the duel.


    The halberd struck the griffon¡¯s metallic frame like a guillotine, slicing through its body with the force of a divine blade. The radiant light burst from the impact, and in a blinding flash, the griffon was torn apart by the combined might of the strike and the pulling force from Prominence Brilliance. The creature let out a final, pained screech before its body was completely demolished.


    The rock platform above them, now upside down and hurtling downward, cracked and splintered under the force of the blow, collapsing into scattered debris and dust as it fell toward the ground below. Jihoon¡¯s halberd cleaved not only through the griffon but also through the very platform he had been using for the battle.


    There was no ground left beneath him.


    As the shattered remains of the griffon¡¯s body fell away, Jihoon found himself suspended in midair, surrounded by the debris of the rock platform. His body was exhausted, the magic circle flickering and fading as Golden Hour finally began to wane. He had won¡ªbut now, there was no solid ground to catch him.


    The audience in Cicones, Rosa in the helicopter, and even Karim on the ground below, all watched in breathless silence as the massive explosion of light consumed the scene. Jihoon had destroyed the griffon, but at the cost of obliterating the platform that should have saved him from his free fall.


    Nothing left but the open sky and the long drop to the base.


    ¡°Jihoon!¡± Rosa shouted from the helicopter, her heart pounding as she watched him plummet with the shattered debris.


    Karim¡¯s eyes narrowed, his heart racing as well.


    ¡°This idiot¡­¡± he muttered, his voice tense with concern. Even in victory, Jihoon had pushed himself to the brink.


    The commentators and audience were in awe, torn between the victory they had just witnessed and the terrifying sight of Jihoon falling with no visible means of recovery.


    ¡°He¡­ he destroyed the griffon!¡± the commentator yelled, his voice filled with disbelief. ¡°But now¡­ he¡¯s falling! There¡¯s no way¡ªhe¡¯s going to¡ª¡±


    Jihoon¡¯s body was in exhaustion, but his mind didn¡¯t fail to recognize that he has gone overboard with that gambit. With clarity, he goes on calculating as his plummet to the ground below only has few seconds remaining. Time seemingly slow down to a halt as his mind undergoes recollection in the boundary between life and death once more.


    Then he remembered someone, Alvorna. When he first received the title of Maestro when he first arrived in Absence. He recalled the sensation of her hand reaching out to his as she brought him with her off to the cloud stage where they shared their musical attunement with their instruments. Showing their sentiments away from the public eyes.


    Away from the angry people who sees him as an unknown foreigner who dares to intimately entwining with one of the most hallowed figures of Absence. The daughter of the Matriarch of the Harpies no less.


    Remembering the vow to be there for her that he made with her on the cloud stage as they shared each other''s closely-held backstory. And so formed an intimate connection that goes beyond impulse or carnal desires. Jihoon could still feel and recall her warmth, her presence, as if she were there beside him.


    He genuinely wished for her before she departed back to the towering Citadel still visible at the center of Absence no matter the distance away.


    Like a bird trapped in a glidded cage. He had vowed that he will find his way to allow her the freedom to move beyond the boundary of Absence. From her imposed duty by her own lineage.


    During that epiphany, he suddenly realized one thing from the vow and connection that he made with Alvorna. People of Absence used their own attuned element born from birth and nurturing as if it is inseparable from their life. That¡¯s what he had perceived of the people all around him. No matter the races, that¡¯s the shared sentiment between them all.


    In other words, from their perspective¡­ their magic and themselves is no different but just one and the same. Their progression and approaches on the level of power was as natural as it could be. To someone like him who only just received it externally, he couldn¡¯t wrap such a concept in his mind.


    A profound understanding that reshaped his perception of magic and life.


    The stages of magic proficiency he had come to know crystallized in his mind:


    -Innate is when one only perceives the elements as they are, only the raw imagery depicting them.


    -Initiate is when one understood the methods and underlying physics that allows the magical elements to gain substantial effects.


    -Novice is imparting personal meaning into the methods themselves. Granting more substantive power more than just manipulation.


    This is also why users of same proficiency can have vastly different application range and potency of the spells they used of the same element. The magic for each person is inseparable from individuality.


    -Intermediate is when one synthesizes and connects the imagery, understanding, and meaning together instead of just sequentially linking them. This complexity allows Magic spell to gain far greater potency or effects.


    But as Jihoon hurtled toward the ground, something else clicked in his mind¡ªthe key to Advanced-class magic.


    Connection.


    Advanced-class magic wasn¡¯t just about mastering the elements or honing them to personal perfection. It was about connecting with the deeper meaning behind the magic itself. It was about becoming one with the magic, letting it transcend its normal boundaries to achieve something greater¡ªnot just an expression of power, but of purpose.


    In short, he must stop perceiving himself as commanding magic to do his bidding, but rather¡­ he is his own extension of his own magic.


    With the way opened in his overdriven mind, Jihoon¡¯s thought accelerated beyond his known limit as a new spell formulated in his mind.


    First, the imagery. He remembered how Alvorna taken flight so freely, how her unfurled wing span seemingly lift her with own ease. His wings, however, were not fully formed, almost fragmented like shattered glass, representing Jihoon¡¯s own limitations and the weight of the unfulfilled vow he had made to Alvorna. They symbolized the yearning to fly beyond boundaries, to ascend to a place unreachable by ordinary means.


    Second, Jihoon drew on completely all his Light Magic proficiency, weaving together luminal energy in ways and paths he never had done before. The wings weren¡¯t just conjured, they had to be shaped, crafted with precision, balancing power and fragility. He focused on the essence of the spell, ensuring that each fragment of light together formed a cohesive whole.


    Third, the personal meaning. Jihoon poured his memories of Alvorna into the spell. The weight of their shared experiences, the emotions they had kept hidden from the world, and the promise to break free from the chains of their respective fates. These wings, though fragile, were his manifestation of that desire¡ªthe symbol of the vow to help Alvorna break her cage, to fly free together. They represented both the hope and the pain of that unreachable promise that even the System registers as highest possible in difficulty.


    Finally, the connection. He empathized with her plight, from the suppressed ideality that only taken flight thanks to his unconditional feelings toward her. And in doing so, he recognized her situation being no different than his even if they are vastly different. Together, they are people who didn¡¯t feel belong to the world they¡¯re in.


    Why are these hands chasing dream out of my reach?


    He may have been a nobody, and she stood above the world with glee. But the shared sentiment between them was one and the same.


    ¡®Break the birdcage, and be free¡¯. Jihoon muttered his incantation.


    Is my thirst for normalcy ¡®odd¡¯?


    As the ground approaches, the sounds of shattered glass manifested from nowhere to be discerned.


    Advanced-class Light Magic ¨C Wings that Don¡¯t Reach


    Fly, perfect wings.


    Jihoon¡¯s Light Magic surged, its substances distinctly different as a pair of brilliant wings of light erupted from his back. Each individual ¡®feather¡¯ composed it was brittle like fragmented glass. They were imperfect, flickering with instability, as though testing the boundary of his immature control of his own element. But, they were there and that is all what mattered.


    Where have¡­ you been hi-ding?


    The wings were wide and radiant, shimmering with the soft glow of dawn. They flapped once, catching the air beneath them, and Jihoon¡¯s rapid and fatal descent slowed.


    For the first time in his life, Jihoon had achieved flight¡ªtrue flight. The wings of light carried him, lifting him from the inevitable crash below. Though unsteady, though still fragile, the magic held, a testament to his newfound understanding and connection to the magic itself.


    Bring me to the mind that got me started.


    The name of the spell came to him as naturally as breathing, embodying everything he had felt for Alvorna and himself.


    It was a reflection of their struggles. Wings that Don''t Reach¡ªa metaphor for the freedom they both sought but had not yet fully grasped.


    The desire to fly, to reach beyond his standing, but always tragically held back by invisible chains of both others and self. It was that yearning for freedom, that shared sentiment, that gave birth to his first Advanced-class spell even if it is fragile and unstable.


    Fly, perfect wings.


    Show them who I can be.


    His heart raced as the spell took form, lifting him slightly, the wings flapping unevenly. His breakthrough had come¡ªbut it was unstable, the wings flickering, struggling to hold their form.


    Yet, despite the instability, Jihoon was flying. But even as he maintained flight, Jihoon knew this new power was fragile¡ªstill incomplete. His mastery over this Advanced-class spell was far from perfect, but in that moment, it was enough. It had saved him.


    He wasn¡¯t yet a master of this new magic¡ªit was raw, unfinished, and unsteady and can¡¯t be repeated enough to drive the point, but the connection was there. He understood the path forward, the steps he needed to take to refine this new power.


    The audience in Cicones gasped in awe as they witnessed Jihoon¡¯s ascent. The once chaotic scene of his plummet had turned into something ethereal, almost beautiful, as the wings of light carried him above the treacherous ground below.


    Rosa, watching from the helicopter, let out a breath she didn¡¯t know she¡¯d been holding. ¡°He¡­ he¡¯s flying,¡± she whispered, her heart racing.


    Even Karim, usually composed, was struck by the sight before him.


    ¡°He did it,¡± he spoken out loud in the public, surrounded by so many celebrating the scene in front of them, a small smile tugging at his lips. ¡°That reckless idiot actually did it.¡±


    For the one last time, if you will¡­


    ¡°He¡¯s done it! Jihoon Hyunwoon has achieved flight! This¡­ this is Advanced-class Light Magic! No one could¡¯ve predicted this!¡± The commentators were stunned into silence for a moment, before erupting into excited shouts.


    Jihoon hovered in the air, the wings of light still shimmering behind him as he steadied himself. He felt the connection, the bond with the magic, and the deep meaning that tied it all together. Though the wings faltered occasionally, they held strong enough to keep him aloft.


    Slowly he tried to find proper ground for footing as he could genuinely feel the limitation of his recent breakthrough approaching its limit soon. But his epiphany, the journey in Absence, his meeting with Alvorna have brought him to this very point. All of it together had brought this moment for him.


    Promptly descending on the ground again with only a light tap, the wings of light behind his back dispersed into the ether. Though his newfound reach was unsteady, Jihoon smiled genuinely for the longest time as far as he knew.


    That¡¯s all.


    He had broken free.

 Chapter 36: Formidable Enemies.

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 36: Formidable Enemies


    After his battle with the sentinel construct griffon and the downhill slide taken place, Jihoon is now way ahead of all the participants as a result. However, with his Linked Song Magic expired, the momentum that once carried him is no longer. He can only use whatever his System enabled and his own effort in this moment since even the helicopter is out of reach.


    His breakthrough to Advanced-class magic proficiency is still too fragile and immature. He couldn¡¯t possibly refine it right during the midst of the race without pushing his luck too far. And as it has shown, its form was not that different than shattered glass.


    Still¡­ , having just recently slay a Level 200-ish enemy on his own have to net some significant experience points because if not¡­ he could already envision the gamers amongst his imaginary audience reading his story seething and angry in the comments in his place.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon


    Level: 66


    EXP: 149/1,020


    Class: None


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 14


    -END: 15 (+9)


    -AGI: 15


    -DEX: 14


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 10.2


    -CHA: 4


    -MAG: 30


    Attribute Points: 34


    +Weapons:


    -Judgement of Light (Decayed) ¨C Halberd [Heroic]


    -Dual Adamantium Survival Knives [Mortal]


    -Adamantium Spiked Handaxe [Mortal]


    +Musical Prowess: Early-Expert


    +Active Skill:


    -Doppelganger (Master)


    -Mana Attunement (Advanced)


    -Light Magic (Intermediate)


    -Judgement of Light ¨C Halberd (Novice)


    +Passive Skill:


    -Deadly Obsession [Inactive] (Innate Trait Skill)


    -Agony Resistance (Advanced)


    +Song Magic:


    -Forgotten Melody (Intermediate)


    -Glint of Cold Steel (Intermediate)


    -Belief (Intermediate)


    -Exceed! (Intermediate)


    -RiET-949 (Intermediate)


    -SPIKA (Intermediate)


    -Alvorna (Expert)


    -Restia. (Expert)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    His previous level was about 49 and that the reward for striking down the griffon was 15 level-up. He doesn¡¯t really know what decided the EXP gains but¡­ the stockpile of attribute points now look as if asking to be used instead of collecting dust.


    ¡°Alright then¡­ time to put some into what has worked for me¡­ MAG, like it always was¡±. Jihoon muttered beneath his breath, taking his time walking the path.


    30 points into MAG. This probably is a lot more than the intended System quest reward for this race to begin with.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -MAG: 60


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Feeling the effect of the System¡¯s enhancement taking place, Jihoon felt the sharp distinction in compared to before. In the broadest sense, his magic power and reserve has at least doubled.


    With that out of the way, Jihoon proceeds to perform the foundational technique that all combatants of Absence must do.


    Mana Attunement...


    Once again to explain¡­ it is like trying to imagine an imaginary flow within your own body, each moving toward the focal points in human body. Thus forming circulation of mystical power that makes one more attuned to the surrounding environment and thus enhancing one''s physical capability. A lot of races'' biology in Absence won''t be able to keep up with their own power without Mana Attunement and it is considered the foundational step for any serious combatant. That''s even before conjuring any elemental magic with one''s own will.


    In before, his Mana Attunement was very poor when he first learned it and its capability has remained stagnant at just Initiate when he first learned from Alvorna¡¯s guidance. But with his breakthrough to Advanced, it is a good time to rectify that wrong while he is at it. He can¡¯t just create Advanced magic spell at will right now but the remade method for Mana Attunement isn¡¯t too difficult.


    He had learned the basics, but his understanding had always been rudimentary. His foreign origin made it harder for him to grasp the deeper nuances of a world where magic wasn¡¯t just a tool but a fundamental aspect of life itself.


    Jihoon took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he focused inward. As Jihoon concentrated, he felt the familiar but now sharper flow of mana moving through him, gathering at focal points in his body. His core, wrists, feet, etc¡­


    His earlier understanding of Mana Attunement had been mechanical¡ªa step-by-step process of trying to force mana into the right paths. Now, however, he understood that it wasn¡¯t about forcing anything. It was about becoming the flow itself, letting the mana circulate naturally as part of his own being. It wasn¡¯t something separate from his body or his soul. It was as much a part of him as his heartbeat, his breath, his thoughts.


    He had to stop thinking of mana as something separate from himself and instead recognize it as an extension of his own existence.


    He continued to visualize the mana flowing through his body, moving toward key points. Then, he begin the process to let go of the rigid structure he had relied on before and instead allowing the flow to follow its natural course.


    A step-by-step adjustment to rectify all that he had done wrong by his ignorance.


    Innate, is to perceive mana as it was, an external force.


    Initiate, was understanding the mechanic, thus guiding it through the body to improve one physical attributes.


    Novice, was adding personal meaning to the technique, thus making it part of his own combat identity.


    Intermediate, his current stable capability. Synthesized all of the forementioned elements together, finally allowing it to flow not as a technique but an extension of his own. The synthesis of these steps was seamless now, as if his body had finally learned how to breathe in tandem with his magic.


    He began to visualize the mana not as something he was forcing to move, but as something that naturally flowed through him, connecting with his surroundings. The world of Absence was alive with magic, and Jihoon had become part of that world, no longer a foreigner.


    He starts to be able to sense the mana in the air, the ground beneath, and in the distant lives away from him. He could feel the hum of magic in all things living.


    Advanced, was connection. The critical piece of puzzle to further perfecting his Mana Attunement.


    With each breath, Jihoon refined the flow of mana through his body, circulating it smoothly from his core to his limbs. His physical attributes subtly enhanced, his senses sharpened, and the fatigue in his muscles lessened as the mana supported his body¡¯s strain. His once-poor Mana Attunement now felt natural, like breathing.


    It was a subtle but profound difference. Instead of merely manipulating mana, he was actually attuning to it, allowing it to enhance not just his spells but his entire presence.


    For the first time, Jihoon¡¯s Mana Attunement wasn¡¯t just a technique anymore, it was a state of being. And while it wasn¡¯t yet perfect, he could feel the difference in every movement, every heartbeat.


    ¡°This... this is what it¡¯s supposed to feel like,¡± Jihoon said quietly, his eyes opening with newfound clarity. This was how the people of Absence lived their lives, and he was separated from them at such fundamental level until now.


    The wings of light that carried him may dissipate but the lessons imparted never fade.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Mana Attunement


    Classification: Energy Circulation Method


    Rank: Advanced


    Effect:


    -Add [100% value of MAG] to all Physical Attributes.


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 14 (+60)


    -END: 15 (+69)


    -AGI: 15 (+60)


    -DEX: 14 (+60)


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    The race is still on, but he has obtained something no less valuable. A deeper connection to magic, and by extension, himself.


    And without doubt of what to do, Jihoon used his System to play a certain Song Magic again. This time, SPIKA to boost his MAG once more.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    SPIKA


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 60):


    -+[10*MAG/3]% to MAG (Currently: 200%)


    (This effect can only be stacked once and is overlapped by stronger similar effect.)


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 14 (+180)


    -END: 15 (+189)


    -AGI: 15 (+180)


    -DEX: 14 (+180)


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -MAG: 60 (+120)


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    With his current status, he is certain to surpass a majority of the participants in this trial. However, he didn¡¯t hurry to celebrate because he knew that there were still people proven to be far faster than him.


    The top 3 before him are hurrying to catch him up soon. And with how they consistently hold their own ranks even until now, he is certain that they have something special that he isn¡¯t yet aware of.


    With that, he quickly hurries his pace toward the return path once again.


    The upside of using his System to cast Song Magic is that he can replay them anytime he wanted when they end. With his current physical attributes at near 200 together, and a significant part of the mountain path skipped due to the fight with the griffon on top of a sliding chunk of earth. He soon leaves the mountain path into the dirt trail in roughly a few minutes. The top 3 before him however have already reached the lower ascent of the mountain already.


    The dirt trail is a lot smoother where his near-200 AGI and DEX could be more properly utilized. By calculation, assuming the dirt trail is as long as a marathon in length, this will only take roughly a minute and half with no impediment. The reality is that there¡¯s no easy road no matter where he goes.


    However, during the duration of the race, the sentinels have now grown even stronger in comparison to before and now taking up more time to dispatch. Using his [Observant], the deployed sentinel constructs are now about 90-ish on all physical attributes on average and steadily increasing in both numbers and individual strength in real time


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°Damn,¡± Jihoon muttered to himself. ¡°They¡¯re getting stronger by the minute.¡±


    The thought weighed heavily on his mind. As the race continued, the sentinels would only grow more powerful. He wondered how long he and the other participants could push forward. Would there come a point where even the weakest of these constructs would be able to one-shot anyone, regardless of how much they had boosted their stats or honed their skills?


    ¡®How many laps can I even survive? ¡®Jihoon mused to himself. He didn¡¯t doubt his ability to handle the current sentinels, but what about the next lap, and the one after that? Each wave was stronger than the last, and as his Linked Song Magic wore off and had to be recast, he¡¯d be facing tougher enemies with increasingly depleted resources.


    Would it come to a point where defense, strength, or agility wouldn¡¯t matter? Where a single mistake would just mean instant ¡®death¡¯?


    He shook off the thought for now, refocusing his energy on the task at hand. He couldn¡¯t afford to get distracted. He had already come too far to falter now.


    But as he powered forward, he heard it. Faint at first, but unmistakable.


    Footsteps. Rapid, thunderous footsteps.


    Jihoon¡¯s ears perked, and his eyes widened. It wasn¡¯t just the distant pounding of feet; it was the distinct and familiar cadence of those he had been watching and knowing since the start of the race. The top three and they were gaining on him.


    ¡®The top three...¡¯ Jihoon thought with a mixture of frustration and irony. ¡®I overtook them before, speeding past them at Mach-speed, and now... they¡¯re overtaking me.¡¯


    The irony of the situation wasn¡¯t lost on him. Earlier, he had blown past them with an explosive burst of speed, riding the momentum of his Linked Song Magic. But now, with his boosts expiring and the reality of the race setting in, the tables had turned on him instead. The top three had consistently maintained their own positions and only change hands with each other, and it was clear they had something special about them, something that allowed them to stay ahead even as the trial escalated in difficulty.


    ¡°Ironic, isn¡¯t it?¡± Jihoon muttered to himself, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. He had overtaken them before with Mach-speed, literally leaving them in his wake. Now, after the battle with the griffon and his momentary lead, they were the ones overtaking him, steadily closing the gap.


    He could hear clearly them now, their presence looming just behind him. Fenrir¡¯s light, rapid steps; Legolas¡¯ calculated, graceful footfalls; and Zorn¡¯s heavy, relentless pace, each footfall like a hammer strike.


    Jihoon could almost picture it¡ªFenrir, her wolf-like agility allowing her to navigate the terrain effortlessly; Legolas, the elven prodigy, flowing like water through every obstacle; and Zorn, the dwarf warrior, brute-forcing his way through anything in his path with his endurance and strength.


    ¡°They¡¯re relentless,¡± Jihoon muttered, feeling the weight of the competition pressing in on him. He hadn¡¯t expected this kind of pushback after his earlier triumph. It was a reminder that no matter how powerful he became, there were always others just as driven, just as capable.


    He pushed his legs harder, trying to maintain his lead, but he could feel the pressure building. The distance between them was shrinking. He had no illusions¡ªif they caught up, it wouldn¡¯t be long before they passed him entirely.


    For a brief moment, Jihoon felt the competitive fire flare up within him. He had fought hard to claim his lead, and now he was watching it slip away. But at the same time, he couldn¡¯t help but respect their persistence.


    ¡®They¡¯re not unbeatable¡¯, Jihoon reminded himself, his grip tightening on his halberd as he sped up.


    But as he pushed harder, his thoughts circled back to the reality of the situation. The race wasn¡¯t just about speed¡ªit was about endurance, strategy, and timing. He couldn¡¯t afford to burn out too soon, especially with the sentinels growing stronger by the minute. He had to conserve his energy, be smart about when and where to make his moves.


    ¡®I can¡¯t keep up this pace forever, Jihoon thought, watching the top three draw closer in his peripheral vision. But neither can they. The question is, who¡¯s going to crack first?¡¯


    With that, Jihoon shifted his focus back to the path ahead, determined to stay in the game for as long as he could. This race was far from over.


    Jihoon steeled his resolve, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the dirt trail ahead. He might be in the lead for now, but he knew that if he didn¡¯t push himself beyond his current limits, the top three would soon eclipse him.


    During the few intense minutes, the dirt trail they tread on transit into urban road. For the duration of the time, Jihoon tried to use run with all his given best. Inevitably however, Jihoon is eventually overtaken by one of the top participants. This time, it is Fenrir herself and he didn¡¯t hesitate to scan her just as she outrun him.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Heiress of Solros Snow Queen


    Name: Fenrir Snowbreak


    Level: 136


    Class: Snowtreader


    Race: Wolf Beastfolk


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 177


    -END: 144


    -AGI: 3??


    -DEX: 3??


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 11


    -CHA: 44


    -MAG: 2??


    +Weapons:


    -Devourer¡¯s Claw [Legendary]


    +Active Skill:


    -Ice Magic (Expert)


    |Blizzard¡¯s Call (Expert)


    |Frost Step (Advanced)


    |Winter¡¯s Frenzy (Intermediate)


    |Glacial Fang (Advanced)


    -Predator¡¯s Instinct (Advanced)


    +Passive Skill:


    - Snowtreader¡¯s Grace (Unique Racial Skill):


    |Grants immunity to cold environments and enhances agility on any terrain covered in snow or ice.


    Additionally, allows her to create small patches of frost underfoot, enhancing her speed in battle.


    -Pack Leader¡¯s Aura (Innate):


    -Beastfolk Resilience (Innate)


    +Description:


    Fenrir Snowbreak, heir to the legendary Wolf Queen of Solros,


    hails from the frozen tundras of the Solros Winter Wonderland in northern Absence.


    Her mother is a ruler revered for her unmatched prowess


    in both battle and leadership, and Fenrir is no different.


    Trained from birth to inherit her mother¡¯s mantle,


    Fenrir has honed her skills to a level that few can match.


    Known for her speed and tactical brilliance, she dominates the battlefield


    with her swift strikes and icy abilities. Her wolf blood grants her not only


    enhanced physical prowess but also an unbreakable connection to winter magic,


    allowing her to manipulate frost and snow with ease.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    As Jihoon finished scanning her stats and abilities, his mind raced. Her AGI and DEX were far beyond anything he could clearly assess¡ªwell into the 300s, perhaps even higher. It wasn¡¯t just her speed that made her dangerous, though. Her skills were designed to amplify her natural abilities, turning her into a relentless force that thrived in cold environments and on any terrain.


    Now that he observed her skill sets, he actually started to notice the coldness that radiated from her and how it was palpable even at proximity. A reflection of the Ice Magic she controlled. Every step she took seemed to leave behind a faint layer of frost, and even as she passed him, the air around her chilled noticeably.


    ¡°Frost Step...¡± Jihoon muttered, noting how she seemed to glide effortlessly, each step increasing the distance between them. He could feel the frost beginning to cling to his boots, making the ground beneath him a bit more treacherous to navigate.


    As she continued to outpace him, Jihoon couldn¡¯t help but feel the irony. He had blazed past them at Mach-speed before, leaving them in his dust. Now, it was his turn to be left behind.


    Then the next was Legolas, the prodigal elf hailed from Alberenth Feywild. In a burst of winds as if a hurricane just passed by. Quickly, Jihoon used his [Observant] on the next target.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Alberenth Commando Major


    Name: Legolas Virentleaf


    Level: 2??


    Class: Commando


    Race: Wood Elf


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 133


    -END: 165


    -AGI: 3??


    -DEX: 3??


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 9


    -CHA: 22


    -MAG: 2??


    +Weapons:


    -Storm Shooter [Heroic]


    -Ether Edge [Mortal]


    +Active Skill:


    -Wind Magic (Expert)


    |Windborne Speed (Expert)


    |Whirling Tempest (Expert)


    |Gale Precision (Advanced)


    |Aether Shot (Advanced)


    |Vortex Strike (Intermediate)


    +Passive Skill:


    -Sylvan Reflex (Unique Racial Skill)


    |Grants heightened reaction speed and agility, allowing detection


    of subtle movements in his surroundings and react before danger strikes.


    In wooded or natural environments, this skill amplifies further, granting


    near-supernatural awareness of the battlefield.


    -Mana Attunement (Expert)


    -Mystic Resistance (Innate)


    +Description:


    Legolas Virentleaf hails from the prestigious Virentleaf clan,


    an elite family within the royal circle of Alberenth Faewild.


    Trained from an early age to serve the elven crown,


    Legolas quickly rose through the ranks due to his natural affinity


    with wind magic and his unmatched agility.


    Officially holding his role as Commando of Alberenth military, excels


    in both practical ranged and close combat when most of his race would just focus


    on grace and precision.


    Legolas blends tactical power of military training with the elegance of his movements.


    His skills with Wind Magic, especially his Windborne Speed,


    make him one of the fastest personnel within Alberenth or perhaps rivaling


    even the most agile races in Absence.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    As Jihoon finished scanning Legolas, his mind worked quickly to analyze the data. Legolas¡¯s AGI and DEX were far beyond what he could accurately measure with [Observant], likely in the 300 range or higher. His abilities centered around wind manipulation, granting him unparalleled speed and control over his movements and projectiles. Windborne Speed made him a blur, almost impossible to keep track of as he tore across the battlefield.


    Legolas¡¯s control over wind also extended beyond movement, allowing him to alter the flight paths of his projectiles mid-air with Gale Precision, or create devastating shockwaves with Vortex Strike in melee combat.


    ¡®He¡¯s built for this¡¯, Jihoon thought, unquestionably impressed by the elf¡¯s overwhelming advantage even if he himself is a cheater with his System and Song Magic. By comparison to his world, it would be like if the Rambo joined an athlete race.


    This man wasn¡¯t just fast¡ªhe was calculated, tactical, and deadly. It was no wonder he had maintained such a high rank throughout the race. Even as he overtook Jihoon, it was clear that he hadn¡¯t exerted his full strength yet, his movements fluid and almost effortless. Same applies for Fenrir and perhaps even the ironclad dwarf that is also hurrying up behind him.


    This probably confirms his suspicion that they are about to go for further laps as well. Although they can claim their ranks by heading straight to the finish line, if anyone can complete their additional lap higher than the already finished participants, their rank will supersede those who arrived at the finish line regardless of actual completion time.


    Because of it, the competitiveness of trial escalates greater than any participants¡¯ anticipation. Do they just willingly accept their completion at the first lap or go for additional? To the top 3 however, their intention to dominate trial is as clear as the cloudless day.


    Just closely behind Jihoon again is Zorn the Ironclad now seemingly start to make use of his persistence to a great degree. Each footstep seemingly creates a localized tremor as the dwarf¡¯s movement is deliberate and precise like that of an industrial forging press. Despite seemingly carrying a great weight, he seems unhindered by nearly everything on his way at all.


    Eventually, Zorn overtook Jihoon as he once again scan on the heavy armored dwarf.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Steelpress Dwarf Regiment Juggernaut


    Name: Zorn ¡®Steelpress¡¯ Ironwool


    Level: 2??


    Class: Juggernaut


    Race: Dwarf


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 3??


    -END: 3??


    -AGI: 189


    -DEX: 2??


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 6


    -CHA: 10


    -MAG: 2??


    +Weapons:


    -Juggernaut Armor [Heroic]


    -Vulcan Rotary Cannon [Mortal]


    +Active Skill:


    -Earth Magic (Expert)


    |Stone Form (Expert)


    |Seismic Barrage (Expert)


    |Earthquake Stomp (Advanced)


    |Rockslide Shield (Advanced)


    |Crushing Force (Advanced)


    +Passive Skill:


    -Heart of Mountain (Unique Racial Skill)


    | Grants dwarves near-infinite endurance in battle and daily-life,


    allowing them to continue fighting and moving without fatigue,


    especially in long, drawn-out encounters.


    This also makes dwarves highly resistant to environmental effects


    such as harsh weather or unstable terrain.


    -Mana Attunement (Expert)


    -Steel Body (Innate)


    -Iron Will (Innate)


    +Description:


    Zorn ¡®Steelpress¡¯ Ironwool is a legendary figure within the Dwarven Steelpress Regiment,


    a renowned force known for its unbreakable defense and overwhelming power.


    As a Juggernaut, Zorn embodies the very concept of unstoppable force


    ¡ªimmense strength combined with unwavering defense.


    Born from a long line of dwarf warriors of Ironwool lineage, Zorn earned his moniker for his ability


    to crush enemies with the weight of his attacks, much like a steel press flattening metal.


    His proficiency in Earth Magic gives him control over the ground itself, allowing him


    to manipulate terrain and summon protective barriers.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ¡®What is with all these famous figures doing in this race?¡¯ Jihoon thought as he watches as their figures in the distance slowly become hazy. The fact that these people of such pedigree place themselves in this race still baffles him to no end because the Odyssey doesn¡¯t seem like a place where they should be.


    Zorn¡¯s STR and END was astronomical, so much so that it eclipsed nearly every other participant of the competition. And his development of Earth Magic only adds a further layer of complexity into his combat method. A Juggernaut in every sense and word, in that he could bulldoze everything obstruct his way with ease.


    The passive racial skill Heart of Mountain was particularly terrifying. It meant that Zorn could keep going without tiring for a very long while¡ªhis endurance was virtually infinite, making him unstoppable in any prolonged battle or race. Combine that with Steel Body and Iron Will, and Zorn was a tank in every regard and literal sense. Even magic wouldn¡¯t faze him much, as he will shrug off magical attacks and debuffs like they were nothing.


    ¡®This guy doesn¡¯t stop¡¯, Jihoon thought. ¡®No wonder he¡¯s kept pace with the top.¡¯


    Now that Jihoon had observed all three of the top participants¡ªFenrir, Legolas, and Zorn. The picture became clear in his train of thoughts. Not just fast and powerful, their skill sets establish them as a force of nature, each dominating the trial with on their field of specialty.


    Fenrir embodies the speed and predator instinct of the beasts. Legolas wield the wind as if disciplinary with unmatched precision and agility. Zorn and his unstoppable strength is no different to that of a walking fortress.


    Foreseeing the trial ahead, Jihoon could tell the outcome of the race will become that of an all-out war in the purest sense. That eventually, only him and the top 3 participants will remain in the race. Continue to push their boundary to the utter limit.


    By then, their relationship between one another will be no different than that of nemeses. Even if none of them can lay their hands on each other.


    At the city checkpoint of Cicones¡¯s outskirt, the top 3 arrived before dutifully made their turn to initiate another lap toward the destination flag again. Jihoon approached the city checkpoint, not too far behind as he confirms the beginning of Lap 2.


    And so it begins.

 Chapter 37: EGO Ergo Sum

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 37: Ego Ergo Sum


    With the trial¡¯s entering Lap 2, of the 230 participants of the original 300 that remain, 70 that has arrived at the Cicones¡¯ checkpoint has decided to conclude their race by going straight for the finishing line. The rest, however, has emboldened to take on the additional challenge of Lap 2 and for some, unquestionably a gamble that they either win big or lose everything.


    The 70 that done so out of prudence decision, complete the race and earn a place in the ranking. Compared to the disqualified, there is no wrong or shame to do so but securing a foothold in the next trial of the Odyssey. For the rest, will be a test of endurance and ambition where their will is put to the test. And that they have what it takes to stake their claim.


    The commentators were already abuzz as the remaining racers prepared for the next phase of the trial.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen!¡± one commentator¡¯s voice rang out, filled with excitement.


    ¡°We¡¯ve officially entered Lap 2 of the Odyssey¡¯s Cicones Trial! And what a spectacle it has been so far! Of the 300 competitors who started this grueling race, only 230 remain from the trial, with 70 participants opting to conclude their run at Cicones¡¯ checkpoint. But for the brave and daring few who¡¯ve chosen to push forward, Lap 2 begins now¡ªand it promises to be a real gauntlet!¡±


    His co-worker chimed in, her voice laced with anticipation. ¡°That¡¯s right! Lap 2 isn¡¯t just a repeat of what we¡¯ve seen before¡ªit¡¯s going to be significantly more dangerous. Not only are the sentinel constructs growing stronger and faster with each passing moment, but we¡¯ve received confirmation that new environmental hazards will be introduced as well. We¡¯re talking massive terrain shifts, artificial magical phenomena, and obstacles that weren¡¯t present during the first lap!¡±


    ¡°Absolutely. These racers will need to stay on their toes, because from here on out, nothing is predictable. The sentinels will continue to evolve, becoming deadlier with each passing time and iteration. We¡¯ve seen their stats steadily increasing, and there¡¯s no telling how far they¡¯ll go.¡±


    The camera panned over the route ahead beyond the urban road, showing the array of sentinels waiting ahead. They looked far more menacing than before¡ªsleeker, faster, with new glowing enhancements that suggested they had undergone significant upgrades. Some even emitted a faint aura of magic, indicating that they were now capable of wielding elemental attacks.


    ¡°Not to mention,¡± the female commentator continued, ¡°there¡¯s word that we might see entirely new types of sentinels appear in Lap 2. Constructs that were never deployed in the first lap. Expect aerial units, siege-class sentinels, and even boss sentinels designed specifically to hinder the most powerful of competitors. If you have seen the griffon before, expect those similar to that may appear on the route¡±


    The male commentator added, ¡°And if the rumors are true, we might also see ¡®natural¡¯ hazards occurring. Reports suggest that the mountain paths will now be affected by shifting rocks and landslides, turning what was a difficult climb into a treacherous deathtrap. Don¡¯t forget the magic disruption zone which cause magic to not work as well as intended and it would fall to the participant¡¯s pure physical skill and ingenuity to pull through.¡±


    ¡°Of course, all of this means that the participants who chose to continue into Lap 2 knew that they are taking a massive risk,¡± she said.


    ¡°And let¡¯s not forget,¡± the male commentator said, ¡°the top three¡ªFenrir, Legolas, and Zorn¡ªare all in this for domination. They¡¯re not here to settle for a mere finish. They want to win. And with how they¡¯ve been performing so far, they are practically the ones to watch in this second lap. But let¡¯s not count out the others just yet¡ªJihoon Hyunwoon, the dark horse who overtook them for a brief moment during the first lap, has continued into Lap 2 as well!¡±


    ¡°Indeed,¡± the female commentator agreed. ¡°Jihoon¡¯s rise from last place to competing with the top ranks has been nothing short of astonishing. He¡¯s still an enigma to many of us, but if his performance in the first lap was any indication, he¡¯s not going down without a fight. And with Lap 2 now in full swing, we¡¯ll see if he can keep up with the heavy hitters or if the ever-growing challenges will prove too much.¡±


    ¡°Lap 2 is where the trial will truly separate the elite from the rest. With stronger sentinels, more environmental dangers, and the looming pressure of the finish line, every decision matters now more than ever. Will these competitors take the safe route and claim their place, or will they risk it all to climb to the very top?¡±


    The camera zoomed in on Jihoon as he sprinted forward, his eyes focused and determined. The race was about to become even more chaotic, but he was prepared for whatever lay ahead.


    ¡°The real Odyssey begins now!¡±


    Back to Jihoon, moving in stride as he still wields the decayed halberd in his hand. With his MAG now at 180, consistently. He is finally able to check up on one of the things he had in mind.


    His decayed halberd, Judgment of Light. First found in the ¡®Ruined Courthouse of Judgment¡¯ dungeon in his world, and that there¡¯s more to this thing that met the eyes. It imparted its initiate techniques, Breaking Dawn so that he can deflect his betrayed old friend Jin¡¯s Bullet of Despair, the final shot fired from the Der Freischutz rifle.


    And when Alvorna fallen into subconscious state during a sparring gone wrong, when he had to utilize his Linked Song Magic to achieve 700-ish on all Physical Stats and over 100 on MAG just to deflect her strongest Wind Magic at Expert-class ¡®Heavenly Tribulation¡¯, the resonance between him and his weapon become stronger that he can actually hear it speaking to him. That it wasn¡¯t just a decayed relic after all, which it took over his body temporarily to teach and perform Rising Sun for him, the next sequence of its technique.


    However, after that incident, Jihoon didn¡¯t have a chance to retry it again until now. Having over 3-digit MAG is required to attune to the Judgment of Light, at all time.


    The Judgement of Light is an EGO weapon. Referred as such for anything that contained its own consciousness and capable of thought of its own no differently than a human. Despite its state of decay, the consciousness residing in it still remain pristine and coherent.


    ¡®We meet again, Anointed Wielder,¡¯ came the voice of Judgment of Light, speaking directly to his thoughts. The tone was firm but calm, like that of a veteran paladin¡ªsomeone who had seen countless battles and carried the weight of timeless wisdom.


    Jihoon couldn¡¯t help but smirk slightly, even as he ducked beneath the swinging blade of a sentinel.


    ¡®Long time no see,¡¯ he mentally responded, deflecting the sentinel¡¯s strike with the halberd before cutting through its frame with a quick spin. ¡®You¡¯ve been quiet since that day with Alvorna. I wasn¡¯t sure if you¡¯d ever speak to me again.¡¯


    ¡®Your power was insufficient at the time, artificially heightened... To wield me properly, you must maintain the strength necessary for my attunement and only now you have crossed that threshold.¡¯ The halberd¡¯s voice remained steady, even as Jihoon fought.


    Jihoon sliced through another sentinel with ease, his senses heightened by the mana flowing through his body.


    ¡®So, you''re back in my life, huh? What now? Got any advice for dealing with these guys?¡¯ Said as he spun the halberd, bringing it down on a sentinel construct that lunged at him, cleaving it in two.


    ¡®You have grown indeed, but your growth is uneven. Carrying yourself with strength unquestionably but your focus is still scattered as you fight.¡¯ Judgment of Light remarked, its voice filled with quiet approval.


    Jihoon frowned as he parried another sentinel''s blow. "What do you mean? I¡¯m doing fine now, aren¡¯t I?"


    ¡®You¡¯re surviving whatever challenges had gone your way. But seeing the path ahead remain dangerous evermore, that will not be enough. You wield great power but you still hesitate. React rather than command. These sentinels, while getting stronger, hasn¡¯t yet become out of your reach. You are allowing yourself to be overwhelmed by numbers instead of controlling the flow of battle.¡¯


    "So, what should I do? How do I improve?" Jihoon said while grit his teeth as he tore through another wave of sentinels while moving at great speed at the same time, but the halberd¡¯s words lingered in his mind.


    Judgment of Light was silent for a moment, as if contemplating its response. Then, its voice returned with renewed intensity.


    ¡®You must understand that power without control is chaos. You must command the battlefield, not simply react to it. In a way, it can be seen as an entering step to perceiving intent. From what I have seen while remaining dormant, you have many different kinds of power that seem to be its own things separate from one another. They are fragmented and you must find a way to unify them as a whole¡¯


    Jihoon thought back to the times when he had relied on brute strength and raw power to get through difficult fights. He had used Linked Song Magic to push his stats beyond human limits, had relied on sheer magic output to overpower enemies. But there was truth in what the halberd was saying¡ªhe hadn¡¯t been fighting with precision or control but entierly relying on raw force.


    ¡®Now, seeing that you have already attuning you mana with your physical body, we will skip that. Focus on the battlefield. Do not simply attack the nearest foe¡ªcontrol the flow of combat. Force your enemies to move where you want them. Use your power to dominate, not just survive.


    With renewed focus, Jihoon adjusted his approach to combat. Instead of just reacting to the sentinel¡¯s attack, he started to redirect the flow of battle to his best. In before, he had to utilize overwhelming speed to surpass the sentinels¡¯ pursuit while racing. Moving at Mach-speed on mountain path with Linked Song Magic is suicidal.


    Moving into positions to deliberate bait the sentinels into more vulnerable formation, like organizing a preferred puzzle on top of a chessboard where a solution can be reached easily. Jihoon then struck with calculated precision and movement as he blazed past their halting formation. At first clumsily when he lost more time than normally otherwise.


    But learning and adapting fast he did as he done the same again and again. Each time a bit faster, and at certain points. It had become a lot more effective than just fighting his way through by brute force. The objective of the trial is to reach the destination flag and run back to the starting line, not fighting every sentinel on the way.


    ¡®You are learning,¡¯ the halberd remarked, its tone carrying a hint of pride.


    Jihoon smiled at the edge of his lip as he carved his short way through another group of sentinels on the urban road. Although he had only started to use this strategy, he could already see the result no matter how miniscule.


    ¡®Thanks for the advice. Let¡¯s see how far we can go together.¡¯


    The halberd¡¯s voice faded, but its presence remained, a constant companion at Jihoon¡¯s side. With the urban road comes to an end and the dirt trail in place. He pressed forward for the ever-growing challenge of Lap 2.


    As Jihoon transitioned from the urban road onto the dirt trail, the once smooth path immediately felt heavier, the loose ground beneath him more resistant to his steps. He was about to settle into his stride when in a sudden, an ominous shift in the air, a tremor felt on the ground. Many more incoming warning signs which caused his instincts to flare.


    Just ahead, something massive stirred in the shadows of the trail. Its form slowly emerged, and what Jihoon saw made his heart pound with both excitement and dread.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    A manticore¡ªa fearsome creature of Greek mythology, its body a twisted amalgamation of lion, scorpion, and bat. Its muscular frame bristled with metallic fur, and its gleaming red eyes locked onto him. The creature¡¯s scorpion-like tail flicked dangerously, the venomous stinger at its tip pulsing with faint magical energy. Huge bat-like wings, designed more for intimidation than flight, spread wide as it let out a low, mechanical growl.


    Jihoon didn¡¯t need to activate [Observant] to know what this meant. This was another boss sentinel construct.


    ¡°We¡¯ve just received confirmation that boss-level sentinels have been deployed to patrol key checkpoints along the route!¡± the commentator¡¯s voice rang out, brimming with excitement. ¡°These constructs are stationed at one-third intervals of the trial, designed to impede any racer bold enough to push for additional laps!¡±


    From what is spoken, Jihoon can already figured that Fenrir and Legolas likely sped though the engagement of the boss altogether with how high their AGI and DEX are. And Zorn most likely just shrugged off its encounter entirely with his immense END and STR along with the Juggernaut Armor. But for someone like Jihoon who has neither of them, he had no chance of escape pursuit.


    ¡°So that¡¯s how it¡¯s going to be,¡± Jihoon muttered under his breath, gripping Judgment of Light tighter. He could hear the buzzing of the commentators still going on.


    He doesn¡¯t have any of the luxury either. With his current stats, he likely can¡¯t outrun or overpower this boss sentinel with brute strength alone. Thus, he has to make use of his mind, a certain act that he loathed because he is certain that his own writer isn¡¯t a brilliant thinker either.


    Comparing his situation to that of fiction, the only solace that he had was with how his life has become like this from being a music composer.


    He didn¡¯t have time for a prolonged battle, not with the top three competitors already leagues ahead of him. He needed to end this fight quickly, decisively, or risk being left behind.


    As if sensing Jihoon¡¯s growing resolve, Judgment of Light spoke again, its voice calm but carrying an urgency that mirrored Jihoon¡¯s thoughts.


    ¡°This fight must be ended swiftly, Anointed Wielder,¡± the halberd¡¯s voice resonated in his mind. ¡°You do not have the luxury of attrition. This is the moment to learn the next step in our sequence¡ªthe third technique, High Noon.¡±


    Even though he knew already that Judgment of Light¡¯s technique sequence isn¡¯t ending anytime soon, it doesn¡¯t really dissipate the surprise that he will learn the 3<sup>rd</sup> step of the technique.


    Breaking Dawn, the 1<sup>st</sup> step of Judgment of Light by performing a horizontal swing, like the crack of dawn shining upon the darkness. This move builds one¡¯s momentum to enhance and make the sequential steps easier.


    Rising Sun, the 2<sup>nd</sup> step of Judgment of Light by performing an upward vertical swing, like the sun rising as its radiance shone upon all. A method to strike toward the above and if timed, its vertical swing can pull him upward.


    High Noon, the 3<sup>rd</sup> step of Judgment of Light is performed by applying one¡¯s own downward momentum toward the enemy with precision, using combined force of gravity and oneself. Much like the sun at its highest, when the shadow it casts are directly beneath. To deliver a devastating blow when all else before failed.


    As one can recognize, the naming scheme of Judgment of Light followed that of day cycle. He can sort of infer how the technique would progress.


    The manticore sentinel lunged forward, swiping at Jihoon with one of its massive, clawed paws. Jihoon narrowly dodged, rolling to the side as the earth beneath him trembled from the impact. And before he could properly recover his stance, he is forced to extend his evade again when its tail lunged at him while narrowly miss, leaving behind a crater on impact.


    "Focus," the voice of the halberd echoed in his mind. "Do not simply react. Control the flow of combat."


    Jihoon¡¯s eyes darted across the battlefield, taking in the manticore¡¯s movements. It was faster than he anticipated, and each swipe of its claws carried enough power to pulverize him in one blow if he didn¡¯t keep his distance properly. But unlike before anymore, he moved with purpose beyond merely trying to outlast it.


    "Force it into a vulnerable position," Jihoon muttered to himself, recalling the halberd¡¯s advice. His mind raced as he formulated a plan. The fight with the griffon before appeared as a battle of attrition but it ended with a decisive maneuver. The manticore will be no different as he intends on preserving as much of his time to the best of his own capability.


    The manticore lunged again, but this time Jihoon didn¡¯t dodge directly. He waited until the last measured second, then sidestepped just enough to bait the manticore into overextending. Its claws grazed the dirt, throwing up a spray of earth as it missed.


    Jihoon spun around, using his agility to create some distance, and then turned his attention to its tail. The scorpion tail was its most dangerous weapon, capable of both range and deadly force. He needed to neutralize that first before anything else can be done.


    Raising the decayed halberd into motion once more, mentally recall the technique imparted upon him. With a deep breathe, the mana circulate through his body takes on its path, synchronizing with his movement.


    Judgment of Light ¨C Breaking Dawn


    With precision, he swung the halberd horizontally, a glowing arc of light slicing through the air. The strike couldn¡¯t kill for the manticore was far too durable for that in one hit. So, he falls back for strike to disable instead.


    The halberd¡¯s glowing edge collided with the manticore¡¯s tail as it lashed out again. The light-infused strike connected cleanly, severing a portion of the tail just above the stinger. The manticore screeched in fury, recoiling as the now-blunt end of its tail whipped harmlessly through the air.


    If Jihoon really acted any later, it would have been his disqualification right there as that stung would have completely sap any protection power left in the Shield Bracelet.


    ¡°Looks like Jihoon¡¯s strategy is starting to pay off!¡± one of the commentators announced. ¡°He¡¯s taken out the manticore¡¯s stinger¡ªcrippling one of its most dangerous weapons!¡±


    The manticore¡¯s eyes glowed with fury, and it roared, charging at Jihoon with renewed rage. Its claws raked the ground, each strike growing more desperate, more savage. Jihoon didn¡¯t drop his guard or let confidence overtake him as he pressed his newfound advantage.


    Dodging another flurry of swipes from its claw, the manticore, having lost its most dangerous attack can only relentlessly pursue attacks. Jihoon once again measured its pace as he drove the spearhead of the halberd toward its leg joint that connects to its body. The sentinel howled as it utilize the bat wings on its body to took flight, similar to the griffon.


    He didn¡¯t utilize [Observant] at first, but he is certain that this is the moment it is required.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Sentinel Construct Model 14 - Manticore


    Name: *none*


    Level: 177


    Race: Non-sentient Mechanical Construct


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 2??


    -END: 2??


    -AGI: 3??


    -DEX: 3??


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: NAN


    -CHA: NAN


    -MAG: 103


    -Active Skill:


    +Camouflage (Advanced)


    +Predator¡¯s Instinct [Imitation] (Intermediate)


    +Night Vision (Intermediate)


    +Fire Breathe (Intermediate)


    -Description:


    This manticore sentinel is designed as a predator. It uses its


    heightened senses to track targets and overpower them


    with a mix of raw physical strength and elemental attacks.


    While its combat style focuses on close-range attacks,


    its Fire Breath makes it equally dangerous from a distance.


    Its wings allow for quick repositioning, and its Camouflage


    skill makes it a deadly foe in any terrain, as it can blend


    into the environment, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Of course, it is a boss sentinel after all. It would have been rather anticlimactic if it could just end by being struck down with another wear and tear. And while his eyes focused on the status panel analyzed by [Observant], the manticore disappeared from his sight.


    Its visual camouflage is powerful enough to hide from his sight but having been taught to detect nearby motion by Karim with his brand of training before, Jihoon managed to narrowly parry a sharp swing its claw toward his leg before being pushed back considerably. Before he could retaliate, it disappeared again as his halberd ended up striking empty air.


    His instinct worked overtime once more as it detected the ominous flow in the air stirring around. It could hide its visual but certainly not movement which something its size inevitably give away at close proximity. But it doesn¡¯t make fighting its desperation phase any less threatening. A cornered beast is most dangerous after all.


    The wind whistled, and Jihoon immediately moved away from his immediate position as the manticore crashed upon it, leaving behind a crater upon its descent. Not even out of the immediate danger, it opened its mouth as Jihoon could saw something dangerous emerged. Fire Breath, which he knew instantly.


    Throwing his body out of the danger with all he has, a cone of fire unleashed as its flame incinerated all within its path. He knew that if he had stalled there, his Shield Bracelet would break there and signal his disqualification from the trial. The manticore disappeared again, and now appeared directly above his prone position.


    It struck down hard, and would have been his end if it weren¡¯t for one thing.


    Intermediate-class Light Magic ¨C Mirage Reflection


    The target that the manticore struck was only his separate mirage cast by his Light Magic. Having achieved enlightenment of Advanced-class magic proficiency and unified with his magic. He could perform Intermediate-class Magic without preparation or incantation. Casting any actual spell on that level, however, is beyond him currently but this is enough.


    Judgment of Light 1<sup>st</sup> Step ¨C Breaking Dawn


    Jihoon swung his light-imbued halberd with great force toward the wings of the manticore in a horizontal arc while it is confused at the deception that unfolded. Without aware, Jihoon struck down its wings that enabled flight as it hastily tried to retreat and use Camouflage again. But¡­


    Initiate-class Light Magic ¨C Let there be Light


    A small particle of light appeared between his pinched fingers as if about to toss a coin. Then it immediately exploded into a directed blinding flash of light. The light itself does nothing but with its brightness greater than broad daylight, the manticore is exposed as the trailing shadow resulting from the flash revealed its location despite its camouflaged state.


    With confirmation of its position, the manticore gone into hasty ambush which Jihoon easily countered with another Breaking Dawn as it staggered sideway against his front.


    Judgment of Light 2<sup>nd</sup> Step¨C Rising Sun


    Still riding the previous motion of Breaking Dawn, he directed the decayed halberd¡¯s swing upward as it struck the underbelly of the manticore. Once he was directly above the manticore, Jihoon bent his body as his direction steered downward directly toward the manticore below. The halberd¡¯s spearhead aimed directly at the neck which the head and body doesn¡¯t connect completely.


    Like the sun at its zenith, casting no shadow beneath.


    Advanced-class Light Magic ¨C Wings that Don¡¯t Reach


    The wings of light from before manifested once more behind his back. Its state fragile like shattered glass in which even a single flap could break it apart.


    Even if it¡¯s just for one more time, it is more than enough.


    Light energy gathered at its spearhead, the decayed surface of the weapon shimmering as the once dormant power within it stirred to life. Jihoon¡¯s entire body became an extension of the halberd. With the combined force of the halberd, himself and gravity, Jihoon executed the third step of the technique all at the same time.


    Judgment of Light 3<sup>rd</sup> Step ¨C High Noon


    The wings of light flapped once, propels him downward like falling star with great speed before splintering apart completely. With precision, Jihoon thrusted the light-imbued halberd with all he has as the weight of him and the halberd crashed downward into the manticore¡¯s exposed neck.


    The halberd¡¯s light exploded upon impact, sending a shockwave rippling through the battlefield as the manticore let out a final screech before collapsing to the ground. Its head severed from its body by his decisive strike.


    The commentators erupted, their voices filled with disbelief and excitement.


    ¡°He¡¯s done it! Jihoon has taken down the manticore with a technique none of us saw coming!¡± one of them shouted, barely able to contain his amazement. ¡°What a move! That was like nothing we¡¯ve seen before!¡±


    The audience watching across the city of Cicones went wild, their cheers reverberating through the magical screens broadcasting the race. Even though they didn¡¯t fully understand the intricacies of Jihoon¡¯s technique, the sheer spectacle of it was enough to leave them in awe.


    ¡°That was incredible! We¡¯re talking about a complex, multi-step maneuver executed in midair! Whatever technique Jihoon just used¡ªHigh Noon or whatever he called¡ªit worked!¡± the co-commentator exclaimed, still struggling to process the scene.


    But while the audience and commentators celebrated his victory, Jihoon wasn¡¯t as thrilled. His breath was heavy, and his body screamed in protest from the strain. He had won, yes¡ªbut the manticore had wasted a considerable amount of time, time he had fought so hard to save.


    ¡°Well done, Anointed Wielder,¡± the voice of Judgment of Light echoed in his mind, carrying a tone of quiet pride. ¡°You¡¯ve performed the third step. I¡¯m certain that you will have little less trouble in the future¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± he muttered, his gaze already turning toward the horizon. ¡°But we¡¯re not done yet. We still have a long way to go.¡±


    Jihoon wasn¡¯t as thrilled as the audience led to believe. His breath was heavy, and his body screamed in protest from the strain. He had won, yes¡ªbut the manticore had wasted a considerable amount of time, time he had fought so hard to save just before.


    "Damn it¡­" Jihoon muttered to himself, his mind immediately turning to the race. "That took way too long. I¡¯m behind again, and catching up is going to be nearly impossible at this rate." He wiped the sweat from his brow, frustration building inside him.


    Just as he prepared to continue, though, a familiar sound echoed overhead¡ªthe unmistakable whir of a helicopter¡¯s blades cutting through the air. Jihoon¡¯s eyes flicked upward, and there it was. The helicopter carrying his Doppelgangers, finally catching up to him.


    ¡°Jihoon! Are you alright?¡± Rosa peeked from her seat just to check up on him. Jihoon simply return her question with a simple nod.


    ¡®About time,¡¯ Jihoon thought, a small smile creeping onto his face despite his exhaustion. He could see the Doppelgangers onboard, their instruments ready to assist him just as he had requested before the trial began.


    As the helicopter hovered above, one of the Doppelgangers gave a small nod, acknowledging the unspoken command from Jihoon through their mental link.


    "Alright then," Jihoon muttered, the tension easing from his shoulders as he prepared to continue. "Let¡¯s see what we can do with what time we have left."


    The helicopter, now aligned above him, would play its part in his strategy¡ªallowing him to perform Linked Song Magic once again, freeing him from the limitations of solo combat and giving him the chance to re-enter the race at full strength.


    Despite the time lost to the manticore, Jihoon¡¯s resolve was unwavering. The fight may have delayed him, but it hadn¡¯t broken him. With the assistance of his Doppelgangers, his plan would continue in earnest.


    And he wasn¡¯t about to let anyone forget he was still in this race.

 Chapter 38: Death that I Deserve Truly

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 38: Death that I Deserve Truly


    With his access to Linked Song Magic once again back in order. Jihoon devised his combination that will grant him his consistent boost. Combined with his Mana Attunement, the final result was staggering on its own. After the battle with the manticore, all the lower-class sentinels are just almost a breeze by comparison.


    Not because they¡¯re getting easier but his experience with the manticore imprinted on his mind makes it appear so. With his mental order, the Doppelganger begins to perform Song Magic in sequence.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Belief


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 60):


    -+[25*MAG/3]% to all Physical Attributes to self and one ally within Song Magic¡¯s range.


    Effect becomes +2*[25*MAG/3]% to all Physical Attributes if caster is performing this song directly.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    SPIKA -> Belief


    Classification: Linked Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Linked Effect (MAG 60):


    +200% to MAG of self (This effects only applied once and can¡¯t be compound by similar buffs)


    (MAG 180)


    -+[25*MAG]% to all Physical Attributes to self and one ally within Song Magic¡¯s range.


    Effect becomes +2*[25*MAG]% to all Physical Attributes if caster is performing this song directly. (Currently: 9,000%)


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 13 (+1,350)


    -END: 14 (+1,448)


    -AGI: 14 (+1,440)


    -DEX: 13 (+1,350)


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -MAG: 60 (+120)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    With the Doppelgangers onboard performing his Linked Song Magic with him, the dirt trail was completed in 2 minutes and a half, with an effective speed around 28 times peak human limit. It would be one thing if he could maintain maximum velocity but that would just mean he would leave the helicopter behind which was where the majority of his power even comes from. High ceiling, high constraint that he considered himself.


    Still, as Jihoon streaked past the obstacles in his path, he couldn¡¯t help but feel the weight of his own absurdity bearing down on him.


    ¡®Four-digit stats this early?¡¯ he thought, his mind drifting as he dashed forward. ¡®I¡¯ve really become one of those characters, haven¡¯t I? The OP self-insert protagonist that people love to hate.¡¯


    And while he could excuse himself by pointing to the constraints of Linked Song Magic¡ªthe fact that he couldn¡¯t utilize these massive boosts without leaving the helicopter behind¡ªhe knew deep down that he had crossed a threshold.


    His world had become that of an edgy teenager¡¯s fantasy of being on top of the world with power handed to them which don¡¯t belong. Unfortunately, he had to live in it and see people close to him suffer because of it. And now as if the mantle of protagonist is thrusted upon him, the absurdity that surrounds it make him sickened to the core.


    The inevitable has come for him, that he isn¡¯t an underdog any longer by any definition. He is a powerhouse, holding power that many can only dream of. Perhaps even making those characters with their goldenfingers somehow envy of what he has.


    The irony wasn¡¯t lost on him. In his world, fantasy and reality had blurred into something unrecognizable. He had seen firsthand how someone¡¯s overpowered self-insert fantasy could shape the world around them, and never for the better.


    For them, it had been a game¡ªa story where they could mold themselves as the all-powerful protagonist, the one who stood above everyone else. But for Jihoon, it had been hell on living earth.


    "I¡¯ve become what I loathed," Jihoon thought bitterly. "I¡¯ve turned into the thing I despised the most¡ªanother overpowered fantasy character, benefiting from a broken system while everyone else is left to fight for scraps."


    But he wasn¡¯t like them, was he? He wasn¡¯t just here for power, for glory. His struggles were real, and his pain was genuine. He was fighting for more than just dominance in a trial¡ªhe was fighting to break free, to protect those he cared about, to fulfill promises he¡¯d made.


    "Yeah, sure. Keep telling yourself that," Jihoon muttered under his breath, the weight of self-doubt creeping in. "But when you¡¯re blowing through obstacles and opponents like this, can you really claim to be any different?"


    It wasn¡¯t just a casual, offhanded thought. Jihoon¡¯s disdain for overpowered self-inserts and shallow fantasy had deep roots. Back in his world, the flood of progression fantasy¡ªstories filled with characters who gained godlike power with little to no effort¡ªwas consumed like junk food by the masses. Jihoon¡¯s co-workers at Arisen Studio had been guilty of it too, gobbling up these fantasies as guilty pleasures in their downtime.


    And Jihoon? He¡¯d been no different. During the long stretches of creative burnout, he¡¯d turned to those very stories¡ªskimming them between compositions, partly to see what the fuss was about, and partly out of sheer boredom. He¡¯d read enough to understand the appeal and, in equal measure, to see the cracks. There were the good ones, the well-written ones that dug deeper into character and worldbuilding.


    But there were also a lot of the shallow ones¡ªthose that substituted power for substance, that glorified dominance without consequence or introspection.


    "Edgy fantasies," Jihoon had called them back then. "Stories where some loser self-insert gets handed all the power in the world and doesn¡¯t have to face real consequences."


    But what should have remained fiction, becomes real. And it had ruined so many lives. He saw close friends, acquaintances, strangers torn apart by the world that only gave power to the chosen few and left the rest to fend for themselves from the horror it brought. It was a progression fantasy in real life, and only a few thrived.


    Just before his mind further spurn into the darkest recess, The helicopter¡¯s shadow passed over him, pulling Jihoon out of his thoughts. The Doppelgangers were still playing their part, providing the music that boosted his stats and kept him in the race. But as Jihoon sprinted down the dirt trail, something inside him shifted.


    He remembered why he even tried so hard to even participate in this trial, and how much those close to him in this world came to rely on him. Not for his supreme potential or overpowered stats but because he was their only support at the lowest when nothing seemingly in reach helping them.


    Alvorna and her promise to be together with one another no matter how long they may have to wait despite the responsibility as the Daughter of the Harpy Matriarch. Even though she stood as one of the most hallowed figures of Absence, even though the world had demanded so much from her, Jihoon had been there for her, unflinching. Feeling the warmth in her hand as she drags him into the cloud stage above, then playing music together away from prying eyes.


    That promise wasn¡¯t about power¡ªit was about standing by her, no matter what came their way. Whether it was the weight of her lineage or the expectations of the world, Jihoon had vowed they would face it together.


    Aquarius Sargasso, the Mermaid Princess. She had been lost in her own sorrow, haunted by the loss of her mother, unable to move forward. But Jihoon had taught her the Forgotten Melody, the one that brought life and hope back to her heart. Through that melody, she had found the strength to stand tall on her own. Even though her anguish remained, she no longer let it drown her. Jihoon hadn¡¯t given her power, but instead he had given her the means to rediscover herself, to live again.


    And Rosa¡ªthe Dwarven Princess and CEO of the Magni Conglomeration. Jihoon hadn¡¯t even helped her directly, not in the way people typically expect. All he had done was use his music to free her father from the nostalgic prison of his past. But that had been enough. Enough for Rosa to dedicate herself to him, going above and beyond, even when he hadn¡¯t asked for it.


    She could have walked away, but she didn¡¯t. Because to her, Jihoon was more than just a composer¡ªhe was the one who had brought her only family member back from the edge of self-isolation. And she had chosen to stand by him ever since.


    Finally, Karim¡ªhis first real connection in this strange land, the man who had extended a hand when Jihoon was just a stranger with nothing but his music. When Jihoon had arrived in the world of Absence, lost and unsure, Karim had sponsored him, believing in his talent before anyone else did. Jihoon hadn¡¯t been some overpowered figure then¡ªhe had been a nobody. But Karim had seen something in him and given him the chance to grow. That trust had laid the foundation for everything that came after.


    There were people who put their trust unconditionally in him even without any expectation of receiving return. Not because he is unstoppable or overpowered but because they trust in his judgment even if there¡¯s no assurance that he is right or not.


    Not stats, not magic, not the System. It was the bonds he had forged with the people who believed in him, even when he didn¡¯t believe in himself.


    Jihoon¡¯s eyes focused on the path ahead. He wasn¡¯t running this race for the sake of winning. He wasn¡¯t here to prove he was stronger or faster than anyone else. He was here because those who believed in him had trusted him to keep going. For Alvorna, for Aquarius, for Rosa, for Karim.


    ¡°I¡¯m not doing this for me,¡± Jihoon thought as he steadied his pace, feeling the rhythm of the music guiding him. ¡°I¡¯m doing this because they need me to. Because they believed in me, and I can¡¯t let them down.¡±


    The race wasn¡¯t over, and the challenges ahead were still daunting. But Jihoon¡¯s resolve had solidified. And for that, he is willing to give his all.


    With the Doppelgangers still playing, the helicopter following overhead, and the memories of those who believed in him filling his heart, Jihoon pressed forward, his steps now sure and unwavering.


    Now that the dirt trail transitioned into the mountain path, another boss sentinel appeared just to make his life more miserable. This one is in the shape of a giant scorpion but Jihoon just uses a fraction of his 4-digit Physical Attributes just to ditch it away. There were traces of Wind, Ice and Earth Magic which lingers in which the top 3 couldn¡¯t really make a clean getaway without using their power.


    Using [Wings that Don¡¯t Reach], he skipped the whole ordeal entirely much like what the top 3 did before by just shortcutting the route with his limited flight. He could probably just obliterate it in one blow with current stats but that would quickly raise suspicion of the organizers.


    The mountain path¡¯s length is mostly because of its winding terrain. Something in which a helicopter can ignore entirely. Because of that, it covers more ground than anyone on foot otherwise. Climbing the height with a helicopter is much easier than otherwise and that means they don¡¯t have to struggle to keep up when he used more of his speed.


    And of course, the risk of just running off-course is now higher for correlating with his speed. But using the same maneuver of clawing the ground to directly redirect momentum and single flap of [Wings that Don¡¯t Reach] before shattering, making turning maneuver much more tight and fluid by comparison.


    He even thought that magic disruption field would impede him somehow but 4-digits Physical stat by Song Magic amplification doesn¡¯t really make the lesser sentinel combat harder as he just blazes past them like non-obstacle.


    Of course, as he starts to ascend even higher on the mountain route. Engineered ¡®natural¡¯ disasters start to occur on the already dangerous mountain path into a treacherous deathtrap. Landslides tumbled from peaks above, falling rocks. Dangerous gust of winds threatening to knock the unprepared out of the path. Even the air itself seemingly crackled with magic as the ground quaked like the mountain itself is throwing those on it into disarray.


    Jihoon knew the Shield Bracelet issued to all participants would protect them from harm in these engineered disasters, but at the cost of disqualification. Once the shield¡¯s full power is activated to save a participant from a fatal fall or a landslide, it would self-destruct, signaling the end of their run. Jihoon once again just skipped some more trapped areas by just using his 4-digit stats to climb the vertical mountain cliff by digging his fingers into the hard rock surface itself by force.


    He doesn¡¯t really care if it is faster or not, he just felt like he needed a target to unleash all of his frustrations and this mountain itself seems like a suitable target.


    As the climb to higher ascent of the mountain, the path had truly become perilous with sentinels on the approach. He can still feel the lingering magic spells in the air as if telling of an aftermath just recent. Even the top 3 participants with their insane abilities and attributes had to engage in unavoidable combat here.


    Another group of lesser sentinels appeared on his route, and he used his [Observant] to check the situation. And all their physical stats in average is now about 150. It¡¯s not a lot even compared to him or the top 3, but with their massive numbers, they will wear down basically anyone without some significant magic on their own.


    Even he knew that fighting all of them would cost him immeasurable time. And although he has 4-digit Physical stats and fighting them is a breeze. He can only imagine just what it would be like for those who have chosen to take Lap 2, not aware just how much more difficult it has become.


    ¡°Alright, let''s do this,¡± Jihoon said to himself, his determination renewed. He flapped his fragile wings again, using his momentum to soar above the next group of sentinels and past the engineered natural disasters. The mountain peak wasn¡¯t far now, and Jihoon had no intention of letting anything stop him.


    Yet he couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of foreboding. The top 3 had already passed through here, and if even they were being forced into battle, then whatever lay ahead was bound to be even more challenging. The real question was, how much more difficult would this trial become, and how much longer could he keep pushing himself before the race demanded more than just physical strength?


    Whatever the answer, Jihoon knew he couldn¡¯t stop now.


    The mountain peak loomed ahead, the destination flag almost within reach. But as he neared the top, he caught sight of three familiar figures. The top 3 participants, returning from the peak just before the flag. Fenrir, Legolas, and Zorn.


    Jihoon¡¯s gaze locked briefly with theirs, and for a moment, there was a mutual, unspoken understanding between them. A brief nod of acknowledgment from the wolf-beast girl, a glance from the elven commando, and even a faint, respectful grunt from the ironclad dwarf. They knew Jihoon had earned his place here, and though they were fierce competitors, perhaps there was a respect shared among those who had managed to push themselves this far.


    But Jihoon barely registered the silent exchange. His mind was preoccupied. He wasn¡¯t driven by the same competitive spirit that fueled the top 3. His thoughts were elsewhere, on the people who had placed their trust in him, on the promises he had made. Some part of him may have enjoyed the competition, but his mind was such a conflicting turmoil that he knew that he needed something just to clear all that away after this.


    As Jihoon reached the peak and touched the flag, signifying his completion of the ascent, he came to a stop. Instead of immediately turning back and making his descent, Jihoon paused, standing still at the very top. His breathing steadied as he took in the view, allowing himself a rare moment of calm in the chaos of the trial.


    The commentators, spectators, and even some participants watching the broadcast were puzzled. "What¡¯s he doing? He¡¯s stalling at the peak?" one of the commentators remarked. "Is Jihoon planning something?"


    The race demanded that competitors reach the destination flag and return as quickly as possible while the trial still remain doable. And yet, Jihoon lingered. Those who weren¡¯t familiar with him were left in confusion, trying to guess why he had stopped, why he wasn''t capitalizing on the time he had left.


    Not like too much time has passed that they forgot that he just took a walk after recovering from flying off the track back in the first lap.


    But those who knew Jihoon, who had seen how he fought, who trusted him, understood. It wasn¡¯t hesitation. Jihoon wasn¡¯t second-guessing himself or wasting time. He is finding his own approach, thinking outside of what the trial has presented and given to him. He may have survived the first lap, but he knew that he has to go beyond to surpass Lap 2.


    Rosa, watching the broadcast from afar on the helicopter, crossed her arms with a smirk. "He''s planning something. He''s not the type to go back the way he came. Idiotic and rash he maybe, he always show to have the capacity to back his own decision."


    Karim, observing silently in the crowded entertainment district, nodded to himself. "That''s Jihoon for you¡­ thinking ahead. He¡¯s got a different strategy in mind."


    Even Alvorna, somewhere high in the Citadel of Absence, likely sensed it. Jihoon was improvising, as he always did, taking inspiration from the challenges he''d faced. He wasn¡¯t going to simply backtrack the same way down the mountain. He was considering another option.


    The sliding-earth method he had used earlier¡ªwhen the ground had crumbled beneath him, and he had fought the griffon mid-descent¡ªcouldn¡¯t be replicated. It had been a chaotic, once-in-a-lifetime event. But that didn¡¯t mean Jihoon couldn¡¯t draw inspiration from it.


    The mountain was steep, and the terrain was unforgiving. However, that also meant it was possible to find a more direct route down, bypassing most of the winding path entirely. "There¡¯s no rule that says I have to take the same route down," Jihoon thought to himself, the gears in his mind turning. "I just need to get back to the starting line¡­ by any means necessary."


    With his decision made, Jihoon took a deep breath and prepared himself. The plan forming in his mind wasn¡¯t perfect, but it was uniquely his. He wasn¡¯t about to follow the same path as everyone else¡ªnot that he had never been one to do that.


    The spectators and the commentators could only watch in anticipation, still uncertain about what Jihoon was planning. But for those who knew him, this was the moment they had been waiting for.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do this¡±. Jihoon whispered to himself as he took off as he connects to the mental links that established him to the Doppelgangers above. They¡¯re not exactly the most expressive bunch that he knew but they¡¯re the best display of his skill.


    His [Doppelgangers] being at Master rank allowed his customization of their appearances. They¡¯re his replicas, inherited all of his skills learned outside of System¡¯s intervention. Behind those lifeless eyes lay a ruthless efficiency, a version of himself stripped of human limitations. Inspiring and terrifying all the same.


    And it will use all of said skills to the utmost maximum efficiency and effect. Disparity of stats be damned as it could overcome target stronger than multiple of what it has.


    D A+ D+ D| A+ D+ D A+| D A+ D+ D| A+ D+ D A+|C G C+ C| C+ G C G|


    D A+ D+ D| A+ D+ D A+| D A+ D+ D| A+ D+ D A+|C G C+ C| C+ G C G|


    A rhythm played in his mind. His Linked Song Magic expired during his planning. Yet at this point, the Doppelgangers are literally playing what goes on his mind. The notes played in D major, the key signature of triumph.


    The constant alternation of raised notes transitioned by dominant note (fifth note of any key signature), repetitively cycle itself in pattern creating a circular sense of unresolved tension, furthered by augmented fifth. Thus forming anticipatory and suspense used so often in many media.


    In a way, its design is similar to that of a heartbeat. As it never really had a resolution into restful state at all. The C-section provides a few contrasts but maintains the tension rather than providing relief. The music was a push and pull, a back-and-forth between two states of mind¡ªdetermination and anticipation, certainty and doubt.


    D_A+ D+_D A+_D+ D_A+| D_A+ D+_D A+_D+ D_A+|C_G C+_C C+_G C_G|


    D_A+ D+_D A+_D+ D_A+| D_A+ D+_D A+_D+ D_A+|C_G C+_C C+_G C_G|


    The mental rhythm in his mind started to hasten, the mounting tension started to scale out of normalcy. The accelerando of the note sequence is taking place as if adrenaline is already flooding into his veins despite haven¡¯t yet taken any action. Each note further intensifying the unease already built within until it all reached a breaking point.


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    D_A+_D+_D A+_D+_D_A+ D_A+_D+_D A+_D+_D_A+|


    C_G_C+_C C+_G_C_G D_A+_D+_D A+_D+_D_A+|


    D_A+_D+_D A+_D+_D_A+ C_G_C+_C C+_G_C_G|


    The rhythm no longer felt like just a heartbeat. Now, it was like the pounding of war drums, the anticipation before the first clash of steel. Each note struck with purpose, each transition between sections flowing seamlessly yet deliberately. The tension spiraled out of control, escalating with every beat.


    The denser pattern and increased tempo further enhance the frantic and desperate aspect of the rhythm.


    It was a psychological preparation, an emotional crescendo leading him to the moment of action. The tension in the music mirrored the mounting pressure within Jihoon himself. The rhythm was an extension of his state of mind, embodying the conflict between the calm before the storm and the chaos of what was about to happen.


    Jihoon could feel the adrenaline building as the Doppelgangers played. His body moved instinctively, his mind sharpened by the pulse of the rhythm. The tension was almost unbearable now, but that was exactly what he needed. It wasn¡¯t about finding peace or resolution but about embracing the chaos, diving headfirst into the storm without hesitation.


    The time for action had come. His heart raced alongside the mental melody, the unresolved tension pushing him toward what came next. The music he composed in his mind wasn¡¯t just for him¡ªit was a call to action, a signal to his Doppelgangers, a reflection of the determination that coursed through him.


    He could feel his grip tighten around the Judgment of Light, the rhythm of his thoughts aligning with the surge of power within. Every fiber of his being hummed with readiness. The mounting tension, the accelerando¡ªit all pointed to a singular moment.


    The time for hesitation had passed. Now was the moment to strike.


    "No turning back," Jihoon whispered, the final note in his mind hanging in the air, unfinished.


    He moved into action.


    |D D D C_D| C D C F|


    The first lap might have shaken me to the core


    The repetition of D-notes being oddly self-assurance as they were the key of the signature itself. The simpler and stable note progression completely absence of higher pitch or raised note create a stabilized calm unexpectedly but it would just be a short reprieve before what¡¯s ahead.


    |D D D C_D| C D F G_A+|


    But this musician is dead set for a highscore


    The second sequence ended in G_A+, creating a sense of momentary anticipation. As if approaching a short peak of emotional intensity, laying ahead of what¡¯s to come. The notes were rising, signaling an emotional peak, a gathering storm in the distance. Jihoon could feel the anticipation thrumming beneath his skin, like electricity ready to spark.


    |D D D C_D| C D C F|


    Will I perish, probably for sure


    |F_E D~~| F_E F_E D~| F_E D~~|


    But the danger is only half of the allure


    The melody repeated, ending with sustained notes, the F and E creating a final descent into calm. The long, lingering notes carried a weight to them, as if marking the brief reprieve before the storm. There was an almost eerie stillness in the sound, a warning that the calm wouldn¡¯t last.


    As the music unfolded, Jihoon scanned the terrain below him as he continued his rapid sprint on the route. His Doppelgangers, attuned to his every thought, helped him assess which drops and paths he could take to shortcut the winding mountain path while performing his mental melody. With their relentless precision, they didn¡¯t miss a beat, guiding Jihoon¡¯s descent with total efficiency.


    With Linked Song Magic expired, running solely on Mana Attunement, the wings of light from [Wings that Don¡¯t Reach] flickering into existence once more, fragile yet radiant. Yet he can¡¯t come to use it freely due to it being Advanced-class yet shattered easily in just one flap. Each time he does so, his mana reserve took a sizable hit just to meet the cost.


    His Doppelgangers played on, their fingers never faltering as they matched the tempo in Jihoon¡¯s mind, seamlessly adjusting to every thought, every rhythm that pushed him forward.


    The shorter leaps and drops were easy enough to manage with his enhanced stats. With Mana Attunement alone, Jihoon¡¯s current physical stats is in 70-ish. Or 7 times peak human limit. That means he could take a 30m vertical drop without injury using landing maneuver that Hunter training in his world taught him.


    The fall from 4-digit stats to such a level may have been a terribly unthinkable thing for a lot of Main Characters let alone OP ones. Yet this is a welcoming change for him because the sense of detachment from himself and his self-perception is becoming crippling. Even if his speed is abysmal for the competition, using the taught method of Hunters for traversing Dungeons and their diverse environments. There perhaps something new can be gleaned from that denizens of Absence may not realize.


    And that the sentinels being at least 150 in all Physical stats as of the moment, this means even combat is out of the question until the mental melody of his finalized into Song Magic.


    The Doppelgangers are multitasking the performance and scouting from above. If there¡¯s a suitable path for him, they will alert him through the mental link from their vantage point in the helicopter above. And believe it or not, the mountain path¡¯s length can be reduced from a marathon to a third of its original length. Which is an assuring estimation of how sharp the Doppelgangers can be even with just limited methods. Even if his speed is slow, he will still make consistent progression until his proper comeback.


    D_A+_D  A+~~| C_A+_C A+~~|


    Stay calm, no fear


    With the sequence alternate between D and C-based patterns, a sense of suspense is maintained where one can¡¯t anticipate what comes next. By rising to dominant note and sustained, it creates a lingering tension that can¡¯t easily dissipate. Its characteristic similar to breath held close, stiff as if frozen in fear.


    C C A+ A+| D+ D+_D+ D+_D+ D+_D+|


    Just keep your high gear!


    The rapid-fire, higher-pitched D notes simulated his rising pulse, almost frantic as he pushed his body further, feeling the pressure mount with every step.


    D_A+_D  A+~~| C_A+_C A+~~|


    Run fast, through here


    A+_G_A+_F  E_F_E_C D~|


    OMFG, more of those stupid flying sentinels!


    A complex pattern of emotion release of the by the descending sequence from high tension (A+) into resolution (D) itself. With the final sustained note being the resolution key, like signaling acceptance even though he is far from cornered.


    The lyric just now¡­ is just his mind instantly registered the incoming danger and just intervened straight into his thought just to warn him. Aerial sentinels, the commentators did say something about them but actually see them in action was differently. Without sufficient stats for direct combat, Jihoon can only hide away in some unseen corner. Which is an extremely suboptimal idea when one is trying to complete a race.


    Jihoon pressed himself against the rock face, keeping a low profile as the aerial sentinels drifted closer, scanning the area with precision. He held his breath, his heart racing as he watched the constructs hover above, searching for any sign of movement. These sentinels weren¡¯t standard as they were modeled after the various flying races of Absence, equipped with keen senses and powerful maneuverability. Without sufficient physical or magical stats to combat them, he was essentially a sitting duck.


    He could notice their appearance resembles a few discernable fantasy races, such as dragonkin, vampire bats, harpies, winged fairies and even certain yokais of the like. And likely have power which reflects those innate traits that each race utilize to their best.


    The helicopter shadowed him above, but the aerial sentinels paid it no attention. It wasn¡¯t registered as a participant, and though the helicopter¡¯s presence should have drawn their focus to his vicinity, it was ignored entirely. Jihoon took a moment of relief in this small oversight, thankful for the indirect cover it provided. Yet he knew he couldn¡¯t stay hidden indefinitely; he needed a clear path to advance.


    Unexpectedly, fortune turned in his favor. The entire formation of aerial sentinels suddenly shifted, their sharp eyes turning away from his position as they picked up on a new target. A powerful surge of magic flared up in the distance, so potent it disturbed the ambiant mana flow across the mountain, sending visible ripples of energy through the atmosphere.


    Jihoon felt the metaphysical shockwave, and his mind immediately registered what it meant. Expert-class Magic had been cast¡ªand with only three participants wielding that caliber of power, it had to be one of the top competitors.


    He smirked to himself. "I owe you one, Fenrir¡­or Legolas¡­or Zorn." Whoever was battling ahead had unwittingly provided the perfect distraction, drawing the sentinels away and giving him the opening he needed.


    Karim, likely watching from Cicones¡¯ entertainment district, would be feeling the magical surge too. Jihoon could recall his mentor sensing similar disruptions in ambiance when Alvorna unleashed Heavenly Tribulation in their spar, an unconscious attack that had nearly overwhelmed him. Now as he imagined, this Expert-class magic was drawing every sentinel in the vicinity, the sentinels honing in on the massive mana disturbance.


    He felt a flicker of satisfaction seeing the top three contend with such a relentless onslaught.


    ¡°Guess they¡¯re getting a taste of their own medicine,¡± he thought, torn between sympathy and amusement at the thought of these titans now being the primary focus of every threat on the mountain.


    Shaking himself from his reverie, Jihoon took a steadying breath and broke into a sprint. The distraction would only last so long, and he wasn¡¯t about to squander the chance to make up lost ground. Pushing forward, he left his rocky cover and accelerated down the path, his heart pounding in time with the music still playing in his mind and performed by the Doppelgangers.


    D_A+_D  A+~~| C_A+_C A+~~|


    Focus, watch out


    C C A+ A+| D+ D+_D+ D+_D+ D+_D+|


    Can¡¯t just plow my way through


    D_A+_D  A+~~| C_A+_C A+~~|


    No need, to shout


    E~ F E| D~~~|


    Just~ don¡¯t burnout!


    The melody refrained again, but this time ended with a resolution note sustained. After a long streak of fear and tension sustained cyclically. This end only felt poignant like complete surrender or acceptance.


    Despite his desire to barrel down with sheer force, Jihoon knew a slower, careful descent could be faster in the end. He made precise leaps and turns, skipping from one rocky outcrop to another, gripping the ledges briefly to control his pace and reduce impact. His mind tracked each alternate route, and while the top 3 fought through throngs of flying sentinels above, he¡¯d zigzagged and found himself cover a surprising amount of ground below.


    The calm steadiness of the notes reminded him not to let his impatience trip him up. He was making steady progress now, moving through the mountain¡¯s natural paths, even if they were steep and littered with obstacles. Each sharp turn, each sudden drop, was executed with practiced skill.


    Meanwhile, he couldn¡¯t help but imagine the top 3 pushing their own stats to their limits, confined to the mountain path without realizing they could break free of its limits.


    He leapt off a high ledge, his body twisting midair as he used [Wings that Don¡¯t Reach] to slow his descent, touching down lightly and immediately launching himself forward.


    Then, in the distance, he caught sight of the intense crossfire of spells as the top 3 tore through wave after wave of sentinels. Magic illuminated the mountainside, sentinels gathering to swarm around them, likely drawn by the powerful magic surges.


    From the localized blizzard cloud hung over which anyone can tell which can only belong to Fenrir herself. And it ominously swirling greatly which can only be ascribed to Legolas. It¡¯s unclear which one of them acted first out of desperation but it doesn¡¯t matter anymore.


    The mountain path is the easiest and fastest way to climb up a mountain but not necessarily the fastest way to go down. The organizer did say that one is free to take roundabout ways if wanted which doesn''t work well in urban roads or dirt trail with predetermined route.


    Perhaps, the top 3 could have realized that they could just ignore the predetermined mountain path with how overwhelming their stats are but unknowingly confine themselves into a pre-existing route.


    Jihoon watched them, feeling a strange satisfaction in knowing that their sheer power now made them a beacon for every sentinel in the area.


    ¡°Guess having insane stats comes with its own kind of lock-in,¡± he muttered with a grin. He wasn¡¯t the fastest, not even close, but the route he¡¯d chosen enabled him to bypass so many obstacles that it was as if the mountain was unwinding before him. Even more misfortunate for participants who must try to cross their Expert-class Magic AOE just to reach the destination flag at the peak.


    Jihoon turned back to his own descent. With the right approach, he could continue keeping his distance, avoiding the worst of the conflict while steadily closing in on his ultimate goal.


    G_F# E_D E~| E_G_E B+~~|


    Don¡¯t ever stop and think, it¡¯s way too absurd


    The melancholy descent of the notes resonated with his inner turmoil. Jihoon was used to finding himself in unusual situations, but this... this Odyssey had evolved far beyond what he had ever anticipated. Originally, the goal had been clear and rational, set by Karim and him with careful planning.


    The Calphennis Royal Mausoleum¡ªa place forbidden to all but those with royal clearance¡ªwas the focus of his Odyssey journey. It held secrets from a time erased from Absence¡¯s official history, secrets Karim¡¯s late prodigal brother had hinted at with his left behind clues.


    Jihoon knew he was pursuing a mystery laced with danger. But because Alvorna being connected to it, namely the ¡®angel with dark wings¡¯, he couldn¡¯t just stay idle while knowing about it. Yet somehow, circumstances beyond his control had thrown him into encounters that defied his own logic.


    Like the unexpected bond he¡¯d formed with Aquarius, the isolated Mermaid Princess who yearned to break free from her imposed life, to find her own courage to live for her own when her own father failed to do anything meaningful for her. It was a connection built on platonic understanding, yet it had taken on a life of its own, driving him to make promises that only added layers to his already twisted path.


    B+ D+~~| B+_A+ B+_G A+_B+->B+|


    All this, over an empty promise?


    The tension and hesitation in the notes paralleled his own doubts and internal struggle, the moments where he¡¯d wondered if he¡¯d trapped himself in a futile quest. The prize of the Odyssey was a single request, granted to its victor by royal decree. Yet he¡¯d promised it to Aquarius, vowing to use that wish to establish her as an independent entity. It was irrational, and he knew it¡ªwhy risk so much for someone he barely knew?


    But he could not deny the reason any longer. Aquarius wasn¡¯t just an ally, nor a mere acquaintance. She had been someone who looked at him, truly seeing his intentions without judgment and he did toward her vice versa despite how much his first impression of her was ruined. She wanted freedom, and he was all too familiar with the desire to break chains, even if they were gilded.


    G_F# E_D E~| E_G_E B+~~|


    Perfection is a stink, it felt like a curse


    With the refraining of the first verse. It created a false sense of calm before escalation. And would eventually reinforce the cyclical nature of anxiety. Then once came its variation, using the climb of multiple higher-octave notes, the song approached its peak psychological intensity. Like an inescapable nightmare that one has thrown oneself into by deliberate choice.


    Jihoon can only laugh drily. Because of him putting all of his effort into doing something perfectly. And often time just suffer because of it. His profound performance during his becoming of a Maestro in Absence which first caught Alvorna¡¯s attention to him and established a connection between when the two performed with one another. And how this led to an unfulfillable promise that he is not certain that if he can do at all.


    In seeking perfection, he¡¯d unwittingly cursed himself with a growing web of obligations. And somehow, that absurdity made it more meaningful. To just see life as it merely is, is just another madness.


    B+ E+ F+~| E+_D+ B+_D+ E+~|


    So why does it matter so much to me?!


    He could feel the tension mounting, like self-doubt and determination continuously fighting for dominance in his mind. Like an inescapable nightmare that one has thrown oneself into by deliberate choice. The melody was raw with intensity, reflecting the internal push and pull of his motivations.


    Why did it matter so deeply? Why did he keep adding impossible promises to his burdens? And the answer came to him as his feet pounded along the trail, his focus as sharp as the rhythm itself.


    It¡¯s because even though these impossible promises were like burdens. They were the only things that pulled him back from his own negative spiral.


    And not just her either. He too had cared about Karim, Rosa, Aquarius for their struggles, ambitions, and constraints. Which had awakened something in him, something that transcended mere sympathy or camaraderie. They were reflections of parts of himself he¡¯d long since forgotten or tried to suppress. Because in their stories, he saw fragments of his own.


    Because ironically, Absence being a post-scarcity society, still had part of its denizens fighting and sought for freedom not as luxury but a necessity. Jihoon¡¯s promises to them had become a way to hold himself accountable to his own beliefs¡ªa vow that he, too, would find meaning in his actions, that his life would reflect the very ideals he championed.


    G_F# E_D E~| E_G_E B+~~|


    All of this has nothing to do, with my personal quest


    He had entered Absence as a stranger, whose only purpose was finding someone to fill in the ensemble so that he could become Expert Musician by the System¡¯s qualification measurement. And he found it in Alvorna which elevated both of their musical prowess with one another.


    Yet¡­ because of how vastly different their standing is, he could not convince her just to leave behind her own family just to go with him to his world. And in trying to do so, he ended up just caught into the conspiracy of Absence¡¯s furthest primordial history and how it relates to the Alvorna, and ¡®the angel with dark wings¡¯ that seem to reside in every Harpy¡¯s subconscious.


    B+ D+~~| B+_A+ B+_G A+_B+~B+|


    But this is all about my pride


    No one in this world could possibly track what the System can do. Yet he chose the hardest way either way, because it would do injustice for both her and him. And giving up on her after promising so much because of the difficulty is the most pathetic thing that he can imagine doing.


    G_F# E_D E~| E_G_E B+~~|


    I just need to ditch this hesitation aside.


    B+ E+ F+~| E+_D+ B+_D+ E+~|


    And make room for my fighting spirit inside!


    With renewed resolve, Jihoon pushed forward, his steps guided by both the rhythm of his song and the mental link with his Doppelgangers overhead. The helicopter traced a path high above, scouting the terrain and relaying optimal shortcuts. The mountain¡¯s winding trails, so daunting to most, had now become his playing field, a labyrinth of options he could exploit. Even if his stats are nowhere close to them, to say that he had officially overtaken them by distance is a feat unimaginable despite the differences.


    The commentators¡¯ astonished voices crackled over the loudspeakers, ¡°Jihoon is overtaking the leaders! This unexpected surge is turning the race on its head!¡±


    The audience erupted in cheers, some in disbelief, others thrilled by his sudden lead. But Jihoon knew better than to celebrate yet. The mountain path was the most winding section, filled with treacherous slopes and patrolling sentinels. Most participants had followed the designated path despite their strength because mentally, they were incapable of preparing for contingency. But in ignoring it, he had effectively cut his own path, securing a brief advantage.


    The swarm of sentinels that pursued the top 3 have significantly slowed their overall progression down. Although he knew that they were far from fatigued, being constantly bombarded with enemies continuously wouldn¡¯t do them well in any front.


    D_A+_D  A+~~| C_A+_C A+~~|


    Got it, hold it


    C C A+ A+| D+ D+~~|


    Now to make my descent.


    D_A+_D  A+~~| C_A+_C A+~~|


    Although, it shows.


    A+_G_A+_F  E_F_E_C D~|


    I¡¯m still only halfway toward the end!


    His helicopter flying overhead, however, hadn¡¯t escaped notice. The top three competitors, realizing it had tracked Jihoon¡¯s position consistently, glanced up and saw how it followed a far straighter descent than they had been navigating. Then, they realized, they could just brute force a straighter route using their superior stats. They have let themselves occupied with a predetermined route unnecessarily and seeing Jihoon in action reminded them that.


    Within moments, Fenrir, Legolas, and Zorn adjusted course, each one deciding to abandon the winding trail and blaze straight down the mountainside. With the crushing physical stats, they each possessed, the hazards that had plagued most participants became minor obstacles at best. Jihoon ended up highlighting a faster way for them even if it was unquestionably dangerous for him.


    Even though the distance between each two were significant. It will only take them about 5 minutes by estimation before they will bring hell upon his steps.


    G_F# E_D E~| E_G_E B+~~|


    Don¡¯t ever stop and think, I¡¯m in too deep-dish


    B+ D+~~| B+_A+ B+_G A+_B+~B+|


    To dare bail out on the second run.


    His heartbeat thudded in time with the rhythm in his mind. Despite his skill, the chaotic storm of sentinels converging from behind him threatened to swallow him whole. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple, but he forced his face to stay calm, even defiant. He couldn¡¯t let panic take hold¡ªnot now.


    Jihoon forced a small smile through his mounting nerves, feeling the crushing pressure on his heels. Yet even amid his very real fear, a strange exhilaration coursed through him.


    G_F# E_D E~| E_G_E B+~~|


    What a huge time sink. Marooned, I wish,


    B+ E+ F+~| E+_D+ B+_D+ E+~|


    Yet I question why I¡¯m still having fun!


    Each note in his mind pulsed with adrenaline, carrying him further into madness. He sprinted harder, weaving around jagged rocks and sliding down rough slopes. He could practically feel the tremors of the approaching stampede, but there was no way out, no detour left. He¡¯d have to keep running, his only hope being to stay just ahead of the deluge.


    He could feel the raw fear in his gut, though his expression refused to show it, his face set in focused determination. There was no turning back now, no slowing down. His only option was forward, no matter how dangerous the path became.


    G_F# E_D E~| E_G_E B+~~|


    I am in the zone. A vessel of death.


    B+ D+~~| B+_A+ B+_G A+_B+~B+|


    Like a train with no brakes that can¡¯t stop


    Jihoon¡¯s mind eventually entered a razor-sharp state of focus, a single-minded drive to navigate the treacherous terrain ahead of him. Every movement was deliberate, his body twisting and pivoting as he leapt across jagged rocks and dashed down steep slopes with the precision of someone whose very life depended on it.


    He took each step with calculated urgency, never wasting a motion, buying himself whatever fleeting seconds he could manage with his own efforts.


    G_F# E_D E~| E_G_E B+~~|


    All the skills I hone, will carry my quest


    His entire being was tuned to the rhythm in his mind, each beat guiding his actions. The unforgiving path demanded high-precision maneuvers, and he delivered, dodging loose rocks and weaving past obstacles that would have otherwise slowed him down. Even his 70-ish average Physical Attributes seemed barely enough to keep up, but he pushed to the limit. His body a single, honed instrument working in sync with his intentions.


    Yet for a moment, Jihoon risked a glance back, hoping to gauge the distance he¡¯d gained. But the sight behind him stopped his heart cold if he didn¡¯t have too much urgency to break the ice-cold grip on his heart.


    B+ E+ F+~| E+_D+ B+_D+ E+~|


    Wait, do they have twice the time to that of a clock!?


    The top three were far dangerously closer than he¡¯d estimated¡ªmere minutes away from overtaking him. His original calculation of five minutes had been a dangerous overestimation, and they¡¯d halved that with terrifying ease already.


    The tension sharpened, an electric thrill running through him even as his face remained unflinching. He couldn¡¯t afford the luxury of fear, not with the storm bearing down on him. Refocused, shifting gears in his mind. He had to squeeze virtually any second he had left.


    |D D D C_D| C D C F|


    |D D D C_D| C D F G_A+|


    |D D D C_D| C D C F|


    |F_E D~~| F_E F_E D~| F_E D~~|


    The introduction verse refrained once more. This time he was utterly wordless of anything to say in face of what¡¯s he running away from. As if facing the initial fear and realized that he had never once gotten away from it to begin with. And that he was still afraid of it the same. All empty bravado from beginning to near the end.


    D+ D+~~| C+~~~| B+~~~|B#+ D+~~| C+~~~|


    Fear~, dread~, awe~, despair~, hate~.


    D F_G_F D_C D|


    Death that I Deserve Truly


    D+ D+~~| C+~~~| B+~~~|B#+ D+~~| C+~~~|


    Obsession~, wrath~, rage~, contempt~, pain~.


    D F_G_F D_C D|


    Death that I Deserve Truly


    The gap between him and those chasing him was shrinking. He had held illusions of invincibility, of some heroic surge that would see him claim victory. And now, here he was, seconds away from being trampled beneath the weight of the very challenge he¡¯d claimed he could surpass.


    If he failed here, it wouldn¡¯t be because the world had turned against him, nor some unfair disadvantage. He was the one who¡¯d invited it, beckoned the storm with all its fury.


    The words hammering into him as he pushed onward, his body nearly exhausted, and the sounds of the impending storm behind him only growing louder. This race had transformed from a show of prowess to a reminder of his limitations.


    However, as his mind solely focused on what¡¯s ahead, he comes to see that he is returning back to the start of the mountain path again. That this isn¡¯t yet his end just yet.


    But immediately, another obstacle reappeared on his path again. The same giant scorpion boss sentinel that he evaded past back when he first arrived here during Lap 2. Had he just destroyed it with when he had his Linked Song Magic in effect, he wouldn¡¯t have ended up cornered like this.


    Yet¡­ Jihoon seems to brighten up despite the hopeless situation. Because, he is going to finalizing this melody that he had been composing mentally in his mind, and performed by his Doppelgangers onboard the helicopter. Seemingly suicidally approaching the Scorpius, while the stampede of sentinels just seconds left from crashing on him.


    D_A+_D  A+~~| C_A+_C A+~~|


    Almost, made it


    C C A+ A+| D+ D+_D+ D+_D+ D+_D+|


    I might gonna win


    D_A+_D  A+~~| C_A+_C A+~~|


    I can, taste it.


    A+_G_A+_F  E_F_E_C D~|


    All I need to do is to step on in!


    With the ending completed. Jihoon finalized the melody into Song Magic which the System register as one. Now no longer just a mere song, it now has power.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Death that I Deserve Truly


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 60):


    -+[10*MAG]% to all Physical Attributes,


    Effect becomes 2*[10*MAG]% at danger, 3*[10*MAG]% at critical.


    -Damage received is reduce by 80% for the duration. Becomes 95% at danger, 99% at critical.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    The melody¡¯s intense rhythm pushed through him, transforming his exhaustion into fierce energy as he charged toward the scorpion sentinel. There was no turning back. The stampede of sentinels closing in, the scorpion poised to strike, and the unyielding path ahead and everything that had trapped him moments ago had become fuel for his resolve.


    The impossible, suffocating weight lifted, and all he had left to do was let the melody carry him forward.

 Chapter 39: Pride Before the Fall

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 39: Pride Before the Fall


    Beset by hardship and challenge on both sides. In front is the giant scorpion sentinel construct that now obstructs his way and behind him is the deluge of lesser sentinels and the flying variants that are about to just collide with him in seconds.


    With his halberd, Judgment of Light drawn again as glimmering incandescent imbued its decayed form. Its EGO, hasn¡¯t yet found a good moment to intervene since the running back until now, sharing the dead-set focus which plastered all over Jihoon¡¯s face and expression.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Death that I Deserve Truly


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 60):


    -+[10*MAG]% to all Physical Attributes,


    Effect becomes 2*[10*MAG]% at danger, 3*[10*MAG]% at critical.


    (Currently: 600%)


    -Damage received is reduce by 80% for the duration. Becomes 95% at danger, 99% at critical.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 13 (+133)


    -END: 14 (+152)


    -AGI: 14 (+144)


    -DEX: 13 (+133)


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -MAG: 60


    +Physical Status: Minorly Injured


    +Mental Status: Slight Fatigue


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Back into minimal fighting form again, Jihoon moved immediately into action with only the few seconds left before hell truly broke loose. He didn¡¯t bother even using [Observant] to scan its stat, just the fact that the top 3 made the decision to escape its pursuit instead means that it isn¡¯t something that can be taken lightly. Unfortunately, he doesn¡¯t have the luxury of time to even compensate.


    So, he called upon all his inner strength which could be mustered with the given stats. And the methods that contribute to his combat.


    Judgment of Light 1<sup>st</sup> Step ¨C Breaking Dawn


    Advanced-class Light Magic -Wings that Don¡¯t Reach


    Heaven¡¯s Wayward


    As the scorpion sentinel poised to strike, shards of delicate light formed into translucent, fragile wings on his back, glimmering like shattered glass reassembled by sheer will.


    The rhythm and tension from Death that I Deserve Truly now pulsed within him, synchronizing his movements as he rose into the air. With the powerful flap of the ethereal wings, he propelled himself forward, aiming to end the sentinel with one decisive blow.


    With a swift horizontal swing that blazed through the air, the scorpion retaliated with its gigantic pair of pincers. All of this supposedly takes place within the few little seconds but his mind so overdriven that its length distorted into minutes, and perhaps eternity until he is completely assured of its resolve.


    Two great forces collided as metal met light scattered into sparks as the halberd¡¯s incandescent edge slide off its hull. Jihoon could see every incoming detail as if he was operating on a different timescale altogether, seeing each individual millisecond instead of the usual seconds.


    Yet, his blood continues to boil as adrenaline floods his vein. Forcing his own motion to the command even if time moved in a mire of slowness. Riding the momentum again, taking the lesson of the weapon imparted to him into his heart. Jihoon started to layout a strategy that will end this fight in just seconds.


    Recycling the swing of Breaking Dawn, Jihoon redirected the path of the swing as he made full circle toward the giant scorpion again.


    Jihoon puts one step back, this took 0.4 seconds. The scorpion moved forward thinking Jihoon overextent his attack only to fall for a straightforward attack.


    Judgment of Light 2<sup>nd</sup> Step ¨C Rising Sun


    The halberd moved from near-ground rise sharply as its blade collided with the scorpion¡¯s head as the combined force send both of them airborne. The shaft bent slightly by the raw force output. The flaw of any insect¡¯s physiology is that they can¡¯t flip themselves over with great effort and this further exacerbates by being enlarged.


    As the halberd connected with its lower body, the metal hull covering its body shattered by mere force as metal and light turned into an incandescent blend of sparks flying like a volcanic eruption. The trajectory puts him directly above the joint that connects the scorpion¡¯s head and the rest of its body. Term correctly, its thorax.


    Judgment of Light 3<sup>rd</sup> Step ¨C High Noon


    All the acrobatic skills that he has now and for the rest of his life all mustered into this moment as he repositioned his body into a direct plunge downward. Without hesitation, Jihoon flapped the wings of light once more it shattered apart completely. Driving all the momentum of all previous motions into this one decisive blow.


    Without additional descriptions, Jihoon severed the head of the giant scorpion as the halberd¡¯s spearhead impacted at its thorax like a falling star, officially marking him as the three-fold boss slayer of the trial. Even if he didn¡¯t earn first place in the trial, his reputation as a combatant has been elevated considerably in the eyes of the combatants of this world.


    Yet, he remembered the promise he made with Aquarius once more. And by compulsion of his duty and integrity, his personal matter is nothing by comparison. The empty eyes within blazed with imperceivable fire as he moved his batter body into motion once more.


    The ¡®Death that I Deserve Truly¡¯ at first seems to have some genuinely overpowered effect such as the damage reduction but¡­ one of its effects is utterly worthless in this trial due to the Shield Bracelet already acting as the proxy health for the trial. Any damage he received, the Shield Bracelet received first in entirety until its shatter point.


    The only other effect of it, is that the more in worse state that he is in, the stronger its Physical stats boosting aspect will be. It has promising multiplier but how can he deliberately ¡®reduce¡¯ his own health to meet the requirements.


    So, this begs another question, how does the Shield Bracelet consider which damage to count, and which isn¡¯t? By the merits of everyone participating in this trial, damaging their own body to move as fast as they can to proceed. Which if count will make further laps outright impossible due to having only a set amount of stamina to proceed.


    Thus, Jihoon comes to his conclusion, that the Shield Bracelet doesn¡¯t count self-damage as required for protection, yet it counts instances that his own actions led to his own harm. The only way to bypass that, is to do the deed himself.


    Jihoon drawn out the adamantium survival knife that Rosa had given to him before the participation of the race. Looking at its edge and the gleaming reflection of his harrowing self in it. Using the extended helping hands of others to do the unthinkable to himself.


    As Jihoon stared into the gleaming edge of the adamantium knife, he saw the fractured image of himself¡ªa reflection he had come to loathe, a man burdened by contradictions he couldn¡¯t resolve on his own. He could feel the inner tension tightening, as if his mind were balancing on the edge of a knife, just like the blade he held. He had come to Absence and forged connections that tethered him to something beyond himself.


    Yet the weight of his own recent past continues to crush down on him.


    He remembered Jin Sarae, his once-closest friend back in their world¡ªa friend whose life was ruined by the Gates and the relentless drive for power had driven him to ruination. Watching Jin¡¯s tragic end, seeing the ravages that unchecked ambition had wrought, had left a scar that Jihoon still bores like an open wound. One that he couldn¡¯t ever disclose to his associates of Absence.


    Jin had chosen this path willingly, and that strength obtained from such vile method devoured him from the inside out. There¡¯s no forgiveness for what he may have done to others, but Jihoon can easily himself being put into the same dire position as Jin did if he didn¡¯t have the Song Magic or the System from the encounter with the little goddess.


    And ever since that moment, he¡¯d silently sworn never to use that power selfishly, never to let himself fall to the same path that had claimed his friend. Yet here he was, standing at a crossroads, realizing that his relentless selflessness might very well drive him to the same end.


    Progression fantasy, reveled in power at the expense of everything else meaningful, filled with heroes who cheated their way to godhood without understanding the cost ever. He remembered the bitterness that simmered beneath the surface, his contempt for characters who had been nothing but hollow shells chasing unattainable heights.


    And now, his world had morphed into one of those stories¡ªa twisted fantasy where power came with no guidance, no restraint. And where he himself had begun to embody everything that he despised. His hatred extends to himself for being part of it even if he had no means of preventing the circumstances.


    ¡®Cheaters don¡¯t get absolved¡¯


    That¡¯s the conclusion that Jihoon had arrived at.


    Like the snapping string that tethered himself from the brink. The compulsion surged, an all-consuming drive that left no room for hesitation, no pause for self-preservation.


    In a movement too swift to rethink, he tightened his grip on the knife, pressing its edge against his own skin, allowing the slightest nick to break the surface. Pain blossomed, sharp and immediate, but his mind was already bracing for it, as if he¡¯d welcomed it like an old friend.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Death that I Deserve Truly


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 60):


    -+[10*MAG]% to all Physical Attributes,


    Effect becomes 2*[10*MAG]% at danger, 3*[10*MAG]% at critical.


    (Currently: 1,200%)


    -Damage received is reduce by 80% for the duration. Becomes 95% at danger, 99% at critical.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Deadly Obsession


    Classification: Innate Passive Skill


    Status: (Lv. 1)


    Effect:


    -Lv. 1: Reduce the effect of injury on physical performance


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.by 75%. Can perform 150% of maximum physical limit.


    -Lv. 2: ???


    -Lv. 3: ???


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 13 (+216) {x1.5}


    -END: 14 (+236)


    -AGI: 14 (+228) {x1.5}


    -DEX: 13 (+216)


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -MAG: 60


    +Physical Status: Dangerously Injured (-75%)


    +Mental Status: Slight Fatigue


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    And just like that, his STR and AGI had become 300-ish without utilization of Linked Song Magic. Yet the self-inflicted injuries didn¡¯t conveniently vanish like nothing. Bitterly gritting his agony with his teeth, Jihoon continued his death march once more as blood continues to flow downward, creating an unsightly scene in a remotely bloodless competition despite the violence.


    [Deadly Obsession] significantly reduces the effect his own injury felt on himself. Yet from the perspective of others, what sort of madness would they witness in him to perform what he himself deemed required. That for the sake of close others¡¯ happiness, he is willing to expense his own well-being.


    In what length does he go, in the struggle to prevail?


    The commentators had fallen silent, momentarily struck by the grisly display unfolding on their screens. Then, one spoke up, his voice laced with a mix of horror and disbelief. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen¡­ what on earth are we witnessing here? Jihoon Hyunwoon, the dark horse of this trial, has¡­ he¡¯s injuring himself, intentionally, yet he moves forward as if driven by something beyond any logic or reason.¡±


    ¡°Is this¡ªcould this be part of his strategy?¡± another commentator murmured, unsure, watching Jihoon¡¯s blood-streaked path with unsettled awe. ¡°We¡¯ve seen grit, we¡¯ve seen endurance¡­ but never have I witnessed something quite so¡­ harrowing. What is he trying to prove?¡±


    Down in the entertainment district, Karim sat transfixed, feeling a sinking weight in his gut as he watched Jihoon¡¯s relentless march. He¡¯d seen his fair share of risk-takers, adventurers, and fighters, but this was different. He could feel it in the pit of his stomach¡ªthe reckless, almost self-destructive determination in Jihoon¡¯s eyes. Karim clenched his fists, muttering under his breath.


    ¡°This kid¡­ he¡¯s about to make a damn scene no one¡¯s going to forget.¡± He knew that Jihoon¡¯s relentless drive came from a place beyond mere ambition; there was an intensity there that could only end in one of two ways: triumph or disaster.


    High above, Rosa watched through the helicopter window, her heart thundering as she took in Jihoon¡¯s battered form. He was using the very knives she had gifted him. She swallowed hard, her hand trembling against the glass.


    ¡°Jihoon¡­¡± she whispered, her voice catching in her throat. She¡¯d given him those knives to protect himself, never imagining he¡¯d use them to inflict harm on his own body in pursuit of victory. What she saw in him now was both terrifying and awe-inspiring, but mostly¡­ devastating.


    Even the top three competitors, Fenrir, Legolas, and Zorn, had noticed. They exchanged uneasy glances, briefly slowing their paces, their competitive spirit flickering as they observed Jihoon¡¯s actions. It was clear something unprecedented has taken place.


    What kind of resolve drives a man to those lengths?¡± Fenrir, the first to speak, muttered to herself.


    Legolas, who normally met his rivals with analytical detachment, felt a strange, reluctant admiration mixed with unease. Zorn clenched his fists, sensing the kind of obsessive commitment in Jihoon that was as awe-inspiring as it was unsettling.


    None of them could remember the last time they¡¯d felt genuine concern for an opponent. They only knew they were witnessing someone who had gone beyond the typical boundaries of competition¡ªsomeone whose determination bordered on obsession.


    Yet Jihoon continued forward, uncaring to the gazes, the disbelief, the fear, and the respect directed his way. All that mattered was the path ahead, the promise he¡¯d made to himself and to those he cared about. In his mind, there was no choice but to win, no room for failure. First place was the only option¡ªno matter what pain, what cost, or what sufferage he¡¯d carry forward.


    The race continued in earnest once more. This time, Jihoon maintained his first place to his best effort as he blazes down the dirt trail with total contempt and fury. The Judgment of Light in his one hand swung with fury like a club at any adversary that stood his way. Moving at the speed of 30 times peak human limit fueled by his [Deadly Obsession] yet his dexterity wasn¡¯t given the boost necessary to control it with finesse.


    Like a train without break, where each curve threatens to derail out of the track entirely. Jihoon forcefully used the Judgment of Light to steer his own trajectory out of the way toward what he wanted. A distance of marathon, will be accomplished in 3 minutes. All while the previous top 3 keep up their paces with him but not able to easily overtake him due to their previous usage of Expert-class Magic in considerable numbers.


    Jihoon tore down the path with an unrelenting ferocity, striking down sentinel constructs in his way with the Judgment of Light, its blade blazing with incandescent rage as if sharing his own fury. While most participants treated the trial as a test of endurance, perhaps even sport, Jihoon fought like a man backed against the wall, where he stood on the fine balance between life and death, each blow carrying a desperation that bordered on savagery.


    To those watching, it was clear that Jihoon saw these sentinels not as obstacles, but as sworn enemies¡ªfoes he would cut through without mercy.


    With the Judgment of Light in hand, Jihoon swung it more like a blunt weapon than a blade, striking with raw, unrefined power that sent constructs reeling, sometimes cracking their exteriors with a single blow.


    The sheer speed he moved at, combined with his strength, made each strike a shattering force, breaking apart anything in his path. Jihoon didn¡¯t dodge, he didn¡¯t sidestep¡ªhe simply plowed forward, cleaving through anything that dared to obstruct him. It was a method of combat that held no regard for his own body, each harsh, deflecting swing taking its toll on him just as much as it did on the sentinels.


    Onlookers were captivated, held in silent awe at the rare and terrifying sight. To Absence¡¯s denizens, such fury hadn¡¯t been seen in hundreds of years, not since the Great Conclave had unified the races and forming the Absence that they are living right now. Such relentless advance was only seen in history textbooks and simulators. Like stepping from another age, where each battle fought to the last and victory came at the cost of blood, sweat and tears.


    The Judgment of Light itself took in Jihoon¡¯s furious onslaught with a grim awareness. It recognized the way he wielded it¡ªnot with the poise of a soldier or the composure of a seasoned warrior, but with the reckless abandon of someone who saw his own life as a weapon, sacrificing his body and mind as he pushed forward.


    It recalled the penitent paladins who had wielded it centuries ago, those who had once fought for absolution with similar desperation. They, too, had taken up the Judgment of Light not to conquer, but to be judged, to prove their own worth by overcoming forces that had far outmatched them.


    The Judgment of Light wasn¡¯t really a relic of immeasurable power, more of something forged in sizable numbers as a symbol that its wielders represent. Hence why it is Heroic instead of Legendary or such. There are numerous like it back then but now, to manifest a spirit that endured its own decay is a commendable thing that everyone would agree on.


    3 minutes have gone past, and Jihoon¡¯s furious step now threatens to pulverize the asphalt of the urban road beneath. The helicopter that followed him to play his Song Magic seemingly only served no purpose but to bore witness to his rampage. With no Linked Song Magic performed, they don¡¯t have to try too hard to stay ahead of him. Yet they do not know what will happen if they are need to required.


    With the checkpoint of Cicones within sight again, the decision to continue or end the race is met once again. Despite his obsession seemingly cloud his judgment, he is perfectly cognizant of his own action even until now. And whether that makes all of his previous action better or not is unknown but¡­


    If he finishes the race here, would the 3 prodigals chasing behind him also concede and end their run here?


    Jihoon approached the checkpoint, his eyes fixed on the path ahead as the decision loomed before him. He could stop now, end his torment, and maybe, just maybe, force the three prodigies pursuing him to do the same. The allure of ending the race right there tugged at his mind¡ªa chance to halt, to concede that he¡¯d pushed hard enough. Yet, deep down, he knew his conviction demanded more.


    His mind raced as he neared the Cicones checkpoint, the thought of ending the trial now gnawing at him. It would be so easy to stop here, to let go of the battle and await the decisions of the three behind him. Perhaps they¡¯d concede as well, content with the ranks they¡¯d held until now. Or, maybe they¡¯d attempt the third lap and fail under the relentless weight of the trial¡¯s increasing difficulty.


    But as much as the thought had tempted him, he knew he couldn¡¯t leave it to chance. The placement of first place, the weight of his promises, and the ferocious need to see it all through burned within him, refusing to let him yield. He would continue, and if they chose to do the same, so be it. Victory was no longer simply a goal, but a necessity for him.


    As he reached the checkpoint, he barely paused, pivoting on his heel and setting his path back up the mountain without hesitation. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, the commentators voicing their astonishment. Even his followers, those who had cheered and worried for him thus far, seemed taken aback by his decision.


    Within moments, he crossed paths with Fenrir, Legolas, and Zorn, who were descending at staggering speeds. The air between them crackled with tension. None of them exchanged words, yet the determination in their eyes and the mutual respect was palpable. For a brief, loaded second, they each understood that there would be no concessions, no easy victories. This would go on until one of them claimed the trial¡¯s highest honor.


    And then, as if in agreement, the top three turned, following his lead and setting off toward their third lap. The stakes were raised, and the final stretch of the race was poised to test the very limits of their strength, endurance, and willpower.


    The crowd erupted as the commentator¡¯s voice cracked through the airwaves with sheer, electrifying excitement.


    ¡°In an unprecedented turn of events, Jihoon and the top three have all decided to attempt a third lap! This¡­ this has only happened a few times in the entire history of the Odyssey! I can¡¯t believe what we¡¯re witnessing! Fenrir, Legolas, Zorn, and Jihoon are rewriting the legend of this trial with every step. And for those just tuning in, they¡¯re not just racing now¡ªthey¡¯re defying the limits of what anyone thought possible!¡±


    The roar of the crowd echoed across Cicones, filling every screen and every corner of the city with a contagious energy. Viewers were glued to the edge of their seats, breathless with anticipation. Commentators scrambled to analyze the implications of Lap 3, a feat few had dared, and even fewer had survived.


    And then, a shift in the atmosphere sent an icy chill racing through the entirety of the trial route.


    Jihoon felt it first¡ªa pulsing, oppressive aura creeping over the landscape like a storm. It was beyond anything he¡¯d sensed before, a menacing presence that seemed to bleed malice into the very air. As if by unspoken command, he glanced over his shoulder, the top three doing the same.


    At the very checkpoint which all of them have turned away as declaration of conquering Lap 3, an immense, towering figure is deployed. That is their challenge of Lap 3.


    Jihoon used his [Observant] on it, and all he got was immense dread in exchange.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Sentinel Construct Model 108 - Thanatos


    Name: Thanatos


    Level: ????


    Race: Non-sentient Mechanical Construct


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: ????


    -END: ????


    -AGI: 3??


    -DEX: ????


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: NAN


    -CHA: NAN


    -MAG: ????


    -Active Skill:


    +Void Reaver (Master):


    Instantly disrupts ambient mana in a 50-meter radius,


    weakening the potency of spells and skills in that area by 70%.


    +Soulflare Barrage (Expert):


    Launches beams of volatile, disruptive energy capable


    of overwhelming most magical defenses.


    +Cataclysmic Pulse (Expert):


    A powerful concussive blast from its core,


    annihilating anything within range.


    +Absolute Pursuit (Passive):


    Can mark any target within its sight, locking onto them


    with uncanny precision, making pursuit evasion nearly impossible.


    -Description:


    An elite construct, modeled after the mythological entity Thanatos,


    it was designed to embody the inevitability of death and its personfication.


    Its appearance alone is deliberately designed to instill a primal fear, and so that


    even the boldest champions are advised to retreat when facing it.


    It is made for one purpose¡ªto end the journey of any who attempt the ultimate trial.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Jihoon took in the information and the weight of Lap 3 sank to the point that his obsession can¡¯t blind him from the overwhelming danger. That¡¯s the how terrible the situation has dawned upon him. And the 3 that also chose to continue like him also come to the same conclusion like he did.


    Fenrir, despite bearing the legacy of the Devourer that her lineage has, sulked like a dog caught doing something bad. Legolas, having undergone numerous dangerous missions that his position as a commando felt shuddered in a very long while. And Zorn¡¯s mind flashed like a broken record while seemingly staring into the thousand yards ahead as if seeing someone getting devoured alive by a steel processing machine in real time.


    Yet the horror didn¡¯t last as they all pulled themselves out of the nightmarish reverie. All of them only has roughly in 300-ish in average with Physical Attributes with specialized attributes here and there due to their capacity. There¡¯s no possible way for them to defeat the Thanatos sentinel, even just being caught in direct contact is instant disqualification and after making it this far, the effort expended is too much to bear if they lose here right now.


    All of them nodded at one another because a shared sentiment is exchanged without a single word uttered. They can¡¯t complete Lap 3 alone without it becoming so difficult that it is borderline impossible. The other sentinels were surging with increased aggression, every one of them amplifying their assault as if to echo the threat of Thanatos, forming an impenetrable wall of threats.


    For as much as he despised the idea that he had arrived right now, the only feasible way forward¡ªthe only possible way to survive the nightmare that Lap 3 had become¡ªwas for the four of them to work together.

 Chapter 40: United We Stand

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 40: United We Stand


    With the initiation of Lap 3 begin in earnest with the activation of Thanatos, the number of participants who had entered Lap 2 and made it back to the finishing line has been reduced significantly. Of the remaining 160 participants who entered Lap 2, only 45 remained after all of its challenges. And none of them have any intention of participating in Lap 3 after going through so much of their own struggle just to throw it all away at the end. They know their limit, and this isn¡¯t their hill to die on.


    Thus making the 4 of them who made their turn away from the finish line all alone and it is their sole challenge to overcome by their own merit. Disqualification doesn¡¯t mean one instantly lose all their right to enter the other trials of Odyssey, it just mean they earned absolutely no point and have to amend in later challenges. This competition was made to be difficult, but not meaninglessly cruel for no reason.


    In this matter, Jihoon decided that it is time to recall just what is the expertise of the 3 prodigals that he had to rely on in Lap 3 now.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Heiress of Solros Snow Queen


    Name: Fenrir Snowbreak


    Level: 136


    Class: Snowtreader


    Race: Wolf Beastfolk


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 177


    -END: 144


    -AGI: 3??


    -DEX: 3??


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 11


    -CHA: 44


    -MAG: 2??


    +Weapons:


    -Devourer¡¯s Claw [Legendary]


    +Active Skill:


    -Ice Magic (Expert)


    |Blizzard¡¯s Call (Expert):


    Creating a localized snowstorm, reduce visibility and impairing senses greatly of all caught within.


    |Frost Step (Advanced)


    Moves silently while creating frost patches beneath own¡¯s feet, amplifies own movement speed.


    |Winter¡¯s Frenzy (Intermediate)


    Rapid flurry of blows, relentless like winter¡¯s howling wind. Attack count increased with AGI.


    |Glacial Fang (Advanced)


    Coating own¡¯s weapon in hardened permafrost. Deal devastating damage on performance.


    -Predator¡¯s Instinct (Advanced)


    Allow rapid and accurate detection, combined with swift counterattack and response befitting of a predator.


    +Passive Skill:


    - Snowtreader¡¯s Grace (Unique Racial Skill):


    Grants immunity to cold environments and enhances agility on any terrain covered in snow or ice.


    Additionally, allows her to create small patches of frost underfoot, enhancing her speed in battle.


    -Pack Leader¡¯s Aura (Innate):


    Boost the physical performance of all surrounding allies by 10%


    -Beastfolk Resilience (Innate):


    Resistance to cold environment and increased natural regeneration, stamina.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Fenrir took the lead, seemingly trying to emulate her own mother¡¯s leading quality as the ragtag team of 4 encountered their first sentinel patrol of Lap 3 while running away from the Thanatos that is only getting closer behind. Jihoon used his [Observant], and their current average physical stats is at 250. Fenrir¡¯s hair ruffled seemingly guided by her instinct as she draws out her family¡¯s treasured weapon, in a competition of all places.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Devourer¡¯s Claw


    Classification: Claw


    Rarity: Legendary


    ATK+: 444


    Description:


    Forged with a mix of enchanted mythril and icebound steel and within


    the hearts of Solros¡¯s numerous snowstorms, it took the shape of clawed gauntlets,


    sleek and vicious. Constantly absorbing ambient cold, growing sharper


    and deadlier in frigid conditions.


    Every strike release latent frost energy, freezing wounds upon contact,


    and sapping the vitality of its target like a relentless predator


    as it devours life in both literal and thematic sense.


    It is said to embody the spirit of the First Snow Queen herself, lending its


    bearer the unyielding will and fierce agility of a wolf in pursuit.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Fenrir surged forward, Devourer¡¯s Claw flashing in her hand, its icy aura crackling with the chill of her homeland. Jihoon observed her movement with keen interest, fascinated by her combat approach. Where most fighters would strike once and retreat to gauge their surroundings, Fenrir weaved in and out of close combat with breathtaking fluidity, closing the gap between her and each sentinel construct with seamless speed.


    Her approach to combat was uncompromising. She darted in close, weaving around her opponents with agile finesse, leveraging every inch of her wolf-beastfolk heritage to exploit weaknesses.


    Jihoon analyzed each calculated motion she made. With her choice of weapon, every attack required intense proximity to her targets, forcing her to weave past the sentinel constructs¡¯ defenses to land a blow. But Fenrir¡¯s strength wasn¡¯t merely in her agility but rather, it was in the decisive, unrelenting ferocity of each strike.


    Despite being just a lone wolf against a relentless horde, she fought not as a single warrior but like an entire wolf pack¡ªhitting fast, retreating just out of range, and closing back in to tear apart her foes. Her combat was so swift and fluid that it is like watching a wolfpack tearing apart its larger prey methodically.


    Where her claws connected, frost bloomed across the constructs¡¯ exteriors, their metal limbs freezing and cracking as they attempted to retaliate. Watching her dominating the battlefield with a natural ease that came from a seemingly lifetime of training with her youthful age and an indomitable instinct honed for the hunt. Each movement, each strike, each pivot was precise and intentional, embodying the harmony of nature¡¯s ruthlessness and elegance.


    As Fenrir cleaved her way forward, Jihoon couldn¡¯t help but feel inspired from witnessing her resolve. If they were to make it through this trial, he knew they would need to channel the same focus and tenacity that Fenrir displayed.


    Throughout the entirety of the urban road section, Fenrir consistently pushed herself to the utmost limit. Her Expert-class proficiency of Ice Magic put to the test as she cleared out a relentless path that has since tightly packed with sentinels. With each spell she released, she hastened her own pace of combat.


    Blizzard¡¯s Call summoned frigid winds as obscuring fog and cloud coalesced above, obscuring detection vision for the sentinels and reducing their accuracy as they stumbled through the biting cold, unfortunately so too for the other 3 following her but they can¡¯t be lost on predetermined straight path either way. Frost Step gave her unmatched speed as she dashed forward, silent and deadly, leaving icy patches in her wake that hindered the constructs behind her.


    When the numbers became overwhelming, she unleashed Winter¡¯s Frenzy, a devastating series of blows that struck so quickly, the constructs appeared to be crumbling apart with each relentless swing of Devourer¡¯s Claw. With every clash, shards of ice erupted in a chaotic dance around her, obscuring her figure and freezing each construct she passed.


    Jihoon, Legolas, and Zorn moved just behind her, maintaining formation as they pressed forward through the gauntlet. Fenrir¡¯s powers were immense, yet all of them knew that even she couldn¡¯t maintain this pace forever. The others had no choice but to pull their own weight when the inevitable arrived, knowing that Fenrir¡¯s breakneck speed and decisive attacks were keeping them all alive.


    Each of them understood that any weakness amongst them could mean certain ¡®death¡¯, otherwise disqualification as the monstrous Thanatos construct continued its relentless pursuit, looming closer with every second.


    Jihoon, Legolas, and Zorn followed closely, each helping to take down the remaining constructs in her wake, but he could see the toll her abilities were taking. Her breaths grew heavier, and as they approached the end of the urban road, Fenrir¡¯s once-relentless pace slowed. The snowstorm dissipated, leaving the way clear for them to transition to the dirt trail just ahead. She had bought them time, but they all knew that time was slipping away.


    Yet, much similar to the previous lap. Another boss sentinel has appeared and blocked the entirety of the way for them. Its form massive, coiling like serpentine. Boasting multiple heads which each equipped with segmented jaws. This, is the recreation of the Hydra and that they alone must face. Each head moved independently, eyeing them with gleaming sensors and hissing in metallic rhythm, like the warning rattle of an apex predator sizing up its prey.


    Fenrir staggered back, catching her breath. "I''m¡­ on cooldown,¡± she managed, struggling to keep her focus.


    Jihoon exchanged a quick look with Legolas and Zorn. The Thanatos was drawing closer from behind, and if they wanted to move forward, they had no choice but to step up. The three locked eyes, each understanding that only by fighting as one could they hope to make it through. They spread out, each preparing to pull their own weight in the next battle, knowing that no weak links could survive the storm that awaited them.


    In this moment, Legolas step up to take the leading role. And Jihoon recalled what that man is capable of.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Alberenth Commando Major


    Name: Legolas Virentleaf


    Level: 2??


    Class: Commando


    Race: Wood Elf


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 133


    -END: 165


    -AGI: 3??


    -DEX: 3??


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 9


    -CHA: 22


    -MAG: 2??


    +Weapons:


    -Storm Shooter [Heroic]


    -Ether Edge [Mortal]


    +Active Skill:


    -Wind Magic (Expert)


    |Windborne Speed (Expert)


    Harnesses wind currents to drastically increase movement speed,


    making self and allies nearly invisible to the naked eye while running.


    |Whirling Tempest (Expert)


    Creates a large localized storm around self, capable of deflecting,


    altering trajectory of projectiles and throw away enemies caught within.


    |Gale Precision (Advanced)


    Increases accuracy and speed of projectile attacks when using ranged weapons,


    adjusts own trajectory mid-flight.


    |Aether Shot (Advanced)


    An enhanced ranged attack where wind magic fuses with own medium,


    increasing their speed and power significantly.


    |Vortex Strike (Intermediate)


    Uses wind magic to channel powerful bursts of air into own melee attacks,


    causing explosive shockwaves with each strike.


    +Passive Skill:


    -Sylvan Reflex (Unique Racial Skill)


    |Grants heightened reaction speed and agility, allowing detection


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.of subtle movements in his surroundings and react before danger strikes.


    In wooded or natural environments, this skill amplifies further, granting


    near-supernatural awareness of the battlefield.


    -Mana Attunement (Expert)


    -Mystic Resistance (Innate):


    A natural elven ability that increases endurance


    and resistance to fatigue, magic-based abilities


    allowing performance for long periods without tiring.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    And at the same time, he used [Observant] on the Hydra to measure if he will utilize Linked Song Magic here and right now.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Sentinel Construct Model 81 - Hydra


    Name: *none*


    Level: 5??


    Race: Non-sentient Mechanical Construct


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 7??


    -END: 6??


    -AGI: 244


    -DEX: 6??


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: NAN


    -CHA: NAN


    -MAG: 130


    -Active Skill:


    -Regenerative Protocol (Advanced):


    Damaged heads can be repaired quickly, and new heads can spawn


    after significant damage, limited to a max of six heads.


    -Shockwave Bellow (Advanced):


    Unleashes an ear-piercing roar that emits shockwaves


    capable of stunning and repelling attackers within a wide radius.


    -Venom Blast (Advanced):


    Each head can spray a corrosive substance


    that damages armor and decreases movement speed.


    -Segmented Defense (Advanced):


    Can shift its segmented armor plates, redistributing defenses to focus on attacks in one area.


    -Description:


    A sentinel model built and designed to emulate the Hydra in the ancient lore


    of Calphennis region. Long coiling serpentine body, cascading


    armor plating form like scales, capable of self-repair and reconstruction


    if given time and utilize highly corrosive and paralyzing toxin to take down


    its preys.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Recognizing the danger what the Hydra construct is capable of even without seeing it in action. Legolas stepped into the action.


    "We¡¯re going to need full cooperation for this one. Zorn, we¡¯ll need your strength and resilience on the front line. Jihoon, I¡¯m counting on your Magic whatever it is¡ªand give us whatever edge you can. We¡¯ll have to break through this thing together.¡±


    Jihoon only nods, if the Hydra had regeneration akin to the myth, he knew this wouldn¡¯t just be about brute force¡ªit would require coordination to strike all heads in tandem, preventing it from using its Regenerative Protocol to outlast them.


    Without a word, Legolas activated Windborne Speed, weaving wind currents around himself and his teammates, making them nearly invisible in their movements as they prepared to face the Hydra.


    Legolas unsheathed the Ether Edge, its sleek, translucent blade gleaming faintly as it emanates flowing mist, a testament to its design as both a physical and magical weapon. As he moved, Windborne Speed cloaked him in nearly invisible gusts, and his footsteps made not a sound, leaving the Hydra with little to aim at as he launched his first strike.


    With precision only achievable by a seasoned commando, he swung the Ether Edge in a sweeping arc at one of the Hydra¡¯s heads, activating Gale Precision. The strike was both fast and deadly accurate, carrying an intensified edge as the wind currents wrapped around the blade. A powerful swing so fast that as if the swinging arc remained in afterimage briefly, severed one of the Hydra¡¯s heads with a hiss of pressurized hydraulics, the neck falling limp with a dull thud.


    ¡°Keep it up!¡± he called as he repositioned, never standing still for a second, the swirling wind making him a blur. He spun into a second strike as Aether Shot activated, sending a gust-fused blade of energy into another head, managing to slice halfway through before the Hydra recoiled.


    Despite that the System listed a lot of his Wind Magic as work strictly on a projectile weaponry, his proficiency with his magic so immense that he could translate it into melee weaponry either way. The Ether Edge that he wields is classified as Mortal, which means that it is as much of a simple combat knife that any soldier is issued. The fact that he can be so destructive as this world¡¯s equivalent of a special force soldier with standard issued weaponry spoke of the level of experience he has.


    Even still, they only have a minute at best before the Thanatos arrive at their location. Their progress has been fast just now, but the Hydra is making them squandering each of these hard-earned seconds.


    He and Zorn has to partake in the fight or else. And without the elves¡¯ natural dexterity, Windborne speed did enhance their movement speed but its camouflage effect failed utterly as the Hydra¡¯s attention drawn toward them. Immediately, the other remaining heads opened their mouths as toxic gas unleashed from all of them.


    Jihoon had no choice but to use Wings that Don¡¯t Reach to evade while Zorn bravely stepped forward through pouring toxin as his Juggernaut Armor protects him entirely from external source. All things have limit, it is just not his today.


    Zorn charged forward with his armor¡¯s bulk, his armored fists like hammers crashing against the Hydra¡¯s metallic frame. He struck another head and held it down, growling, "I¡¯ll keep them in place¡ªjust keep the cuts coming!¡± He braced himself, enduring corrosive sprays of Venom Blast as they splashed across his armor, buying Jihoon and Legolas a critical opening.


    Jihoon utilized his Light Magic again, this time uses Golden Hour as numerous weaponries made of luminescence manifest in the air before falling toward the ground in pattern, each blade and spear turn into anchors of magic formation. As the domain of light took place, Jihoon upcast his spells through the magic formation itself as numerous threads intertwines into ropes that wrapped and ensnare the Hydra.


    The disparity of stats is real however as all of those ropes of light only restrained it for a few seconds yet that few seconds was enough for Legolas to take action.


    Unleashing Vortex Strikes in rapid succession, emeraldlike energy converged with the wind as the Ether Edge struck swiftly and rapidly as even more of its heads are decapitated. Yet its Regeneration Protocol is taking place already as the severed neck start to reconstruction on its own.


    In its myth, its regeneration is nullified by cauterizing the decapitated stump. Unfortunately, none of them knows Fire Magic and their dwarf isn¡¯t a blacksmith but a warrior. And Jihoon¡¯s offensive Light Magic spell didn¡¯t have property of heat as of currently.


    Thirty seconds left. Jihoon mentally calculated their time in compared to Thanatos¡¯ speed. It doesn¡¯t look bright for them.


    It was bad enough that Fenrir moved against her own condition as her own instinct is warning her that she couldn¡¯t even afford another second to rest. Frost swirled as she used Glacial Fang on the decapitated necks of the Hydra, yet because of its size, she had to upcast its potency by brute force instead of complexity, this act just consumed whatever mana reserve that she recovered just now.


    An opening has been brought yet the Thanatos¡¯s looming approach is threatening to tear apart any sense of calm that they have.


    Legolas, exhausted yet undeterred, glanced at Jihoon. ¡°We can¡¯t keep this up; we need a final blow,¡± he urged, a rare hint of strain in his voice.


    The other option to defeat the Hydra in its myth, is to severe all of its heads at the same time. Yet 6 heads and only 3 of them, even this is too much for Legolas allegedly with his Wind Magic.


    With the situation seemingly head toward a dead-end, everyone¡¯s mind gone into overdrive as they started to look for a solution in reach. The other 3¡¯s Expert-class Magic is recognized as powerful with certain but they¡¯re range of effect too widespread for actual damage. Fenrir¡¯s Blizzard Call couldn¡¯t froze an entire Hydra solidly, Legolas¡¯s Whirling Tempest couldn¡¯t shred it apart by force, and Zorn¡¯s Seismic Barrage is too ineffective against its serpentine physique.


    So it falls to Jihoon again, and he once again has to call upon his enlightenment of Advanced-class Magic, no matter how unstable or fragile his steps might be. Any spell of such level that he cast will shatter in just one use, much like how his Wings that Don¡¯t Reach shatter apart in one flap.


    But with Golden Hour, he can upcast all of his Light Magic spell potency one level above while maintaining its cost the same with its limit being his current Magic Proficiency which now at Advanced.


    So, he need to devise his own Advanced-class Light Magic, an offensive spell that is just as destructive yet have enough spread to severe all of the Hydra¡¯s heads all at once.


    Remembering the steps of Magic once again. He recalled how he advanced to such a realm.


    Innate is when one only perceives the elements as they are, only the raw imagery depicting them.


    Initiate is when one understood the methods and underlying physics that allows the magical elements to gain substantial effects.


    Novice is imparting personal meaning into the methods themselves. Granting more substantive power more than just manipulation. This is also why users of same proficiency can have vastly different application range and potency of the spells they used.


    Intermediate is when one synthesizes and connects the imagery, understanding, and meaning together instead of just sequentially linking them. This complexity allows Magic spell to gain far greater potency or effects.


    Advanced is when one connects with the deeper meaning behind the magic itself. Becoming one with the magic, letting it transcend its normal boundaries to achieve something greater¡ªnot just an expression of power, but of purpose. This includes themselves in the magic equation for spells.


    In other words, to stop thinking of oneself as commanding magic but rather an extension of magic in itself.


    First, he outstretched his hands forward. The imagery of the daybreak at horizon, and the method of how concentrated light cut, and the personal meaning it has for someone like him, an F-rank Hunter in his world struggles to live for the next day with how much it means to him. The three of them together in sequence, formed the Novice-class Light Magic ¨C Dawn¡¯s Edge. This took him 0.5 seconds.


    Then, he synthesized all 3 of them together and how they interplayed. Of how the separated part only linked sequentially can be interpreted as others and vice versa. Like how imagery becomes that of the method and personal meaning. This too applied for other aspects of its making. Additionally through Golden Hour¡¯s effect, Dawn¡¯s Edge became Intermediate¨Cclass Light Magic ¨C Daybreak Gleam. This took him 1.3 seconds.


    The long dagger shaped in the daybreak at horizon transformed into a greatsword of incandescent light whose size exceed that of his own form. Jihoon lunged forward at the Hydra, numerous ropes formed by threads of light sprung to impede its movement as much as it could as Jihoon swung the greatsword with all he has. If it was just like this, it wouldn¡¯t be enough to sever all of the Hydra¡¯s heads.


    And so, similar to how he had created Wings that Don¡¯t Reach, he has to assert a meaningful ¡®connection¡¯ to transform it into something greater. How he empathized with Alvorna¡¯s plight, from the suppressed ideality that only taken flight thanks to his unconditional feelings toward her. And in doing so, he recognized her situation being no different than his even if they are vastly different. Together, they are people who didn¡¯t feel belong to the world they¡¯re in.


    The component of self, and how much it stood for someone like him. That¡¯s what the connection stood for.


    He looked at the greatsword in his hands and found himself thinking of light itself, a spectrum of colors converging to create a single, radiant whole.


    Advanced-class Light Magic ¨C Seven Color Swords


    As a music composer, someone who understood that harmony emerged when distinct voices came together. There were seven colors in light, seven notes in a musical scale. The resonance of light, of music, of his spirit, were one and the same. Every piece of himself, every part of his journey, came together.


    The promises, the connections, the relationships that he had managed to establish in Absence. His thoughts returned to each of them¡ªAlvorna, Aquarius, Rosa, and Karim¡ªall those who shared in his burden, who in one way or another helped him redefine who he was, and what he could become. They were the bridges he¡¯d crossed, and their presence in his life had transformed him.


    As he completed the swing, the greatsword fractured, splitting into seven luminous blades of different sizes from greatsword to dagger, each glowing in a hue of the light spectrum¡ªcrimson, amber, gold, emerald, azure, indigo, and violet. Seven colors, seven weapons. Each blade hovered in the air around him, before plunging into the ground, surrounding the boss sentinel.


    What becomes of the greatsword of light in his hand turned into a crimson greatsword. Yet its offensive capability didn¡¯t wane even a bit even if its form unstable. This too applied to other fragmented weapons that originated from. And with blinding speed, his next step was like a flash from the dark as one of the Hydra construct¡¯s heads was severed.


    And before even a fraction of a second has passed, the crimson greatsword shattered like glass as its scattering fragments sparkles like kaleidoscope. Taking hold of the next color sword, the amber two-hander, Jihoon swiftly perform the previous feat again as he drives his metal processing and reaction speed to the limit. Each swing, a head of a Hydra severed, another color sword of his shatter once fulfilled its purpose.


    Golden longsword, emerald broadsword, azure shortsword, indigo baselard and finally violet dagger. Within short seconds, propelled by his obsession-fueled strength within lucidity of enlightenment. Each head fell, severed in perfect synchrony, leaving the Hydra motionless as its body shuddered, then collapsed.


    It was over, and just in time. Jihoon turned, seeing the Thanatos looming in the distance. Though he was weary, he was ready. As were his allies, who had fought their hardest beside him.


    ¡°We need to hurry, now!¡±. Jihoon said as he drags his tired body to keep moving after performing that Advanced-class Magic, still maintaining that Obsession of his no matter what. It is easy to forget that he still has that self-inflicted injury before.


    And so, the group of 4 moved onward in spite of the accumulated fatigue that the boss has done. And not too late because just in 7 seconds, the Thanatos arrived at where the Hydra battle taken place and by then, they were already gone.


    But they knew better than to believe themselves to be safe, because overconfidence is an insidious killer after all.

 Chapter 41: Divided We Fall

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 41: Divided We Fall


    ¡°We need to hurry, now!¡±. Jihoon said as he drags his tired body to keep moving after performing that Advanced-class Magic, still maintaining that obsession of his no matter what. It is easy to forget that he still has that self-inflicted injury done by said obsession before, yet he still runs as if having no concern.


    As Jihoon stumbled forward, each step fueled by sheer will, Legolas drew his Storm Shooter with a sharp inhale, steadying himself before he unleashed the full potential of the Heroic weapon.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Storm Shooter


    Classification: Bow


    Rarity: Heroic


    ATK+: 96


    Description:


    A bow of unmatched craftsmanship, forged from the rare wood


    of sacred elven groves and synthetic materials designed to channel


    and amplify wind-based magic.


    The Storm Shooter is capable of drawing wind energy directly


    into its form, infusing into each arrow with concentrated force.


    At full power, it¡¯s capable of firing bolts of compressed wind


    with such precision and speed that each shot leaves a scar in the air


    ¡ªa blur of emerald destruction. When wielded by an expert,


    the Storm Shooter transforms into a tempest, allowing


    a stream of arrows to become an unbroken line of defense.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    The air around them thickened as Legolas infused his wind magic into the bow, channeling a surge of energy that formed grass-green arrows with a translucent, shimmering edge. With each draw, he released a concentrated burst of wind that tore through the sentinel constructs swarming their path. The first shot hit with thunderous impact, tearing through several sentinels in a straight line, shattering them upon contact. Jihoon briefly marveled at the sheer power and precision displayed.


    But what then struck Jihoon was the impossible speed at which Legolas then fired. His arm became a blur, the bowstring snapping back with inhuman speed, each shot perfectly aimed as bolts of wind blasted through their enemies in a ceaseless stream. Like watching a machine gun unleash its fury but powered by nature¡¯s raw force, each arrow unleashed is a miniature hurricane in making. All the lesser sentinels fell in droves, unable to advance as Legolas kept them at bay, his face set with unwavering focus.


    In seconds, they cleared enough of the path to surge forward, but Jihoon could feel the lingering presence of the Thanatos looming behind them.


    Legolas proceeded to use his Storm Shooter for the entirety of the duration in which the 4 of them traverse the dirt trail as fast as they could. Using Windborne Speed, the team¡¯s overall movement speed increased immensely as the entire length of the trail about that of a marathon was accomplished in¡­ 1 minutes which the Thanatos will take 2 and a half minutes assuming previous consistent speed.


    However, doing so for multiple people and maintain it is similarly taxing like it did to Fenrir as despite never showing it, Legolas¡¯s hardened expressions hide all of it due to his profession as a commando. Once they arrived at the transition point to the mountain path once more, Legolas lifted away the Windborne Speed, knowing that this will be an immensely difficult section which speed without sufficient dexterity will do more harm than otherwise.


    Much similar to the transition point between urban road and dirt trail where they fought the Hydra boss sentinel, they expected another one to come. But since the path is somewhat clear, they decided to proceed without looking back. In hindsight, the deafening silence should have tipped off that something wasn¡¯t right.


    As they pushed up the winding mountain path, each of them felt the pressure mounting. The endless twists and turns forced them to move slowly, winding up only small increments with each section. The jagged cliff faces, and tight curves restricted their visibility, making it impossible to gauge how much progress they¡¯d made. The higher they climbed, the more their sense of vulnerability grew. The height barely seemed to increase, even as the effort wore on each of them.


    The sheer incline made each step feel like a monumental task, and the looming sense of dread only intensified with every switchback that slowed their progress. Each of them felt the weight of time bearing down as the winding trail seemed to stretch on indefinitely, their pace barely eating away at the mountain¡¯s height.


    Just as they turned a particularly sharp corner, Fenrir¡¯s ears twitched, picking up a low, vibrating hum from below.


    ¡°What¡­ is that?¡± she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. But as she looked back, her eyes widened in shock.


    At the foot of the mountain path, the Thanatos sentinel construct appeared, its massive form casting an ominous shadow across the trail below. Just pausing a bit as if to look upon the entirety of the mountain and where they were, it began to levitate upward, ignoring the restrictive terrain entirely. Though its ascent was slower than its previous ground speed, it still loomed closer, unimpeded by the need to navigate the winding trail.


    Their escape had relied on the twisting route to buy them time, but the Thanatos¡¯s ability to ascend without restriction shattered their strategy entirely. Jihoon¡¯s gaze stayed fixed on it, feeling the relentless menace of its approach.


    ¡°There¡¯s no way to outrun it like this,¡± Jihoon said grimly.


    Each step forward felt increasingly futile, the weight of the Thanatos bearing down on them, closing the gap with frightening inevitability. The narrow, winding trail suddenly felt like a trap rather than an escape route. When they had the luxury of time, and that there¡¯s nothing stronger than them present, this whole winding mountain path had never presented a real challenge other than its terrain until now.


    But with the Thanatos, the disadvantage that they disregarded came to bite them back really badly. Making little to no progress while the Thanatos just outright skip all the obstacles that impede them. Unlike the downward return, the climb is the most tortuous as one can imagine with time running thin even on seconds.


    Jihoon, feeling the weight of time pressing down on them, had an idea as he used [Observant] on Zorn.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Steelpress Dwarf Regiment Juggernaut


    Name: Zorn ¡®Steelpress¡¯ Ironwool


    Level: 2??


    Class: Juggernaut


    Race: Dwarf


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 3??


    -END: 3??


    -AGI: 189


    -DEX: 2??


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 6


    -CHA: 10


    -MAG: 2??


    +Weapons:


    -Juggernaut Armor [Heroic]


    -Vulcan Rotary Cannon [Mortal]


    +Active Skill:


    -Earth Magic (Expert)


    |Stone Form (Expert)


    Enhances own physical body, hardening own skin to stone-like durability,


    increasing both his defense and strength for a limited time.


    |Seismic Barrage (Expert)


    Channels strength into a series of destructive strikes, creating tremors


    and breaking apart the ground beneath his enemies. Can alter terrain


    forcefully.


    |Earthquake Stomp (Advanced)


    Stomps the ground with immense force, sending shockwaves


    through the terrain, disorienting and destabilizing enemies nearby.


    |Rockslide Shield (Advanced)


    Summons a barrier of earth around self, absorbing damage and deflecting projectiles.


    |Crushing Force (Advanced)


    Amplifies own STR to overpower enemies with devastating melee strikes,


    often shattering armor or defenses in a single blow.


    +Passive Skill:


    -Heart of Mountain (Unique Racial Skill)


    | Grants dwarves near-infinite endurance in battle and daily-life,


    allowing them to continue fighting and moving without fatigue,


    especially in long, drawn-out encounters.


    This also makes dwarves highly resistant to environmental effects


    such as harsh weather or unstable terrain.


    -Mana Attunement (Expert)


    -Steel Body (Innate):


    Resilience is so high that basic physical attacks barely phase.


    Own natural endurance amplifies one¡¯s ability to shrug off damage.


    -Iron Will (Innate):


    Reduces the effects of mental and magical debuffs,


    allowing oneself to fight on without distraction, even under heavy magical assault.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ¡°What if you used your Earth Magic to cut through the mountain path¡ªmake a shortcut directly up? We¡¯re not going to make it winding up like this.¡± Jihoon proposed his idea to Zorn.


    For a moment, his suggestion hung in the air, and Fenrir, Legolas, and even Zorn stared at him, blank expressions mingling with subtle surprise.


    Then, from the helicopter above, Rosa¡¯s voice crackled through the intercom. ¡°Jihoon¡­ Dwarves, even with their natural affinity for earth, have an unspoken rule about using Earth Magic in mountains. It¡¯s practically sacred¡ªmountains are their homes and livelihood. Careless manipulation could cause catastrophic collapses, landslides¡­ the kind of damage you can¡¯t take back. The effects can easily spiral beyond control, even with the best intentions. Months gone into proper planning and consideration, and you can¡¯t do the same in the fly!¡±


    But before she could finish, Zorn moved without hesitation. ¡°Enough talking,¡± he said firmly, his voice echoing off the stone walls as he positioned himself. ¡°Our backs are to the wall. I¡¯m not letting us fall here because of tradition.¡±


    Jihoon glanced back at Zorn, and his expression was anything but uncertain. With the determined look of a soldier resigned to his duty, he gripped his weapon and nodded toward the path.


    ¡°I¡¯m no fan of breaking rules, lad,¡± he said with a gruff resolve, ¡°but if we don¡¯t, we¡¯re as good as buried anyway. We¡¯ve got seconds before that thing¡¯s on us.¡±


    ¡°Beside, this mountain isn¡¯t my home¡±


    Then, with grim determination, Zorn slammed his fists to the ground, calling forth his Expert-class Earth Magic - Seismic Barrage.


    |G- B C C| D B D_D#~D#|


    On one side, the force of darkness gathers in legions


    With a deep, rumbling exhale, he planted his feet firmly, bracing himself. His hands pressed down into the ground, and a surge of power rippled through the earth, as if an ancient pulse was coming to life beneath them.


    The ground below them rumbled, and in a flurry of earthen energy, platforms began to rise in staggered rows, forming a rough staircase straight up the mountain face. Each platform seemed to float momentarily before solidifying into a steady surface, forming a staircase that cut directly up through the jagged rock, skipping dozens of the trail¡¯s winding twists and turns. The elevated pathway rose steadily, as if daring them to seize the moment.


    |C_F G_G# G# G#| A+ F_G G#_G# G_G|


    On the other side, an alliance sworn to keep their flame of truth alight


    ¡°Move, before I change my mind!¡± Zorn barked, not giving anyone time to argue. Jihoon, Fenrir, and Legolas wasted no time, leaping onto the platforms with the Thanatos drawing dangerously close.


    With each step they took, Zorn reinforced the stone beneath them, creating a direct path that cut through the mountain¡¯s twists and turns. But even as he summoned the staircase, everyone was painfully aware of the rumbling that reverberated beneath their feet¡ªthe mountain shifting slightly and groaned in response, like a beast awakening.


    |G G# G# G#|G F G#_G# G_G|


    Their numbers are few, but their courage is great¡­


    With a sense of urgency driving them, the four competitors moved in sync across the earth-crafted platforms Zorn created. Each step took them higher, a straight ascent through the mountain¡¯s rugged face, bypassing the winding trail entirely. The rough staircase slash their journey to the summit in half, putting precious distance between them and the Thanatos, which loomed ominously below.


    But with every platform Zorn conjured, the mountain shuddered violently, its structure destabilizing. Chunks of rock broke away, crashing down the slopes and gouging deep scars into the path below. The earth seemed to ripple and collapse beneath each platform the dwarf pulled up, destabilizing the mountain trail they¡¯d left behind. As the stone gave way, boulders and entire sections of the original trail crumbled and fell in a growing cascade of destruction.


    |G~ F#~| D# D# C B_B~~|


    Their enemies are beyond number, but their bond is unbreakable.


    Jihoon, Fenrir, and Legolas exchanged grim glances, watching the collapse they¡¯d left in their wake. It was impossible not to see the devastation their path was wreaking, a monstrous scar tearing apart the mountainside. The damage was irreparable, and as they kept climbing, it became clear that there would be no further laps after this¡ªthe mountain itself was being destroyed bit by bit. There is no way forward or back for there is no mountain path left to go.


    The height they gained came at a high cost, but none of them had the luxury of hesitating. Each time Zorn slammed his hands down, calling upon Seismic Barrage to lift the next section, they braced themselves for another tremor as rocks continued to fall, taking what was left of the original path with them.


    ¡°Keep moving!¡± Zorn shouted, gritting his teeth as he forced the next platform into place. ¡°If we stop now, we¡¯re finished!¡±


    |G- B C_C D| G-_B D_D# C~~|


    In a desperate conflict with a ruthless enemy


    As they ascended, the mountain seemed to cry out in agony, each new quake like the tolling of a bell. The reality of their impact settled heavy over them, yet the Thanatos continued its relentless pursuit, growing nearer with each moment. They were locked in a race not just against the Thanatos, but against the mountain¡¯s own collapse, knowing that this ascent would likely be their last.


    Entire sections of the original trail fractured and crumbled down the mountainside, obliterating the once-winding path they¡¯d navigated on the first laps. Boulders tumbled, carrying debris into the chasms below, and the once-familiar terrain twisted and folded in on itself, ravaged by the very power that had given them this path. The mountain, torn and broken, no longer bore any resemblance to its previous form.


    |C_F G_G# G# G#| A+ F_G G#_G# A+_G|


    The hardest challenge is to find honor in victory


    Above, the summit loomed closer, but so did the sounds of rock breaking and sliding beneath them, an ominous reminder of the mountain¡¯s irreversible destruction. With each step, Zorn¡¯s face hardened as he glanced back only once, watching the mountain trail collapse under the strain.


    The group made their final push toward the peak, each step carried by the raw determination that fueled them up the fractured mountainside. Every heartbeat seemed to echo in the silence, each of them fully aware that this was a one-way route.


    Every step made on the earth stairway, another step behind them fall into collapse. Zorn, nearly immune to exhaustion due to his Unique Racial Skill, Heart of the Mountain, continued to cast his Seismic Barrage, an Expert-level Earth Magic as though it were second nature. Any other race would have collapsed from mana exhaustion, yet Zorn only seemed to grow more focused, his mana reserves as though drawing from the very life heat of the mountain itself as he forced each step of the stairway into existence.


    In a way, his tenacity was awe-inspiring to witness first-hand.


    |G G# G G#_C+| A#+_G# G_G F_C~C|


    The final battlefield is the human heart


    |A#+ G#_G G_G A#+| G A_A~~ C_C~C|


    Where duty must fight with love


    At last, they reached the mountain peak, each of them barely catching their breath as their hands grazed the cool metal of the destination flag. A sense of victory surged between them, relief almost tangible after the relentless push upward. They had made it¡ªeach one of them still standing, a feat that alone seemed surreal in light of the chaos they¡¯d endured.


    Then, after the momentary triumphant relief, a massive figure unfurled before them from the dense clouds overhead. Emerged the unmistakable shape of the Ocypete, the final sentinel boss of the trial.


    Standing before them was the reconstruction of a long-past myth of Absence¡ªa harpy unlike any other, called Ocypete. She was depicted as an adult woman with a hauntingly powerful aura, her wings stretching out in massive arcs that as though nearly spanned the peak itself.


    With a wingspan that stretched impossibly wide, close to that of an aircraft. Her form exuded unmatched speed and power, as if the air itself bristled in anticipation of her movement. Then with a single beat of her immense wings, the air erupted around them, nearly sweeping all four combatants off the edge of the peak.


    The original mountain path, now utterly destroyed, left them with no visible route back. There was no escape, only the impossible task of facing down Ocypete. As the harpy construct circled above them with ominous grace, each member of the group tightened their stance.


    With no other option, they braced for a battle they hadn¡¯t planned on, the taste of triumph tainted with a challenge that demanded more than they had left to give.


    The Thanatos that still pursue them have to slowdown by like 1/3 of its original speed during flight mode. And with the group having ascent to the mountain peak in 2 minutes, the Thanatos will have to take 5 minutes to reach them with the given speed displayed. Yet with the amount of time given, it is still going to be an uphill battle with utterly strict time limit that almost no one here is prepared for.


    Naturally, Jihoon has to use [Observant] to know his enemy.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Sentinel Construct Model 99 ¨C Ocypete


    Name: *none*


    Level: 4??


    Race: Non-sentient Mechanical Construct


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 4??


    -END: 3??


    -AGI: 8??


    -DEX: 4??


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: NAN


    -CHA: NAN


    -MAG: 3??


    -Active Skill:


    +Wind Magic [Imitation] (Expert)


    |Gale¡¯s Requiem (Expert):


    Releases a powerful, wide-area gust of cutting winds with each flap


    of its wings, capable of knocking enemies back and inflicting constant bleeding.


    |Whirlwind Wingbeat (Expert):


    With a single beat of its wings, Ocypete can generate a localized hurricane,


    creating immense air pressure that disrupts the terrain and disorients enemies.


    |Feather Barrage (Advanced):


    Launches wind-imbued feathers at bullet speed in all directions, effectively


    creating a storm of projectiles that can puncture through most defenses.


    |Harpy¡¯s Scream (Advanced):


    Unleashes a piercing, high-frequency screech that disorients enemies,


    causing temporary dizziness and impairing their reaction times.


    |Tempest Dance (Intermediate):


    Executes high-speed aerial maneuvers with precision,


    allowing evasion of most projectiles and physical attacks while preparing counterstrikes.


    -Description:


    The Ocypete sentinel draws inspiration from one of Absence''s most revered myths,


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report itrecreating the legendary Harpy known for her unmatched aerial prowess and untouchable speed.


    Designed with meticulous attention to agility and reflexes, Ocypete¡¯s wingspan


    stretches wider than any of her kind, giving her both unparalleled reach and terrifying momentum.


    With each movement, her wings create powerful, cutting gusts that


    leave deep scars on the ground, embodying the relentless spirit of Absence¡¯s skies.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    The Ocypete wasted no time, immediately launching into a flurry of Feather Barrage, filling the air with bullet-speed, wind-imbued feathers that tore through the atmosphere. Instinctively, Zorn threw up his Advanced-class Earth Magic - Rockslide Shield, a thick barrier of earth that solidified just in time to protect them from the onslaught. The feathers struck the rocky shield with deadly precision, chipping at it but ultimately failing to penetrate through.


    As soon as the barrage ceased, the group counterattacked. Zorn, already straining from the disadvantage of facing an aerial opponent, used his Vulcan Rotary Cannon to open fire. The weapon¡¯s rounds peppered the sky, forming a wall of bullets to drive Ocypete into evasion. Beside him, Legolas pulled his Storm Shooter with rapid succession, unleashing bolt after bolt of wind-charged arrows that screamed as they sliced through the air toward the sentinel. Fenrir, using her Ice Magic, hurled massive icicles at breakneck speed, creating a deadly dance of projectiles in the sky.


    Each shot was swift and precise, but Ocypete maneuvered through the barrage with terrifying fluidity, its Tempest Dance allowing it to avoid most of the assault with ease.


    To Jihoon, this was reenactment of history, evoking the sheer desperation in which anti-air efforts of the past had, when ground forces could only rely on sheer firepower and timing to bring down aerial threats. When ground troops aimed everything they had at the aircraft above, with the advanced airpower just out of reach, evading their shots and retaliating with precision. One could only imagine what it felt like when a Harpy goes to any war.


    And here, they were caught in a brutal dance of death, where Ocypete held the high ground and the sheer advantage of air superiority, weaving through their every attempt to strike back. It was going to take everything they had just to hold their ground against it¡ªand they had only minutes to bring this relentless sentinel down before Thanatos arrived.


    Knowing that he has no time, Jihoon spurred into action. Resummoning the magic circle of Golden Hour again as weapons of incandescent luminance made manifested by his command and plunge into the ground forming into formation. Once again with the enlightenment of Advanced-class Magic before, Jihoon drawn the same inspiration that turned his Intermediate-class Light Magic ¨C Gleaming Daybreak into Advanced-class Magic ¨C Seven Color Swords.


    Casting Novice-class Light Magic ¨C Piercing Glare, what makes it stand differently than Dawn¡¯s Edge, is that it took shape of the spear, like the penetrating gaze upon looking directly at the sun. With the imagery, method and personal meaning decided to form its current state which looked more of a sharpened rod than actual spear.


    Then with the synthesis of all of its aspects, turning the imagery into method and meaning. Meaning into method and imagery. Method into meaning and image. The Piercing Glare transformed once more into Intermediate-class Light Magic ¨C Radiant Onslaught. Its form is now much more defined, looking like an actual weapon of war that combatants use.


    The following step is the connection of self to the spell. Similar to the enlightenment of Seven Color Swords.


    Jihoon¡¯s mind raced as he established the connection with Radiant Onslaught, channeling his deep-seated resolve into every fiber of the spell. He had come to understand that this step¡ªthe connection¡ªwas the bridge between his intention and the spell¡¯s potential, a vital moment that gave it life and purpose beyond mere power.


    Why a spear? he asked himself, feeling the weight of his decision. He realized that, for him, a spear symbolized precision, focus, and a path that cut through the clouds of self-doubt, similar to the imagery of the sun shining through ominous dark cloud. This was a weapon to pierce through not just enemies but limitations, a tool to go beyond mere survival, reaching instead for liberation¡ªfrom self, from restraint, from weakness.


    To him, the spear embodied his promise to keep fighting, pushing through whatever obstacles lay in his way, regardless of cost.


    An echo of his struggle, his promises, and his will. Advanced-class Magic wasn¡¯t just about manifesting a spell. It was about transcending it¡ªimbuing it with fragments, component of self. His life had always been about rising through hardship, each challenge ultimately molding him into a sharper, stronger form.


    Now, each spearhead was a facet of his identity, brought forth as weaponized light: his resilience, his ambitions, his camaraderie, his despair, his convictions, and, most of all, his resolve.


    He recalled how he first started the Hunter career in his world. Starting as a lowly F-rank much similar to everyone else. A Dungeon Gate went awry which become inescapable until clear. Him reunited with his old friend Jin, and eventually learning the ugly truth of what had become of him. The final confrontation within that ruined courthouse in a Dungeon gone more dangerous and ending his own friend¡¯s life with his own act.


    That was just the beginning of his journey, Absence has presented itself as a challenge unique to its own in which the difficulty of promise with Alvorna went beyond evaluation of the System itself. Yet, he is still here, upholding all of it even if there¡¯s nothing to be gained by doing so.


    Jihoon focused, channeling his own obsessions, amplifying his strength as his fingers tightened around the spear¡¯s radiant shaft. The energies pulsed with controlled fury, the weapon humming as he pulled it back. With a fierce throw, he unleashed the full force of his power behind it, physical and spiritual combined. Midflight, the spear splintered into 6 different spears, each shard glowing with a different color, like the prismatic dispersion of light through glass.


    Each fragment bears a unique spearhead, each a different shade, streaking through the air with vibrant intensity. It was as if the sky itself had been torn open, like a flak shell fragmenting in perfect timing, they spread out, creating a magnificent fan of colored spears that screamed across the sky toward Ocypete. Each spear held a different spearhead¡ªrazor-edged, hooked, spiked¡ªdesigned to cover a wider range, each one a relentless messenger of his will.


    Advanced-class Light Magic ¨C Rainbow Six Shades.


    Recognizing each color as a piece of his past, each shade a testament to his resolve.


    The multitude of colors refracted against the clouds and mountainside, casting a surreal rainbow light on the battlefield, even as the relentless sentinel faced down the brilliant onslaught. When the ¡®dust¡¯ is cleared however, the Ocypete doesn¡¯t show itself to have been affected too greatly by Jihoon¡¯s Rainbow Six Shades. The one thing that is changed however, is that he managed to piss it off again.


    Immediately, the Ocypete¡¯s Harpy¡¯s Scream erupted through the battlefield, splitting the air with a high-frequency wail that drilled painfully into everyone¡¯s ears and seemed to pierce directly into their minds. The atmosphere itself seemed to ripple under the power of the scream, distorting the air and stirring the dust around them in dizzying, swirling eddies.


    Jihoon clapped his hands over his ears, trying to steady his senses against the unbearable assault, while Legolas gritted his teeth and staggered to maintain his footing. But Fenrir, with her beastlike hearing amplified by her Wolf Beastfolk instincts, bore the brunt of the attack. Her enhanced sensory perception, usually an invaluable asset, now turned against her. She stumbled, clutching her head in agony as her legs wavered under the relentless screech.


    Jihoon, stumped, racked his mind, trying to think of anything that might shield her, but before he could act, Zorn had already moved. In a display of raw, unwavering loyalty, he reached up, pulling the Juggernaut Armor¡¯s heavy helm from his head. Without hesitation, he placed it over Fenrir¡¯s, shielding her sensitive ears with the helm¡¯s protection against virtually anything. His unprotected ears now rang with the agonizing pitch in her place, but he bore it without a sound, bracing himself with a grit that could only come from years of enduring hardship.


    When the screech finally ceased after what felt like eternity, they were left gasping, feeling a reprieve that seemed to last no more than a heartbeat. But the Ocypete was far from finished. Its wings spread wide, feathers shimmering ominously as it prepared another spell. The air pressure dropped, and the silence that fell was thick with foreboding.


    With a single, powerful flap, the Ocypete summoned a vortex of gale-force winds that spun into a violent, destructive storm around them. Gale¡¯s Requiem, an Expert-class Wind Magic spell, had been unleashed. The raging winds formed into countless sharp, whirling gusts, slicing through the air like a deadly chorus.


    Seeing the situation change for the worse, Zorn moved by his duty as he used his Earth Magic to use Rockslide Shield again but Expert-class spell potency threatens to shatter apart an Advanced-class defensive spell with ease. Quickly using the little time given, Zorn used his Earth Magic to create a trench in the ground for shelter. When all else fails, return to the earth for it is the safest haven.


    Soon, the Rockslide Shield that Zorn conjured collapsed against the sheer amount of cutting gale it is forced to endure. But by then, he has already created a makeshift bunker for immediate defense. But time isn¡¯t on their side, and the tactic of keep firing blindly in the air for Ocypete to keep evading isn¡¯t going to work with Thanatos just two minutes before approaching them.


    Jihoon recognized the adversity that Zorn and Legolas discussed. People in his world did go through that phase of undisputed aerial superiority in warfare until much later when an effective measure was devised to counteract. The same probably did apply for Absence for there is testimony of how Unfettered Flight of the Harpies essentially can only be imitated at best by non-Harpies.


    "The Harpies are the existence closest to the heaven, for their unfettered freedom over the sky"


    So, Jihoon falls into his contemplation yet again, he felt like he is getting closer to a solution, yet it felt infinitely distant no matter what he does. He is missing something obvious until he recalls history a bit more. Then, he remembered there is still another spell of his has yet to be elevated to Advanced-class.


    Novice-class Light Magic ¨C Ardor of the Sun


    Manifested in his hand is a rope of incandescent color and glow, with the imagery of the sun¡¯s corona that it built upon. But beyond this, it held a personal meaning particular to Jihoon, reminding him of resilience and endurance¡ªqualities that endured under the light of the sun, shining steadfast through the darkest moments of life.


    His old friend Jin Sarae was the testament of this spell. He recalled the dusk when Jin died. Ever so peaceful after so much time in torturing agony. To Jihoon, that pain of his death passed on to him as he must now live and survive for his sake. One of the original reasons he set out for Absence to begin with, and that to live carrying all that remained of his legacy.


    With a sharp breath, Jihoon synthesized the magic further, blending each aspect together not as separate links in a chain, but as one interwoven entity. The strands of light twisted, braiding together, reinforcing one another as they transformed into a far more powerful creation.


    Intermediate-class Light Magic ¨C Prominence Brilliance


    The rope was no longer a fragile tether but had become a thick cable of blinding brilliance, strong enough to restrain massive, powerful creatures without snapping under their strength. A dense coil of radiant light that could support tons, or lock down any force it entangled. But even as Prominence Brilliance glowed with unprecedented stability.


    But he wasn¡¯t finished. To counter an entity like Ocypete, Jihoon naturally needed more than sheer force¡ªhe needed some ingenuity, flexibility, and unity within the spell itself. Like his prior breakthroughs, he sought a connection with the magic, an understanding that merged his will with the light.


    His friend, whose life had been consumed by pain and ruin and taken a path of damnation believing he had lost everything. Yet hesitant to continue that accursed route once he met Jihoon again, had left behind one pure, untarnished legacy¡ªa worn and battered acoustic guitar, waiting for a return to a life that could never come. Jin¡¯s death had been Jihoon¡¯s burden to bear, a reminder of the cruelty of his world that it had become and his vow to use his power for those around him, for those who still had a chance.


    As the strands of light began to shift again, they evolved from mere cables to an intricate loom, each thread weaving a delicate fabric that shimmered as if alive, a tapestry of color. The incandescent light splintered and refracted through the fabric, casting chromatic colors across the battlefield. It felt as though he was holding the Northern Lights themselves in his hand, a breathtaking display reminiscent of life¡¯s most resilient beauty.


    The aurora was the sun¡¯s light refracted through nature¡¯s protective veil, a cosmic wonder created from something as dangerous as a solar storm. Just as his world¡¯s northern lights were forged in the aftermath of solar fury, so too was this spell forged from memories of Jin Sarae and what was once beautiful of his life.


    Advanced-class Light Magic ¨C Aurora Borealis.


    Yet in the end, Jihoon couldn''t totally loath him for he is as much a victim of what his world has become.


    The Ocypete screeched, wings flaring as it readied its next attack. But Jihoon¡¯s spell now held its own kind of fury, the manifestation of light¡¯s resilience. But with the fragility of his foothold in Advanced-class Magic, he couldn¡¯t utilize a lot of the spells¡¯ true utility and usage. If he tried to toss this thing without meaningful effect, it would just immediately fall downward like a literal handkerchief.


    And the Ocypete knew damn well that why should it descend to make itself vulnerable to attack when it could just bombard them from far above? It is a boring tactic, but it worked too well when it holds the aerial superiority firmly in grasp. Anyone in its role would have agreed the same.


    So, Jihoon has to send this thing toward it. Immediately as it is now casting another Expert-class spell which required concentration. This is their only chance of landing a clear hit on it while they still can.


    Casting Intermediate-class Light Magic ¨C Radiant Onslaught, a spear of light manifested in his hand as he wraps the shimmering fabric around the socket section of the spear tightly to make sure it isn¡¯t slipping during flight.


    With unwavering resolve, Jihoon called upon the others, knowing that they each had their unique strengths to launch this single, decisive strike against the Ocypete.


    "Legolas, I need you to guide this¡ªuse your precision to make sure it hits!" Jihoon shouted, urgency clear in his voice. Legolas, an expert with the bow, nodded sharply, steadying his gaze on the high-flying Ocypete even as it began to anticipate their attack.


    ¡°Fenrir, Zorn, if you have any mana to spare, send it my way for the boost,¡± Jihoon added. Without hesitation, Fenrir channeled her ice-infused aura around Jihoon¡¯s hand, adding a chilling force that surged around the spear, while Zorn drew deeply on his reserves to brace it with the steadfast weight of earth. Though their elements opposed each other, their combined mana surged through Jihoon¡¯s weapon, enhancing its raw potential power and velocity, each addition compensating for the fleeting grip Jihoon held on Advanced-class magic.


    But the Ocypete, sharp-eyed and observant, sensed the mounting danger beneath. With calculated precision, it began casting Gale¡¯s Requiem in advance, even before Jihoon could throw his spear. Though forced to release the spell prematurely, the high-speed gusts still tore through the air, a relentless barrage of slicing winds sent their way.


    ¡°Not a chance!¡± Legolas yelled, focusing his energy into Expert-class Wind Magic -Whirling Tempest. The commando elf countered wind with wind, unleashing a spiraling vortex that redirected the Ocypete¡¯s cutting gales. The howling winds clashed mid-air, deflecting the deadly gusts just long enough to keep the path open for Jihoon¡¯s strike.


    With his target locked and the way clear, Jihoon gripped his spear of light, Radiant Onslaught, wrapped by the Aurora Borealis fabric bound tightly around its neck. Every ounce of his obsession-fueled strength and spirit coursed into his throw, and he let loose the spear like a reverse shooting star, rocketing upwards in a streak of dazzling light.


    The spear cut through the sky, too fast for the Ocypete to dodge after casting its spell in haste. It struck the construct with a tremendous impact, the speared light and bound fabric entwining around it, catching the boss sentinel mid-air. An intense burst of chromatic light erupted on impact, casting spectral hues across the peak. Yet even with the direct hit, the Ocypete struggled, still aloft, battered but not yet beaten.


    ¡°Not enough¡­¡± Jihoon muttered under his breath, clenching his fists as they all watched the sentinel fight against the entangling magic of Aurora Borealis. The Ocypete¡¯s thrashing grew desperate, each beat of its massive wings fighting to break free, the vibrant lights scattering around it as it strained the magic to its limits.


    ¡°But close¡­¡± He recorrected at the last moment.


    Jihoon recast Golden Hour again as he weaponries of light plunge into the ground to reestablish the destroyed formation. Once finalized, a domain of light established with him right at dead center. Then numerous weapons of light all manifested and floating nearby him. Gleaming Daybreak and Radiant Onslaught, many of those greatswords and spears all arrayed like gun batteries prepared to unleash hell right at the Ocypete.


    Of course, all the other 3 beside them failed to land a meaningful hit with their onslaught so what makes Jihoon different?


    Jihoon fired them and recast in rhythm as if close to heartbeat. As each weapon hurtled toward the Ocypete, they splintered midflight, transforming into his Advanced-class creations¡ªthe Seven Color Swords and Rainbow Six Shades, the radiant hues dazzling against the clouds and the sky itself.


    The Ocypete, agile and relentless, twisted and dove, dodging the onslaught of spears and swords with the grace of an apex predator using Tempest Dance. But Jihoon had anticipated its movements, timing each strike to push it into a corner. He locked his sight onto the evading construct, and as it banked to the side, the fired weapons veered off course.


    Just when the Ocypete appeared victorious in its evasions, each evaded weapon arced and adjusted, recalibrating in mid-air as they pursued their target with unwavering intent. With an almost predatory will of their own, they adjusted their trajectory, following the Ocypete with relentless precision. The boss sentinel whipped around in confusion, realizing that no matter how it twisted or dived, the weapons trailed behind, homing in with relentless precision.


    The Ocypete flapped its wings furiously, diving and spiraling to shake off the chromatic arsenal that pursued it. But the radiant weapons kept chasing after it, their paths twisting in the air like a serpent coiling around its prey. With each dodge, the Ocypete became increasingly frustrated, the vibrant blades gaining ground every time it attempted to turn. Eventually, all those fired blades merged together in a singular stream like a dragon made out of chromatic light coming alive.


    Because actual Northern Light or Aurora Borealis, is a magnetic phenomenon in which take place and concentrated at the polar extremes of any planet with atmosphere.


    Legolas, Fenrir, and Zorn looked on, stunned by the spectacle¡ªa ceaseless wave of light, swords, and spears forming a brilliant, chromatic storm. The Ocypete let out a furious screech, realizing that it could no longer risk attacking the four of them below without falling victim to the following relentless assault, a death by thousand cuts. With a final defiant beat of its wings, the construct abandoned its attack entirely, taking flight away from the peak. All while the trail of luminescent weapons in relentless pursuit, like a rainbow dragon hunting its mark across the sky.


    The battlefield finally fell quiet, the colorful streaks fading into the distance as the Ocypete¡¯s retreat became a victory in its own right. Jihoon stood, breath heaving as he retracted his spell, the tension easing as he lowered his hands.


    With traces of chromatic light shimmer in the distance as Jihoon let out a breath, his heart steadying. With each of those fired weapons homing onto the Ocypete, he¡¯d taken advantage of a phenomenon as old as time.


    The magnetic phenomenon that birthed auroras themselves. Aurora Borealis, in its natural form, was a magnetic phenomenon, a collision of solar particles channeled along the magnetic fields at the Earth¡¯s poles, creating vibrant waves of light concentrated in the polar extremes. With his own Aurora Borealis spell, anyone struck by whatever brought with it became magnetically ¡°tagged¡± to his mana, allowing each fired weapon to pursue them unerringly, guided by the fields of light that clung to his target.


    ¡°Chromatic Scales Devour the Heaven,¡± as he named it, a proud and slightly arrogant label for a technique that had saved their lives¡ªand the race itself. The moment had been razor-close and had it failed, they¡¯d have been left defenseless and disqualification ensued. But Jihoon¡¯s gamble had paid off, forcing the Ocypete to abandon the fight entirely.


    He turned to face the others, and what he saw was awe, plain and unmistakable.


    Fenrir, whose own proficiency of Ice Magic commanded respect in her homeland of Solros Winter Wonderland, was speechless. She had seen the Aurora Borealis herself in the icy skies, had felt the enlightening calm it brought to her homeland. That sense of awe¡ªof the world around whispering its secrets was how people of Absence unlocked the next levels of their Magic. But what she¡¯d witnessed just now was something beyond description, an unexpected mastery, from someone who was technically still a newcomer here.


    The commentators mostly putting on a show to rouse the audience, erupted in an animated frenzy, their voices full of disbelief and awe. ¡°Did you all just see that?¡± one of them exclaimed. ¡°That¡¯s not something you see every century! Chromatic Scales Devour the Heaven¡ªthat¡¯s what Jihoon has performed to turn the impossible into reality here!¡±


    Back in Cicones¡¯ entertainment district, Karim exhaled, a slight smile breaking through his stoic expression. Relief flooded him, as well as a stirring pride in Jihoon, who had shown resilience and brilliance far beyond what Karim had expected of him originally. A handful he maybe but when he put in effort, he goes far.


    And Rosa, watching from her vantage point in the helicopter, was mesmerized, captivated by the brilliant colors and the power behind Jihoon¡¯s Light Magic. She was silent beyond words as she started to subconsciously admire the man even if she put on a front of professionalism as expected of someone her position.


    However, they soon broke out of their own captivation as they suddenly remembered why they fought just so desperately before. The Thanatos is closing quickly in just seconds away in which they lost track of time. And with the original mountain path gone, they don¡¯t even know how to make their return. Yet Jihoon seems to somehow already have an answer as he looked at the edge in which was once the chunk of earth sliding down the mountain that he was on back at the first lap fighting the Griffon.


    Then he turned toward Fenrir again, asking her one question.


    ¡°Do you know what is skiing and snowboarding?¡± Jihoon asked because Fenrir is the only Ice Magic and strongest one that he knew of in the immediate moment.


    Fortunately, she nodded. Absence being a melting pot made out of all of his world¡¯s cultures because it is still a world made with reflection of one. Placing his gamble on that bet, Jihoon¡¯s educated guess paid off.


    The four of them exchanged a single, determined glance before leaping off the edge of the mountain peak just as the ominous shadow of the Thanatos reached them, barely a few breaths away. In midair, they hastily readied their improvised rides.


    Fenrir conjured a snowboard of solid ice under her feet, and as she hit the slope, her hands stretched outward as she unleashed an avalanche in front of her, creating a smooth, snow-packed path for them to slide down even if vertically steep. Jihoon, with little hesitation, summoned his Daybreak Gleam, the greatsword of light before letting it solidify under his feet like a shining snowboard.


    Zorn and Legolas, quick to adapt, took the leap on a massive stone slab that Zorn conjured out of the ground, while Legolas used his wind magic to lightly propel and stabilize it, transforming it into a rugged sled. Angled just right as they touched down and the combined effort made their descent as smooth as it could be for such a dangerous plunge.


    ¡°Never thought I''d sled fighting side by side with an elf.¡±. Zorn said with a brief disbelief of his situation that is too unreal to be spoken out loud or written.


    ¡°How about sledding side-by-side with a friend?¡± Legolas replied with a smile toward Zorn as he focuses his concentration on the wind that propels the stone slab from just diving into the snow without resistance.


    ¡°Ay, I can do that¡­¡± Zorn said as he focused on the steering the makeshift sled from just slamming into unwanted obstacles.


    Jihoon¡¯s mind raced with exhilaration, recalling his rapid descent on the shifting chunk of earth during the first lap. But now, it was better planned¡ªa controlled dive straight down the mountain. And in this moment, they were not four competitors but together as a team, each pulling their weight to ensure they stayed ahead of the looming Thanatos just overhead. Snow sprayed as they careened down the slope, their speed increasing with every second as they weaved through rocks and ridges with barely a moment to spare.


    A small, triumphant smile broke across Jihoon¡¯s face as he crouched lower, balancing on his light-crafted board. This was a leap into the unknown, yet something about it felt right¡ªas if each of them, despite the odds and original animosity, was in perfect sync.

 Chapter 42: Leaning Nightmare

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 42: Leaning Nightmare


    The group of four carved their way down the mountain with an urgency that matched the peril at their backs. The broken mountain path, steep vertical drops, and treacherous terrain that would have killed a normal skier in his world were rendered manageable with their stats by their combined magic. Fenrir''s Ice Magic created a glistening, smooth path of snow, while Zorn¡¯s Earth Magic smoothed out rocky obstacles and filled in hazardous crevices. Legolas manipulated the winds around them, softening their falls and stabilizing their airborne trajectories, allowing them to maintain control even as they seemed to spend more time in the air than on the snow.


    Jihoon followed suit, riding the glowing flat of his greatsword of light like a snowboard, his balance enhanced by his sharpened focus and sheer willpower. Despite the chaotic descent, the teamwork allowed them to maintain remarkable speed.


    The original mountain path has the length of a marathon and a major contributor to time sink that would sap many of its participants is how winding it is that one has to reduce their own speed to avoid running off its cliffs. The mountain itself isn¡¯t that tall, and the hill length is still roughly 1/3 of the mountain path, a length which is far more manageable with them moving at effective speed far faster by bypassing the terrain entirely by snowboarding downhill.


    And so with effective speed being 12 times peak human limit, they spent a lot more time in the air than actual snowboarding yet within half a minute, they have already left the broken mountain path entirely while still in the air. This kind of headstart is appreciated because they knew that by now, the lesser sentinels themselves are about to become as deadly as even boss sentinels in sheer stats.


    Jihoon used his [Observant] at one of the aerial sentinels that were heading toward them, the one with humanoid appearance and what seems like bat wings. Seeing their confirmation of existence makes Jihoon wonder if he will encounter Vampires later in the journey. And as their description panel displayed, their average physical stats are now in the 300. This is in fact the same with all the lesser sentinels they come across now.


    Without any boss sentinels on their way, it should have been a swift return if it weren¡¯t for the sheer mass of lesser sentinels now on their own more deadly than any boss sentinels in their isolated encounter.


    ¡°Watch yourselves!¡± Jihoon shouted, his voice cutting through the roar of rushing wind. ¡°These things are as tough as bosses now!¡±


    As if on cue, the first wave of aerial sentinels descended upon them. Glinting like shadowed stars in the dim light, they moved with lethal precision, their swooping attacks and projectile barrages creating a deadly gauntlet. The group''s headstart from their downhill slide was now crucial, as their speed gave them just enough momentum to keep ahead of the encroaching mass of enemies.


    Jihoon used the practiced summoning of the Golden Hour formation as numerous weapons of light appeared but instead of using as intended in mid-air, he directed their aim toward the mass of sentinels before firing them, each splinter into Seven Color Swords and Rainbow Six Shades spears midflight, streaking toward the horde of flying sentinels in dense barrage. Yet it couldn¡¯t entirely caught his foes entirely as some managed to weave through the assault.


    Fenrir, leading the charge on her snowboard of ice, conjured razor-sharp icicles to intercept the closest sentinels, her own speed making her a hard target to pin down. Zorn shifted from shaping the earth to using his Vulcan Rotary Cannon, spraying explosive projectiles skyward while relying on Legolas to deflect any return fire with Whirling Tempest.


    The sheer number of sentinels made the battle a fight for survival. Despite their combined efforts, the endless tide of mechanical constructs turned what should have been a swift return into a desperate, grueling race against overwhelming odds. Yet, no matter how impossible the situation seemed, Jihoon¡¯s heart pounded with a singular resolve:


    They couldn¡¯t stop here.


    All that rises must eventually fall, their long jump from the torn mountain path eventually loses momentum as their airtime is pushed to the limit. Not only that, the amount of aerial sentinels with such stats around them would pick them apart like a locust swarm.


    Taken initiative, Zorn jumped from the makeshift sled as he divebombed from considerable height into the mass of sentinels below, seemingly pile up like piranhas smelling fresh blood. With Juggernaut Armor and Earth Magic on the ready, like a falling meteor that is crashing down into earth, a massive shockwave and tremor unleashed upon impact as chunks of earth jutted up around the crater, forming a temporary jagged barrier from all the ground-based sentinels.


    Others quickly take action as they descent down upon the crater that Zorn, numerous aerial sentinels tried to pursue but Legolas¡¯s Storm Shooter turns all of them into pincushions. Jihoon supported him, firing relentless salvos of chromatic weapons conjured. Every second counted as they scrambled to reorganize in the face of the overwhelming odds.


    When surrounded by all sides, the best course of action is to manipulate the battlefield and minimize exposure to enemy as much as one can.


    ¡°Stick together!¡± Jihoon shouted. ¡°Zorn, keep those walls up as we move¡ªwe¡¯ll hold the skies!¡±


    Zorn nodded, already manipulating the terrain around them. The earth churned and groaned under his command, rising into makeshift walls and barricades that boxed them in, blocking potential flanks. From the barricaded crater to the dirt trail, Zorn reshaped the battlefield with brutal efficiency, limiting the enemy¡¯s avenues of attack.


    With only the front and the back, Fenrir, taking her position at the front, charged headlong into the oncoming wave of ground-based sentinels. Her Devourer¡¯s Claw shimmered with Glacial Fang, each strike cutting through the mechanical enemies with devastating precision and force. Frost coated the path ahead, slowing her enemies¡¯ approach and giving her teammates precious seconds to adjust.


    Above, the relentless aerial sentinels posed the greatest threat. Legolas and Jihoon took up the anti-air role, working together to clear the skies. Legolas¡¯s Storm Shooter fired in rapid succession, his wind-imbued arrows creating shockwaves that knocked sentinels out of the air like falling debris. Jihoon, with his Seven Color Swords and Rainbow Six Shades, unleashed a barrage of chromatic weapons that locked onto the aerial constructs, ensuring none got through their defenses.


    By comparison, Legolas was a machine gun and Jihoon is an autocannon. His attack might be powerful but much slower rate compare to the elf commando.


    The tactic was effective, at least for now. The walls of earth gave them a controlled field of battle, and their coordinated roles minimized the overwhelming chaos. But they all knew this strategy wouldn¡¯t last forever.


    The dirt trail now stretched ahead, but Zorn¡¯s Earth Magic would lose its utility the moment they reached the urban road. There would be no terrain to shape, no barricades to create¡ªonly an open road, forcing them to rely entirely on direct combat and raw endurance.


    With their effective speed of about 15 times peak human limit due to sheer quantity of sentinels they must brute force, it will take them 4 minutes to cover the distance, headstart included. And the Thanatos will take at least 5 minutes just to descend the mountain again from near peak and by then, they would have reached the urban road thus the worry about Thanatos can be safely shelved.


    Every step closer to the urban road however felt like an eternity, the sound of battle ringing in their ears and echoes beyond. Jihoon¡¯s mind raced with calculations, keeping track of the encroaching aerial sentinels and the dwindling distance between them and the next stretch of terrain.


    When the transition to the asphalt road was revealed, Jihoon felt his heart sink. He knew what awaited them ahead¡ªa painful, last stretch that would test every ounce of their strength and resolve.


    Yet before anyone could say any word before forsaking themselves into the road of torment. Fenrir stood up as she used her Ice Magic to take up Zorn¡¯s role of defense instead. In place of the absence of earth, she conjured walls of ice side-by-side in place.


    However, unlike Zorn¡¯s Earth Magic having easy access to the earth and his Unique Racial Ability, Heart of Mountain. Fenrir would have to use her own magic to synthesize ice from nothing, which will ramp up the mana cost substantially. And to make the ice withstand the sentinels¡¯ relentless onslaught, she pushed her magic further, hardening the walls into permafrost.


    At temperatures of -160¡ãC, the ice she conjured became virtually as hard as bedrock. But the sheer quantity required to defend against the swarm was staggering. Fenrir gritted her teeth, fully dedicating herself to this role. She could do nothing else but protect them from the sides, her reserve draining with every new wall erected.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stop now,¡± Fenrir growled through clenched teeth. ¡°I¡¯ve got this. Just keep moving!¡±


    Her unyielding resolve ignited the others. Zorn, now freed from defensive duty, shifted entirely to offense as he unleashes volleys from his Vulcan Rotary Cannon. Legolas and Jihoon maintained their roles as anti-air, their attacks clearing the skies of the swarming sentinels.


    The team pressed onward, their roles now finely tuned to their new terrain. The unyielding barriers of permafrost shielded them from being flanked, giving them just enough control to carve their way forward through the relentless swarm.


    Each step forward brought them closer to their goal, but it came at a cost. Fenrir¡¯s mana reserves were dwindling rapidly, and the endless pressure on their defenses gave little room for error. Still, none of them faltered. They couldn¡¯t afford to. The urban road was their final battlefield, and the finish line was within their reach.


    Within the urban route, their effective speed is essentially slashed utterly apart with so many sentinels swarming at them. With effective speed of 5 times peak human and a length of marathon to cover, their time taken would be 12 minutes and that¡¯s a death sentence with the Thanatos beckoning on their route moving 6 times faster than them currently.


    ¡°Screw this, if I am going to be disqualified after going this far, I am not fucking looking at my ancestors with grace anymore¡±. Zorn said as he seems to fiddle with some switches on the Vulcan Rotary Cannon. Seeing Zorn breaking his calm and stoic grace under immense pressure, Jihoon used his [Observant] on the gun itself after going so far into the trial thinking it was just a normal gun. Turns out, he had the wrong assumption to begin with.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Vulcan Rotary Cannon


    Classification: Firearm


    Rarity: Heroic


    ATK+: 133


    Description:


    A devastating multi-barrel firearm created through a combination


    of dwarven craftsmanship and advanced Absence magi-technology.


    The Vulcan Rotary Cannon is designed for sustained firepower,


    boasting unparalleled rates of fire and durability.


    Special Activation: Avenger Mode


    When activated, the cannon undergoes a transformation,


    adding additional rotary barrels and increasing its rate of fire exponentially.


    This mode places immense strain on the wielder and is not intended for


    sustained use without catastrophic recoil damage or stationary position.


    Only those with immense physical strength and resilience,


    like a battle-hardened dwarf, can wield it without immediate incapacitation.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Zorn grinned, though it was laced with pain, as the cannon in his hands began to shift. The gun¡¯s barrel assembly expanded, revealing additional rotary chambers that hummed to life with a deafening mechanical roar.


    ¡°Avenger Mode, activated,¡± Zorn growled, his voice resonating with dwarven fury as the weapon fully unfurled.


    The moment he pulled the trigger, it was as if the apocalypse had descended on the route before them. The already-impressive rate of fire became an unrelenting storm of lead, the sheer volume of bullets ripping through the sentinels like paper. In mere seconds, the densely packed swarm was reduced to shredded, sparking debris as if going through a literal steel grinder.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    The ground quaked under the pressure of the weapon¡¯s recoil as Zorn pressed forward, refusing to remain stationary despite every logical instinct. His Juggernaut Armor absorbed some significant chunk of the shock, making clear of the synergy working in tandem, but even his dwarven physique was visibly straining. Each step forward seemed an act of defiance against the cannon¡¯s raw power, his boots grinding into the asphalt to keep himself steady.


    The sound of the Vulcan Rotary Cannon in Avenger Mode was deafening, drowning out even the chaotic screeches of the sentinels as they fell in droves. One second of sustained fire blew entire sections of the route clear, carving a path that no sentinel could hope to cross unscathed.


    But Jihoon¡¯s eyes weren¡¯t just on the devastation ahead¡ªthey were on Zorn himself. Despite his stoic exterior, Zorn¡¯s winces and gritted teeth betrayed the toll the cannon was taking on him. His hands shook slightly as the recoil fought against his grip, and beads of sweat ran down his face even in the midst of his dwarven fury.


    ¡°Zorn!¡± Fenrir shouted, a mix of admiration and concern in her voice. ¡°You¡¯re going to tear yourself apart at this rate!¡±


    ¡°Keep moving!¡± Zorn barked back, his voice hoarse but resolute. ¡°I¡¯ll hold them off. This damn trial isn¡¯t claiming me today!¡±


    The group pressed onward, Jihoon, Fenrir, and Legolas staying close behind Zorn as he cleared the path with unrelenting firepower. Yet Jihoon couldn¡¯t shake the growing concern in his chest. For all Zorn¡¯s immense strength and resilience, how much longer could he keep this up before even he reached his limit?


    Despite the weapon¡¯s incredible power, it was evident that Avenger Mode wasn¡¯t designed for prolonged use. Zorn¡¯s legs dug into the ground with each step, his sheer willpower driving him forward. The recoil threatened to knock him off balance, but the dwarf refused to be stationary. He moved as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders¡ªand in some ways, it did.


    This puts their effective speed at 10 times peak human limit, and halves the time required. They move fast when the path is clear and stop briefly to blow a way open when required. Rinse and repeat.


    Jihoon made his mental calculations on their current speed again. The Thanatos has probably just done descent down the mountain and is now pursuing them at full speed. With their current speed and distance, including the 1-minute headstart, they will arrive at the finish line in 6 minutes. With the Thanatos¡¯s moving speed in the estimated 30 times peak human, the entirety of the dirt trail and urban road will be¡­


    4 minutes and a half¡­


    They still don¡¯t have enough time¡­


    But how could he even suggest pushing harder? Fenrir¡¯s movements were growing sluggish, her reserves nearly tapped from conjuring her permafrost walls. Zorn¡¯s grimace deepened with each recoil of the Vulcan Rotary Cannon. Breaking the news to them, especially in their current state, felt like asking them to cross a line of no return.


    Jihoon turned toward Legolas instead. Among them, the elven commando seemed the most composed¡ªif anyone could handle this level of pressure and adapt, it had to be him.


    Quietly, Jihoon moved closer. ¡°Legolas,¡± he said, his voice low but urgent, ¡°I¡¯ve run the numbers. At this speed¡­ we won¡¯t make it. The Thanatos will catch up.¡±


    The elf¡¯s sharp green eyes flicked toward Jihoon. There was no surprise in his gaze¡ªonly a grim acknowledgment of the reality they faced. He didn¡¯t respond immediately, instead continuing to fire precise, rapid bolts from his Storm Shooter. Jihoon waited, the tension thick enough to suffocate.


    After a few moments, Legolas spoke. ¡°So we need to move faster. That¡¯s all there is to it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that simple,¡± Jihoon replied, lowering his voice further to keep Fenrir and Zorn from overhearing. ¡°Everyone¡¯s already running on fumes. If I push them any harder¡­¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll break,¡± Legolas finished the thought, his tone neutral but understanding. His mind seemed to churn, weighing the possibilities. After a beat, he made his decision.


    ¡°I¡¯ll put in my chips in the gamble with you, Jihoon.¡±


    Without hesitation, Legolas called upon his Wind Magic. ¡°Everyone, stay close! I¡¯m activating Windborne Speed¡ªfor all of us.¡±


    With the activation of the Expert-class spell, the sudden surge of wind enveloped the group, lifting them subtly and reducing the resistance against their movements. Their pace immediately increased, but the strain on Legolas was evident. Controlling such a spell for one person was already taxing yet doing so for four people while continuing to fire the Storm Shooter was an extraordinary feat in itself.


    Legolas¡¯s sharp features tightened in concentration, his rapid-fire attacks from the Storm Shooter never ceasing even as he maintained the Windborne Speed. Jihoon could only behold at the sheer discipline it took to multitask at this level.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to drain you,¡± Jihoon said, his voice almost lost in the cacophony of battle.


    ¡°I know,¡± Legolas replied, his voice clipped but steady. ¡°But I don¡¯t intend to lose here. Not when we¡¯ve come this far.¡±


    The group surged in speed once more as the wind carried them along the urban road. Yet, a fatal problem occurs. Fenrir and Zorn can¡¯t keep up with the pace after having their own wind expended already. And thus, they can¡¯t make full use of Windborne Speed as they started to lag behind. In the end, they ended up have to slow down just for them to catch up.


    Jihoon recognized the problem at its core, not everyone gonna move at the same fastest speed and they still have to fall back for the slowest thus he added a makeshift solution. Manifesting a rope cable of light, Intermediate-class Light Magic - Prominance Brilliance, and extend it to Zorn, Fenrir and Legolas, with everyone binding it to their waist and Jihoon moving into frontmost position, then he accelerates as the rope of light pulls everyone''s weary self forward like a locomotive pulling its cabins.


    Thus, instead of having to apply Windborne Speed on everyone, Legolas only has to apply it on Jihoon and keep everyone else levitating with own Wind Magic. Jihoon thought of it as similar to a maglev system which modern trains in his world operate on.


    The group surged forward in a makeshift formation, Jihoon now at the helm like a locomotive pulling its cars, the Prominence Brilliance glowing as a taut, radiant lifeline tethering the group together. The rope of light shimmered as Jihoon poured his obsession-fueled strength into accelerating, his muscles straining with every step. He was pulling not just three fully grown adults, but their combined fatigue and mana-drained states as well.


    With each stride, Jihoon felt the strain in his body deepen, but he refused to falter. Instead of four separate individuals struggling against the overwhelming tide of sentinels, they moved instead as a singular unit, with Jihoon driving them forward at a relentless pace. His eyes burned with a focused intensity, an embodiment of his determination to pull them through, no matter the cost to himself.


    Ahead of them, waves of lesser sentinels appeared, surging toward them like an unyielding tide. Jihoon conjured Seven Color Swords and Rainbow Six Shades, firing the luminous weapons toward the sentinels in rhythmic bursts. Greatswords and spears shattered into chromatic fragments mid-flight and dismantling their targets with precision.


    But with limited maneuverability of trying to pull everyone else along. Instead of carefully navigating the road, Jihoon bulldozed through obstacles, creating their path by sheer force. Each sentinel that evaded the weapons of light was met with Jihoon¡¯s charging momentum, his relentless power sending them crashing away like debris. The description of a train pulling its weight feel appropriate as he was barreling through the horde with destruction ensued.


    Jihoon¡¯s mind raced with calculations, adjusting their trajectory as though he were navigating a train off its rails. Every instinct screamed at him to slow down, to let his battered body rest, but he shoved the thought aside. His singular focus burned brighter than the pain gnawing at his limbs.


    With their speed boosted to an additional half of their previous pace, the group surged forward. The added acceleration brought a glimmer of hope¡ªJihoon¡¯s calculations showed that this would be enough to outrun the Thanatos. They would reach the finish line in just under five minutes, a razor-thin margin but one that could spell survival at last.


    ¡°Hold on!¡± Jihoon growled, his voice cutting through the chaos as they hurtled forward. Behind him, Fenrir clutched the glowing rope tightly, her breath ragged but steady, while Zorn grunted under the strain, his Juggernaut Armor gleaming with dents and battle wear.


    Jihoon¡¯s mind embodied sheer determination as he cut through the endless wave of obstacles. This will work, he thought with conviction. This has to work.


    After an unthinkable amount of time lost to their perception. Finally, the checkpoint of Cicones which is now the finishing line is in their reach. All they need to do is to cross it to end this waking nightmare they have willingly thrown themselves into. There¡¯s nothing stopping them from crossing it and finally confirming their completion of Lap 3.


    Jihoon veered to the side as he forcefully fought his previous momentum. Scorch mark burns into the asphalt as he slows himself to a grinding halt. His heart thundered in his chest, vision blurred with exhaustion, body screaming endlessly for reprieve. Yet, just as his companions crossed the threshold, he veered to the side, the cable of light dissipating into scattered embers around him. Steam rose off his body like a smoldering furnace as he stood there, utterly motionless.


    ¡°Move! Now!¡± He said with urgency in his utter limit, unable to move even a muscle as his body emanates visible steam, something in which no one paid any deeper attention or critical thinking after being pushed to their own respective limit. Fenrir with her nearly exhausted mana reserve, unable to see herself going for another lap. Zorn¡¯s body after being pushed to the limit by the Vulcan Rotary Cannon¡¯s Avenger Mode. And Legolas at the utter wit¡¯s end, unable to utilize his insight immediately.


    But then they turned back.


    But only then did they realize something didn¡¯t add up. Why did Jihoon just stop right before the finish line instead of going across it? If first place was what he wanted, then no one would deny him that. Because after all, he did fight the hardest out of them all to claim it.


    They gazed back at him across the finish line, and looked at the eyes that seemingly behold death so many times already. Jihoon stood alone, his silhouette framed by the fading light of the setting sun and the oppressive shadow of the Thanatos in the distance. The fire in his eyes had dimmed into something darker, something almost haunting.


    It was the eyes of a broken man who confronted death so many times, had endured so much lost, and it consumed him.


    That¡­ was his ¡®betrayal¡¯.


    F- Ab C~|


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Deadly Obsession


    Classification: Innate Passive Skill


    Status: (Lv. 2)


    Effect:


    -Lv. 1: Reduce the effect of injury on physical performance by 75%.


    Can perform 150% of maximum physical limit.


    -Lv. 2: Reduce the effect of injury on physical performance by 90%.


    Can perform 200% of maximum physical limit.


    +Obliterate the boundary of self-preservation in pursuit of one¡¯s obsession.


    Physical and mental endurance limits are nullified and bypassed until


    completion of one¡¯s goal or imminent failure.


    Consequences to physical and mental well-being are magnified once the effect subsides.


    -Lv. 3: ???


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    G Bb Db~|


    Jihoon¡¯s thoughts swirled, fragmented, and sharp as broken glass. As he stood just before the finish line, his body shuddering with exhaustion and the residual burn of his own obsession, his mind raced backward through his memories. Scenes flashed like fractured images from a film reel.


    He saw Alvorna¡¯s face. Her voice echoed in his ears, trembling with unspoken fears when they first connected. She was far different from him yet strikingly similar¡ªsomeone who didn¡¯t belong to the world around them. Like him, she had fought silently against her own despair, existing in a space where she could only half live, unable to grasp the full potential of her dreams.


    Their bond wasn¡¯t forged in the fire of action but in the quiet, harrowing understanding of shared pain. The moment they shared their melodies together, Jihoon knew he could never turn away from her. He saw too much of himself in her, and that connection became his anchor, his resolve.


    They had both been trapped, bound by circumstances beyond their control.


    E- Gb Bb~|


    He saw himself first arriving in Absence, a stranger in a world where his music was all he had left of home. He remembered the System''s indifferent message:


    "Final Evaluation: SSS


    Whether or not you have the fortitude and unshaken spirit to navigate such a mythic, all-consuming path remains to be witnessed. But always remember - by the solemn vow spoken before all Absence this eve, you have opened the doorway to an journey possessing transformative scope beyond your wildest imagination, with Alvorna as your fated celestial consort.


    The challenge to bring Alvorna to your world will exceed measurable parameters."


    He had laughed mentally at the absurdity of it then. But now, standing here, he understood the truth. The System wasn¡¯t cruel. It was honest. To forge a path for her would demand everything of him and more.


    How could he face her if he couldn¡¯t even surpass himself? If he couldn¡¯t rise above his own breaking point? If he failed here, he would fail her.


    The memories burned through him as he turned away from the finishing line, his fists trembling with raw determination.


    His only opponent that he must surpass, is only himself.


    G Bb Db~


    The world outside faded, reduced to the rhythm of his racing heartbeat and the raw, pulsating resolve that now guided his steps. Jihoon¡¯s companions could only watch in stunned silence as he began to run again¡ªaway from the finishing line and into the depths of the trial he had just barely survived.


    This wasn¡¯t about the rankings anymore. It never was. Jihoon wasn¡¯t chasing glory or renown in this fleeting stay, nor the title of first place of a competition that is only just one in his endless pursuit of the dream.


    ¡°Alvorna...¡± he muttered under his breath as his battered body surged forward, propelled by sheer force of will.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 13 (+216) {x2.0}


    -END: {¡Þ}


    -AGI: 14 (+228) {x2.0}


    -DEX: 13 (+216)


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -MAG: 60


    +Physical Status: Dangerously Injured (-90%)


    +Mental Status: Exhausted


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    He turned, his back now to the finish line, his gaze locking onto the broken path ahead. The remnants of shattered trails, ruined mountain slopes, and sentinel-infested roads stretched before him.


    G Bb Db~|


    The commentators fell silent, their excitement replaced by complete shock.


    "Is he¡­ Is Jihoon turning back?"


    Bb Db F~|


    Karim, watching from the entertainment district, closed his eyes and exhaled deeply. "That idiot¡­ Of course, he would."


    On the helicopter, Rosa gripped the edge of her seat, her face pale with a mixture of awe and fear. "Jihoon¡­ what are you doing?"


    Jihoon stepped forward, each movement measured as though he were stepping onto a stage. His battered body screamed in protest, but he silenced it with sheer will.


    Lap 4.


    A lap no one in the history of the Odyssey had attempted.


    F~~~|


    The absurdity of it seemed to dawn on everyone simultaneously. There was no Lap 4. Not officially. The organizers hadn¡¯t even considered the possibility. Yet Jihoon had already made up his mind.

 Chapter 43: Absolute Absurdity

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 43: Absolute Absurdity


    As Jihoon runs away from the finishing line to perform the unthinkable once again, he drawn out the same electric guitar that accompanied him since the beginning of the race and threw it upward with all the obsession-driven might toward the helicopter that had follow his pursuit until now.


    The helicopter¡¯s side door spring wide open as the Doppelganger that bore the appearance of an old veteran quickly took hold of the electric guitar with calm precision despite the timing window as razor-thin as a silk thread. And despite the force that could have broken his own instrument, it caught and handled with such fluidity before brought into its embrace, as if failure was an impossibility.


    Then, the Doppelganger changed its form again. This time, it is Jihoon¡¯s appearance itself. Even though she knew intellectually that these Doppelgangers were Jihoon¡¯s creation, seeing one assume his appearance so perfectly unsettled her in a way she couldn¡¯t quite articulate. The copy stared back at Jihoon on the ground, its expressionless face a hollow mirror of his own.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Doppelganger


    Classification: Illusion Magic


    Rank: Master


    Effect:


    -Create up to 3 duplicate clones that share base stats of the user,


    can interact with mundane objects with equal proficiency as the user.


    Can''t utilize System [Skills]. Stats can''t be enhanced by external effects.


    User could customize the appearance of the Doppelgangers if one wished


    No duration limitation. Cooldown: 3 hours.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    The resemblance wasn¡¯t merely physical. It was the eerie emptiness in its eyes, a reflection stripped of humanity¡¯s nuance. The Doppelganger wasn¡¯t alive, and yet its presence felt heavier than the living. Its own face devoid of emotion. Behind those lifeless eyes lay a ruthless efficiency, a version of himself stripped of human limitations. It was both inspiring and terrifying.


    Awaiting his command, Jihoon simply just lets them all attune to his own desperation and convey it as a melody.


    Rosa¡¯s thoughts wandered to the tales she had heard from Eastern Absence, the Land of Shadows, Atria, home of the Yokai people. There, Shadow Magic was a common sight, its users often shrouded in an air of mystique. But this¡ªthis was something else entirely.


    In Atria, shadow constructs often carried the faint echoes of their creators¡¯ intent, emotions, or even personalities. They were fragments of the caster¡¯s soul imparted due to how attuned their life essence with their power, however incomplete. His Doppelgangers, by contrast, were utterly soulless. The terrifying part wasn¡¯t just their resemblance to Jihoon¡ªit was the absence of anything human behind that resemblance.


    To Rosa, it was as if the Doppelgangers embodied the hollow shell of what someone could become when stripped of everything but efficiency.


    On the ground, Jihoon paid her unease no mind. He didn¡¯t need to command the Doppelgangers directly. Instead, he poured every ounce of his desperation, every fragment of his determination, into the shared mental link that connected him to them.


    They understood him not through words but through emotion¡ªa raw and unfiltered plea that resonated in their blank, hollow selves. The Jihoon-formed Doppelganger took the guitar, its fingers moving across the strings with mechanical perfection. The melody began as a simple note, a trembling whisper of the desperation and fury coursing through them. It was Obsession distilled and untainted.


    And then it began to build.


    F- Ab C~|


    Final Lap¡­


    The other Doppelgangers joined in, their coordination flawless, their motions unsettlingly fluid. Together, they performed a melody that spoke to the madness of Jihoon¡¯s actions¡ªthe despair, the drive, and the sheer defiance of someone who had cast aside everything for his obsession.


    Using F minor Key Signature, the key sign of misery, lament. The song sets and establishes the mood for Jihoon¡¯ss final lap.


    G Bb Eb~| E- G Bb~| G Bb Eb~


    Say your last¡­ prayer to¡­ any gods¡­


    The performance was broadcast across the trial, the haunting melody reaching the ears of everyone watching the final lap of the race unfold. Rosa couldn¡¯t tear her eyes away, both awestruck and horrified.


    G Bb Eb~ | Bb Eb F~| Bb Eb F~|


    This is your¡­ funeral¡­ Your demise¡­


    F~~~|


    NOW!


    With the Thanatos completely block the urban road, Jihoon immediately jumps off the highway itself and run directly straight toward the destination flag still flutter atop the desolated mountain peak. And nothing will deter him as he runs with all the speed that he could possibly muster beyond his performance limit.


    Spectators gasped as Jihoon¡¯s figure darted toward the ruined mountain, the Thanatos now in slow pursuit. Or perhaps, it is utter no concern to him at all.


    F_F Db+ C+~| G Db+ _Eb+ Db_C~C| F_Db+ Eb+_Db+ C+_Gb C+ F|


    Final Lap to¡­ confront all of my wrongdoings¡­ All the learned lessons I disregarded¡­


    "What is this madness?" Karim whispered, his tone just utter disbelief as he watched from the entertainment district, clenched his fists.


    Jihoon¡¯s body surged forward with impossible speed, his every step pounding into the ground with a force that left small craters behind. The shockwaves of his motion reverberated through the air and lingered like a deafening echo.


    The helicopter gave chase, its rotors strained against the forces. Though helicopters by design weren¡¯t designed to endure such speeds, the advanced materials engineered by House Magni held¡ªfor now. The strain on the machine was palpable, its engines whining under the immense pressure of maintaining pace with Jihoon¡¯s obsession-fueled sprint. The camera locked onto his trail, broadcasting his every step to the world.


    Onboard, Rosa clung to her seat, her knuckles white as the helicopter shuddered violently. The sight below sent her stomach churning.


    ¡°Is he even¡­ human anymore?¡± she whispered to herself, watching the distorted image of Jihoon tear through the landscape.


    F_F Db+ C+~| G Db+ _Eb+ Db_C~C| F_Db+ Eb+_Db+ C_Db Eb+_F|


    Final Lap to¡­ show who I really am¡­. A hypocrite not knowing his place.


    As Jihoon veered off the urban road and barreled directly toward the mountain peak through the adjacent forest, the effects of his speed wreaked havoc on the terrain. Trees didn¡¯t merely sway in his wake¡ªthey shattered, their trunks splintering into jagged fragments as if struck by an invisible immense force. Leaves and branches exploded outward in violent manner, forming a chaotic storm behind him.


    Each step carried him farther than the human eye could track. With a deafening crack, the sound barrier shattered around him. The resulting shockwave rippled outward, a violent eruption that flattened trees at the forest''s edge and sent debris flying in every direction. Jihoon tore through the landscape with no regard for the devastation left in his wake.


    [F-¡ªAb¡ªC]~~~|[ G-¡ªBb¡ªDb]~~~| [Eb-¨CG¨CBb]~~~|[ G-¡ªBb¡ªDb]~~~|


    [F-¡ªAb¡ªC] [F-¡ªAb¡ªC] [F-¡ªAb¡ªC]~|


    *[x¡ªy¡ªz] means pressing the x,y,z notes at the same time.


    His leg movements blurred into imperceptible afterimages, a hazy circular cyclone where his strides should have been visible. His body leaned forward at an angle so precarious that it seemed he would collapse at any moment. Yet he didn¡¯t stop. His strides grew longer, impossibly so, each one as though his limbs were being torn apart and reassembled mid-motion. His arms flailed as if his body was desperately trying to claw forward faster, though his form never broke its relentless sprint.


    His expression was a grotesque mix of rage and determination, features distorted into a mask of unrecognizable berserk derangement. To those watching, it was both awe-inspiring and horrifying. Jihoon bulldozed through everything in his path¡ªtrees splintered, rocks shattered, the very earth quaked beneath him.


    [F-¡ªAb¡ªC]~~~|[ G-¡ªBb¡ªDb]~~~| [Eb-¨CG¨CBb]~~~|[ G-¡ªBb¡ªDb]~~~|


    [F-¡ªAb¡ªC] [F-¡ªAb¡ªC] [F-¡ªAb¡ªC]~|


    All lesser sentinels come across his path just pulverized or trampled over. Because of how sudden the initiation of Lap 4 is, there was no boss sentinels prepared for it. Although they would do absolutely nothing against him and his berserk state.


    And of course, such actions tear his body apart even if his END¡¯s limit has been nullified.


    The Thanatos, the mechanical colossus engineered as the end of this trial, found itself unable to match Jihoon¡¯s speed. For the first time, the pursuer lagged behind, its monstrous form unable to close the gap.


    And because of it, the trial organizers have made their decision.


    Hard Time-Limit Initiated: 3 Minutes


    If he failed to cross the finishing line within that window, the Shield Bracelet would self-destruct, ending his attempt in disqualification no matter how close he was.


    The system broadcasts the update, echoing through the trial grounds and across every screen in Cicones. The commentators¡¯ voices reached a fever pitch of disbelief.


    ¡°This is insane! They¡¯ve imposed a hard time-limit of three minutes! If Jihoon doesn¡¯t cross the finish line in that time, his Shield Bracelet will remotely self-destruct, and it¡¯s game over!¡±


    The audience erupted into chaos¡ªcheers, boos, and gasps of disbelief blending into a cacophony. The decision was polarizing, with supporters arguing that Jihoon¡¯s defiance needed a definitive conclusion, while others decried it as an unfair handicap for a competitor who had already pushed beyond all reason.


    Rosa, aboard the helicopter, clutched at the seat as turbulence shook the cabin, her heart pounding in time with the racing display below. Jihoon¡¯s distorted expression flashed across her mind, a harrowing image of a man completely consumed by his drive.


    ¡°Jihoon¡­¡± she whispered, equal parts horrified and mesmerized.


    This was all destined to happen, ever since the moment he awakened to it. Like a Chekov¡¯s Gun primed to fire, he was destined to just fall back into it. Like a smothering sorrow of a man at his deathbed. There was no other way for it. It was the only way this could have ended.


    2:59¡­ 2:58¡­


    The countdown had begun. Jihoon¡¯s mind registered the timer, but it didn¡¯t change his actions. It didn¡¯t matter how little time he had or how impossible the challenge seemed.


    He had promised.


    Nothing else mattered.


    And so, the living destruction continued its relentless march, every step driving him closer to the finality¡ªcloser to fulfilling his obsession.


    [F-¡ªAb¡ªC]~~~|[ G-¡ªBb¡ªDb]~~~| [Eb-¨CG¨CBb]~~~|[ G-¡ªBb¡ªDb]~~~|


    Three minutes or less. I would never guess. Never once the best.


    [F-¡ªAb¡ªC] [F-¡ªAb¡ªC] [F-¡ªAb¡ªC]~|


    But my conviction beat the rest.


    Of course, even with unlimited END, his body being pushed beyond its limit means it is sustaining damage as he maintains in this state of obsession as he moved with ungodly motion as he barrels through the path. Perhaps, this was all nothing compared to powerhouse far exceeding his status residing in Absence but he is certain that none of them can push beyond limit for this long either.


    And as the internal damage accumulated, so too is the next threshold of his ¡®Death that I Deserve Truly¡¯


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Death that I Deserve Truly


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 60):


    -+[10*MAG]% to all Physical Attributes,


    Effect becomes 2*[10*MAG]% at danger, 3*[10*MAG]% at critical. (Currently: 1,800%)


    -Damage received is reduce by 80% for the duration. Becomes 95% at danger, 99% at critical.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 13 (+294) {x2.0}


    -END: {¡Þ}


    -AGI: 14 (+312) {x2.0}


    -DEX: 13 (+294)


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -MAG: 60


    +Physical Status: Critically Injured (-90%)


    +Mental Status: Dangerously Exhausted


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Unironically, the damage receive reduction is now applying to the self-destruction that he is putting his body into enduring. Without it, his body would have succumbed to the self-afflicted internal injuries, and nothing else could propel him forward regardless of if his mind will it or not. His body by then would have failed him entirely.


    [F-¡ªAb¡ªC]~~~|[ G-¡ªBb¡ªDb]~~~| [Eb-¨CG¨CBb]~~~|[ G-¡ªBb¡ªDb]~~~|


    I must end it now, but my problem is¡­ how? I could have taken a bow


    [F-¡ªAb¡ªC] [F-¡ªAb¡ªC] [F-¡ªAb¡ªC]~|


    But my pride won¡¯t allow.


    At this speed, had he gone with the original route, he would not have enough time to even reach the destination flag in just 3 minutes. He doesn''t even know if the organizers even do the math, or they just got sicken of his arrogance in pushing for Lap 4. But that''s why he is doing this now. Disregard everything, every obstacle in the way will not impede his progress in any way. By assuming a straight line toward the flag. The entire length will be... an original marathon itself.


    It is still a challenge that takes hours for normal human being.


    The path that he trampled scorched apart beneath his feet. A trail of fire ignited by sheer friction lingers behind like testament to his determination and obsession. Every obstacle in his path disintegrated as Jihoon barreled through. His strides created sonic booms that shattered nearby trees and flattened anything too close to his. The ground cracked beneath his feet, leaving scorched craters in his wake


    F Dd+ C+~| F Db+_Eb+ Db+_Eb+ Db+_C+|


    These 3 laps¡­ that I led, kept my ego fed.


    F Ab+_Bb+ C~| Bb+_Ab+ G_F Eb_F~F|


    But instead, this final lap may truly be my death.


    Jihoon reached the dirt trail in 60 seconds. What should have been an impossible feat for even the strongest, fastest competitors in the Odyssey was just another consequence of his 600 AGI, multiplied by obsession-driven madness beyond his own physical limit. His path had become a line of devastation, a scorched and cratered scar on the earth left by his blistering speed. Friction from his footsteps ignited the dirt, the sheer heat leaving molten impressions behind as he advanced like a comet tearing through the atmosphere.


    1:59¡­ 1:58¡­


    The dirt trail was now filled with lesser sentinels, their average stats now exceeding even the top three participants at their prime. Measured STR, END, and AGI well into the 400s. But to Jihoon, they were not even considered as opponents¡ªjust obstacles.


    The first sentinel in his path¡ªa towering humanoid construct¡ªwas obliterated on contact. Jihoon didn¡¯t slow down or maneuver. He simply barreled through it, as his body now in itself a projectile of raw power and momentum.


    60 times peak human limit. Or otherwise¡­


    Mach 2.


    At this speed, the impact wasn¡¯t just violent. It was catastrophic.


    F Dd+ C+~| F Db+_Eb+ Db+_Eb+ Db+_C+|


    My work is¡­piling up. All I am seeing is utter red.


    F Ab+_Bb+ C~| Bb+_C+ Db+ F G_F|


    Feeling like¡­ needing 5 more arms. And an entirely new head.


    Each stride created a sonic boom, sending shockwaves rippling through the battlefield. The Mach 2 velocity he maintained obliterated everything in his path.


    Any sentinel construct that dared to block him were pulverized, their metallic frames twisted and shredded apart. The impact was cataclysmic¡ªless of a human body striking a sentinel and more like a runaway train colliding with a house of cards. The sentinels didn¡¯t just crumble but disintegrated entirely on impact, their mechanical frames torn apart as though struck by artillery fire.


    Each collision resulted in explosions of debris and shattered metal. Sentinels crumpled like paper under the sheer force of Jihoon¡¯s unrestrained velocity. Limbs, torsos, and entire structures were flung like toys, disintegrating before they even hit the ground. Fragments scatter like a claymore magnified by hundreds.


    The dirt trail itself couldn¡¯t withstand him either. Every step of his gouged deep trenches into the earth, igniting streaks of fire from sheer friction.


    F G+ F+~| F Ab++_Gb+ F+~| F Db+_F+~F~| Bb+_Ab+ F_D F~|


    I will¡­ make through this¡­ Seize the day like I always was.


    From all over Absence, the viewer count for the Odyssey was all-time high. People are gathering and watching just to see him and the carnage that was Lap 4. The organizers had unleashed every conceivable challenge, yet Jihoon had become the most devastating force on the battlefield and nothing else.


    ¡°He¡¯s not even fighting them!¡± one commentator shouted, voice trembling. ¡°He¡¯s just¡­ demolishing everything in his way!¡±


    ¡°Did you see that last sentinel?¡± another commentator added, their voice tinged with disbelief. ¡°It wasn¡¯t just defeated¡­ it was fucking erased.¡±


    Their words failed to capture what they were seeing¡ªa single man barreling through an insurmountable obstacle, his form wreathed in steam and determination.


    F Gb+ F+~| F Bb+_Ab Bb+_Ab+~Ab+| F Db+_F+~| Gb+ Fb+_Gb+~Gb+ Ab++_G+_F|


    I only¡­ have but a single question¡­ Is this really the only way it should have gone?¡­


    Rosa, aboard the helicopter, clutched her chest, torn between horror and awe. She couldn¡¯t look away from Jihoon¡¯s maddened charge, her mind filled with the image of what it might feel like to stand in his way.


    Every viewer at Cicones couldn¡¯t help but imagine the same thought: what if they were in the sentinels'' place? The sheer force and velocity would turn even the most stalwart amongst them into nothing but dust.


    1:21¡­ 1:20¡­


    And so, after 40 seconds of bulldozing through the dirt trail and turning it entirely into a war-torn battlefield in such a short time. He had finally reached the mountain path. The sounds of clock-ticking from nowhere still echoes, as though feeling each second slipping away from his grasp like sand in an hourglass.


    Db~_Eb F_Gb_Bb+ Db_Eb~ F_Gb| F_Gb Ab+_Bb+ F_Gb~ F_Eb_Db|


    No matter how fast that I run, one can¡¯t outrun one¡¯s own shadow.


    But there¡¯s one more problem, because of Zorn¡¯s Earth Magic manipulating the mountain side to shortcut against the Thanatos back in Lap 3, the original mountain path is entirely gone. And the trail leading to the mountain path veers off-cliff randomly which was how he got flung off back during first lap when moving at Mach-speed at first.


    But much like before, sparing no second to maneuver the way. Jihoon didn¡¯t hesitate. His body, now enhanced to STR 600 or 60 times peak human strength, would not allow hesitation.


    He crouched for a fraction of a second, the ground beneath him cracking under the weight of his preparation. Then, he launched himself forward with the full force of his entire being.


    The air screamed around him as the shockwave from his leap sent debris flying in all directions. The ground where he once stood shattered apart entirely. Chunks of earth and stone erupted like a geyser, leaving behind a crater that marked the force of his departure.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    Db~_Eb F_Gb_Bb+ Db_Eb~ F_Gb| F_G_G_Ab+ Bb+_G_Ab_G~ F_Eb_Db|


    No matter how many promises that I swore. Deep in my heart, I know I remained shallow.


    Jihoon soared across the void of the interim path, his body like a cannonball blazing through the air. Below him, the wilderness stretched vast and empty. When he slammed into the jagged cliffside on the far end, the mountain didn¡¯t greet him¡ªit protested. The force of his impact sent a tremor through the entire rockface, cracks spiderwebbing across its surface.


    Yet wasting no time at all, his fingers digging through the stone with raw power as he pulled himself upward. Each grip tore apart chunks of rock, reducing solid stone to rubble as he ascended upward as arm pull upward in haste yet rhythmic at the same time.


    Legs moved in a blur, pushing off from precarious footholds as if they were solid ground. His arms churned like pistons, his fingers carving into the mountain with the precision and force of an industrial excavator. Rock fragments rained down below him, marking his relentless progress upward.


    His eyes burned with bloodshot rage, the gaze of someone whose obsession had consumed him entirely. His lips pulled back in a snarl as if the very act of climbing was a battle in itself¡ªone which he absolutely refused to lose.


    Ab+_Gb F_Gb Eb_F Gb| Ab+_Gb F_Gb Eb_F Eb|


    Never once left from that world¡­ Remained stuck in the past.


    Ab+_Gb~_Eb Ab+_Gb_Eb_Db Bb+_Ab+_Eb~Eb| Bb_C Db C Bb_F|


    Awakened in a living nightmare, all alone within the dark.


    Ab+_Bb+~ Ab+_Bb+~ C+_Db+_Bb+_Ab+ F |


    Isolated completely, without a single soul to confide with.


    What remained of the mountain resisted and groaned against him, but Jihoon didn¡¯t care. His hands and feet left behind a path of destruction, gouges and cracks spreading across the cliffside. The once-pristine rockface was reduced to a scarred, mangled ruin under the unrelenting ascent.


    1:15¡­ 1:14¡­


    The peak was in sight. The destination flag fluttered weakly in the wind, so close yet still impossibly far.


    Jihoon didn¡¯t stop, didn¡¯t waver. The timer continued to tick down, his body teetering on the brink of collapse. Yet his pace didn¡¯t falter.


    Second stretched into eternity, the mountain crumbling beneath his raw determination. The sheer force of his climb was not just a means to an end. Instead, a declaration of defiance even against impossible odds.


    His only opponent, once again, was himself.


    Within 20 seconds, Jihoon reached the peak of the mountain. But his speed was too immense for an immediate stop. As soon as he reached the peak, his momentum carried forward regardless of his obsession as his body smashed into the destination flag, shattering it apart entirely as he careen off into the other side of the mountain.


    Ab+_Gb F_Gb Eb_F Gb| Ab+_Gb F_Gb Eb_F Eb|


    Final Lap¡­ I have overstayed my welcome. Final Lap¡­ This is my penance.


    Ab+_Gb~_Eb Ab+_Gb_Eb_Db Bb+_Ab+_Eb~Eb| Bb_C Db C Bb_F|


    No country for old folks, all left behind by the new world order.


    It is still count and all he needed was to return immediately back to the finishing line. But with one minute left, he could not possibly have enough time to make his return back to. With all of his Doppelgangers hung up on performing his mental melody, none of them could allow to break from the performance to perform Linked Song Magic.


    This obsession-turned melody, he felt like if he lost this chance, he would come to regret it all later down the line. Even if what its power stems from is shameful and a disgrace, no dignity is too costly for Alvorna¡¯s sake. He lived 10 years in a slum, both physically and mental back in his world when the Gates first arrived and ruined his previous life already. Compared to it, no cost is too great.


    As Jihoon tumbled down the other side of the mountain, his body became a blur of motion, a chaotic spiral of momentum and raw force. Rocks splintered beneath him, the mountainside breaking apart as he careened uncontrollably. Each impact jarred his already battered form, echoing like a death kneel, yet he didn¡¯t falter. The clock still ticked relentlessly however, sealing his fate second by second.


    0:59¡­ 0:58¡­


    Eb- Gb- Bb+~|


    Final Lap¡­


    Gb~ Bb+_Ab+ Gb_Ab+~Ab+| Gb_Gb Gb~| Ab+~ Gb Eb_Db|


    Hana, Zwei, Tres, Quadro.


    Bb_Ab Gb-_F- Eb-~| Bb_Ab Gb-_F- Ab~| Ab Bb C Bb|


    Running out of time, all hesitation cast aside. I must reach the end.


    Onboard the helicopter, Rosa¡¯s gaze remained locked on Jihoon. The math was brutally clear that he didn¡¯t have enough time regardless of what he did. No matter how fast he moved, no matter how much he pushed himself, he wouldn¡¯t make it back to the finish line before his Shield Bracelet self-destructed.


    Her hands tightened into fists as her mind raced. Think, Rosa. Think.


    Her sharp eyes flicked toward the musical Doppelgangers onboard. Despite their mechanical precision, Rosa noticed something¡ªan unchanging rhythm, a steadfast dedication to Jihoon¡¯s melody.


    ¡°They¡¯re locked,¡± she realized.


    And suddenly, like a puzzle piece snapping into place, it all became clear.


    ¡°The Doppelgangers are fixed in this melody,¡± she thought, gripping the rose gold harmonica in her hand. Jihoon¡¯s strength, agility, and endurance had all surged impossibly high whenever his Doppelgangers performed alongside him. The melody wasn¡¯t just music¡ªit was a channel for his hidden ace that empowered him so greatly.


    Then taking out from her massive buxom, the relic gleamed faintly, a harmonica made of rose gold, a gift from her father¡ªa symbol of her own and the representation of House Magni¡¯s history as miners of an exhausted mining town turned greatest innovators of Absence¡¯s industry.


    Eb- Gb- Bb~|


    Final Lap¡­


    ¡°Music is the heart of creation, It doesn¡¯t need to be perfect¡ªit just needs to be true.¡±


    That was the insight she come to arrive on her own. She inhaled deeply, her hands trembling, and raised the harmonica to her lips, yet her resolve unwavering against her own hesitation. The melody of Jihoon¡¯s obsession surrounded her, raw and uncompromising. Rosa felt it pull her in, and without hesitation, she began to play along.


    She hadn¡¯t played it seriously in years until now¡ªnot since her father gifted it to her as a relic of their exhausted mining town before their rise to prominence in Absence.


    Yet this wasn¡¯t the time for hesitation. If Jihoon was risking everything, how could she do any less?


    Bb+~ C+ Bb+_Db+| Db+_C+ Bb+ C+~| Bb+~ Ab+~| Gb~ F~|


    All that I really know, is that I must push on forward no matter what.


    Bb+_Db+ Bb+_Ab+ Bb+_C+ Bb+_C+| Bb+_Bb+ Ab+_Ab+ Ab+~| Bb_C Bb_Ab Gb_F Gb| Eb_Db Db_Ab Gb~|


    Even in the final moment. I will continue to surpass myself.


    The notes spilled out of her harmonica, uneven and halting, yet sincere. Each note carried the weight of her determination to keep Jihoon moving forward. Even if she wasn¡¯t an artist or musician, she wasn¡¯t about to let him lose now.


    The melody stumbled at first but found its footing as Rosa let herself be swept away by Jihoon¡¯s obsession. Her music became an extension of it¡ªa mirror of his defiance. Rough, imperfect, and unpolished, terrible it may be in its attempt of mimicry, but it wasn¡¯t half-hearted in the slightest.


    As the harmonica joined the symphony of madness, one of Jihoon¡¯s Doppelgangers paused mid-performance, its expressionless face tilting as if it recognized something. Then, without missing a beat, it shifted roles, breaking away from the melody to prepare Linked Song Magic.


    As the connection registered in Jihoon¡¯s mind, a wave of gratitude surged through him. Rosa had stepped into the melody. She had become part of his madness, her contribution small yet vital.


    For a fleeting moment, his thoughts softened. Rosa¡¯s gesture reminded him why he was doing this¡ªnot for vanity, not for proving himself to anyone else, but for the promises he had made.


    F Dd+ C+~| F Db+_Eb+ Db+_Eb+ Db+_C+|


    These 3 laps¡­ that I led, kept my ego fed.


    F Ab+_Bb+ C~| Bb+_Ab+ G_F Eb_F~F|


    However, this final lap will be accomplished.


    He recalled the self-disdain he had once felt when witnessing the 4-digit stats that Linked Song Magic granted him. How it had made him feel no different from the shallow overpowered main characters in progression fantasies that he had loathed for their emptiness of substance.


    But now? His opinions and views didn¡¯t matter at all to begin with. The world wasn¡¯t fair, and his self-image meant nothing. Only the weight of his actions is lasting at all in the wider world. Through actions, a man becomes a hero.


    What mattered was the result. What mattered was Alvorna.


    With Rosa¡¯s contribution in freeing one of the Doppelgangers, his chosen Linked Song Magic surged to life, flooding Jihoon¡¯s body with impossible power once more.


    F Dd+ C+~| F Db+_Eb+ Db+_Eb+ Db+_C+|


    My work will be finished. Heaven is now within reach


    F Ab+_Bb+ C~| Bb+_C+ Db+ F G_F|


    Liberated from this burden, the path to freedom is now mine to tread.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Mirrored Resentment


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 60):


    -+[8*MAG]% to all Physical Attributes.


    The closer one is to death, the stronger this effect (Max: -+6*[8*MAG]%) (Current multiplier: *5)


    (Current effect: 2,400%)


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Death that I Deserve Truly -> Mirrored Resentment


    Classification: Linked Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Linked Effect: (MAG 60)


    -+[14*MAG]% to all Physical Attributes,


    Effect becomes 2*[14*MAG]% at danger, 3*[14*MAG]% at critical. (Currently: 1,800%)


    The closer one is to death, the stronger this effect above (Max: *6) (Current multiplier: *5)


    -Damage received is reduce by 80% for the duration. Becomes 95% at danger, 99% at critical.


    [Current effect: +12,600%]


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 13 (+1,698) {x2.0}


    -END: {¡Þ}


    -AGI: 14 (+1,824) {x2.0}


    -DEX: 13 (+1,698)


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -MAG: 60


    +Physical Status: Critically Injured (-90%)


    +Mental Status: Critically Exhausted


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Breaching the 4-digit threshold again, his strength increased immensely without fail. With the measure of his physical strength and speed increased to 340 times peak human limit, an immeasurable increase even compared to others combinations just before. Landing once again at the base of the other side of the mountain, Jihoon gathered everything once more for one last run. No one else needs to follow him because this will be the last run.


    30 seconds left¡­


    With a single push of his legs, Jihoon launched forward, the scorched earth shattering beneath him. His strides blurred into indistinguishable afterimages, and the air around him screamed with the sound of his velocity, each step punctuated by a sonic boom. The world itself was silent in compared to each of his step.


    Ab+_Gb F_Gb Eb_F Gb| Ab+_Gb F_Gb Eb_F Eb|


    Let this worthless victory of mine, to mark the new chapter of my life.


    Ab+_Gb~_Eb Ab+_Gb_Eb_Db Bb+_Ab+_Eb~Eb| Bb_C Db C Bb_F|


    No more regret. Let my actions prove my place amongst the heroes.


    0:29¡­ 0:28¡­ 0:27¡­


    Jihoon felt his body nearing its breaking point, all things constituting him groaning under the stress of his unrelenting pace. The terrain disintegrated beneath his feet, yet he never slowed. His target¡ªthe finishing line¡ªseemed both impossibly far and agonizingly close.


    This was it. The culmination of his obsession. He wasn¡¯t running against anyone else; he was racing against himself. Against his own limits. Against the promises he couldn¡¯t break.


    And for Alvorna, no cost is too great.


    Jihoon¡¯s form blurred, then vanished entirely from the sight of even the keenest observers. His acceleration defied comprehension as his AGI reached an ungodly 3,400, propelling him forward at Mach 10.


    F- Ab C F| Bb Db Gb- Ab| Bb Db- Ab Bb| Db- Ab Db A|


    0:26¡­ 0:25¡­


    The air around him ignited into a cascading explosion of sonic booms, each one devastating enough to flatten trees and dislodge boulders. All around him surrounded in incandescent fire as a result of atmospheric ignition caused by the sheer movement speed he is going.


    The mountain itself trembled, its foundation cracking and groaning under the sheer force of his acceleration. The air itself combusted around him, creating a blazing trail of plasma that scorched the land below. Rocks and debris erupted in his wake, flung violently outward like shrapnel from an exploding star. The entire mountainside fractured, chunks of rock collapsing into the valley below as his motion left devastation on an unprecedented scale.


    F- Ab C F| Bb Db Gb- Ab| Bb Db- Ab Bb| Db- Ab Db A|


    0:24¡­ 0:23¡­


    The shockwave from his leap blasted apart what¡¯s left of the peak, sending debris raining down in an apocalyptic cascade that swept away anything unfortunate enough to be nearby. Behind him, a massive chasm was carved into the earth, like the scar of a meteor impact, while the air itself seemed to howl in agony at the force tearing through it.


    As Jihoon barreled down the remainder of the route, the sheer collateral damage became an overwhelming spectacle in itself.


    The broken dirt trail loomed below. Jihoon¡¯s body crashed down with seismic force, the resulting shockwave obliterating everything within its radius. Sentinel constructs shattered into molten scrap by proximity alone, disintegrated into shrapnel before they could even react, and the ground cracked and tore apart under the pressure of his advance. The dirt trail was annihilated, reduced to a smoldering ruin of ash and glowing embers.


    F- Ab C F| Bb Db Gb- Ab| Bb Db- Ab Bb| Db- Ab Db A|


    0:22¡­ 0:21¡­


    The destruction wasn¡¯t contained to his immediate path. His hypersonic motion created a cascading ripple of devastation. The entire mountain range trembled, landslides cascading down in response to the shockwaves. Dirt and rubble flung skyward, spiraling into the air like a natural disaster, all unleashed by a single man.


    Behind him, the trail of destruction burned vividly. Flames from superheated air ignited the forest he¡¯d left behind, and a swirling vortex of wind carried ash and debris in his wake. Ahead, nothing survived his advance.


    The audience watching through broadcasts and magical projections could only stare in absolute horror and awe. The sheer force of Jihoon¡¯s obsession manifested as speed transcended comprehension, tearing through the very foundation of the Odyssey¡¯s first trial itself.


    F- Ab C F| Bb Db Gb- Ab| Bb Db- Ab Bb| Db- Ab Db A|


    0:20¡­ 0:19¡­ 0:18¡­


    The commentators were speechless, their microphones crackling as their words stumbled over one another.


    ¡°W¡ªWhat in the name of Absence are we even seeing?! Is this¡­ This can¡¯t be Advanced-class Magic alone! This has to be something else entirely!¡±


    ¡°In all my years¡­ this isn¡¯t racing anymore! This is¡­ this is a calamity!¡± one managed to scream into the microphone, their voice cracking under the weight of the moment.


    If they didn¡¯t add in an arbitrary time-limit in the first place, Jihoon wouldn¡¯t have gone to such crazy length to begin with. Especially with the organizer who thinks that 3 minutes are enough to accomplish a race in which even the top prodigies took way more working together in Lap 3.


    F-_Ab C_F Bb_Db Gb-_Ab| Bb_Db- Ab_Bb Db-_Ab Db_A|


    0:17¡­ 0:16¡­ 0:15¡­


    Fenrir, Legolas, and Zorn, watching far from the finishing line in their resting spot, could only stare in horror in what is shown to them. Fenrir¡¯s sharp beastfolk senses picked up the ear-splitting cacophony of his velocity, and her ears flattened in instinctive fear.


    She froze. The proud heiress, a prodigy in her own right, felt her instincts as a predator overwhelmed by raw, primal fear.


    ¡°That¡¯s not human at all¡­ A calamity incarnated¡­¡± she muttered, gripping the edges of her frost-covered sleeves tightly.


    Legolas, his trained composure slipping, gripped his bow so tightly that his knuckles turned white. ¡°I¡¯ve faced monsters in the deepest woods, fought way many adversaries of vastly different backgrounds all around, but this¡­ I¡¯ve never seen anything like this.¡±


    Zorn simply grunted, his usually calm demeanor replaced with unease penetrated through the cold exterior. ¡°The earth itself screams under him. I¡¯ve never¡­ never seen power like that.¡±


    F-_Ab C_F Bb_Db Gb-_Ab| Bb_Db- Ab_Bb Db-_Ab Db_A|


    0:14¡­ 0:13¡­ 0:12¡­


    Rosa, watching from the helicopter, felt her breath catch in her throat. Her rose-gold harmonica trembled in her hands as she played along with the Doppelgangers. Even through her awe, a pang of guilt struck her. She had supported this madness. Helped him in creating this monster.


    Yet, through it all, she couldn¡¯t deny the beauty of it¡ªthe terrifying elegance of a man pushing beyond every conceivable limit for a purpose no one else could grasp.


    ¡°Please¡­ stay alive!¡±. Rosa said while she could before her own guilt drown her out.


    Back to the entertainment district, Karim stood silent in front of the broadcast. For the first time in years, he was utterly speechless. No sarcasm, no wit. Just awe¡ªand fear. ¡°He¡¯s¡­ killing himself for this,¡± he finally muttered, a rare tremor in his voice never once escaped during his long profession as a merchant. Not ever since his younger brother died insane trying to uncover Absence¡¯s primordial myth and silenced for it.


    F-_Ab C_F Bb_Db Gb-_Ab| Bb_Db- Ab_Bb Db-_Ab Db_A|


    0:11¡­ 0:10¡­


    Jihoon¡¯s motion alone devastated everything in his path, but it didn¡¯t matter. Nothing mattered except the finishing line far ahead.


    His focus burned brighter than ever, his vision a blur of rage and determination as he pushed past every conceivable limit. The line between man and force of nature blurred, leaving behind a spectacle that would be seared into the memories of all who watched.


    Even in Absence, a world filled with impossibilities and legends, where advanced technology and high magic converged, this was still something else entirely.


    Jihoon¡¯s feats were beyond comprehension for someone restricted to Advanced-class Magic. The very rules of the Odyssey existed to prevent such overwhelming displays from trivializing the competition, yet Jihoon had torn through very safeguard and limitation with sheer willpower and obsession.


    His actions and performances mirrored those of Master-class Magic users¡ªa rare echelon in Absence, their numbers barely reaching the myriads among the hundreds of millions of inhabitants live and breathe in it.


    But Jihoon¡¯s power wasn¡¯t born from mastery. It was something else entirely. Something terrifying. Something unstoppable.


    And as he hurtled toward the finish, the world could only look on, helpless and awestruck.


    F-_Ab C_F Bb_Db Gb-_Ab| Bb_Db- Ab_Bb Db-_Ab Db_A|


    0:09¡­ 0:08¡­


    The urban road stretched ahead, fractured and scorched from his previous laps, now barely holding together as Jihoon approached at Mach 10, his blurred form tearing through the atmosphere with the fury of a perfect storm.


    Every step left craters in the asphalt, each one erupting into a spray of molten fragments and pulverized stone. The shockwaves from his sheer speed shattered the surrounding structures, sending debris flying like shrapnel in a warzone.


    The camera feed struggled to stabilize, the image flickering as Jihoon¡¯s path left a trail of destruction in its wake. His form captured is only of afterimages that caught what¡¯s left by the distortion caused by sheer speed.


    F-_Ab_C_F Bb_Db_Gb-_Ab Bb_Db-_Ab_Bb Db-_Ab_Db_A|


    0:07¡­ 0:06¡­


    The hearts of everyone watching felt as though they had stopped entirely, the tension unbearable. Each second stretched into eternity, the overwhelming uncertainty pressing down like an invisible weight. Could he make it? Would he collapse?


    Rosa leaned forward in the helicopter, her harmonica trembling in her grasp as she continued to play, her eyes wide and filled with desperation.


    ¡°Go¡­ go, you madman!¡± she whispered, her voice trembling as the countdown marched ever closer to zero.


    Back in the entertainment district, Karim¡¯s fingers dug into the edge of the table in front of him, his knuckles white. For once, even his calculating mind couldn¡¯t predict the outcome.


    F-_Ab_C_F Bb_Db_Gb-_Ab Bb_Db-_Ab_Bb Db-_Ab_Db_A|


    0:05¡­ 0:04¡­


    Jihoon¡¯s body burned with unrelenting pain, his injuries screaming with every movement. Steam and blood trailed behind him, evaporating in the intense heat generated by his velocity.


    But his expression remained locked in furious determination, his bloodshot eyes blazing as he pushed forward, ignoring the agony, the devastation, and the world itself.


    The finishing line was within sight now, but the clock wasn¡¯t on his side.


    F-_Ab_C_F Bb_Db_Gb-_Ab Bb_Db-_Ab_Bb Db-_Ab_Db_A|


    0:03¡­ 0:02¡­


    The whirlwind of destruction followed his every step, the collateral damage growing worse with every second. Entire buildings swayed and cracked under the force of the shockwaves, the road behind him crumbling into rubble.


    Even the air seemed to rebel against him, the sonic booms creating chaotic eddies that distorted the surrounding environment. But Jihoon didn¡¯t falter, his strides grew longer and faster despite the unimaginable strain.


    F-_Ab_C_F Bb_Db_Gb-_Ab Bb_Db-_Ab_Bb Db-_Ab_Db_A|


    0:01¡­


    The crowd held their collective breath, their hearts frozen in their chests.


    Rosa¡¯s hands trembled violently, her notes faltering as she watched Jihoon charge forward like a meteor hurtling toward the earth. Tears uncontrollably flow out as her own gasps escape her.


    Karim whispered under his breath, his pupils shrunk from sheer built-up stress that the fa?ade he built unintentionally dropped, ¡°You absolutely absurd of a fool¡­ make it.¡±


    Jihoon¡¯s body reached its breaking point, every muscle and bone screaming in defiance, but he didn¡¯t care. The finish line loomed ahead, the final barrier between him and the impossible victory he sought.


    F-_Ab_C_F_Bb_Db_Gb-_Ab_Bb_Db-_Ab_Bb _Db-_Ab_Db_A F-_Ab_C_F_Bb_Db_Gb-_Ab_Bb_Db-_Ab_Bb _Db-_Ab_Db_A|


    F-_Ab_C_F_Bb_Db_Gb-_Ab_Bb_Db-_Ab_Bb _Db-_Ab_Db_A F-_Ab_C_F_Bb_Db_Gb-_Ab_Bb_Db-_Ab_Bb _Db-_Ab_Db_A|


    0:00¡­


    And then¡ª


    With a final, devastating burst of speed, Jihoon crossed the finish line. The checkpoint of Cicones that served as the finish line blew completely away by the momentum of Mach 10.


    The world seemed to explode around him, the shockwave of his final step ripping through the air and sending debris flying in all directions. The remnants of the urban road completely collapsed behind him, consumed by the aftermath of his furious rampage.


    The clock stopped. Silence fell.


    He had done it.


    But his body had yet to catch up with his victory. Moving at Mach 10 just before, with no reasonable way to halt himself gracefully, Jihoon slammed his heels into the ground, attempting to decelerate by brute force alone.


    The result was catastrophic.


    The asphalt beneath his feet shattered instantly, disintegrating into molten fragments under the unbearable friction. The shockwave from his desperate braking spread outward, ripping through the urban landscape like an earthquake, shattering windows and buckling steel girders.


    Each attempt to slow himself tore new craters into the road, the relentless momentum threatening to drag him straight into the cityscape of Cicones itself. Desperation mounted as even though the race was over, the momentum before still threatens to ruin his victory altogether.


    Jihoon¡¯s body screamed in rebellion, every muscle shredded, every bone threatening to snap from the sheer force he was trying to contain. His ears rang, his vision blurred, and yet his will remained unyielding.


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Jihoon came to a grinding halt.


    His legs buckled, but he didn¡¯t fall¡ªnot yet. The ground beneath him had turned into a smoldering crater, steam and smoke rising in ghostly wisps around his trembling figure. His shoes, long disintegrated, left only the raw, bloodied soles of his feet pressed into the scarred earth.


    Jihoon¡¯s breath came in shallow, ragged gasps. Adrenaline coursed through his veins in overdosing quantity, numbing him to the damage his body had sustained. He felt detached, as if his soul and consciousness had separated from his own flesh¡ªa fragile shell that had served its purpose and now begged for release.


    The world around him blurred into a haze of light and shadow. He couldn¡¯t tell if it was the crowd¡¯s stunned silence or his hearing simply failing him.


    Somewhere, distant and faint, he could hear Rosa¡¯s harmonica still playing, a melody both haunting and triumphant.


    He wanted to smile, but his body refused. His arms hung limp at his sides, his vision swimming with tears and exhaustion.


    Jihoon tilted his head skyward, staring into the endless expanse of blue above, feeling his body scream in agony but his mind oddly calm.


    ¡°...I made it,¡± he whispered hoarsely, the words barely audible even to himself.


    Then, as if his body had waited for this moment alone, he collapsed to his knees, the ground cracking beneath him one final time.


    And still, the crowd remained silent. After this deafening silence goes on for no one knows how long, someone finally broke out of the awe-filled reverie and yelled for medical help. ¡°Get medical help! NOW!¡±


    Jihoon¡¯s state was utterly precarious and one wrong move probably could just end his life there right now. The words spurred the emergency response team into action. Medical staff swarmed the finish line, their hover stretchers and advanced equipment cutting through the debris-strewn aftermath of Jihoon¡¯s final sprint.


    The moment they reached him, the lead medic froze. Jihoon¡¯s state was beyond anything they had prepared for¡ªa body pushed to the utter brink of destruction.


    His muscles were shredded, his joints visibly inflamed and distorted from the sheer strain. Blood seeped from countless micro-tears in his skin, staining the ground beneath him. Friction burns on whatever his mana couldn¡¯t shield completely. The medic¡¯s scanners beeped with a cacophony of warnings: organ failure imminent, skeletal fractures widespread, neural fatigue critical.


    ¡°This man shouldn¡¯t be alive¡­¡± one of them murmured, their hands trembling before they forced themselves into action.


    ¡°Stabilize him NOW! We can¡¯t afford any mistakes!¡±


    The medics worked with frantic precision, securing Jihoon¡¯s fragile body onto the stretcher while deploying regenerative salves, emergency nanites, and intravenous mana supplements to stave off his collapse.


    As Jihoon was rushed toward the medical facility, his surroundings blurred into a cacophony of voices and lights. His consciousness flickered, a tenuous thread tethering him to reality.


    ¡°I made it¡­¡± he thought faintly, the words repeating in his mind like a mantra. Even long into unconsciousness eventually.


    Meanwhile, the audience erupted into chaos. The awe, disbelief, and shock that had gripped them gave way to an uproar of emotion. Some cheered, others shouted in confusion or disbelief. Commentators scrambled to analyze what they had just witnessed, their voices overlapping in frantic excitement.


    ¡°This¡­ this is history in the making! No one in the history of the Odyssey has ever attempted a fourth lap, let alone completed it!¡±


    ¡°Jihoon Hyunwoon¡­ a name that will be remembered for generations!¡±


    As the noise roared on, the leaderboard updated, the holographic display projecting the final placements of the first trial of the Odyssey:


    1st Place ¨C Jihoon Hyunwoon ¨C Lap 4, 2:59.977


    2nd Place ¨C Fenrir Snowbreak ¨C Lap 3, 15:43.218


    3rd Place ¨C Legolas Virentleaf ¨C Lap 3, 15:43.733


    4th Place ¨C Zorn ''Steelpress'' Ironwool¨C Lap 3, 15:44.592


    The audience gasped collectively at the display. The margin of Jihoon¡¯s victory was so slim, yet the sheer feat of completing a fourth lap rendered the time irrelevant in their eyes.


    As Jihoon¡¯s stretcher disappeared into the medical facility, the weight of his actions remained, heavy in the hearts of everyone who had witnessed the impossible.


    Eb Bb+ Ab+ Eb| Bb+ Ab+ Eb Bb| Eb~~~| F Gb~~| Ab+ Bb+~~| Bb+ Eb+~~|

 Chapter 44: Victorious Degenerate

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 44: Victorious Degenerate


    [58 days left until Alvorna¡¯s Rite of Ascension]


    Jihoon woke up. Despite the supposedly obvious aftereffects that pushing his own body to the utter brink supposed to bring. He felt absolutely nothing wrong with his body as though the trial before was just a scenic walk through the park. The lack of crippling injury felt unnerving although the presence of System with him was far more fantastical than his miraculous recovery.


    Guessed that he couldn¡¯t underestimate the medical magi-technology of Absence at all.


    He glanced around the room he found himself in. The seamless blend of classical architecture and cutting-edge medical equipment gave him a sense of whiplash. Ornate columns and arches, carved with intricate patterns reminiscent of ancient temples, framed a room filled with glowing monitors and sleek, futuristic devices. The contrast was striking, like seeing a Renaissance chapel outfitted with spacecraft controls.


    Jihoon swung his legs off the bed and looked to the window. Sunlight streamed in through crystalline panes, illuminating a breathtaking cityscape. Towers of impossible design spiraled upward, their surfaces shimmering with iridescent hues, reflecting an aesthetic preference that seemed indulgent in every sense of the word.


    It was a society that had long since overcome scarcity, where people could choose beauty and aesthetics without compromising utility. The streets below were spotless, the people moving with calm purpose, their clothes as diverse as the architecture.


    He couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of longing. It was a peace that was, in many ways, alien to him. The closest his world had come to anything like this was a brief, fleeting hope¡ªone snuffed out when the Gates opened and turned everything upside down. 10 years living in turmoil, can¡¯t just be cleansed away with euphoria and pleasure.


    A paradox to him: the closest to utopia he had ever seen, yet it felt infinitely far from his grasp.


    ¡°Right¡­ The System¡¯s quest, I wonder what completing Lap 4 would give me¡±. Jihoon said as he remembered the displayed panel that the System gave him at the beginning of the race.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Quest completed!


    The Great Escape


    Difficulty: C+


    Description:


    A trial of endurance and strategy. You are to complete


    a single lap of the trial course through the city of Cicones and beyond.


    The route will grow increasingly treacherous as sentinels are deployed


    to hunt down participants.


    Survival is key, but speed is also rewarded.


    Take caution, but know when to push your limits. Time is of the essence.


    Objective:


    -Complete the race with at least 1 lap. (Completed)


    Laps completed: 4


    Final Evaluation: SSS


    Reward:


    -5,000 EXP


    -Performance Bonus:


    -20,000 EXP


    -Achievement Unlocked: [Against All Odds] (+10 to all attributes).


    {Accomplish a quest with SSS-ranked Evaluation.}


    -Achievement Unlocked: [Sonic Reckoning]: (Unlock [High-Speed Mastery Lv. 1]).


    {Reach Mach speed for the first time}


    -Advanced Skill Upgrading Token. (Upgrading any chosen System skill from Advanced-class or below)


    -Title: Reckless Pathfinder. (Reduce physical and mental exhaustion rate by 10%)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Jihoon only lets out a half-sigh and half-smile seeing the reward. He is certain the little goddess behind the screen who observing him doesn¡¯t know how to give appropriate response to what he did. The certain thing for sure that it is at least more reassuring to know the thought behind the System isn¡¯t malicious and he wouldn¡¯t trade anything else for that.


    It wasn¡¯t the rewards that had driven him to take on Lap 4. It never had been. For Jihoon, this was about something far more personal¡ªand infinitely more fragile.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Absolute Absurdity


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 60):


    -+[10*MAG/3]% to Innate Skill¡¯s Effect (Currently: 200%)


    (This effect can only be stacked once and is overlapped by stronger similar effect.)


    Upon casting, receive 20 seconds of invulnerability. Can¡¯t be extended or altered.


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    ¡°Figures¡­ if [Deadly Obsession] didn¡¯t already ruin me, this would. Who knew that throwing myself into madness would result in something that¡¯s both incredible and absolutely terrifying?¡± Jihoon let out a dry chuckle as he read the description. Live by the sword, die by the sword. Since he composed it during activation of [Deadly Obsession], it is only natural that its effect would be attuned to it.


    It was a Song Magic unlike any other in his arsenal too¡ªsuited perfectly for his most dangerous tendencies. Its very existence was a warning without a shadow of doubt. This wasn¡¯t a tool. It was a double-edged sword, one that could just as easily save him just as it could destroy him."


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon


    Title: Reckless Pathfinder


    Level: 84


    EXP: 713/1,631


    Class: None


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 24


    -END: 25 (+9)


    -AGI: 25


    -DEX: 24


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 20.2


    -CHA: 14


    -MAG: 40


    Attribute Points: 52


    +Weapons:


    -Judgement of Light (Decayed) ¨C Halberd [Heroic]


    -Dual Adamantium Survival Knives [Mortal]


    -Adamantium Spiked Handaxe [Mortal]


    +Musical Prowess: Early-Expert


    +Active Skill:


    -Doppelganger (Master)


    -Mana Attunement (Advanced)


    -Light Magic (Advanced)


    -Judgement of Light ¨C Halberd (Novice)


    +Passive Skill:


    -Deadly Obsession [Inactive] (Innate Trait Skill)


    -High-speed Mastery [Inactive] (Lv.1)


    -Agony Resistance (Advanced)


    +Song Magic:


    -Forgotten Melody (Intermediate)


    -Glint of Cold Steel (Intermediate)


    -Belief (Intermediate)


    -Exceed! (Intermediate)


    -Smashing Through Mountain Path (Intermediate)


    -Death That I Deserve Truly (Intermediate)


    -Absolute Absurdity (Intermediate)


    -RiET-949 (Intermediate)


    -SPIKA (Intermediate)


    -Alvorna (Expert)


    -Restia. (Expert)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    In hindsight, the race of Cicones was easily the most disadvantageous for him because of how his Linked Song Magic required a closeby caster which is easily circumvented with Doppelgangers. However, because Doppelgangers¡¯ stats can¡¯t be altered externally, and they can¡¯t utilize System¡¯s [Skills] thus if he has to leave them behind, they won¡¯t be able to catch up with him.


    A rather disastrous first trial it could have been. And a rather destructive and unhinged display of performance of his was shown to the wider Absence out there.


    The chaotic performance he''d displayed wasn¡¯t just dangerous for him, it had undoubtedly drawn the attention of every significant power in Absence. Karim¡¯s warning to keep a low profile was ringing in his ears, but Jihoon couldn¡¯t help but wonder if a more brazen approach would serve better. Hiding in plain sight, after all, might be the only effective method to evade the Harpies'' reach. If even Ocypete¡¯s reconstructed likeness had been unleashed as a boss sentinel, it was clear that no corner of Absence was free from their influence.


    "The Harpies are the existence closest to the heaven, for their unfettered freedom over the sky"


    The words heavy with a poetic truth that stung more deeply than he wanted to admit. The phrase reminded him of Alvorna, her struggles, and her glided chains.


    Jihoon¡¯s thoughts drifted to the original reason he had ventured into Absence: finding someone to complete his new ensemble and develop his Song Magic to Expert-class. Alvorna had been that person¡ªa prodigy whose melodies intertwined with his in ways that transcended mere sound. She was the reason he had ascended to this level of proficiency in the first place.


    But that simple purpose had since warped into something far greater, far more complex. To bring Alvorna with him to his world, he had found himself chasing the faint whispers of Absence''s forgotten myths, piecing together fragments of history that no one seemed to recall¡ªor perhaps dared to remember.


    These Grand Mural Fragments, these pieces of Absence''s primordial origin, had become the focal point of his personal odyssey. And at the center of it all were the Harpies, their history steeped in mystique and their matriarch holding secrets that could upend everything.


    It was impossible to ignore the disturbing parallels between Absence and his world. The amalgamation of his world¡¯s cultures, scattered like a kaleidoscope across this realm, was uncanny. Even the constellations above mirrored those of his home, further solidifying the eerie familiarity. The implications of such parallels clawed at his mind, pulling him toward an answer he dreaded uncovering.


    And yet, Jihoon couldn¡¯t turn back. Not now. Not after he had promised Alvorna that he would find a way to give her the freedom she deserved, a freedom that mirrored his own yearning for meaning and purpose. His choices were made, and each step forward felt like a spiritual echo of the heroes. Not the ones that he¡¯d dismissed as shallow fiction but actual ideals which people pursue and follow.


    Perhaps this was the cruel truth of heroism: not grand triumphs or noble ideals, but the relentless march forward in the face of impossibility, bound by promises no one else could understand.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    The sudden sound of the door sliding open startled Jihoon out of his contemplative haze. For a brief moment, his heartbeat quickened, expecting either a nurse or another doctor. Instead, his visitors caught him entirely off guard yet perhaps he should have foreseen ahead already.


    Karim strode in first, his usual confident demeanor cracked by a mix of irritation and relief. Rosa followed closely, the harmonica that had played such a critical role in Jihoon¡¯s final lap still tucked securely in her hand. But the real surprises came after¡ªMermaid Princess Aquarius entered the room with her characteristic poise, her aquamarine eyes shimmering with unreadable emotions. And last was Alvorna, her presence sending a jolt through Jihoon as their eyes met.


    Karim¡¯s sharp eyes scanned Jihoon¡¯s form. For a rare moment, his typical snark was absent, replaced by something closer to genuine concern and frustration. ¡°You¡¯ve been out for two days, Jihoon. And that¡¯s two days too long for someone who¡¯s been pulling this kind of madness,¡± he said, gesturing vaguely but emphatically, like he couldn¡¯t find words grand enough to match what Jihoon had done.


    Rosa followed closely behind, her large twintails of rose-gold color, the harmonica of same color still in her hands. Her expression was a complex swirl of relief, lingering guilt, and amazement. ¡°You scared the entire entertainment district, you idiot,¡± she said softly, her voice catching. ¡°I¡¯ve seen insanity in my business, Jihoon, but this¡­ this was¡­¡± She trailed off, shaking her head, unable to complete her thought.


    ¡°Ignore him. We¡¯ve all been worried sick. Your injuries¡ª¡± She hesitated, glancing at him before continuing, ¡°They were supposed to be¡­ irreparable, even with Absence¡¯s advanced medical capabilities. And yet, here you are. Walking. Talking.¡±


    Aquarius studied him silently, her serene composure betraying little of what she felt. Jihoon had learned enough to know that her silence was often far more meaningful than words. It¡¯s a surprising change considering just how emotional she was at their first encounter back then. Alvorna, however, stepped closer, her emerald gaze narrowing.


    ¡°You¡¯re an idiot,¡± she said flatly. ¡°Do you know how much trouble you¡¯ve caused for yourself? For all of us?¡±


    Jihoon chuckled weakly, leaning back against the headboard. ¡°Good to see you too, Alvorna. And no, I don¡¯t think I know.¡±


    ¡°So you don¡¯t,¡± she snapped, crossing her arms. But Jihoon caught the briefest flicker of something softer in her expression. Concern, perhaps.


    ¡°Two days, huh?¡± Jihoon muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. His body felt unnervingly fine, as though his previous injuries were nothing but a distant memory. It was unnatural, he knew that much. The medical staff had been stunned by his recovery, and even he couldn¡¯t entirely explain it.


    Except, perhaps he could. Jihoon had a nagging suspicion that his miraculous healing wasn¡¯t due to Absence¡¯s advanced medical technology but the System¡¯s intervention itself. It wasn¡¯t unlike the progression fantasies he despised¡ªprotagonists never truly suffered crippling injuries or lasting consequences, no matter how absurd the battles they faced. They simply ¡°slept it off¡± and woke up ready for the next ordeal. Jihoon¡¯s recovery felt eerily similar, and though he loathed the thought, he chose not to mention it.


    She stepped forward, her wings folding neatly behind her, her presence a whirlwind of emotions he couldn¡¯t quite name. She looked at him with the intensity of someone who both understood and questioned the weight he bore. ¡°


    Jihoon,¡± Alvorna began, her voice steady yet tinged with an edge of vulnerability, as though a perfect storm is about to brew, ¡°are you insane, or just stubborn?¡±


    ¡°Maybe, it¡¯s a bit of both. Well, I¡¯m still alive. That¡¯s what counts, right?¡± Jihoon forced a smile, though he knew it didn¡¯t reach her eyes.


    Aquarius finally spoke, her voice calm but firm. ¡°Alive is an understatement. Do you even comprehend what you did during that trial? The entire city is talking about it. You¡¯re¡­ a spectacle now, Jihoon. And not just in Cicones.¡±


    ¡°Great,¡± Jihoon muttered, his tone laced with sarcasm. ¡°Exactly what I needed¡ªmore attention.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t get to brush this off,¡± Alvorna interjected, her tone sharp but lacking its usual edge. ¡°You destroyed a mountain path, unleashed something no one¡¯s seen outside of legends, and pushed yourself to the brink of death. Twice. All for what? Over a trial you didn¡¯t even need to win.¡±


    Jihoon looked at them all, each of their expressions like mirrors reflecting the storm inside him. He didn¡¯t have an immediate or perfect answer. Not for Karim¡¯s exasperation, not for Rosa¡¯s guilt, not for Aquarius¡¯s bewilderment, and certainly not for Alvorna¡¯s piercing question.


    He took a breath, sitting straighter, and let a small, wry smile tug at his lips.


    ¡°Worth it?¡± he echoed, meeting Alvorna¡¯s gaze. ¡°You tell me. I promised to bring you liberty and freedom to do what you desired, right? And what¡¯s the point of promises if they are intended to be broken so easily? How could I convince your mother, the Matriarch herself if I don¡¯t stand my ground no matter the force that stands between us? Because of you, I found something worth fighting for more than life itself¡±.


    Give her liberty, or give me death¡­


    Alvorna¡¯s eyes narrowed, but there was a glimmer of something in her emerald gaze¡ªapproval, perhaps? Or recognition?


    ¡°Reckless fool,¡± she said softly before turning away from him. Alone to herself as she ponders his response. His actions were reckless, certainly, but there was no denying the sincerity.


    ¡°That¡¯s a good rebuttal right there. I see that you learned something from the great old me.¡± Karim said, his usual self-assured smirk creeping back into his expression. Yet beneath the humor, there was a flicker of deeper understanding. He had seen another layer and aspect to Jihoon¡¯s resolve, one that worried him as much as it impressed him.


    But still¡­ from what it has been observed of Jihoon. One can easily tell just how much mental baggage he has been carrying since his arrival in Absence. Cicones would be just another one of long list of instances where that self-destructive obsession arise if they don¡¯t address it immediately.


    They all recognized the cracks in his psyche, even if Jihoon himself was too stubborn¡ªor too focused¡ªto acknowledge them.


    ¡°You know what, since there is still a little more time until the next trial commences. We are going to have that mind of yours relaxed whether you like it or not. The doctors and nurses said that your condition has miraculously stabilized to the point they could discharge you now although hesitate to do so because this is too much miracle for them even.¡± Karim said what has to be done. His concerns aren¡¯t out of nowhere either.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to Lotus-Eater Island,¡± Rosa chimed in as she pulled a colorful pamphlet seemingly out of nowhere. The glossy print displayed images of serene beaches, lush tropical forests, and luxurious hot springs that practically radiated relaxation.


    Jihoon blinked, the sheer contrast between the idea of a peaceful island retreat and the chaos he had just survived catching him off guard. ¡°Lotus-Eater Island?¡± he repeated skeptically. ¡°Is that seriously what it¡¯s called?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a resort,¡± Rosa explained with a teasing grin. ¡°Known for its restorative properties and unparalleled ability to help people let go of their worries. Just what you need.¡±


    ¡°Restorative?¡± Jihoon asked, his skepticism persisting. ¡°Sounds like you¡¯re planning to drug me into submission.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tempt me,¡± Rosa shot back, her tone light but her meaning clear. ¡°Seriously, Jihoon, we¡¯ve watched you push yourself to the brink. You¡¯re not invincible, no matter how much that obsession of yours might say otherwise. Take the time. Recover. Let your body¡ªand your mind¡ªcatch up.¡±


    Alvorna didn¡¯t comment further, though she didn¡¯t object either. Her silence was its own form of agreement. Jihoon, for all his reluctance, couldn¡¯t entirely argue with them.


    Few hours later, on a rented boat in which Karim did just to keep their profile a bit lower. Although from what Jihoon read on the recent news on the ether phone, it seems that his recent feat was still being debated and analyzed endlessly. People seemingly extract hours of contents just to reiterate and theorize on the footage of Lap 4 and his Mach speed to complete it in 3 minutes despite clear limitation. It¡¯s like he just gives the people endless homework to theorize about it for years or perhaps any visible long term.


    Of course, no one could possibly know about the System and Song Magic as he kept that to himself although Alvorna has a hunch because they were melodically attuned to one another. And thus invoked its power even if she thought it was just extension of her own magic. He didn¡¯t feel the need to correct that of course until he safely brought her back to his world.


    Setting the phone aside, he leaned against the railing, letting the cool sea breeze sweep over him. The question that had been lingering in his mind finally found its way out. ¡°So¡­ what exactly is Lotus-Eater Island? The name feels a little too on the nose.¡±


    Rosa, reclining nearby with her rose-gold harmonica close at hand, smirked at his curiosity. ¡°You really don¡¯t know? I thought you were the bookworm type,¡± she teased.


    Jihoon¡¯s brow furrowed as he mentally reviewed his recently upgraded INT 20. ¡°I know the name. It¡¯s from the Odyssey¡ªthe myth, I mean. An island where Odysseus and his crew got stranded. The people there ate these lotus fruits that were so delicious¡ªand, well, narcotic¡ªthey didn¡¯t want to leave. So why would you name a resort after something like that?¡±


    Rosa¡¯s smirk widened as she leaned forward. ¡°You¡¯re sharper than I thought. That¡¯s exactly where the name comes from. But here¡¯s the twist. The origin isn¡¯t from your homeland¡¯s mythology, as you might expect¡ªit¡¯s from Atria, the eastern part of Absence which you know as Land of Shadow.¡±


    Jihoon tilted his head. ¡°Atria? That¡¯s¡­ the land of the Youkai people, isn¡¯t it? The ones with all the Shadow Magic and¡ª¡±


    ¡°And a deep philosophical obsession with harmony and balance, yes,¡± Rosa cut in. ¡°The lotus flower you¡¯re thinking of¡ªthe one with the narcotic properties¡ªit was brought to this island by ancient Youkai settlers. They cultivated it and refined its uses, turning it into incense, oils, and yes, even fruits and brewed wine and tea. Over time, they developed methods to use the lotus for therapeutic purposes. Carefully controlled, of course.¡±


    Jihoon¡¯s skepticism didn¡¯t waver. ¡°Therapeutic purposes?¡±


    ¡°To help people relax, recover, and relive their most beautiful memories,¡± Rosa explained, her tone growing more serious. ¡°They even have therapy chambers operated by descendants of the original Youkai settlers. In those chambers, they use the lotus to help visitors reconnect with the best parts of their pasts. Of course, they¡¯re very careful with dosages to prevent addiction. The Atrians don¡¯t take their ideals of harmony lightly. Being an addict ruins body¡¯s balance which needs no further words to describe¡±


    Jihoon crossed his arms, leaning further into the railing. ¡°It still sounds dangerously abusable. How do they stop people from, you know, losing themselves?¡±


    Rosa shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s the beauty of Atria¡¯s philosophy, Jihoon. They emphasize balance above all else. If someone does lose themselves, it¡¯s usually because they themselves refuse to return to the real world¡ªnot because of the lotus itself.¡± She paused, glancing at him with a raised brow. ¡°You¡¯re not planning on resisting the therapy, are you?¡±


    Jihoon sighed, his gaze fixed on the horizon. ¡°I¡¯m not one to run away from reality, Rosa. But I¡¯m not exactly in the habit of reliving the past, either.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not some mind-warping illusion,¡± Rosa reassured him. ¡°It¡¯s a controlled environment. Think guided meditation but amplified with subtle sensory cues¡ªthe lotus¡¯s aroma, controlled lighting, and soundscapes. They create an atmosphere that helps people connect to their memories, feel at peace with them, and let go of lingering burdens.¡±


    The thought made Jihoon pause. A place where people could face their pasts, find solace in it, and perhaps even move forward¡­ It was ironic how fitting that sounded for someone like him, who had spent so much time running from¡ªor fighting against¡ªhis own memories.


    ¡°Sounds like it has its uses,¡± he admitted quietly, leaning against the boat¡¯s edge as the distant silhouette of the island began to appear on the horizon.


    ¡°Trust me,¡± Rosa said with a grin. ¡°You¡¯ll need this more than you realize. Just don¡¯t fight it, okay?¡±


    Her grin then softened into something more understanding. ¡°Sometimes, the past isn¡¯t about running away. It¡¯s about understanding why you keep moving forward.¡±


    By looking at one¡¯s past with undaunted clarity and embracing it, one gains the strength to build the future to their own image.


    Her words lingered in the air as the boat approached the island. Jihoon didn¡¯t respond, but he couldn¡¯t help feeling like he was about to learn something he hadn¡¯t yet been ready to face. He stared at her, skeptical but nonetheless intrigued.


    ¡°So you¡¯re telling me I¡¯m about to step into a narcotic paradise where I¡¯ll get to relive my happiest moments without overdosing?¡± Jihoon said.


    Rosa smirked. ¡°More like a carefully curated mental retreat. Trust me, it¡¯s exactly what you need after nearly turning your body into paste at Cicones.¡±


    Karim chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s a chance to stop being so stubborn and let yourself rest, even if it¡¯s only for a little while. Consider it part of your recovery plan.¡±


    Jihoon leaned back, his gaze drifting toward the horizon and their destination farther away.


    ¡°Reliving the past, huh¡­?¡± he murmured. He wasn¡¯t sure if that sounded like a dream or a nightmare.


    Karim smirked from his seat nearby, where he was sorting through his merchant¡¯s ledger. ¡°Trust or not, you¡¯ll go. If not for you, then for us. Someone has to keep that beautiful wreck of a mind from spiraling again, Jihoon.¡±


    Jihoon sighed but didn¡¯t argue further, the silhouette of Lotus-Eater Island growing larger on the horizon.

 Chapter 45: Lotus Land Story

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 45: Lotus Land Story


    After a little while later, they have arrived at the Lotus-Eater Island and the entirety of the resort is within his view as Jihoon took in the entirety of its appearance in his sight. From what he recalled from his previous visit of the Central Museum of Atria, it looked like if someone just haphazardly mixed various South Eastern cultures in his world together without regard of how they go together. But here, it seems that depiction before isn¡¯t too far off either.


    His eyes scanned the resort, chunks of distinct aesthetic and architecture clashing in a manner that both intrigued and disoriented him to no end.


    There¡¯s the pagoda right near island¡¯s central away in distance, with its sharp tiers and dragon motifs, looked like it had been lifted somewhere from ancient Chinese dynasties, while the stone torii gates that lined near this entrance felt unmistakably Japanese.


    His memory flashed back to his visit to Avanthal Central Culture Museum, where he¡¯d seen a similar mishmash of cultural depictions that, to him, seemed careless. Like an author go full pride and audacity to just write a stock Far Eastern that any fantasy world would have.


    ¡°Hopefully, it¡¯s better organized than my first impression of it.¡±


    The island was a vibrant tapestry of cultural inspirations, its architecture and landscapes pulling from a myriad of Eastern influences from his own world. The rooftops of pagodas, temples, and quaint inns were layered in vibrant tiles of jade and crimson, their edges curling skyward like mythical dragon tails. Bridges of delicate wood curved over koi-filled streams, and paper lanterns of every hue swayed gently in the breeze. Bamboo groves and neatly sculpted gardens framed the scenery,


    The vibrant gardens lining the walkways, with cherry blossoms, lotus ponds, and sprawling bamboo groves, shimmered under the warm light of East Southern Absence¡¯s ever-perfect weather. The soothing sound of water trickling through a series of elaborate fountains intertwined with the soft rustling of the trees. Even Jihoon had to admit that despite the chaotic combination.


    Despite standing amidst the lively yet tranquil beauty of the island, he grudgingly admitted that the fusion didn¡¯t feel as off-putting as he expected. If anything, the sheer harmony of the chaos was¡­ oddly impressive.


    As they walked through the entrance of the resort, a mix of curiosity and confusion gnawed at Jihoon¡¯s mind.


    ¡°So, uh¡­¡± Jihoon began, glancing at Karim, Rosa, Alvorna, and Aquarius, ¡°when did everyone agree that this was where my therapy should happen? I don¡¯t remember signing off on this.¡±


    Karim gave him a knowing grin, his hands clasped behind his back as they strolled. ¡°What, you thought we spent those two days just pacing around hospital halls like nervous relatives? Believe it or not, Jihoon, we do have lives outside of babysitting you.¡±


    Rosa snorted, nudging Jihoon lightly in the ribs. ¡°He¡¯s not wrong. You¡¯d be surprised how productive we can be when someone isn¡¯t busy trying to kill themselves for their ideals.¡±


    Alvorna stayed silent, her emerald eyes scanning the surroundings, though her expression was unreadable.


    Aquarius, walking beside Rosa, chimed in, her voice soft yet curious. ¡°You may not realize it, but you have people who care about you. Even if you can¡¯t always see it, Jihoon, you¡¯re not as alone as you think.¡±


    ¡°You keep putting yourself in these impossible situations. You act like you¡¯re the only one who can shoulder the burden, but you forget¡ªthere are people watching, worrying. People who want to help.¡± Rosa continued, her voice softening.


    Karim chimed in, his voice less sarcastic than usual. ¡°You¡¯re too self-centered to notice it, but that doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s not real.¡±


    The words struck a chord. Jihoon¡¯s gaze shifted toward the horizon, lost in thought. People who care¡­ The concept felt foreign even until now. Back in his world, there hadn¡¯t been anyone waiting for him after a tough day or checking if he was fine.


    Long before even the Gates opened and humanity¡¯s world began to collapse, he¡¯d learned to be self-sufficient, everyone else did the same. Everyone around him had their own problems, their own schedules. Survival wasn¡¯t a community effort but a solo performance. Surrounded by people he may be but lonely, it was the same for him and perhaps everyone else.


    As he let their words sink in, a small part of him bristled, instinctively rejecting the notion. But another part that he hadn¡¯t been allowed to surface in years wanted to believe in it.


    ¡°Well, don¡¯t expect me to suddenly turn into some sunshine and rainbows protagonist,¡± he muttered, a weak attempt to push back against the vulnerability creeping into his chest.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t dream of it,¡± Rosa quipped back with a smirk.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. None of us are asking for that.¡± Karim laughed, though his tone remained sincere.


    Jihoon looked ahead at the lotus ponds shimmering under the warm sun and sighed.


    ¡®Perhaps they¡¯re right about this, just letting things go, even if just for a moment¡¯


    They continued walking, the serene atmosphere of the island beginning to work its magic. Jihoon knew the therapy ahead would likely challenge him in ways he hadn¡¯t anticipated. But for now, he allowed himself to breathe, just once without the weight of the world pressing down on him.


    Now, it is about the schedule of what they will do now that they¡¯re at the Lotus-Eater Island. The first order of business whenever you visit an island is¡­ take a swim in its beach, duh!


    The group continued through the scenic pathways of the Lotus-Eater Island, and as they reached the resort¡¯s central plaza, Rosa held up a laminated itinerary. Jihoon blinked, half expecting it to be Karim¡¯s idea, but the wood elf merchant was already shaking his head with an amused expression.


    ¡°The first thing we¡¯re doing is¡ªwait for it¡ªtaking a swim in the pristine beach,¡± Rosa announced, pointing to the first item on the schedule.


    Jihoon raised an eyebrow, already skeptical. ¡°You¡¯re telling me you came to this place with its mystical lotus-themed therapy chambers just to plan a day at the beach?¡±


    Rosa smirked. ¡°You¡¯ve been through hell, Jihoon. If you think we¡¯re letting you dive straight into more mind-bending nonsense without taking a breather first, you¡¯ve got another thing coming.¡±


    Karim chuckled, leaning on the closest support pillar of the plaza, maintaining his appearance to appear as charming and mystique as befitting of his profession. ¡°A clear mind and positive spirit are worth plenty on their own, you know. And besides, what¡¯s the point of visiting a paradise island if you don¡¯t enjoy the actual paradise part?¡±


    Jihoon sighed, though a small smile tugged at his lips. He couldn¡¯t argue with the logic, even if the idea of lounging around felt unnatural.


    Rosa continued, holding the itinerary like a battle plan. ¡°After the beach, we¡¯re hitting the resort¡¯s main garden for lunch. I¡¯ve already reserved a table¡ªdon¡¯t ask me how I convinced them, but I did.¡±


    She¡¯s the goddamn CEO/heiress of Magni Conglomeration, one of the largest industrial conglomerations in the entirety of Absence, she doesn¡¯t need to pull strings to get a seat, her presence alone demands that, which anyone finds is a complete no-brainer itself. Even just this entirety island¡¯s daily upkeep cost is penny pinch for her.


    Rosa flipped the itinerary. ¡°At the end of the day, you will be doing the full Lotus Chamber therapy session. Apparently, it¡¯s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Tailored lotus oils, immersive sensory relaxation, guided introspection¡ªthe works are numerous.¡±


    Jihoon tilted his head. ¡°Sounds suspiciously like an excuse to make me sit still for hours.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Rosa shot back without missing a beat. ¡°But you¡¯ll thank me when your mind isn¡¯t running laps around itself by the end of it. Or going through another bout of self-destructive behaviors or saving the world alone.¡±


    Karim added with a sly grin, ¡°If until then that you don¡¯t mellow out, we¡¯ve got evening tea at the cliffside pavilion with a sunset view.¡±


    Jihoon groaned, though his protest was half-hearted. ¡°You really planned all this just to make sure I don¡¯t think about anything serious for a day?¡±


    ¡°Correct,¡± Rosa, Alvorna, Aquarius and Karim said in unison. They¡¯re clearly have plenty of concern for him to go this far.


    Aquarius chimed in, her voice melodic and playful. ¡°It¡¯s about time you learned how to let go, Jihoon. Just for a day.¡±


    ¡°We had to pull more strings than I¡¯d care to admit to get you into the therapy chamber at the end of the day. Even with Alvorna and me pulling rank, this place is absurdly in-demand. We¡¯re talking about the Daughter of Matriarch and the heiress to the Magni Conglomerate¡±


    Alvorna folded her arms, her usual cool demeanor intact. ¡°You¡¯re lucky we even managed this much. Take advantage of it.¡±


    Jihoon looked at the group, their determined faces leaving him no room for debate. He exhaled, a mix of resignation and amusement. ¡°Fine. Lead the way, I guess.¡±


    With that, the group set off toward the beach, ready to kick off a day of carefully crafted relaxation. Despite his usual resistance to the idea of leisure due to just how screwed up his life had become, couldn¡¯t deny the faint hope that maybe, just maybe, this was exactly what he needed.


    Well, Jihoon didn¡¯t exactly bring swimwear amongst his Hunter¡¯s survival gear, so they have to purchase one here. He come to Absence not even knowing in the slightest what its world be like, let alone thinking that he will have a leisure beach episode at all.


    As the group stop by the nearest swimwear shop they found, Jihoon just chose another usual swim trunk that the shop hung like hundreds of them. For male category, they looked as much as what he expected of male swimwears in his world. But when it comes to female however, just the sheer diversity of designs almost felt overwhelming as though one came to the beach for fashion runway instead of actually swimming.


    And he would not have it in any other way because he would truly die of embarrassment if he tried to wear any of that.


    Having changed into his simple swim trunks, Jihoon stepped onto the sun-drenched sand, the waves rolling gently against the shore. The sound of the ocean filled the air, serene and unbroken except for the occasional call of a distant seabird. He took a deep breath, letting the salty air fill his lungs.


    It had been so long since he¡¯d last been to a beach. Back in his world, any popular spot was riddled with trash, overcrowded with people, and only a shadow of what beaches once were. And after the Gates arrived, the sea became a restricted zone, overrun by seaborne monsters that turned what should have been a source of beauty and peace into another battleground and unreclaimable no man¡¯s land.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    The sight before him now¡ªa pristine beach untouched by pollution or danger¡ªwas almost alien. He stood frozen for a moment, overwhelmed by a mix of nostalgia and personal disbelief.


    Beside him, Karim stretched with a satisfied groan, already having changed into his swim trunks, which were just as unassuming as Jihoon¡¯s. ¡°Ah, nothing beats a good beach day. You¡¯ve got to relax, Jihoon. Let the water wash all that stress away.¡±


    Jihoon gave a distracted nod, his gaze fixed on the horizon. But then, his thoughts took a sharp turn, and his face reddened as he remembered something else. The other girls were still changing into their swimwear, and the sheer thought of what they might emerge wearing froze him stiff knowing female swimwear fashion of this world. His ears burned as he tried¡ªand failed¡ªnot to think about it.


    Karim noticed immediately, a mischievous smirk forming on his lips. ¡°Oi, what¡¯s got you looking like a steamed lobster, huh?¡± he teased, nudging Jihoon with his elbow. ¡°You embarrassed? Come on, you¡¯ve got a fine physique! The girls are probably going to be drooling over you. If anything, you should be proud!¡±


    Karim threw his head back and laughed, thoroughly enjoying Jihoon¡¯s discomfort. ¡°Oh, come on, live a little, Jihoon! You¡¯re on a beach with friends! Loosen up! Or are you just afraid of how you¡¯ll react when the girls show up?¡±


    Jihoon glared back but that did little as Karim burst out laughing even louder before slapping Jihoon on the back.


    ¡°Relax, Jihoon! You¡¯re way too easy to fluster. You should enjoy the attention when it comes. It builds character, like it did me.¡±


    Jihoon groaned, burying his face in his hands. Yet given enough time, Jihoon couldn¡¯t help but let out a small and begrudging chuckle at his own. The tension eased just a bit as he looked at the peaceful wave once again, he indeed felt that perhaps, things would indeed be fine.


    ¡°Jihoon! Over here!¡± A familiar voice spoke to him which he recognized without fail.


    As Jihoon turned around to see where it came from. It was Alvorna who descended in front of him, wearing a large sun hat with a pure white sundress which conceal the bikini swimwear of same color underneath. Despite what appears as modest is accentuating the appeal of her graceful and enchanting appearance.


    The long dark vanilla hair of her billowing in the wind in wavy cascade, the eyes of emerald stand out prominently as though constantly sparkling of curiosity and captivation. The closed large bird-like wings of same hue adding an otherworldly and mystical quality to her appearance.


    ¡°How do you like what you see, Jihoon?¡±. Alvorna said as though this get-up of her is decided solely just for his view.


    Jihoon froze, his mind scrambling to find the right words. ¡°I¡ªuh¡ªit looks¡­¡± He struggled, his voice trailing off as his gaze darted between Alvorna¡¯s sparkling emerald eyes and the pristine white of her sundress. ¡°It suits you¡­ very well.¡±


    Karim, standing nearby, couldn¡¯t suppress his groan. Before Jihoon could react, the elf delivered a firm smack to the back of his head. ¡°That¡¯s the best you can do? Really? Show some real honesty, you idiot!¡± Karim barked, his tone equal parts amused and exasperated.


    Jihoon winced, rubbing the back of his head and shooting Karim a glare. ¡°I was being honest!¡±


    Alvorna¡¯s gaze flicked between the two, her expression unreadable. ¡°It seems someone here has trouble expressing themselves,¡± she said, her voice light but tinged with amusement.


    Karim sighed dramatically, placing a hand on his chest as if enduring a great burden. He truly wished the best for the two of them, but that dishonest behavior of Jihoon landed both of them in hot water so many times that he surprised that this crazy venture of theirs haven¡¯t triggered the alarm of the Matriarch of the Harpies.


    ¡°Alvorna, your style is exquisite,¡± he said smoothly, bowing slightly. ¡°A perfect balance of elegance and allure. Truly, a vision worthy of poetry.¡±


    Alvorna chuckled softly, but her focus returned to Jihoon, who stood awkwardly, his face redder than the setting sun. This is the same man who wrought havoc across the first trail of the Odyssey in Lap 4.


    ¡°I¡­ uh¡­¡± Jihoon stammered again before finally summoning his courage, something that felt more difficult than him facing a real insurmountable threat for some reasons but¡­


    ¡°You look¡­ stunning, Alvorna. Absolutely beautiful.¡± The words came out quieter than he intended, but they were heartfelt nontheless.


    Her expression softened, the faintest hint of pink dusting her cheeks. ¡°Thank you, Jihoon.¡±


    Unbeknownst to Jihoon, this moment held a deeper meaning for her. For someone like Alvorna, who grew up in a society of all-female Harpies, the concept of intimacy and appealing to the opposite sex was foreign territory. To the Harpies, they themselves were the prize that any man worth his salt can stood side-by-side with their grace.


    Alvorna once again stood differently as every detail of her appearance¡ªthe sundress, the hat, even the careful way she carried herself¡ªwas an earnest, albeit fumbling, attempt to bridge that gap and show a side of herself she¡¯d never revealed to anyone before.


    It wasn¡¯t perfect, but it was genuine. And it struck something within Jihoon¡ªa realization that despite everything, despite how much he had doubted himself, someone had gone to such lengths for him. For someone who had long resigned himself to thinking he¡¯d never get far in relationships, this sincerity left a mark deeper than words could express.


    ¡°Well,¡± Karim interjected with a smirk, stepping slightly away from Jihoon. ¡°I¡¯ll just leave you two to bask in the awkward romance. Try not to get me in trouble again, Jihoon.¡±


    ¡°Wha¡ª! That¡¯s not¡ª!¡± Jihoon started, but Alvorna simply smiled, the sparkle in her eyes brighter than ever.


    As this moment of intimacy lasted for a few seconds, another certain someone finally arrived. Now that he remembered it, he recalled why he felt so anxious in just a beach trip to begin with. And the culprit was¡­


    ¡°Alvorna! How dare you leave me behind like that!?¡± Rosa¡¯s voice rang out, accompanied by the dramatic flourish of her rose-gold twin tails billowing in the breeze.


    Jihoon¡¯s gaze was involuntarily drawn to her choice of swimwear¡ªor lack thereof.


    Rosa who comes in her own extremely extravagant swimwear that seems to cover absolutely nothing meaningful. The black string bikini crisscross across her body barely holding onto her absurdly disproportionate body distribution in place without snapping. She was already shorter than her fellow compatriots here and all the mass concentrated at her chest makes Rosa¡¯s petite stature only made the concentrated effect of her form more pronounced.


    Jihoon¡¯s mind blanked as he struggled to find an appropriate response. Her presence felt almost unreal, like a caricature of an ideal that teetered precariously on the edge of taste but somehow stayed just within bounds.


    The only other saving grace is the black translucent cloth wrapped around her lower body added a faint hint of modesty, but it did nothing to mitigate the overwhelming presence of her exposed figure.


    If one has the words to summarize. The heiress herself is a bombshell packing with nuclear ballistic. Too much payload even if one can say.


    If Jihoon had thought he was flushed before, this was another level entirely. His face burned so fiercely it felt as though steam might erupt from his ears at any moment. His eyes darted around frantically, anywhere but at Rosa herself, yet his traitorous brain refused to let him ignore the sheer audacity of her outfit.


    Aside from her body, the very long rose-gold twintail flutters with the sea breeze as her hair is decorated with a tropical red flower that felt familiar but couldn¡¯t tell which exactly. Her entire appearance right now is screaming a reference that Jihoon certain that it flew over his head entirely.


    This whole thing came from the dignity and pride that all the dwarves have. They kept to their word, hold any slight and gratitude with said respective. And most importantly, the length they will go to fulfill any promise on their part which makes anything that they had a hand in making far surpass others in quality. This extends to not only just craftsmanship but every facet of their life and interaction with others.


    In short, Rosa dressed like this, just for him. And he genuinely has no words to even describe the complicated feelings which go through his mind right now seeing her like this. It was somewhat bearable seeing her in usual business clothing but seeing it exposed and accentuated felt like his soul was going to leave his own body.


    ¡°Well?¡± Rosa said, hands on her hips, leaning slightly forward as she gazed at Jihoon with a pointed smirk without a shred of shame. ¡°What do you think? Do I look good or what?¡±


    Jihoon stammered incoherently, his mind spiraling into chaos.


    ¡°I-I mean¡ªy-you look¡ªuh, it¡¯s just¡ª¡± Words failed him entirely, his brain short-circuiting just to try to get out a proper response. He may stand invincible in the battlefield but fumbling entirely in the court of the heart.


    Alvorna, standing calmly beside him, watched the scene with a raised brow and an expression of faint amusement. If she felt any embarrassment seeing Rosa dressed so provocatively, she didn¡¯t show it. Instead, she seemed more entertained by Jihoon¡¯s obvious discomfort.


    If it weren¡¯t for the fact that this part of the beach is reserved solely for them, even other bystanders would just collapse seeing her. Karim took a long deep breath for even that is pushing him to his own limit of prudence to not lose his calm.


    ¡°It seems that our CEO comes equipped with ballistic herself. You certainly do know how to make an entrance. I¡¯ll give you that.¡±. Karim makes his comment while avoiding the matter of her physique altogether.


    ¡°I think I¡¯ll leave Jihoon to handle this one. You¡¯re on your own, buddy.¡± Then without words of warning, he turned on his heel to leave Jihoon alone to deal with the matter himself.


    ¡°Wait, what!?¡± Jihoon yelped, spinning around to glare at Karim, who was already walking away with an exaggerated whistle. Evidently, not even he with the charisma of a merchant is willing to stood between Jihoon and the heiress of an industrial giant.


    Rosa¡¯s smirk widened, her confidence unshaken as she stepped closer to Jihoon. Her eyes of rose quartz sparkled with mischief. ¡°Oh, come on, Jihoon. You¡¯re not going to make a girl like me wait for a compliment, are you?¡±


    Jihoon¡¯s heart hasten as though he is truly in a matter of life and death. Even trying to find the right words felt like a sword of Damocles hanging above him. And in the end, with what little of his own knowledge romance that he can muster, the end result is¡­


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­ stunning,¡± he finally managed to blurt out, his voice barely above a whisper after all of that thinking.


    Rosa¡¯s expression softened for a brief moment before the teasing smirk returned.


    ¡°I know,¡± she said lightly, twirling her twintail¡¯s end. ¡°But it¡¯s nice to hear you say it.¡±


    Jihoon tried to muster any semblance of composure, but his thoughts were a jumbled mess of embarrassment, awe, and many things he couldn¡¯t quite define. He couldn¡¯t deny the effort Rosa had put into this, and somewhere deep down, he appreciated it¡ªeven if it felt like his soul might leave his body in the process.


    He glanced briefly toward Alvorna, hoping for some kind of rescue, but she merely shrugged, as if to say, ¡®This is your problem.¡¯ With all honesty, he thought she would be a lot more jealous knowing his own experience, and the imaginary audience observing his story as though his life a stage.


    Jihoon let out a shaky breath, resigning himself to his fate. It was going to be a long day for sure.


    Surprisingly enough, he soon recalled someone he missed entirely. And that was Aquarius, the Merfolk Princess herself.


    The day unfolded with a series of beachside activities that, while intended to relax Jihoon, instead turned into an endless cycle of chaotic yet memorable mishaps.


    First up was beach volleyball, an idea proposed by Alvorna. Jihoon thought it would be a harmless way to ease into the day, but he¡¯d severely underestimated just how competitive Alvorna could be. With her wings folded back and her emerald eyes gleaming with determination, she launched herself into the game with a fervor that bordered on terrifying.


    Jihoon set the ball lightly toward her side of the net, thinking to keep things friendly. Alvorna responded with a spike so powerful it sounded like a gunshot, the ball narrowly missing him and embedding itself into the sand like a meteor.


    ¡°Uh¡­ maybe dial it back a little?¡± Jihoon ventured, brushing sand off his face as he stared at the crater where the ball had landed.


    Alvorna crossed her arms, a smirk playing on her lips. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Jihoon? Can¡¯t handle a little enthusiasm?¡±


    He gave her a look, mentally swearing to himself to never let her near a competitive sport again. Even if he could measure up to her as equal, she would become his obituary if she kept going like that.


    Next was a swimming contest with Aquarius, who, unsurprisingly, hadn¡¯t changed out of her usual sailor dress. When Jihoon hesitated, wondering how she planned to swim in that outfit, Aquarius waved off his concerns. ¡°Merfolk clothing is technically swimwear. Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got, land-dweller!¡±


    Jihoon didn¡¯t know why he agreed to this. Competing against a merfolk in the water was an inherently bad idea, but he found himself roped into the challenge anyway. As expected, it was over before it even began. Jihoon barely made it halfway to the finish line by the time Aquarius completed the lap, her effortless grace in the water making his strokes which despite being trained as a Hunter look laughable.


    By the time he reached the shore again, panting and dripping, Aquarius greeted him with a bright smile. ¡°Good effort, Jihoon! Maybe next time, you¡¯ll¡­ oh, wait. Never mind,¡± she teased, giggling at his incredulous expression.


    Then came building sandcastles with Rosa. Jihoon managed to shape a small mound of sand into something that vaguely resembled a castle. It wasn¡¯t much, but he felt a flicker of pride in his modest creation.


    Rosa, however, took the activity to an entirely different level. Fueled by her dwarven pride, she crafted a sandcastle so intricate it looked like something out of a fantasy novel. Complete with battlements, towers, and even a functioning drawbridge made of woven reeds, her sandcastle was a literal fortress despite only an hour having passed.


    ¡°You can even go inside,¡± she said smugly, gesturing to the doorway. Jihoon peeked inside, half-expecting to find a sand throne.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll admit it,¡± he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. ¡°You win this one, Rosa. Hands down.¡±


    Finally, there was fishing with Karim. Compared to the whirlwind of previous activities, it was refreshingly calm. The two sat side by side on a small pier, their fishing lines cast into the gentle waves. For once, there were no explosions, no contests of strength, and no overly ambitious sand structures.


    ¡°This,¡± Jihoon said, exhaling deeply, ¡°is normal. I like normal.¡±


    Karim chuckled, reeling in a small fish. ¡°You say that now, but knowing you, Jihoon, chaos will find its way back before the day is done.¡±


    Jihoon grinned faintly, his body finally starting to relax as the sun reaching high-point in the sky. Perhaps Karim was right, but for now, he was content to enjoy the fleeting tranquility.

 Chapter 46: SPIKA - Rebirth

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 46: SPIKA ¨C Rebirth


    Noon soon arrived and so too was the end of their scheduled beach time. After cleaning themselves up after their beachside activities, Jihoon felt his own stomach¡¯s growling and decided that it was probably a good time for lunch if nothing else.


    The trip itself isn¡¯t too eventful. As they walked the route toward the restaurant where they reserved their table, Jihoon took the moment to look at the surrounding scenery around. Surprisingly, there just seems to be no end to new things to be sightseeing with each step.


    Like a tapestry of ever-changing scenery, each step revealing a new facet of the island¡¯s charm. Vibrant gardens filled with exotic, multicolored flowers that shimmered as though kissed by morning dew stretched along the path. The air carried a subtle sweetness, a mix of salt from the sea and the faint floral notes of the famed lotus blossoms that seemed to linger everywhere.


    The gentle rustle of bamboo in the breeze added a layer of tranquility, and the occasional ripple from a playful fish or a distant bird¡¯s chirp filled the silence with life. Every corner they turned felt deliberately designed to captivate and enchant, as though the island itself whispered promises of peace and wonder.


    Jihoon himself couldn¡¯t help but feel the pull of it all. He¡¯d been to scenic places in his world before, but they lacked the deliberate care and mystical aura that the Lotus-Eater Island exuded. It was as if the environment was alive, adapting to draw people in, to make them feel at home in its embrace.


    Even without experiencing the acclaimed lotus of this land, tourists would find it difficult to leave this place without some unrequited feelings within. Living up to that namesake of this enchanting island in a way.


    ¡®It¡¯s almost unfair,¡¯ Jihoon thought, his gaze lingering on a cascading waterfall that sparkled like liquid crystal as they cross the ornate bridge over its stream. ¡®They don¡¯t even need the lotus flowers to work their magic. This place already has a grip on your heart before you even realize it.¡¯


    Just as he let his focus wander all over the scenery, they have just arrived at their destination without him even remotely aware in the slightest.


    ¡°We¡¯re here¡± Karim said as Jihoon has to collide with one of them just to snap out of the reverie.


    ¡°Hey! Watch where you¡¯re going¡±. Rosa said as he accidentally collided with her.


    If it was any other dwarf, hell would have been raised by just how much they take any slight against them seriously. But¡­ since it was between Rosa and Jihoon, she just interjected with a tsundere-ish ¡®hmph¡¯ instead which spoke of how much she valued him beyond measurement of merit itself.


    He had no idea how much this relation just saved him.


    ¡°Immortal¡¯s Dream,¡± Karim announced with a small flourish, gesturing toward the elegant wooden sign above the entrance.


    The name was carved into dark, polished wood with inlaid golden lettering that glimmered softly in the sunlight. The establishment itself exuded an understated opulence, its architecture blending seamlessly with the serene beauty of the island. The open-air design allowed a gentle sea breeze to flow through, carrying with it the scent of the nearby lotus gardens. Along with an unobstructed access view to the sea for those to see.


    Jihoon glanced at the restaurant, then at Karim. ¡°This doesn¡¯t look like your run-of-the-mill eatery. You¡¯re telling me this is where we¡¯re having lunch?¡±


    Karim grinned with the usual trademark smirk of his. ¡°You¡¯ve got that right. This isn¡¯t just any restaurant. This is Immortal¡¯s Dream, one of the best dining establishments in the entire Calphennis region. Some even say it¡¯s one of the hidden gems of Southern Absence itself.¡±


    Jihoon raised an eyebrow skeptically. ¡°Best in the region? Then why isn¡¯t it swarming with people? A place this good would have lines around the block.¡±


    The wood elf chuckled, the knowing glint of a seasoned merchant in his eyes.


    ¡°That¡¯s the beauty of it. Immortal¡¯s Dream doesn¡¯t advertise, not in the usual sense. It¡¯s a hidden treasure, something of a well-kept secret. Only those in the know ever make their way here. Exclusivity breeds intrigue, and intrigue makes a name far more valuable than any flashy advertisement ever could. It¡¯s a lesson you¡¯d do well to remember.¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯re saying it¡¯s one of those places where word of mouth does all the heavy lifting?¡± Jihoon said as he glanced around at the peaceful setting, noting how the lack of crowds only added to the establishment¡¯s allure.


    ¡°Exactly. It¡¯s a niche within a niche¡ªhigh-quality food, impeccable atmosphere, and a clientele who value discretion. As a merchant worth his salt, I keep tabs on places like this. The ones that people whisper about but never shout. And today, my dear Jihoon, we¡¯re here to enjoy the fruits of that knowledge.¡± Karim said as he gave Jihoon a satisfied nod.


    Jihoon glanced back at the restaurant, feeling his curiosity piqued. He couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of anticipation. After all, no one knows the places of Absence like its merchants do.


    As they enter and make themselves comfortable, the atmosphere once again designed for relaxation. There are separate rooms with own interior design if the customers prefer which is reasonable given that Lotus-Eater Island is a relaxation resort. In the end, they chose the Eastern-design personal dining room.


    Jihoon¡¯s eyes scanned the menu, his curiosity sharpening as he explored the various offerings. The list was a fusion of dishes, many of which were tantalizingly familiar, drawn from the Eastern cultures of his world. With all honesty, if it weren¡¯t for that similarity, his adaptation phase would have gone unimaginably longer.


    Amidst the array of options, one particular line of text caught his attention: "Kimchi Spicy Noodle."


    He paused, staring at the words as though they were a bridge to a forgotten part of himself. Despite the chaotic amalgamation of Absence''s cultural tapestry, this dish seemed to have survived that journey intact.


    ¡°Well, what¡¯s the hold-up?¡± Karim leaned over with a teasing grin. ¡°The longer you take, the harder it is for the rest of us to order.¡±


    Rosa gave an exaggerated sigh, leaning her chin on her hand. ¡°It¡¯s not like it¡¯s coming out of your pocket, Jihoon. Just pick already. I swear you overthink everything.¡±


    Jihoon chuckled nervously, his gaze still locked on the menu. ¡°Alright, alright. I¡¯ll have the Kimchi Spicy Noodle.¡±


    Despite the encouragement, placing the order felt strangely arduous. As though the choice itself carried an inexplicable weight, Jihoon hesitated for a heartbeat before finally confirming it with the waiter.


    When the dish arrived, its piping hot aroma wafting up in a comforting wave, Jihoon felt an unusual pang deep in his chest. The vibrant colors of the dish¡ªred broth flecked with spices, thinly sliced kimchi, and noodles perfectly curled¡ªdrew him in with an almost hypnotic pull. He lifted the chopsticks with a hand that trembled slightly and finally took his first bite of it.


    The spice hit his tongue like a familiar melody, and suddenly, an overwhelming sensation of emptiness welled up within him. His heart clenched as he realized why he had felt so uneasy during the wait.


    When was the last time he had eaten something like this properly in his world?


    The answer eluded him, buried beneath a decade of chaos and survival following the Gate disasters. Yet, within his mind, the taste stirred something forgotten¡ªa flicker of a life he¡¯d once had, before it was all taken away.


    The dining room melted away, and he found himself seated in a far simpler restaurant with all the colors turned sepia. The faint hum of conversation buzzed around him. The dish before him looked almost identical, steaming and fragrant. Around the table sat shadowy phantoms¡ªpeople he knew he should recognize, yet all their appearances were shrouded in impenetrable darkness and featureless.


    It was his past coworkers. The Arisen Studio days that he had lived.


    The name alone sent a jolt through him. He had laughed with these people, worked late nights alongside them, shared meals in places just like this. How had those memories been buried so deeply, left untouched for so long? Jihoon clenched his fists, his chopsticks trembling as the scene in his mind began to fray at the edges.


    It shouldn¡¯t have been like this. How could he have forgotten their faces?


    ¡°Listen here, everyone. This is on me since we have once again completed another contract with a big subsidiary. I¡¯m certain that one day that the name of our studio will be spoken and heard as our work verify our standing¡±. The large shadowy figure spoke clearly yet as the shadow clung so deeply that he just can¡¯t grasp at who was it behind said demeanor.


    The surrounding phantoms cheered while he as though alienated. All until he noticed one just nearby him that isn¡¯t shrouded in darkness.


    Jin Sarae¡­ his old friend, his junior. One that he slain with his own hand when they met once again after that painful decade that the Gates have wrought upon their lives. As though that painful 10 years that has yet to happen, Jin still exudes that brilliant optimism and wisdom ahead of ages.


    ¡°Hyung,¡± Jin¡¯s voice called out, breaking through Jihoon¡¯s spiraling thoughts like sunlight piercing a stormy sky. His tone was vibrant, filled with the youthful energy Jihoon remembered so well that it became painful to hear again now.


    ¡°You¡¯re staring off into space again. What¡¯s on your mind?¡±


    Jihoon froze, his grip on the chopsticks tightening. This wasn¡¯t right. This wasn¡¯t how memories worked. Jin wasn¡¯t supposed to notice him like this¡ªwasn¡¯t supposed to act. Memories were static, immutable. But Jin¡­ it was as though Jin was alive in this memory.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been amazing, you know that, right?¡± Jin¡¯s voice carried that earnest tone he always used whenever Jihoon had trouble accepting a compliment. ¡°Taking me under your wing, showing me the ropes¡­ I couldn¡¯t have made it without you.¡±


    Each word was like a dagger in Jihoon¡¯s heart. The weight of Jin¡¯s death bore down on him, the image of their final confrontation bleeding into the memory like ink spreading on paper.


    He remembered it vividly¡­ The ruined courthouse bathed in twilight, Jin¡¯s peaceful expression after finally being released from the burden that has weighed him since the Gates. The cursed firearm that was his only livelihood and utter damnation lay motionless as Jihoon deflected its final, cursed shot back into its firer with the same decayed halberd that he is using now.


    He clenched his fists, his chopsticks as though nearly snapping in his hands. The memory wavered under the weight of his turmoil, but Jin¡¯s voice cut through again.


    ¡°Hyung¡­¡± Jin¡¯s expression softened as if sensing Jihoon¡¯s pain. ¡°You¡¯ve always been like this, haven¡¯t you? Carrying everything on your shoulders, blaming yourself for things you couldn¡¯t control.¡± Jin leaned forward, his gaze piercing. ¡°You don¡¯t have to keep doing this. You don¡¯t have to keep punishing yourself.¡±


    Jihoon¡¯s breath hitched. It was uncanny¡ªthis wasn¡¯t how memories worked. Yet Jin¡¯s words struck with pinpoint precision, like he had reached through the fabric of time itself to comfort Jihoon in his despair.


    ¡°You know what I¡¯d say if I were here, right?¡± Jin continued, a teasing glint in his eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t get so wrapped up in your failures that you forget to look at what you¡¯ve achieved. You¡¯ve done so much, Hyung. More than anyone could have asked for.¡±


    Jihoon¡¯s throat tightened. ¡°But¡­ I killed you,¡± he whispered, his voice trembling. His confession go unheard of the phantoms around.


    Jin smiled, his expression filled with a kindness that Jihoon didn¡¯t deserve. ¡°And I¡¯d still tell you that wasn¡¯t your fault. It was the Gates. It was the world that broke us. Because of circumstances beyond any of our control¡±.


    Much as he wished to just stretch out a hand to keep this remembrance longer. He knew deep down already the futility of it all, he had gone through this already when he prepared for the Maestro title of this world.


    ¡°Just live strong, for all of us who couldn¡¯t see find the light ahead.¡±


    Jihoon sat there, the weight of the forgotten memory pressing down on him, but something else stirred in its place. A fragile sense of resolve. His words, even if they were nothing more than a fragment of his imagination, resonated deeply without a doubt.


    Perhaps, it was another reminder in a long while in this journey, Jihoon allowed himself to believe that moving forward wasn¡¯t just an obligation. It was something he has to do. For Jin. For Alvorna. For himself.


    Jin then continues to his spicy noodle with a smile on his face as though the remembrance returning to how it should. Surrounded by people who shared a passion of music as they spent the moments together.


    The taste hasn¡¯t changed and yet, he probably understands why the substance felt different now.


    ¡°Jihoon, are you alright?¡± A familiar voice brought him out of the remembrance as the world around returned to normal.


    The dining room of the Immortal¡¯s Dream came into focus once more, vibrant and real. He blinked, disoriented, his gaze darting to his companions, who were all staring at him with varying degrees of concern.


    Then he noticed something else. His bowl of spicy kimchi noodles was empty. The realization hit him like a jolt as he didn¡¯t even remember finishing it.


    And then, Jihoon realized the reason for their concern. His face was wet, tears streaming down without his notice. His chest felt heavy, as if he had been holding his breath for years and had only just exhaled.


    When he realized what¡¯s going on, everyone was giving him that strange look on their expression. Jihoon¡¯s gaze turned toward the noodle bowl that was empty from when he didn¡¯t even know. And he finally noticed that he was crying. He must have been looking rather pathetic and they were concerned with his wellbeing.


    The silence stretched uncomfortably. Rosa opened her mouth, looking ready to speak, but hesitated. Alvorna¡¯s emerald eyes studied him intently, as if trying to piece together a puzzle she couldn¡¯t quite solve. Aquarius turned her look away from Jihoon as though his current state reminded her too much of her own before she met him. Even Karim, who could usually find humor in any situation, seemed uncharacteristically quiet with that penetrating gaze.


    Jihoon quickly wiped his face with the back of his hand, a hot flush of embarrassment rising to his cheeks.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m fine,¡± he said, though his voice cracked slightly. He forced a weak chuckle, trying to downplay the moment. ¡°Must¡¯ve been the spice. Really hits harder than I thought.¡±


    All that embarrassment compounded and suddenly the lotus chamber therapy just couldn¡¯t come soon enough for him.


    After that awkward situation arises and passes. Their destination for the time being is the large inn at the highest point of the island. Named ¡®Perfect Cherry Blossom¡¯;


    Jihoon could already make out the faint outline of its architecture¡ªa blend of traditional elegance and contemporary functionality, nestled beneath a canopy of ever-blooming cherry blossoms.


    Supposedly, this inn was renowned not just for its breathtaking views but also for its teahouse, said to be one of the best in all of Southern Absence region. The cherry blossoms surrounding the inn were meticulously cultivated to bloom year-round, creating a dreamlike scene that drew visitors from far and wide.


    ¡°It seems like it¡¯s still going to be a considerably long journey on foot though. It¡¯s awful that we¡¯re not even allowed to use our own magic to arrive faster.¡±. Jihoon said as he looked at the destination within his view.


    Karim gestured toward the path ahead, his merchant instincts always observant. ¡°Well, think of it as part of the experience. You won¡¯t find another inn like this, even in Absence. Besides, the journey is part of the charm, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    In Absence, personal magic was an everyday reality for everyone, yet its usage is forbidden within certain areas. Like this resort, or any place of civilization for that matter without proper authorization. That part is enforced by the Harpies themselves in the Absence¡¯s code of law so that one doesn¡¯t simply just use destructive power when it convenient in the matter.


    Imagine every citizen armed with unremovable weapons ranging from small arms to nuclear weapons, it would easily be a nightmare for any attempt of civilization for that matter.


    Actually¡­ that was already reality in his world.


    The restriction wasn¡¯t arbitrary either as Jihoon had already picked upon about Absence¡¯s enforcement of its laws, particularly by the Harpies, whose vigilant presence ensured compliance.


    By comparison to what his world become, Absence¡¯s balance of power and regulation seemed almost utopian¡ªif one ignored the implicit threat that came with the Harpies¡¯ watchful eyes. Then again, it doesn¡¯t try to be utopia when even its current state is better than his world¡¯s best.


    Jihoon raised an eyebrow but decided not to comment further. He glanced at Rosa, who seemed more preoccupied with fiddling with her rose-gold twintails than worrying about the trek. Aquarius who basically has no change in usual routine since she used her own Water Magic to lift herself in the air, it¡¯s one of the few exemptions of the law for certain someones.


    The others seemed unfazed by the prospect, and he didn¡¯t want to be the one to complain. They had a long way to go, but at least the scenery along the way promised to be worth it. With a resigned sigh, Jihoon adjusted the strap of his Hunter bag and belonging and prepared himself for the climb.


    And yet as they walk, his mind still sometimes turns inward to that reminiscence and the feeling within. It brought him back to the first day of his arrival in this world, when he first met Karim, and how struggled with his self-value and identity when he tried to reconcile with his broken identity, and the trauma of the past 10 years during preparation for the audition.


    And in his mind, the familiar melody played as he then hummed it. The same song, that brought him instantly to the title of Maestro for how profound its composition was.


    Eb_F_Gb_Ab+ Bb+~~| Eb_F_Gb_Ab+ Bb+~~|


    The fastest to Maestro title in entirety of Absence¡¯s academic history. The song¡¯s name is¡­


    Bb+ Eb+_Db+_Cb+ Bb+_Ab+_Bb+~Bb+|


    SPIKA


    As the introduction progression moves steadily upward, an emotion of yearning is built up. It finally resolves in a descending melodic line in the higher register followed by an oscillation around the key signature¡¯s dominant chord. This creates a feeling of emotional pent-up instead of release as if foreshadowing what to come.


    He had an idea.


    And it seems that everyone around him had the same thought as they took out their respective instruments. Karim has no instrument, but he knew he could contribute something on his own.


    After all, how could the work of a such renowned Maestro stay forever closed in there?


    Eb_F_Gb~ Bb+_Eb F_Gb_Bb+ Ab+| Gb_F_Eb Db Eb_F_Gb Db+_Bb+|


    Even though Alvorna¡¯s main instrument was her violin, her interaction with Jihoon atop the cloud stage together in their first meeting has led her to realize her own an aspect of her own power. Even without a woodwind in hand, she manipulated the winds to create the sound of one. Even though the rules are in place, as long as no harm is done, no one really would say anything. Especially to the Daughter of the Matriarch herself.


    Eb_F_Gb~ Bb+_Eb F_Gb_Bb+ Ab+| Gb_F_Eb Db Gb_F Eb_Db_Eb~|


    With key signature of E-flat minor, otherwise known as the key sign of devotion and longing. As established when he first composed it back during the audition for Maestro title in the Lengsel Academic Hall. With its tempo, one could easily mistake it for whimsical feelings and carefreeness which contradicts its key signature.


    Eb_F_Gb~ Bb+_Eb F_Gb_Bb+ Ab+| Gb_F_Eb_Db Eb_F Db+_Bb+~Bb+|


    A more complex melodic movement, with larger intervallic jumps between registers. The pattern suggests a dialogue between lower and higher ranges, as the note progression ascends and descends, creating a conversational quality. Or more exactly in this case, retrospection of self as one lingers on the past.


    Eb_F_Gb~ Bb+_Eb F_Gb_Bb+ Ab+| Db+_Bb+_Db+~ Eb+~_Gb+~ F+_Eb+_Db+~ Eb+|


    As the notes refrained again, the following conclusion features higher register notes in a more elaborate pattern, before ending in a tonic note and fulfilling its emotional climax.


    Finally, Alvorna lifted her violin to the neck gape as she begins to perform.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Eb+_F+_Gb+~ Eb+ F+_Gb+_F+~F+|


    Eb+_F+_Gb+~Gb Bb++_Ab++_Gb+_F+~F+|


    Bb++_B++_Db++~ Eb++_Db++_B++_Eb Eb_F_Gb~ Ab+_Gb+_Ab+_Bb+|


    With the back-and-forth movement between F+ and Gb+, this melody creates an intense feeling of uncertainty or internal conflict. Then the range of the progression extended dramatically up to even another register notch, this dramatic leap upward followed by a descending line creates a moment of emotional climax or breakthrough.


    The descent back to F+ suggests a return to the earlier emotional state, but now transformed by the experience of reaching those higher notes.


    And the final chord is the utmost intense as it features highest notes so far in the progression (B++, Db++, Eb++) before dramatically plunge down to the lower register tonic (Eb) and then settling in the dominant note. This extreme range of movement is supposed to create powerful emotional expression of catharsis yet only further delayed as it ends with another imperfect cadence once more.


    This time, Rosa settles into her role as she places the rose-gold harmonica in-between her lips.


    Bb_B Db_Eb Bb~| Bb_Eb_Ab+_Gb Ab+_Gb_F~F Db| Eb_Bb Eb_Bb Gb Ab+_Gb_F~|


    Falling back to the much lower scale, the notes now follow a gentler ascend and returning motion. Like a questioning motion, held sustained as though a moment of contemplation.


    Once more with the usage of the dominant chord, it doesn¡¯t immediately resolve as it significant rises in pitch (to Ab+) followed by a gradual descent. This creates a wave-like motion that as though emotional rise and fall, like a sigh or a release of tension. The sustained F adds emphasis to this descending movement.


    However, as it soon oscillates between the tonic and dominant note, before rise sharply just to descend as though seeking something.


    Bb_B Db_Eb Bb~| Bb_Eb_Ab+_Gb Ab+_Gb_F~F Db| Eb_Bb Eb_Bb Gb Ab+_Gb_F~| Gb_F_Eb_Db Eb~~|


    The melody refrained once more, reinforcing upon what was already performed. Before concluding properly on its tonic note, giving the proper resolution withheld before.


    Bb_Db_Bb Db_F_Ab+ F_Ab+_Db+ Db+_F+|


    Db+_F+_Db+_F+ Ab++_Db++_Eb++ Db++_Ab++_Db++ Ab++_F+_Db+|


    F+_Db+_Ab+ Db+_Ab+_F F_Db_F_Db Ab_F-_Ab_F-| Bb-_Eb-_Eb~Eb~~|


    Then Aquarius follows up with her harp as her fingers slide across its strings as she performed an arpeggio rising from low to the highest register possible before descending again. The pattern of descending third creates a cascading effect before finally moving into lower register and ending on a tonic note, signifying finality.


    The air hung heavy with the resonance of their combined effort.


    Jihoon opened his eyes, a glimmer of determination in his gaze.


    That was only the introduction. The song now truly begins.


    Jihoon took out his electric guitar that he brought with from his world. The visceral, gritty and rebellious sound that stood out greatly yet harmonize with the same natural harmony of the classical instruments.


    Eb~~~| Db_Eb~Eb~~| Gb_F Db_Eb~Eb~| Db_Eb~Eb~~|


    Bb_Db_Bb_Db F_Eb~Eb Bb+| Ab+_Bb+_B+ Bb+ Ab+_Bb+ Eb|


    Eb_Gb Ab+ Gb_F_Db_Eb~Eb|


    Opening with a long sustained tonic note, creating a sense of stillness and contemplation, Then with gentle movements between the adjacent notes feel like quiet sighs or gentle breathes. Combined with the return to the sustained key signature¡¯s tonic note creates a meditative quality for listeners.


    The melody ascended in alternating progressions, stirring emotions from deep within. Each note climbed toward the dominant register, gentle yet deliberate, evoking the sensation of emotions rising from contemplation toward expression. As the melody rose and fell, the feeling of heightening intensity was tempered by a return to a lower tonic, grounding the piece in a quiet strength.


    The final line creates an arch-like motion, rising to Ab+ before descending back to the sustained tonic, providing a sense of serenity and acceptance at the end.


    Immediately, the leading performance switched to Alvorna as she grasped the transition without hitch.


    Bb+_Eb Eb_F_Gb~ Bb+_Eb_F_Gb Bb+_Ab+| Gb_F_Eb Db Eb_F_Gb Db+_Bb+|


    Bb+_Eb Eb_F_Gb~ Bb+_Eb_F_Gb Bb+_Ab+| Gb_F_Eb Db Gb_F Eb_Db_Eb~|


    Bb+_Eb Eb_F_Gb~ Bb+_Eb_F_Gb Bb+_Ab+| Gb_F_Eb Db Eb_F_Gb Db+_Bb+|


    Bb+_Eb Eb_F_Gb~ Bb+_Eb_F_Gb Bb+_Ab+| Db+_Bb+_Db+ Eb+_Gb+ F+ Eb+_Db+_Eb+~|


    Refraining from the introduction melody once again, Alvorna¡¯s Wind Magic weaved into the sound of flute out of the flow of ether itself. All while as Jihoon relegates himself into backdrop as his guitar¡¯s play in assistance of her wind. Karim contributes what little he knew of music by clapping his hands to the rhythm of their song, providing the layer of earthly percussion.


    Bb+_Eb Eb_F_Gb~ Bb+_Eb_F_Gb Bb+_Ab+| Gb_F_Eb Db Eb_F_Gb Db+_Bb+|


    Bb+_Eb Eb_F_Gb~ Bb+_Eb_F_Gb Bb+_Ab+| Gb_F_Eb Db Gb_F Eb_Db_Eb~|


    Going for another refrain again, Alvorna follows up with her violin as she bows its string, all while simultaneously maintaining the sound of flute with her Wind Magic at the same time. The song¡¯s intensity risen as though a concert is formed by all the disparate instruments coming together. After all, a song is only as lively as the number of musical instruments performing it together.


    Bb+_Eb Eb_F_Gb~ Bb+_Eb_F_Gb Bb+_Ab+| Gb_F_Eb Db Eb_F_Gb Db+_Bb+|


    Bb+_Eb Eb_F_Gb~ Bb+_Eb_F_Gb Bb+_Ab+| Db+_Bb+_Db+ Eb+_Gb+ F+ Eb+_Db+_Eb+~|


    Rosa also joined as she freestyles along with the main melody on the backdrop. As the group continues their journey on the way while performing with all their spirits, they no longer care for the distance for the performance itself entranced them as they become closer with one another.


    Bb Bb Bb_Bb Ab_Gb-| Bb_Ab B_Bb Ab_Bb~Bb| Bb Bb Bb_Bb Ab_Gb|


    The performance dipped into a moment of introspection after that climax before, the energy subdued as Jihoon¡¯s guitar took a simpler, more rhythmic approach. The repetition of dominant notes added a layer of insistence, a quiet determination that mirrored his own thoughts.


    Then Rosa came in and took the spotlight for herself as the harmonica played in dramatic shift from the downtime just before.


    B+ B+_Bb+ Gb_Ab+~Ab+| Ab+_Ab+ Ab+_Ab+ Gb+_E E_Gb| B+ Bb+ Gb_Ab+~Ab+_Ab+ Ab+_Ab+ Gb+_E Gb|


    Bb_B_Db Eb_F_Gb Ab+_Bb+_B+ Db+_E+~|


    With a dramatic shift to higher register immediately at outset, following with a repetition of neighbor dominants A sense of heightened emotion or urgency is evoked, with the sudden drop in pitch before going for an accidental at near end seemingly evoke vulnerability or exposure. Before finally making a sweeping ascend glissando to higher tonic creating feeling of transcendental release, the tension melting away like waves receding from the shore.


    As the golden hour arrives again, its warm incandescent shines upon their route, and their forms. Their most brilliant moment captured and existed only in the moment itself as the final hour of the daytime drew close.


    The sun¡¯s rays painted the island in hues of gold and amber, casting long, soft shadows that added an ethereal quality to everything. The road they walked on appeared as if paved with gold, each step they took shining in the twilight, like the world itself had been touched by the performance they were creating.


    The trees lining the path seemed to sway in rhythm with the sea breezes, their leaves catching the light, glowing softly as if echoing with the music in the air.


    Passersby stopped in their tracks, captivated by the sight and sound. The combination of Rosa¡¯s dramatic harmonica solo and the Maestro¡¯s guitar, intertwined with Alvorna¡¯s violin and Aquarius¡¯ harp, painted a scene of unity and artistry that seemed to transcend expectation or even onstage performance. Many didn¡¯t even realize they had stopped moving, their feet rooted to the ground as they absorbed every note.


    ¡°Wait¡­ Isn¡¯t that¡­ SPIKA?¡± someone murmured in awe.


    ¡°The first debut song of the fastest Maestro of Absence? Here? Now?¡±


    Whispers turned into excited murmurs as more people gathered. None could resist the allure of the music, nor the radiance of the performers themselves. They were illuminated by the golden hour, their figures seeming to glow from within, their instruments reflecting the sun¡¯s waning light like treasures brought to life.


    The golden hour was just as much as a fleeting moment in daily life, yet its significance never wanes. Like a frame in time, immortalizing the group in their most brilliant form, their music reaching hearts as effortlessly as sunlight graces the earth.


    Because after all, to Jihoon. It was the brilliance of both new blood and old glory.


    For a fleeting moment, he forgot the weight of the past and the uncertainties of the future. In this hour, surrounded by close friends and the awe of strangers, his music resonated not just outward but inward. Because for the first time in what felt like years, he felt alive in a way that couldn¡¯t be measured.


    The performance continued, as Alvorna once again took center stage of the performance. As though everyone else knowing their own assigned roles already, all become silent as only her Wind Magic played the pre-chorus while Jihoon somberly glides across his strings in backdrop to her notes¡¯ shadow.


    Bb_Eb F_Gb Bb~| Gb_Gb B~~| Ab+_Gb_F~ Gb_Ab+ F_Eb_Db~Db|


    Bb_B~~ Eb_F_Gb_Ab+ Gb_F_Eb_Db Eb_F~~|


    The opening phrase moves upward through the broken chord pattern to arrive at the dominant note. Then rising further to B natural to create tension with the key signature. And the following sustain of said note creates a sense of suspension or unresolved yearning.


    Then descending from Ab+ creates a sighing effect, followed by another brief rise and fall. The sustained Db neighboring the tonic at the end only creates a temporary point of rest, not complete resolution. The frequent rises followed by descending patterns emulates waves of emotion, which when in Eb minor means longing or grief.


    And then this following section creates dramatic tension with the Bb to B (dominant to neighbor dominant) natural movement, then features a sweeping scalar motion upward followed by a descent. The sustained F adjacent to tonic note at the end leaves its listeners hanging emotionally, again.


    Bb_Eb F_Gb Bb~| Gb_Gb B~~| Ab+_Gb_F~ Gb_Ab+ F_Db_Bb+~Bb+|


    Ab+_Bb+_B+_Bb+ Ab+_Gb_F_Bb Gb_F_Eb_Bb Gb_F_Eb~|


    Then refraining from the initial melody again, reinforcing its emotional weight. Like returning to an initial feeling or thought. But Alvorna then followed up with a higher register dominant (Bb+), creating a greater contrast and emotional range than the previous.


    After rising to the highest note in the melody (B+) before ultimately descending back to Eb, the tonic. This creates a sense of completion or resolution, though the minor key maintains a melancholic quality.


    As a whole, it expressed deep melancholy with moments of intense yearning but with a sense of resignation or acceptance in its final descent. Of nostalgia for moments that will never return. That was what Jihoon recognized of his life, and his way of acceptance so that he could live for the present moment.


    That¡¯s what all his close relations around him realized too.


    Rosa paused, her harmonica hovering just shy of her lips. Karim, who had been clapping to the rhythm, fell silent. Even Aquarius¡¯ harp strings stayed still for a moment. The raw, unfiltered emotion pouring from Alvorna¡¯s performance of his song had touched each of them, mirroring truths they perhaps hadn¡¯t even acknowledged themselves.


    It may have been Jihoon¡¯s song, but by performing together with him and attuning to its emotions, it is by proxy their song too by capturing a shared understanding that transcended words that could have been spoken.


    In that moment, the weight of the past didn¡¯t feel as heavy. Instead, it felt like a foundation upon which they could build something new, something enduring. Pulling from hazy realization itself, they come to put even more effort into the performance itself.


    Bb_Eb F_Gb Bb~| Gb_Gb B~~| Ab+_Gb_F~ Gb_Ab+ F_Eb_Db~Db|


    Bb_B~~ Eb_F_Gb_Ab+ Gb_F_Eb_Db Eb_F~~|


    Bb_Eb F_Gb Bb~| Gb_Gb B~~| Ab+_Gb_F~ Gb_Ab+ Db_Ab+_Bb+~Bb+|


    Ab+_Bb+_B+_Bb+ Ab+_Gb_F_Bb Gb_F_Eb_Bb Gb_F_Eb~|


    This time, Jihoon and Alvorna perform together as Alvorna¡¯s violin soared as she refrains the entire previous section again. Yet despite the same melody is played, the electric guitar and the violin interplay with one another as though conversing between. The violin¡¯s melody swells as though trying uplift the guitar together with it.


    As if Alvorna is wordlessly trying to cheer Jihoon up to her best even if the result doesn¡¯t show any return for her effort.


    Their traveling brought them to a cable car station that will bringing them directly to one of the highest points of Lotus Eater Island. The place where the ¡®Perfect Cherry Blossom¡¯ inn is located. Its appearance looks archaic yet though exudes so much historical charm as though like a piece of history, untouched by time, had been transplanted here.


    Once again, it was just another reminder of how much Absence long moved past its tumultuous history just so that anyone can just live to become their own very best.


    Yet as they board their cable car, the performance still goes on, their music filling the enclosed space with rich, resonant sound.


    Eb_F_Gb~ Eb F_Gb_F~F| Eb_F_Gb~ Eb F_Gb_F~F|


    Eb_F_Gb~ Bb+~ Ab+_Gb_F~| Bb Bb_B_Db~ Db_B_Db_F~F


    Rosa takes the lead as her harmonica swells in place of Alvorna. She refrained one of the introductory melodies from the beginning as the backdrop strum of the guitar compliments.


    The repeated descending patterns and oscillations of (Eb-F-Gb) notes create momentary feeling of suspension. The back and forth going establishes a sense of questioning or searching. As though she repeatedly asking Jihoon if he is fine or not.


    The pattern then expands upward to reach Bb+ (higher register dominant) before descending, creating a more dramatic emotional arc. The sustained F at the end feels like a moment of contemplation go unanswered. Then chromatic movement and reaches up to F natural, creating tension against the Eb minor tonality. The sustained F creates a moment of heightened emotional intensity.


    Eb+_F+_Gb+~ Eb+ F+_Gb+_F+~F+| Eb+_F+_Gb+~ Eb+ F+_Gb+_F+~F+|


    Eb+_F+_Gb+~Gb Bb++_Ab++_Gb+_F+ Bb+_Bb+| Ab+_Bb+_B+~ Bb_Db~~ B_Eb Eb_Eb~~|


    Alvorna now also rejoined the performance as the Dwarf and the Harpy performing their signature instruments together. As the sound of violin and harmonica and the wind of flute harmonize, a celebratory feeling ignited as unspoken bond between them all resonate.


    The progression now moves to a higher register (noted by +), repeating the opening pattern but with increased intensity due to the higher pitch range, creating a sense of emotional escalation.


    The final section crescendo to the highest notes of the melody (Bb++, Ab++) before making a dramatic descent back to tonic note of the key signature. A powerful sense of emotional climax and resolution emboldened with the sustained tonic note.


    This melody as a whole is a journey through intense emotional states, depicting a struggle with recurring thoughts or feelings that continue to build in intensity before finding resolution. The extensive use of sustained notes and repetitive patterns creates a hypnotic quality, while the dramatic register changes suggest emotional transformation.


    As the cable car rose higher, the warm golden hour sunlight painted the world below. The vast sprawling natural landscape of Lotus-Eater Island all taken for view. The golden sky dominates the upper half of the scenery. Soft, delicate, scattered clouds add texture and depth to the scene. The glimmering sea sparkled in the distance, reflecting said hue. The distant mountains and hills fading in the horizon. The incandescent-imbued foliage evoking the ephemeral bliss of this last hour of the day.


    Taking in the scenery, the company between them together stoke the passion of the performance greater in response.


    Bb+_Eb~~ F_Gb_Bb+~ Ab+~| Gb_F_Eb Db Eb_F_Gb Db+_Bb+|


    Bb+_Eb~~ F_Gb_Bb+~ Ab+~| Gb_F_Eb Db Gb_F Eb_Db_Eb~|


    Bb+_Eb~~ F_Gb_Bb+~ Ab+~| Gb_F_Eb Db Eb_F_Gb Db+_Bb+|


    Bb+_Eb~~ F_Gb_Bb+~ Ab+~| Db+_Bb+_Db+~ Eb+_Gb+ F+ Eb+_Db+_Eb+~|


    Refraining another of the previous section of the song again. Alvorna¡¯s Wind Magic led the prelude with the sound of woodwind while Jihoon continues performing the backdrop strumming to keep the rhythm going. The wavelike melody moves with melancholy and longing between high and low notes.


    Then afterward, she follows up the second half with her violin as she performs with fervor. Rosa also joined as she blows on her harmonica in rhythm like Jihoon¡¯s strumming. Moments of intensity finding its resolution before ending this section with a resolute climax.


    Conceding the lead performance role once again, Alvorna passed the metaphorical baton over to Rosa as she took over the main melody once again.


    Bb_Eb F_Gb Bb~| Gb_Gb B~~| Ab+_Gb_F~ Gb_Ab+ F_Eb_Db~Db|


    Bb_B~~ Eb_F_Gb_Ab+ Gb_F_Eb_Db Eb_F~~|


    Bb_Eb F_Gb Bb~| Gb_Gb B~~| Ab+_Gb_F~ Gb_Ab+ F_Db_Bb+~Bb+|


    Ab+_Bb+_B+_Bb+ Ab+_Gb_F_Bb Gb_F_Eb_Bb Gb_F_Eb~|


    Rosa refrained once again as she performs her harmonica solo while Jihoon strums his electric guitar and Alvorna sometimes assist with the sound of flute occasionally. The same familiar chorus returned once more as it is previously performed by Alvorna¡¯s violin. She too, conveys her own worry of Jihoon in her own way as she pours all the heartfelt breath into every note. Like an encoded confession of all her worry for him in which any words of empathy would substitute.


    Alvorna even realized it and she have no intention of letting Rosa out done her like this. Her competitive spirit ignited as she took back the spotlight once more.


    Bb_Eb F_Gb Bb~| Gb_Gb B~~| Ab+_Gb_F~ Gb_Ab+ F_Eb_Db~Db|


    Bb_B~~ Eb_F_Gb_Ab+ Gb_F_Eb_Db Eb_F~~|


    Bb_Eb F_Gb Bb~| Gb_Gb B~~| Ab+_Gb_F~ Gb_Ab+ F_Db_Bb+~Bb+|


    Ab+_Bb+_B+_Bb+ Ab+_Gb_F_Bb Gb_F_Eb_Bb Gb_F_Eb~|


    The violin of the Harpy swelled once more as she competes with Rosa¡¯s harmonica as they both together perform the chorus in an unspoken rivalry. They both poured their emotions into their performance, their instruments vying for dominance while paradoxically blending and interplaying seamlessly into the whole so well that their rivalry was lost to anyone not acutely aware of its context.


    Jihoon, oblivious to the competitive undercurrent, continued to strum his guitar with the same usual flow, his focus on the music rather than the subtle fight for his attention. Yet the combined melody carried their emotions clearly to him, even if he didn¡¯t consciously grasp the intent behind their competitive fervor.


    Karim clapped to the rhythm with a merchant¡¯s steady hands, adding a grounding pulse to the melody, while Aquarius¡¯s harp provided a shimmering backdrop, her well-placed plucks emphasizing the climactic moments.


    The music swelled, interlaced with longing, defiance, and shared purpose. Their journey, once a simple ascent to the inn, now felt like an odyssey marked by unity, emotions, and the brilliance of their combined artistry.


    As the cable car neared its destination, their song reached its crescendo. The music echoed across the mountainside, carried by the wind, leaving anyone who heard it spellbound. Each performer¡¯s emotions resonated in the air, crafting a moment that felt timeless. In that golden hour, amidst their shared melody, there was no past, no future¡ªjust the music and the bond it created.


    With the unspoken rivalry ignited with Jihoon stood between their crossfire, with the previous chorus coming to an end. Alvorna made her transition to the bridge as the tension between her and Rosa became unpalpable in the melody itself. Even though the song is supposedly entering downtime, the intensity hasn¡¯t yet waned but remains as foreboding even long into progression.


    Her violin swells in swift motion as she slides across the chromatic scale.


    Bb~ Db_E Bb| Ab+_Gb F_Eb Db_Bb~Bb| [~~~~]|


    Bb+_Ab+ Gb_F~F~| Gb_F Db_Eb| Bb+_Ab+ Gb_F~F~| Gb_F Db_Eb|


    [~¡­~] is empty measure


    Following through the start immediately is the dominant note yet again before moving upward toward its tonic. And then moving through a sharp descent. The second measure also follow through the same direction to the dominant chord in what can be heard like palpating breath.


    Then with a moment of empty measure with only the sound of Karim¡¯s rhythmic clapping, Aquarius¡¯s harp plucking to fill in the absence. Without even Jihoon¡¯s guitar or her rival¡¯s harmonica, she took in this brief moment of self-reflection. And only after this singular silent measure that Alvorna start to pick up her pace.


    From the momentary peace yet contemplating resignation, Rosa also takes measure as the two continues to duel again.


    Bb Db Eb~| Eb_Db Eb_F Bb+_Db+ C+| Db+_C+ Bb+_Ab+ Bb+~|


    Eb_F_Gb~ Eb_Gb_Bb+_Ab+~Ab~| Gb_Ab+_Bb+~ Db+_C+_Ab+_Bb+~Bb+~|


    Rosa¡¯s opening phrase climbed upward in measured steps, pausing momentarily on the tonic note before leaping to dramatic heights. The accidental notes she wove into her melody created a sense of emotional tension, their sharpness cutting through the sound like a cry for something unattainable. Her harmonica¡¯s tone shifted between peaks and valleys, evoking the emotional surges of yearning and determination.


    The following measures feature dramatic register shifts and multiple sustained notes, creating a sense of emotional waves or surges. The movement between registers feels like emotional peaks and valleys.


    Once Rosa finished her part of the verse, Alvorna swoop in like a bird of prey for the spotlight.


    Bb+_Db+_Eb+~ Db+_Db+ Bb+_Gb+_Ab+_Gb+ F_Db_Eb~Eb|


    Bb_Db_Eb~ Bb+ Ab+_Bb+_Gb_Db Eb| Bb++_Ab++_Bb++_Gb+ Db+_Eb+~Eb+~|


    Her violin picks up upon where Rosa was at. The violin cascaded downward through the registers, beginning with a dramatic flourish at the high tonic before descending into lower, richer tones. Her performance was a cascade of emotional release, the tension of the earlier rivalry transforming into something almost transcendent.


    The highest notes soared with piercing clarity, each one a summit of intensity, before the melody settled into a resolution that felt less like an ending and more like a transformation.


    Each note seemed to embody her emotions¡ªher pride, her competitive spirit, and perhaps something deeper that even she couldn¡¯t quite put into words.


    Jihoon, strumming steadily in the backdrop, remained unaware of the undercurrent of rivalry driving the performance. To him, it was merely another stunning moment of musical harmony.


    With the verse completed following the pre-chorus. Surprisingly, it wasn¡¯t either of them that picks the main melody. It was Aquarius with her harp.


    Eb_F_Gb_Eb Ab+_Eb_Ab+_Gb Ab+_Bb+~~ Ab+_Gb+_F|


    Eb_F_Gb_F Eb_F_Gb~ Db_Eb_F_Eb Db_Eb_F~| Eb_F~~ Db_Eb_F_Gb Bb+~|


    In swift and rapid motions her fingers went, the mermaid princess displayed her own musical prowess as her fingers leapt widely across the harp strings all over the high and low register. The sustained dominant chord ascent before falling back quickly like surging tide of emotion before its retreat, like an unfulfilled yearning before disappearing into sea foam.


    The following measures moved into the lower register, each note placed deliberately in gentle stepwise motion. The resulting mood was introspective, evoking the quiet contemplation of a solitary moment. Sustained notes lingered like thoughts too profound to fade quickly, before a rise to the dominant chord hinted at something greater on the horizon.


    Eb_F_Gb_Eb Ab+_Eb_Ab+_Gb Ab+_Bb+_Eb+~ Db+_B+_Bb+~|


    Ab+_Bb+_B_Bb Ab+_B+~~ Gb_Ab+_Bb+_Ab+ Gb_Bb+~~| Gb_Ab+_Ab+_Gb Ab+_Ab+~ Bb+_Eb+_Bb++~ Eb+|


    Refraining from the previous patterns once more, Alvorna¡¯s took the center stage of performance first as her Wind Magic imitate the sound of flute as she ascends the progression to the tonic note of higher register, weaving an intricate prelude with a delicate yet assertive touch. The increasing intensity of her melody hinted at the culmination to come.


    As the backdrop harmony returns, the clapping of Karim¡¯s steady hands, Aquarius¡¯s harp and Jihoon¡¯s guitar. As though preparing for the last hurrah between all of them, the descending notes toward dominant only further highlight the prelude to come.


    Alvorna proceeds to spur onward with chromatic movement of the flute, dancing near around the dominant note. The melody captured an intricate emotional journey, as if portraying an internal dialogue of conflict and transformation. The shifts between registers mimicked voices in conversation, blending seamlessly yet distinctively.


    And finally¡­ the last measure ends as she lingers briefly before making massive leapt across the register before finally end on a higher register tonic. Like preparing for a headstart, the sprint before taking flight.


    The sun dipped lower, its golden rays casting long shadows and igniting the cherry blossoms in a fiery display of pink and orange as they approach the ¡®Perfect Cherry Blossom¡¯ inn. The surrounding scenery, bathed in this incandescent glow, felt like a reflection of the music¡¯s emotional peaks. Even the cable car seemed to glide more smoothly as if carried along by the song¡¯s ethereal energy.


    This was their final refrain, the last hurrah of a shared performance that transcended words and reached for the sublime.


    Bb+ Bb+ Eb+_Db+_B+_Bb+~Bb+| Db+_Eb Db+_B+_Ab+_Bb+~Bb+ |


    Ab+_Bb+_B~ Ab+_B+ Gb_Ab+_Bb+~ Gb_Bb+| Eb_F_Gb_F Gb_Ab+_Bb+~Bb+|


    Alvorna equipped her violin as Rosa also placed her harmonica between her lips. The two perform wholeheartedly as though the original rivalry intent didn¡¯t exist. Although they may attempt to try overwhelming one another but their vastly different instruments of their own only interplay with one another instead.


    The opening features repeated dominant note followed by descending chromatic motion in the high register, creating a sense of insistence followed by emotional descent. The sustained dominant note at the end of each measure creates lingering tension. Then the chromatic movement like before creating tension, followed by dramatic register shifts. The pattern of rising and falling that is prevalent from beginning to end only further reinforces the emotion of the song now that it is in its last chorus.


    Eb_F_Gb_Eb Ab+_Eb_Ab+_Gb Gb_Ab+_Bb+_Gb+~ F+_Db+_Bb+~|


    Ab+_Bb+_B~ Ab+_B+ Gb_Ab+_Bb+~ Gb_Bb+| Gb_Ab+ Ab+_Ab+ Ab+_Bb+ Ab+_Gb+_F_Eb|


    As the melody moves from lower to higher register in a sweeping motion, as if everyone is gathering emotional energy or building intensity for the final measures. Then following with a long ascent as though one could reach heaven as the melody climbs up to Gb+ before descending, making one feel the emotional reaching followed by withdrawal immediately afterward.


    The final section returns to the chromatic tension with B natural before preparing for a final descent through multiple registers to end on a tonic note, to finally bring a release of all the accumulated tension.


    Both of them took in their breath as they together performed the last measure. The lingering note repeated as though one took the last time to look back before sprinting ahead without return. To relieve oneself the burden of the past so that one can live for the present.


    That¡¯s the essence of SPIKA.


    Bb+_Eb~~ F_Gb_Bb+~ Ab+~| Gb_F_Eb_Db Eb_F_Gb~ Db+_Bb+|


    Eb_F_Gb~ Bb+_Ab+~ Gb_F_Eb~ Db_Gb~~| F_Eb_Db~ Eb~~|


    Making the callback to one of the original melodies once more as its finale draws close. The flute sound of Alvorna¡¯s Wind Magic led the main melody as she replayed its gentle yearning, the sustained tones evoking quiet self-reflection. The melody echoed the themes of longing and acceptance as if the music itself was a conversation between the performers and their hearts.


    Eb_F_Gb~ Bb+_Ab+~ Gb_F_Eb~ Db_Eb_F~| Gb_Db+_Bb+~Bb+~~|


    Eb_F_Gb~ Bb+_Ab+~ Db+_Bb+_Db+~ Eb+_Gb+ F+ Eb+_Db+_Eb+~|


    The chromatic shifts rose and fell, climbing and retreating as if mirroring the tumultuous journey of the human heart¡ªan unending quest for meaning amidst struggles. Each rise in the progression hinted at hope, yet the subsequent descents reminded of the inherent fragility of those aspirations.


    Then with the backdrop harmony going at the climax, Alvorna once again changed to her violin as everyone else played in compliment toward her performance. The steady clapping of Karim¡¯s hands, strum of Jihoon¡¯ electric guitar, pluck of Aquarius¡¯s harp and Rosa¡¯s harmonica all played to drive the homecoming of the melody.


    For one last measure, the performance reached its peak as all the distinct lives connected.


    Eb_F_Gb_Eb Ab+_Eb_Ab+_Gb Ab+_Bb+_Eb+~ Db+_B+_Bb+~


    Ab+_Bb+_B_Bb Ab+_B+~~ Gb_Ab+_Bb+_Ab+ Gb_Bb+~~| Gb_Ab+ Ab+_Ab+ Ab+_Gb_Ab+~ Bb+


    After all of that jubilant performance of the chorus before, the song enters its outro. Nearly all the instruments have died down, only the sound of flute playing the ending melody while the harp of Aquarius and Jihoon¡¯s slap of the guitar acts as percussion keeping the background harmony going.


    Eb_F_Gb_Eb Ab+_Eb_Ab+_Gb Ab+_Bb+_Eb+~ Db+_B+_Bb+~|


    Ab+_Bb+_B_Bb Ab+_B+~~ Gb_Ab+_Bb+_Ab+ Gb_Bb+~~| Gb_Ab+_Bb+_Ab+ Gb_F~~ Eb_F_Eb~Eb|


    Then changing to the violin, the harp in Aquarius¡¯s hands played in full force as its tranquil and peaceful sound mark the completion of the song. And finally, the finishing notes¡­


    Bb+_B+_Db+_Eb+~Eb+~~


    As the final note faded into the golden warmth of the setting sun, the cable car reached the summit. The group sat in silence, their surroundings bathed in incandescent light as cherry blossoms danced gently in the breeze.


    They have arrived, at the ¡®Perfect Cherry Blossom¡¯.

 Chapter 47: Perfect Cherry Blossom

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 47: Perfect Cherry Blossom


    With the completion of their performance marked by the arrival at the other end of the cable car station. At one of the highest locations of the Lotus-Eater Island, lies one of the landmarks that all self-proclaimed tourism connoisseurs have to visit at least once in their life. ¡®Perfect Cherry Blossom¡¯, surprisingly has a deep history of its own and a story untold as to why there is such a place in the southern Absence to begin with.


    At this altitude, the scenery felt almost otherworldly, the incandescent moon hanging opposite the retreating dusk painted the sky in hues of deep violet and gold as the mournful eventide approachees. Petals swirled gently with the mountain wind, creating an eternal cascade of blossoms that seemed to defy the passage of time.


    ¡°We¡¯ve arrived¡­ Quite a journey, wasn¡¯t it? Forget entirely about the duration thanks to our residential musician over here,¡± Karim said, clapping Jihoon on the back with a playful grin.


    Jihoon chuckled softly, still catching his breath from the intense performance. The lingering emotions of their music blended seamlessly with the serene atmosphere around them, creating a moment he knew would stay etched in his memory.


    Before them stood the Perfect Cherry Blossom, an architectural marvel nestled into the mountain¡¯s peak. The inn was sprawling yet exuded an inviting warmth. Its design appeared timeless, combining intricate woodwork, shoji screens, and tiled roofs that reflected an ancient heritage. Yet subtle details bely such as hidden lighting fixtures, seamless pathways, and understated modern enhancements. All spoke of thoughtful updates that preserved its historical charm while accommodating contemporary needs.


    ¡°Let us get to our room now, shall we?¡± Karim said with a confident smirk, motioning toward the inn¡¯s grand entrance, his words felt as though have way more weight to be thrown around. ¡°The scenery surrounding us is entrancing enough to keep anyone rooted here, but if that¡¯s enough to captivate you, wait until you set foot inside. Trust me, this place is the crown jewel of Lotus-Eater Island, and I don¡¯t say that lightly.¡±


    The group followed Karim, each step carrying them closer to the inn¡¯s allure. Jihoon couldn¡¯t help but just recognize at the craftsmanship around him. Back in his world, attempts to replicate such a blend of history and modernity often fell short, feeling either overly artificial or losing sight of the past altogether. But here? Every detail felt intentional, a harmonious balance between honoring history and embracing progress. Whichever mind capable of such harmonious design, he felt like this world was truly what enables them.


    As they passed through the wooden torii gate marking the inn¡¯s entrance, Jihoon felt a quiet sense of reverence settle over him. The mountain breeze, the ever-falling cherry blossoms, and the inn¡¯s quiet grandeur seemed to promise something he hadn¡¯t experienced properly in years: peace.


    Jihoon took in the scenery as though he was stepping into a new world.


    The reception hall of the inn was spacious and decorated as they were greeted by two receptionists in their traditional kimono in the same cherry blossom patterns.


    ¡°Welcome esteemed guests, how can we help you?¡± said both receptionists at the same time.


    Although the two women in identical style in front of him appears as human as much as a glance can tell, his [Observant] told him the obvious otherwise that any native of Absence could tell already.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Perfect Cherry Blossom Receptionists


    Name:  Hanami Twin (Tsukiyo & Hazuki)


    Level: 74


    Race: Youkai ¨C Kitsune (Nine-tailed Fox)


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 55


    -END: 44


    -AGI: 65


    -DEX: 55


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 11


    -CHA: 89


    -MAG: 133


    -Active Skill:


    +Shadow Magic (Advanced)


    |-Fox Fire (Advanced)


    +Lifeforce Synthesis (Advanced)


    +Irresistible Allure (Unique Racial Ability)


    -Description:


    The Perfect Cherry Blossom receptionists, Tsukiyo and Hazuki, are Nine-Tailed Foxes subrace of Youkai.


    Their synchronized movements and speech signifies a bond deeper than mere kinship,


    perhaps an effect of their shared magical essence.


    Recognized for their exceptional beauty and natural charisma, they are as skilled in enchantment


    as they are in combat, capable of charming even the most guarded minds if fall short in sheer statistic.


    Despite all of this, they serve as the inn¡¯s frontmost guardians combined with their ethereal elegance.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Jihoon¡¯s gaze lingered on the system panel, his mind drifting to what he had learned about Youkai during his time in Absence. The term ¡°Youkai¡± was less of a singular race and more of a blanket category, encompassing a vast array of subraces with wildly diverse characteristics. He had seen Nine-tailed Fox/Kitsune before, and perhaps even more as his journey will inevitably take him places.


    The Youkai¡¯s vast diversity defied easy classification. And yet, there was one aspect they all seemed to share¡ªa fundamentally human appearance, regardless of how strange or otherworldly their true nature might be.


    This trait wasn¡¯t limited to Youkai, Jihoon realized. Every race he had encountered in Absence¡ªfrom Harpies to Dwarves and even the Merfolk¡ªappeared almost indistinguishable from humans at first glance, and some of their unique features subtle enough to blend seamlessly into human aesthetics. It was both fascinating and disconcerting, a reminder of how superficially similar yet profoundly different the denizens of Absence were compared to the people of his own world.


    What truly set the Youkai apart, however, was their innate spiritual nature. It is precisely this lack of distinction that mana and vitality of a Youkai is infused with one another passively and become no different than a Youkai''s life-force. A self-sustaining reservoir that fueled both their existence and their immense magical capabilities. And precisely from this life-force that a Youkai''s combat capability stem from.


    Unlike most races, who merely expended mana to cast magic spells, Youkais have to draw directly from their said life-force. This made their magic both exceptionally potent and inherently dangerous. A Youkai¡¯s spellwork was capable of effects far beyond what mana alone could achieve, but the cost of overextending themselves is devastating. If a Youkai drained too much of their life-force into their spells, it wasn¡¯t simple exhaustion that awaited them¡ªit was death instead.


    Jihoon¡¯s eyes flicked back to the receptionists, noting the subtle, almost imperceptible aura that seemed to emanate from them. They were calm and composed, but Jihoon couldn¡¯t shake the sense that beneath their serene exteriors lay a power both awe-inspiring and deeply perilous. It was a sobering thought and a reminder of how much he still had to learn about Absence and its intricate, often dangerously delicate balance of existence with how every life has such potential of power.


    ¡°Beautiful and deadly,¡± Jihoon muttered under his breath, earning a curious glance from Rosa and Alvorna, who had been quietly observing the interaction he has.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let your guard down around these beauties,¡± Karim added with a knowing grin, his voice low enough for only Jihoon to hear. ¡°A Kitsune¡¯s charm isn¡¯t just for show, you know.¡±


    Jihoon nodded silently, his mind already spinning with questions and theories about the enigmatic race. As they followed the receptionists toward their rooms, he couldn¡¯t help but feel that this visit to the Perfect Cherry Blossom inn would reveal far more than just breathtaking scenery.


    For the rest of the duration in which they are guided toward their room, the receptionists didn¡¯t do any attempt of attracting his attention. It wasn¡¯t difficult for him to guess the reason. Alvorna, the Daughter of the Matriarch herself, was silently observing them, her piercing emerald gaze carrying the weight of an unspoken declaration.


    Her expression betrayed nothing overt, but Jihoon could feel the intensity of her presence, like a bird of prey perched high above, scrutinizing its surroundings. The message was clear as he alone belonged to her, and any attempt to overstep boundaries would surely invite her ire.


    With all his honesty, she is actually terrifying if she actively displays it which is par for the course of the Harpies. Alvorna rarely displayed such demeanor but when she did, it felt like helplessly watching a perfect storm approach. Speak softly and wear your velvet glove over the iron fist, as the saying went. He had seen glimpse of that ¡®iron fist¡¯ in action once before and he knew that he isn¡¯t going to survive the next provocation if he did.


    ¡°We¡¯ve arrived, esteemed guests. Hope you all enjoy your stay in our ¡®Perfect Cherry Blossom¡¯ inn¡±. One of the kitsune receptionists said with a bow. Both twins turned and left the room¡¯s entrance gracefully, their elegant movements almost hypnotic as they disappeared down the corridor, leaving an air of quiet sophistication in their wake.


    Jihoon stepped into the room and froze, momentarily overwhelmed by what greeted him. The interior was a perfect blend of luxury and modesty, striking a balance that felt at once indulgent and grounded.


    The polished wooden floors gleamed in the ambient light, and the walls were adorned with hand-painted murals of cherry blossoms, their petals seemingly caught mid-fall. Soft tatami mats lined the sitting area, where a low wooden table and cushioned seating awaited. A delicate shoji screen separated the main room from what appeared to be a small bedroom, and the gentle flicker of an antique lantern cast a warm, golden glow over the space.


    It was beautiful, yes, but it was the view beyond the room that truly captivated him.


    Stepping through the sliding doors, Jihoon found himself on a private outdoor veranda that opened up to the breathtaking scenery of the mountaintop. The air was crisp, tinged with the faintest scent of blooming cherry blossoms. Below them, the lush forest stretched out like an emerald ocean, the flickering lights of fireflies creating a living constellation.


    In the distance, the bright moon hung low in the sky, its silvery glow reflecting off the serene waters far below. The sight was otherworldly, as if stepping into a painting that had come to life.


    Jihoon leaned against the wooden railing of the veranda, trying to encapsulate the sheer magnitude of effort that must have gone into creating such a marvel. The inn felt timeless, as though it had always been here, untouched by the passage of years. And yet, Jihoon knew better. Nothing in Absence, or any world for that matter, was built overnight.


    ¡°Hard to believe a place like this exists,¡± Jihoon murmured, half to himself.


    Karim chuckled, stepping up beside him with a knowing smirk. ¡°It didn¡¯t spring up out of nowhere, Jihoon. This inn, this island, this whole world¡ªit¡¯s the culmination of over ten thousand years of history. Absence didn¡¯t just appear one day. It¡¯s the result of countless generations planting trees they knew they¡¯d never see bloom. They built this for those who came after them, and we¡¯re just lucky enough to be here to enjoy it.¡±


    Jihoon let those words sink in, his gaze lingering on the endless expanse of nature before him. There was a humbling beauty in the idea that everything he saw, everything he was experiencing, was the result of lives lived with foresight and purpose. It wasn¡¯t just the craftsmanship of the inn or the meticulously maintained cherry blossoms¡ªit was the spirit of preservation, of growth, of leaving something behind for the future.


    As the thought settled, Jihoon let out a long breath, releasing the tension he hadn¡¯t realized he¡¯d been carrying. The world felt lighter in that moment, as if the weight of history had lent him its quiet strength.


    Karim clapped him on the shoulder, breaking the silence. ¡°But don¡¯t get too comfortable. The night¡¯s still young, and this isn¡¯t the end of our journey for today.¡±


    Jihoon raised an eyebrow, turning to face him. ¡°You¡¯ve got more planned, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Karim grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. ¡°Of course I do. What kind of guide would I be if I let you turn in early in a place like this? There¡¯s still the teahouse, the hot springs, and maybe even a little midnight stroll under the blossoms. Trust me, the Perfect Cherry Blossom has a lot more to offer than just a good night¡¯s sleep.¡±


    Jihoon couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, shaking his head. ¡°Guess I¡¯d better pace myself, then.¡±


    The two of them rejoined the group inside, where Alvorna, Rosa, and Aquarius were already settling in. The room buzzed with quiet anticipation, each of them keenly aware that the day was far from over. Jihoon glanced out toward the veranda one last time, the moonlight casting its gentle glow over the scenery.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    And tonight, those memories were just beginning to take shape.


    Having changed into the traditional kimonos provided by the inn, the group departed their room for the hot spring, the first destination on their evening itinerary. The two men¡ªJihoon and Karim¡ªwore the standardized male variants, simple yet elegant with muted tones and intricate patterns that whispered of eastern Absence¡¯s cultural heritage.


    Alvorna, in contrast, donned a beautifully tailored female kimono, its vibrant green fabric accentuated with intricate silver designs that evoked the flowing patterns of wind currents. Her natural elegance seemed amplified by the outfit, the fabric moving in harmony with her every step, making her seem almost otherworldly. Aquarius also dressed as though she was literally a sea fairy of eastern Absence¡¯s undersea palace in its folklore.


    Meanwhile, Rosa had gone to exceptional lengths with her own attire. Her customized kimono was tailored perfectly to her diminutive yet robust dwarven stature, the rose-gold accents on her clothing matching her twintails. She looked as though she had planned this moment meticulously, her pride in her appearance evident in the confident way she carried herself.


    Jihoon, however, couldn¡¯t shake his discomfort as he adjusted the folds of his kimono for the tenth time. Rosa noticed almost immediately, narrowing her eyes at him. ¡°Hey, Jihoon, you seem uncomfortable wearing that. Is something wrong?¡± she asked, her tone curious but not unkind.


    Jihoon hesitated, casting his gaze toward the ground as he fumbled for an answer. It wasn¡¯t the kimono itself that bothered him. In fact, the craftsmanship was impeccable, and the fabric felt soft against his skin. No, the source of his unease was something far less tangible¡ªsomething from a world he had left behind. That thought in particular manifested in his mind certainly doesn¡¯t appear out of nowhere because insanity back in his world that people kept trying to normalize until the Gates forcefully brought an end to a delusional dream (read: nightmare).


    As he walked, flashes of memories surfaced in his mind, unbidden and unwelcome. His time at Arisen Studio may have been fraught with challenges at time, but nothing compared to the headache of navigating the one-time insanity of cultural politics in his world before the Gates. He vividly recalled how they had once accepted a contract to compose a traditional Japanese-style soundtrack, only to find themselves embroiled in a ridiculous controversy. Rabid voices had tried to drag politics into the art, accusing the studio with the flimsy excuse of appropriation and insensitivity. To these rabid people,


    If it weren¡¯t for the studio director¡¯s quick thinking and deft handling of the situation, the backlash might have derailed the project¡ªand Jihoon¡¯s career along with it. Now, even in this entirely different world, wearing the kimono brought those memories rushing back, a ghostly whisper from a past he¡¯d rather forget entirely already instead of needlessly brought up.


    ¡°No reason¡­¡± Jihoon muttered, his voice subdued. He knew his unease was irrational, a relic of a world where people argued over trivialities while the foundations of society crumbled. He wanted to enjoy the occasion, to immerse himself in the beauty of the moment, but the damage done to his mind back then was not something so easily ignored.


    Rosa tilted her head, clearly unconvinced, but she didn¡¯t press further. Instead, she adjusted the sash of her own kimono and gave him a small nudge on the shoulder. ¡°Well, try to relax. It¡¯s not every day you get to experience something like this. Just take it in, alright?¡±


    Jihoon nodded, grateful for the shift in tone. As they exited the inn, his unease began to dissipate, replaced by awe as they stepped into the outdoor courtyard.


    The sight before him was nothing short of enchanting. Traditional lanterns hung on ropes strung between cherry blossom trees, their warm, festive light illuminating the path ahead. The trees, their branches heavy with blossoms, seemed to glow softly under the moonlight, their pink petals drifting lazily to the ground like nature¡¯s own confetti. The contrast of the blossoms against the deep blues and purples of the night sky was breathtaking, creating a scene that felt almost too perfect to be real.


    Other guests strolled through the courtyard, their laughter and quiet conversation blending harmoniously with the rustle of the trees and the soft hum of the lanterns swaying gently in the breeze. Jihoon caught glimpses of various races from Merfolks in transformed state, silently enjoying the scenery around. Beastfolk people with their beast ears and fur fluffs rustling under the lantern light and the few other Youkais whose traits and exact subrace defies easy discernment even if they appear as human as he is.


    It was a gathering of Absence¡¯s diverse denizens, all drawn to this mountaintop sanctuary to bask in its beauty.


    Jihoon understood that sentiment completely. As much as he had struggled to feel at ease earlier, the scenery before him left no room for discomfort. It was impossible not to be entranced by the harmony of nature and craftsmanship on display.


    ¡°This is¡­ something else,¡± Jihoon murmured, more to himself than anyone else.


    ¡°It is, isn¡¯t it?¡± Karim said, walking beside him and chuckled.


    Jihoon absorbed Karim¡¯s words, his gaze lingering on the gently falling petals. It was a humbling thought, and one that made him feel a little more grounded, a little more connected to this strange yet beautiful world.


    With their arrival at the inn¡¯ hot spring. Jihoon felt the soothing warmth radiating even before they entered, the faint sound of flowing water adding to the tranquil atmosphere. With separated bath for men and women respectively, and that this place just seems to always be crowded with guests no matter the timeframe as people enters and exit the hot spring consistently. The area was bustling with activity and tt seemed the allure of the hot springs was universal, their popularity transcending time and racial species.


    ¡°Welp, it seems that this will be where we will be parting temporarily. Hope all of you ladies enjoy your time and that our temporary separation isn¡¯t too lonely for all of you¡±. Karim said as he maintains his calm and collected appearance as professionally as he could. These girls chose to follow Jihoon for a reason after all regardless of their personal positions.


    Despite his teasing words, Jihoon noticed Karim¡¯s tact in how he phrased it. These weren¡¯t ordinary women¡ªthey were a royal princess of an undersea kingdom, the Daughter of the Matriarch, and the CEO of one of the largest industrial conglomerates in Absence. Yet, none of their positions mattered in the face of public etiquette. Rules were rules, and not even their titles could bend them to allow mixed bathing.


    Disappointed as they might be yet as they moved away from one another, Alvorna¡¯s eyes lingered on Jihoon for a moment longer than the others, her expression unreadable but somehow heavy with unspoken emotion.


    Jihoon gave them a small nod before turning to follow Karim into the men¡¯s section. The transition from the bustling courtyard to the men¡¯s hot spring was seamless, the warm steam immediately enveloping them like a welcoming embrace. The outdoor spring was a natural marvel, with rocks forming the edges of the steaming pool, blending perfectly with the surrounding landscape. Cherry blossom trees framed the area, their petals occasionally drifting down to rest on the surface of the water, creating a picturesque and serene environment.


    Together, they found a spot near a large rock in the middle of the spring and settled in, leaning against it to let the warmth seep into their bodies. The water was just hot enough to relax every muscle without being overwhelming, and Jihoon let out a contented sigh as he closed his eyes.


    After a moment of quiet, Jihoon broke the silence. ¡°So, Karim, with your¡­ impressive social skills, can you imagine what¡¯s going on over on the girls¡¯ side right now?¡±


    Karim chuckled, closing his eyes as he stretched his arms along the edge of the rock. ¡°I can¡¯t speak for them exactly, but if I had to guess based on what I¡¯ve observed, they¡¯re probably discussing you, my friend.¡±


    Jihoon raised an eyebrow. ¡°Me?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Karim opened one eye, smirking. ¡°You¡¯ve got the Daughter of the Matriarch watching over you like a hawk, a mermaid royal who seems intrigued by you despite her supposed reserved nature, and a fiery dwarf who went out of her way to dress to the nines just to come here. You¡¯re the common thread, Jihoon. It¡¯s only natural you¡¯d be the topic of conversation.¡±


    Jihoon shook his head, letting out a soft laugh. ¡°I¡¯m not sure whether to feel flattered or concerned.¡±


    ¡°Both, probably,¡± Karim replied smoothly, his tone teasing. But then, his expression shifted slightly, his smirk taking on a more mischievous edge. ¡°Speaking of the ladies¡­ here¡¯s a burning question for you: who do you think is the most beautiful among them?¡±


    Jihoon gave Karim a sideways glance, expecting the usual playful banter. Normally, such a question would leave him flustered, fumbling for an answer that wouldn¡¯t stir up trouble. But tonight was different. The soothing atmosphere of the spring and the introspective nature of their conversation lent him a clarity he hadn¡¯t felt in a while.


    He leaned his head back against the rock, gazing up at the night sky as he considered his answer.


    ¡°If we¡¯re talking purely physical allure, Rosa has that in spades. Her presence commands attention, and she knows how to carry herself along with her very¡­ well-developed body. Aquarius has her own regal charm¡ªthere¡¯s a grace to her movements, like she¡¯s always in her element, no matter where she is even if she lived in a reserved manner.¡±


    He paused, his expression softening. ¡°And then there¡¯s Alvorna. She has this innocent grace, the kind of presence that captures hearts the moment she enters a room. It¡¯s not just her beauty¡ªit¡¯s the way she carries herself, like she¡¯s always looking for a way to connect, to belong.¡±


    Karim raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ¡°But if you had to choose?¡±


    Jihoon made his answer without any hesitation. He knew already from the moment he first laid eyes upon her.


    ¡°Alvorna,¡± he said firmly.


    Jihoon¡¯s voice trailed off for a moment before he reorganized and found the next words in his mind.


    ¡°She¡¯s like me. Neither of us feels like we truly belong in the world we¡¯re in. I couldn¡¯t adapt to the post-Gates society of my place¡ªI lived in its shadow withoutfor years as an unawakened, feeling like I was always on the outside looking in. And Alvorna¡­ her life is no different. She grew up in a gilded cage, her path decided for her before she ever had a choice in the matter herself¡±


    ¡°If one day I must leave Absence and there¡¯s anyone I could take with me, it would only be her. Everyone else has something worth staying for. Rosa has her trade empire, Aquarius has her kingdom. But Alvorna? She deserves to see a world beyond the one she¡¯s been trapped in no matter how beautiful it is.¡± Jihoon turned his gaze to Karim, his expression resolute.


    Karim was silent for a long moment, his usual smirk replaced by a contemplative look. Finally, he let out a low whistle. ¡°I was expecting a flustered dodge or a joking answer, but that¡­ That was wiser than I¡¯d have given you credit for. Sorry for asking you a stupid question in the first place.¡±


    ¡°I guess the hot spring makes one think a little deeper than usual. The usual meditative state when one is relaxed.¡± Jihoon chuckled, shaking his head.


    Karim stared at Jihoon, seeing just how far this strange man in a strange world developed and connected to the world around sort of makes him proud like a parent seeing their children succeed in life. And considering his relationship as Jihoon¡¯s sponsor for his musical career, he was glad that his intuition as a merchant didn¡¯t fail him that day.


    ¡°You really don¡¯t do anything halfway, do you?¡± Karim admitted with a grin.


    Jihoon chuckled softly, leaning back against the rock once more. ¡°Not anymore. If there¡¯s one thing I¡¯ve learned, it¡¯s that half-measures don¡¯t get you anywhere worth going.¡±


    The two men sat in companionable silence, the gentle sound of water and the distant murmur of voices blending into the tranquil ambiance of the night. The warmth of the hot spring seeped deep into their muscles, soothing away every ache and lingering tension. It was a brief respite, but one they both knew was temporary. Time in the spring was limited, and every passing second brought Alvorna¡¯s Rite of Ascension closer.


    Still, Jihoon couldn¡¯t deny how refreshing the experience had been. After the grueling first trial of the Odyssey and his recent discharge from the hospital, the hot spring felt like it had ironed out every hidden crease in his body, leaving him feeling renewed in ways he hadn¡¯t expected.


    Eventually, the two of them stepped out, drying off and getting dressed in their kimonos once again. They made their way back to the meeting area, where the girls were already waiting for them, their relaxed expressions indicating they had enjoyed their time just as much.


    ¡°You all look refreshed,¡± Jihoon said, his tone light as he approached. ¡°How was it?¡±


    ¡°Oh, it was wonderful,¡± Rosa replied with a serene smile. ¡°The water was just the right temperature, and the view of the blossoms under the moonlight was breathtaking. Truly a perfect way to unwind.¡±


    ¡°Speak for yourself,¡± Alvorna interjected, crossing her arms. ¡°That water was hotter than magma. I felt like I was being boiled alive. I don¡¯t know how you managed to enjoy it so much, Rosa.¡±


    ¡°Boiling alive?¡± Aquarius raised an eyebrow, tilting her head in confusion. ¡°The water was fine. If anything, I thought it was too mild. It could¡¯ve been a few degrees warmer, honestly.¡±


    Jihoon blinked, looking between the three of them as they continued to recount their experiences. The stark contrast in their descriptions was almost comical.


    ¡°Wait a second,¡± he said, holding up a hand to interrupt. ¡°You were all in the same hot spring, right? How can your experiences be so¡­ different?¡±


    The three women exchanged glances, each looking equally perplexed.


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s just perspective,¡± Rosa offered diplomatically.


    ¡°Perspective, my down feathers!¡± Alvorna yelled. ¡°Aquarius has the temperature tolerance of a glacier, and Rosa being a dwarf probably finding it no different than taking a bath in literal blast furnace.¡±


    ¡°I could probably say the same about you,¡± Aquarius shot back with a rare smirk.


    Jihoon shook his head, utterly baffled. For a moment, he wondered if one of them¡ªor all of them¡ªwas exaggerating or outright lying. He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, Rosa clapped her hands together with an exaggerated grin.


    ¡°Well, there¡¯s one way to settle this,¡± she declared boldly. ¡°Next time, we should all try a mixed bath together. Then you¡¯ll have no excuse not to see for yourself, Jihoon.¡±


    The suggestion hung in the air for a second before- thwack! -Alvorna¡¯s hand came down on the back of Rosa¡¯s head with surprising force.


    ¡°Stop saying such nonsense,¡± Alvorna said, her expression calm but her voice carrying a sharp edge.


    Rosa rubbed the back of her head, scowling. ¡°What¡¯s your problem? I was just joking.¡±


    ¡°Some jokes are better left unsaid,¡± Alvorna replied smoothly, though she flexed her fingers, clearly regretting hitting Rosa¡¯s without considering her dwarven constitution. Her hand probably hurt more than Rosa¡¯s head from said fist.


    The sight of the scene brought back an unexpected memory for Jihoon. He was reminded of that game series Arisen Studio had worked on¡ªthe one infamous for its hot spring events in every installment. Those scenes always involved the male characters stumbling into the women¡¯s bath or overstaying their welcome, only to be met with exaggerated violence and humiliation. It was supposed to be comedic, but Jihoon had never found it funny. Watching those scenes unfold, he¡¯d always felt uncomfortable, unable to laugh at something that played out like a bad joke at someone¡¯s expense.


    ¡°Hey, earth to Jihoon,¡± Karim¡¯s voice cut through his thoughts, breaking the awkward air between all of them. ¡°How about we stop debating about hot springs and focus on the next stop?¡±


    Jihoon blinked, grateful for the change in topic. ¡°Next stop?¡±


    ¡°The teahouse,¡± Karim said, a knowing grin spreading across his face. ¡°Well, it¡¯s more like a tea yard, considering how popular it is. There¡¯s no way it could fit all the guests otherwise. Trust me, you don¡¯t want to miss it. The Perfect Cherry Blossom¡¯s tea is one of the highlights of the entire region.¡±


    ¡°Tea yard?¡± Jihoon repeated, his curiosity piqued.


    ¡°Yep. Lanterns, blossoms, and some of the best tea you¡¯ll ever taste,¡± Karim said. ¡°And considering how much we¡¯ve already experienced tonight, it¡¯ll be the perfect way to wind down before we call it a day.¡±


    The group began to make their way toward the teahouse, the soft glow of lanterns lighting their path through the courtyard once more. Jihoon stole a glance at the women, who had resumed their usual banter, and couldn¡¯t help but smile. Despite the confusion and chaos of the moment, the camaraderie between them all was undeniable¡ªand it was moments like this that reminded him how far they¡¯d come together.


    Whatever awaited them at the tea yard, Jihoon was certain it would be another memory worth cherishing.

 Chapter 48: SAKURA in Full Bloom at Night Festival

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 48: SAKURA in Full Bloom at Night Festival


    ¡°So, Karim, you said that the Perfect Cherry Blossom¡¯s teahouse was popular enough to have guests at all times,¡± Jihoon said, weaving through the crowd as they walked along the lantern-lit path.


    ¡°But is it supposed to have this many people? I mean, look at this.¡± He gestured toward the sheer number of visitors heading in the same direction as them. Families, merchants, adventurers, and even couples walked together, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of the lanterns.


    Karim furrowed his brows, his sharp merchant instincts kicking in. ¡°That¡¯s strange¡­ I don¡¯t recall there being anything special going on in this place.¡± His tone was thoughtful, his gaze scanning the crowd with growing curiosity. ¡°Last time I was here on business, it was nowhere near this crowded. The courtyard wasn¡¯t even half this lively.¡±


    Their group pressed on, following the steady flow of people toward the teahouse¡¯s location. But as they walked, the scenery shifted. What had been a serene path bordered by cherry blossoms turned into a vibrant, bustling festival. Stands lined both sides of the path, each one brightly decorated and manned by vendors calling out to potential customers. The air was filled with tantalizing aromas all over. Grilled meats, sweet confections, and fragrant teas¡ªand the sound of laughter and lively chatter echoed through the night.


    Brightly colored banners fluttered in the breeze, and children ran about, their hands clutching sparklers that left trails of light in the air. The lively chatter of the crowd filled the air, punctuated by bursts of laughter and the occasional cheer. Children darted between stalls, clutching small prizes and treats, while adults haggled good-naturedly with vendors. The sight was nothing short of a full-blown festival. Of the cherry blossoms overhead, glowing softly in the lantern light, gave the entire scene a dreamlike quality, as if the festival had been plucked from an illustrated storybook.


    Karim stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing as if piecing together a puzzle. ¡°Wait¡­ how did I miss something this obvious?¡± he muttered under his breath.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Jihoon asked, noticing Karim¡¯s expression shift from confusion to realization.


    Karim raised a hand to signal them to wait.


    ¡°Give me a second,¡± he said, his tone clipped. He walked briskly toward one of the food vendors, exchanged a few words, then returned to the group, his signature smirk back in place.


    ¡°Well, that clears it up,¡± he said. ¡°The inn is hosting a Night Festival in its courtyard. They¡¯re capitalizing on the influx of visitors from all over Absence during the Odyssey.¡±


    Jihoon blinked, surprised. ¡°Night Festival? Because of the Odyssey?¡±


    Karim nodded. ¡°Makes sense, doesn¡¯t it? The Odyssey is one of the biggest events in all of Absence, held every few years. It draws in competitors, spectators, and merchants from every corner of the continent. With that kind of foot traffic, it¡¯s a golden opportunity to make a profit. This festival is just good business sense.¡±


    Rosa crossed her arms, glancing around at the bustling crowd. ¡°And here I thought this place couldn¡¯t get any livelier. Guess I was wrong.¡±


    ¡°Of course you were,¡± Karim teased, his grin widening. ¡°If I weren¡¯t so busy preparing Jihoon for the Odyssey, I¡¯d have been here for this festival as part of my merchant duties. But with all the whirlwind of the past few days, I completely forgot about this part of it.¡±


    Aquarius, who had been quietly taking in the sights, tilted her head curiously. ¡°So this is all because of the Odyssey? It¡¯s incredible how much of an impact one event can have on so many places.¡±


    ¡°To say that it is just one event is not doing enough justice for it, milady.¡± Karim corrected, his merchant pride doesn¡¯t allow the slightest misunderstanding to take root when it comes to merchantry. ¡°People flock to the host regions not just to watch the trials but to experience everything the local culture has to offer. Inns, merchants, artisans¡ªthey all make the most of it. And this Night Festival is a perfect example of that.¡±


    Jihoon looked around, the vibrant energy of the festival seeping into his mood. Despite the challenges and trials that awaited him, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a spark of excitement. ¡°So, this wasn¡¯t part of the plan,¡± he said with a small smile. ¡°But I guess we should make the most of it while we¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°Exactly!¡± Karim said, clapping him on the back. ¡°Consider it a detour worth taking. Who knows? You might at least find something to lift your spirits before the next trial.¡±


    The group continued walking, the festival¡¯s lively atmosphere drawing them in further. The sounds, sights, and smells enveloped them, making it impossible not to be swept up in the celebration.


    During their approach toward their destination, the group just can¡¯t help but stray from the objective all the time as they get caught up in the festivity all around and trying out one of the stands just so to not to miss the anything. The journey is what matters and not the destination as the saying goes.


    The first detour was a food stall selling skewered grilled meat basted in a savory-sweet glaze. Rosa was the first to drag them over as her dwarven strength makes any attempt of refusal moot, demanding to try ¡°the best damn thing I¡¯ve smelled all night.¡±, as she said. One bite in, her smug expression gave way to unrestrained delight.


    ¡°This¡­ this is incredible!¡± Rosa exclaimed through a mouthful of food.


    Jihoon raised an eyebrow at her enthusiasm before taking a bite himself¡ªand couldn¡¯t help but agree.


    Their next stop was a game stand where contestants had to catch small, glowing goldfishes with fragile paper nets. Aquarius, confident in her skills with Water Magic and her aquatic proficiency, eagerly took up the challenge. However, her overconfidence backfired as her first net ripped apart almost instantly thanks to the unrestrained merfolk strength resulted from constant swimming, much to Rosa¡¯s amusement. By the end of the round, the only one with a prize was Alvorna, who had managed to catch three of them with an elegant yet determined focus.


    ¡°Not bad for someone who said she¡¯s never done this before,¡± Jihoon teased, earning a playful glare from Alvorna.


    As they passed another stall, Rosa challenged Jihoon to a ring toss competition. ¡°Bet you can¡¯t land a single one,¡± she taunted. Jihoon, unwilling to back down, accepted¡ªand promptly missed every throw due to him being melee-focused. Rosa didn¡¯t fare much better due to her short stature and the ensuing lack of restraint often overshot the target entirely. This led to a loud argument about whose technique was worse, while Karim standby observed and tried (and failed) to stop himself from laughing at their arguing dismay.


    Despite Karim¡¯s initial attempts to keep the group on track, even he was drawn into the festivities. A vendor selling rare spices caught his eye, and soon he was haggling animatedly with the merchant, completely forgetting his role as the group¡¯s self-proclaimed guide. By the time they pried him away, he was carrying a small bag of exotic ingredients, muttering something about ¡°once-in-a-lifetime deals.¡±


    The most intriguing activity of the night, however, was a fortune-telling stall tucked into a quieter corner of the festival. The stand was simple, with a small wooden sign that read Draw Your Fortune! in ornate lettering.


    The process was straightforward: each participant would draw a fortune from a wooden box, and the result would reveal their recent fortune, left to interpretation.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see what the stars have in store,¡± Rosa said, stepping forward eagerly.


    She drew a slip, opened it, and read aloud: ¡°A Golden Opportunity. Success is within your grasp if you seize the moment.¡± Her grin widened. ¡°Obviously accurate.¡±


    Aquarius went next, pulling her fortune with a skeptical look. ¡°A Hidden Wave. Strength lies beneath the surface, waiting to rise when least expected.¡± She frowned slightly, clearly unsure what to make of it.


    Alvorna¡¯s fortune was next: ¡°Winds of Change. The path you walk will bring transformation¡ªthough whether it is for better or worse is unclear.¡± Alvorna read the words aloud softly, her expression thoughtful.


    Finally, it was Jihoon¡¯s turn. He hesitated for a moment before reaching into the box. He wasn¡¯t one to believe in luck or fortune¡ªit wasn¡¯t something a Hunter could afford to rely on in a life-or-death profession. Still, the others were watching expectantly, and there was no way he could back out now.


    He drew a slip, opened it, and read the words written in bold, ominous letters:


    ¡°Absolute Curse. The path ahead of you is fraught with endless challenges due to both circumstances beyond your control and your actions in correspondence.¡±


    A heavy silence fell over the group as Jihoon stared at the paper. ¡°Well,¡± he said finally, his voice dry, ¡°I¡¯m not sure what I was expecting, but this feels about right.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re taking that a little too well,¡± Karim noted, raising an eyebrow.


    Jihoon shrugged. ¡°When you think about how my life¡¯s been going lately¡ªparticipating into the Odyssey, nearly dying at the first trial going above and beyond the original goal, and everything else¡ªI¡¯d say this is pretty accurate. Honestly, it¡¯s probably less of a curse and more of a factual restatement at this point.¡±


    The group exchanged uneasy glances, but Jihoon simply tucked the slip into his pocket and gave a small smile. ¡°It¡¯s just plain-old superstition. Let¡¯s not let it ruin the night.¡±


    Before the situation could grow awkward, Karim took the opportunity to steer the conversation elsewhere. ¡°Alright, enough of the doom and gloom. How about we make our way to the tea yard before we get sidetracked again? It¡¯s so popular they had to expand it to accommodate all the guests, so we¡¯re bound to find something amazing there.¡±


    The group nodded in agreement, the lively festival atmosphere once again lifting their spirits as they continued down the supposed path. The teahouse awaits, promising a proper conclusion to this whirlwind of a night.


    After finally gathering enough self-control after indulging in the festivity, they arrived. Karim¡¯s sharp eyes immediately caught something new. Near the center of the yard was a temporary stage, its simple yet elegant design adorned with floral motifs and cherry blossom accents. Rows of guests were already seated, their attention focused on the empty stage.


    ¡°It seems the inn has brought in a performing troupe to provide the night¡¯s climax,¡± Karim observed, gesturing toward the stage. ¡°And judging by the size of the crowd, this isn¡¯t just any nameless group.¡±


    The group found a table and sat down, taking in the buzzing energy of the crowd around them. A server soon appeared, taking their orders with practiced efficiency. Jihoon opted for a simple jasmine tea, while the others ordered a variety of traditional blends and small snacks to accompany the evening.


    As they waited for their orders, the group continued to observe the growing anticipation among the guests. But before their tea arrived, two well-dressed individuals approached their table. Their attire was striking¡ªornate robes adorned with intricate patterns¡ªand both wore elegant kitsune masks that partially obscured their faces.


    ¡°Good evening,¡± one of them began, their voice polite but filled with an air of urgency. ¡°Apologies for the intrusion, but may we have a moment of your time?¡±


    The group exchanged glances before Jihoon nodded. ¡°What¡¯s this about?¡±


    The second individual, whose mask was accented with gold trim, stepped forward. ¡°You are Jihoon Hyunwoon, the Maestro fastest to debut in Absence¡¯s history, are you not? The one who composed SPIKA and performed Release of the Far South Ocean at the Odyssey¡¯s opening ceremony?¡±


    Jihoon tensed slightly, unused to this level of recognition. ¡°That¡¯s me,¡± he said cautiously.


    The first individual clasped their hands together, their tone turning eager. ¡°Your reputation precedes you, Maestro. Many producers have sought to contact you, but your¡­ wandering nature has made that difficult. Tonight, we are incredibly fortunate to have stumbled upon you here.¡±


    Jihoon tilted his head. ¡°Fortunate? What exactly do you need from me?¡±


    They exchanged a quick glance before the second individual spoke. ¡°We are part of the performing troupe set to take the stage tonight. It would be an honor if you would join us for a single performance. Your instrument¡¯s unique, gritty tone has a stirring quality that resonates deeply with listeners. We believe it would add a new dimension to our performance.¡±


    Jihoon¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°I appreciate the offer, but wouldn¡¯t that complicate things? You¡¯ve already planned your performance, and adding me at the last minute might ruin the flow of it.¡±


    The first individual shook their head fervently. ¡°Not at all. We have an hour before the performance begins, and our troupe is more than capable of making adjustments. Your reputation for adaptability and fast-composing is displayed and well known since the Odyssey¡¯s opening ceremony, and we are confident you could find your place seamlessly.¡±


    As Jihoon considered their request, Alvorna, who had been listening quietly, suddenly leaned forward. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but Jihoon is here on vacation. Surely you understand that he¡¯s earned a moment of peace after everything he¡¯s been through.¡± Her tone was polite but firm, her protective instincts clear.


    Her unexpected interjection made Jihoon pause. Seeing her so adamantly defending his time off brought a small smile to his face. He straightened in his seat and spoke up. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Alvorna. I¡¯ll do it.¡±


    She blinked, caught off guard. ¡°Jihoon¡ª¡±


    He held up a hand to stop her. ¡°I have my reasons. Performing isn¡¯t just about making music. It¡¯s about connecting with people around with whatever you conjure truthfully. This opportunity to improve myself more might not come again, and I want to take it. Besides¡­¡± He met her gaze, his tone softening. ¡°Every time I play, it reminds me of why I¡¯m here and what I¡¯m fighting for. It helps me stay grounded. And if I can bring a little bit of joy to everyone here, I¡¯d say it¡¯s worth it even if there isn¡¯t any real reason to do so¡±.


    Alvorna stared at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, to everyone¡¯s surprise, she nodded. ¡°If you¡¯re going, then so am I.¡±


    The performers exchanged delighted glances and immediately began discussing logistics with Jihoon and Alvorna as the two rose from the table. As they walked toward the preparation ground to prepare, Rosa leaned back in her seat, watching them go with a puzzled expression.


    ¡°What¡¯s gotten into her?¡± Rosa asked. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen her so insistent about sticking to Jihoon¡¯s side like this.¡±


    Karim chuckled softly, sipping on his ordered tea. ¡°It¡¯s simple, really. Alvorna¡¯s starting to realize what she wants. Not what¡¯s expected of her, not what¡¯s dictated by her status, but her own desires. This is probably the first time she¡¯s ever acted entirely for herself.¡±


    Rosa frowned, crossing her arms. ¡°Well, I guess that¡¯s good for her. Still, I didn¡¯t think she¡¯d jump straight into performing.¡±


    ¡°Sometimes, it takes seeing someone else pursuing their passion to awaken your own,¡± Karim replied, watching the stage with a thoughtful smile. ¡°And if I had to guess, this won¡¯t be the last time Alvorna takes a step forward like this.¡±


    As Jihoon and Alvorna disappeared into the sea of people, weaving their way toward the preparation ground, the rest of the group remained seated, letting the festival¡¯s vibrant energy wash over them. The anticipation in the air was palpable, and the stage was set, both literally and figuratively, for a night none of them would soon forget.


    When Jihoon and Alvorna arrived at the preparation area, they were greeted by a scene of disciplined chaos. Performers bustled about, making final adjustments to their instruments, costumes, and props. Despite the flurry of activity, there was a sense of order¡ªeach person seemed to know their role and purpose without the need for verbal instruction.


    One of the troupe members, a man in a fox mask with intricate silver details, approached them. ¡°You¡¯re just in time. We¡¯ve already set the roles for the performance, but we¡¯ll give you an hour to integrate yourselves into the arrangement. Here¡¯s the recorded version of the piece we¡¯re performing tonight,¡± he said, handing Jihoon a small music player that began to play a melody as soon as he activated it. Its appearance similar to any musical player of his world but something tells him its inner workings is vastly different.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have an hour to integrate into the piece,¡± another one of them said. ¡°We know it¡¯s a tight schedule, but we¡¯ve heard of your reputation, Maestro Jihoon, and we trust you¡¯ll make it work.¡±


    Jihoon nodded, putting on a pair of headphones to listen to the recording. He closed his eyes, focusing entirely on the music. The composition was intricate, filled with layers of traditional instruments and a rhythmic flow that evoked the ethereal beauty of the cherry blossoms in full bloom. Strings, flutes, and drums, each note carrying the soul of Absence¡¯s eastern culture.


    This wasn¡¯t new to him. Back in his world, before the Gates, he often livestreamed impromptu performances where viewers would request songs for him to play. Sometimes, he¡¯d listen to a piece once before playing, other times he¡¯d integrate his own improvisation on the fly. The skill had come from years of practice and adaptability, learning to blend his electric guitar¡¯s gritty tone with songs that weren¡¯t originally written with such an instrument in mind. It wasn¡¯t just him, either. He vaguely recalled his coworkers at Arisen Studio doing the same to sharpen their skills with their own instruments, each trying to push the boundaries of what they could achieve.


    With those memories resurfacing, Jihoon felt a sense of ease and mild nostalgia wash over him. He mentally mapped out how his guitar¡¯s unique tone could complement the performance, envisioning the crescendos and pauses where his instrument could amplify the piece¡¯s emotional depth.


    By the time the song ended, Jihoon had already formed a mental roadmap of how to integrate his guitar into the performance. He gestured for one of the troupe members to hand him his personal instrument, then began testing a few riffs, subtly weaving them into the song¡¯s framework as it played. The other musicians watched in awe as his improvisation flowed seamlessly, as if he had been part of their troupe from the beginning.


    Beside him, Alvorna watched the same scene unfold. She had brought her violin, but as she listened to the recording alongside Jihoon, doubt crept into her mind. The violin, while versatile, didn¡¯t seem to have a natural place in the already rich tapestry of Orient traditional instruments woven into the piece. She toyed with the idea of simply supporting Jihoon from the sidelines, but then another thought struck her.


    Her gaze shifted to the troupe¡¯s lead vocalist after a moment of contemplation, a young woman rehearsing her part with a clear, bell-like voice.


    The Odyssey, with all its grand retellings and reinterpretations, had left a mark on Absence. Among its many tales was the depiction of the Sirens, who had lured Odysseus and his crew with their mesmerizing songs. Over the centuries, the depiction of Sirens varied wildly¡ªsome described them as Merfolk with enchanting voices, others as Harpies. While the truth of the Siren Archipelago in Southern Absence was eventually revealed to be a natural large-scale magical formation, one detail remained consistent: the singing voices of Harpies were said to be uniquely alluring, capable of capturing the hearts and minds of any who listened.


    This wasn¡¯t just any myth of unverified origin or grandiose uplifting. It¡¯s the truth of one of the vast capabilities that a Harpy can be easily capable of. When she first met Jihoon in Lengsel Academy after his meteoric rise as the youngest and fastest Maestro of Absence, she deliberately used this entrancing singsong voice to capture the hearts of all the crowd around her as she performs her own personal character theme that she composed herself.


    She no longer needs to rely solely on her violin. For tonight, her voice could take the center stage.


    Alvorna approached the troupe leader. ¡°I¡¯d like to apply for the role of vocalist,¡± she said, her tone confident.


    The leader hesitated, glancing toward the current vocalist. ¡°We already have one¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t intend to replace her,¡± Alvorna clarified. ¡°But I believe our voices can complement each other. With some practice, we can harmonize and add depth to the performance with intergration.¡±


    The troupe leader considered this for a moment before nodding. ¡°Very well. Let¡¯s see what you can do.¡±


    Alvorna stepped forward, exchanging a brief nod with the lead vocalist. Then they began rehearsing together after she had a look into the lyric, their voices intertwining in a way that surprised even the troupe leader. Her rich and ethereal voice, carrying a natural resonance that evoked both innocent grace and power. Combined with the lead vocalist¡¯s clear and mature tone, the two together created a combination that was so complimenting with one another as though yin-yang, the two extremes within Taiji. A harmony of opposite and contrast.


    Jihoon glanced over as he continued tweaking his part, watching Alvorna immerse herself in the music on her own accord. Although she has tried to step beyond the shadow of her own heritage, this is one of the few times he sees her being genuinely carefree. She has always carried herself with dignity, but this is where she steps forward on her own accord without any obligation or expectation.


    As the hour of preparation wore on, the troupe worked tirelessly together with them to integrate Jihoon and Alvorna into the performance. Adjustments were made, parts were rehearsed, and by the end of it, the ensemble felt more cohesive than anyone could have anticipated.


    Back at the tea yard, Rosa and Aquarius were growing restless. The two had gone through their fifth snack break in a row, Rosa munching on skewered treats while Aquarius stirred her now-empty teacup absently. The anticipation of Jihoon¡¯s performance was starting to get to them.


    ¡°If it¡¯s Jihoon,¡± Rosa said between bites, ¡°it¡¯ll definitely be worth the wait. But seriously, how much longer is this going to take?¡±


    Aquarius nodded, her expression betraying a similar impatience. ¡°They¡¯ve had an hour. How much more preparation do they need?¡±


    Karim, however, remained as calm and collected as always. Reclining in his seat, he seemed perfectly at ease, his sharp eyes scanning the festival grounds. Despite the lack of a visible clock anywhere, he seemed to have an uncanny ability to keep track of the time.


    ¡°One hour is about to pass,¡± Karim said suddenly, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the surrounding crowd. ¡°And the performance is about to begin.¡±


    The instant the words left Karim¡¯s mouth, the atmosphere of the tea yard shifted. A wave of excited murmurs rippled through the crowd as the performers began to file onto the stage. The troupe moved in perfect sync, their costumes and movements a flawless blend of elegance and tradition. Among them were Jihoon and Alvorna, now dressed in the troupe¡¯s signature costumes to blend in seamlessly with the rest of the group. Both wore intricately designed kitsune masks, their expressions hidden behind the mystique of the fox-like visages.


    While the masks lent them an air of anonymity, their distinct traits were impossible to miss. Jihoon¡¯s confident stance and the unmistakable shape of his guitar made him stand out even amidst the crowd of performers. Alvorna¡¯s commanding yet graceful presence drew the attention of those who recognized her, her vibrant emerald eyes briefly visible through the slits of her mask.


    ¡°They¡¯re not going to stay hidden for long,¡± Karim remarked with a knowing grin, watching as the crowd leaned forward in anticipation. ¡°After this performance, Jihoon¡¯s renown will only grow greater. And Alvorna¡¯s, too, if her singing is as enchanting as I suspect.¡±


    Rosa crossed her arms, still chewing on her latest snack. ¡°Obviously. It¡¯s Jihoon. He doesn¡¯t know how to do anything halfway. But damn, they really look the part, don¡¯t they?¡±


    Aquarius tilted her head, her sharp gaze fixed on Alvorna. ¡°She¡¯s come a long way since we met her. Seeing her up there with them¡­ she looks like she belongs since the first moment.¡±


    As the performers finished arranging their positions on stage, the crowd fell silent, the excitement palpable in the cool night air. Lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, casting a warm glow over the performers as the first notes of the performance began to drift through the tea yard.


    Jihoon adjusted his grip on his guitar, his fingers poised over the strings, ready to bring a new sound to the traditional ensemble. Alvorna, standing near the front, closed her eyes for a moment, centering herself before the first line of the song. The two exchanged a brief glance, a silent acknowledgment of the journey that had brought them to this moment.


    And so begin the performance.


    G-~~~|D~~~|D_C_D_F D_C~C~|


    The opening measures were a dialogue between the two instruments, their voices intertwined in a melody that felt simultaneously tender and aching. The other instruments remained silent, allowing the zither and flute to weave a story of longing and introspection. Sustained notes lingered, creating an immediate sense of melancholy, as though the music invited the audience to step into a quiet space for contemplation.


    As the melody shifted, the progression began to ripple with tension. Notes danced back and forth, a delicate balance of consonance and dissonance that brought forth a sense of internal conflict. It was a moment of wrestling with thoughts or emotions, beautifully restrained yet undeniably powerful.


    D_B C~~|A~ F~|Eb~ D~|


    The notes transitioned, the melody descending the chromatic scale with a creeping, almost reluctant progression. Each step felt like a poignant resignation, the kind that settles in slowly, leaving an undeniable weight behind.


    D+ C+ Bb+ A+| F G~~|


    Suddenly, the notes climbed sharply to a higher register before cascading back down to the tonic. The descent was swift, dramatic, and filled with tension, resolving with a finality that closed the prelude with an emotional and dramatic intensity that left the tea yard in silent awe. Thus, officially completing the prelude. Only after that


    As Jihoon had examined the song by melody and what he managed to discern during the preparation. He finds that either is composer is bloody brilliant or lucky stroke of geniuses. Because like how Alvorna hides her own composed theme¡¯s true nature in its key signature. Similarly, this song that was made for a festival has a key signature of¡­


    G minor. The key signature of resentment.


    A song¡¯s emotion is decided by many factors. Key signatures took half of it and the rest depended on instruments and melodic progression. Beneath the surface of its outward beauty and celebratory context was something far deeper, even darker


    ¡®G minor? For a festival song?¡¯ Jihoon thought. ¡®It¡¯s the same kind of trick Alvorna uses in her own character theme¡ªmasking the true nature of the composition behind a fa?ade. This isn¡¯t a song about beauty. It¡¯s about the fleeting nature of that beauty, the bitterness that comes with knowing it will fade.¡¯


    As the ensemble eased into the next section, Jihoon¡¯s fingers moved instinctively over to the strings of his guitar, preparing to add his voice to the ensemblee. The gritty, rebellious tone of his instrument will stand in stark contrast to the polished sound of the traditional ensemble, but not with the intent to clash or override the pre-existing sounds. Instead, it underscored the raw emotion hidden within the melody, amplifying its sense of struggle and defiance.


    SAKURA in Full Bloom!


    G D_G A+~| G_A+ Bb+_C+ A+_G D|


    D G A+~| D+ C+ D+~|


    With the G minor key signature, the song¡¯s emotion is determined. The rest of the ensemble begins to play in full swing as all the instruments harmonize with one another. Kickstarting from the gong, the flute played heartfeltly as it took the lead while the percussion and Jihoon¡¯s metal underscore played in compliment.


    The note progression started as it weaved between melancholy and determination as the immediate jump from tonic to dominant before tonicization. The starting measure creates the quality of contemplation before difficult decisions. Then with the following measure follows the ascent closely to higher register tonic before dropping down to dominant, creating the sense of fleeting hope before the immediate fall and resignation.


    In the following measure, the note progression ascends. From dominant to near-tonic, before resolving in higher register. Like a moment of internal dialogue or conflict, where the melody seems to argue with itself through these quick, decisive note changes.


    G D_G A+~| G_A+ Bb+_C+ A+_G D|


    D F A+ F| G_G F G~|


    The melody refrained once more to emphasis and return emotionally before finally ending on a sustained tonic. To end this section with a proper resolution after the previous heightened state in the previous. As though to capture a complex emotional state - perhaps reminiscent of someone working through feelings of nostalgia or bittersweet memories, ultimately finding peace with them.


    The audience sat enraptured, their eyes fixed on the performers. The tea yard, bathed in the warm glow of lantern light and the soft shimmer of falling cherry blossom petals, felt like it existed outside of time. Jihoon gazed briefly at Alvorna who stood at the center stage with the lead vocalist, her role was about to begin as after this following section. The spotlight was shifting toward and her figure was serene yet commanding, her emerald eyes glinting behind the intricate kitsune mask.


    G_A+_B+~B+ C+~| D+_Eb+ D+_C+ G~|


    Starting on the same root note again, the note progression this time ascent upward in stepwise motion. This time even more direct than previous with the sustained B+ to create tension then moving even higher to C+ near-dominant, the progression deliberately creates emotional vulnerability. The lingering sustained notes brought a poignant sense of yearning before softly descending to the root tonic, offering a moment of resolution¡ªbut one that felt incomplete, thematically unfinished, as if holding its breath for what was to come.


    G A+ B+ C+| D+ C+ D+~|


    The next phrase followed with clean, deliberate steps, each note rising without haste. The steady motion gave the melody a sense of inevitability, as if it were climbing toward something greater. The tension built steadily, culminating in a sustained D+~ that echoed the high notes from earlier. This time, however, the dominant note felt more resolved, as if the melody had reached a point of tentative understanding.


    G~ A+~| G_A+_Bb+_C+ A+_G D~|


    Eb~ F~ |G_G F G~


    The progression softened, returning to gentler, sustained notes¡ªG~ A+~¡ªthat brought a momentary reprieve. The familiar patterns from earlier sections reappeared, grounding the audience in a sense of continuity. The addition of sustained Eb~ F~ notes introduced a brief moment of uncertainty, as though the melody itself were pausing to reflect on what had been said. Finally, the section concluded with the same resolving cadence as before, offering one last moment of introspection before definitively ending the introduction.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    Alvorna took a subtle step forward as the melody faded into stillness. Her presence commanded the stage, and though she had yet to sing, her aura alone captured the audience¡¯s attention. Jihoon¡¯s gaze lingered on her for a brief moment as admiration flickers behind his mask. Her role is to elevate it¡ªto bring its hidden depths to life with her voice.


    The tea yard was silent now during the moment that as though stretched for eternity, the murmurs of the crowd stilled as they waited for what came next. Jihoon adjusted his grip on his guitar, his fingers resting lightly on the strings. He knew this moment would be pivotal¡ªnot just for the performance, but for Alvorna as well.


    With part of the lyrics decided between the lead vocalist and Alvorna, the verse begins.


    D D_F G~| G_Bb+ A+_Bb+ A+_F D|


    As the snow melts, the hibiscus blossoms,


    D_F G F A+| Bb+ A+ G A+|


    and the moonlight soon turns pale scarlet


    The lead vocalist started first, her mature and calm tone setting the initial atmosphere of the verse. Her voice was steady yet filled with restrained emotion, like a gentle pulse rippling through the silence. The zithers provided delicate slides, the strings resonating like palpating heartbeats, while Jihoon¡¯s muted guitar strums subtly added texture to the soundscape.


    The melody opened on a dominant note (D), building tension immediately. The progression then lingered on the tonic note (G~), offering a fleeting moment of contemplation. As the second measure unfolded, the oscillation between Bb+ and A+ created a sense of emotional turbulence, as though wrestling with unresolved thoughts. Finally, the descent to the root note provided partial resolution, though its placement on a dominant note maintained an undercurrent of tension, leaving the moment emotionally unresolved.


    D_F G G_A+_G| G_Bb+ A+_Bb+ A+_F D|


    The birds that- herald spring, sing in euphoric joy.


    D_F G~ F| Bb+ A+ G~|


    In the coming season of hope.


    The following measures brought more restless movement, the notes alternating between registers. This back-and-forth created the sensation of searching, of struggling to find emotional clarity. No sustained notes lingered in this section, leaving an air of unease. As the melody climbed to Bb+, the tension became palpable, while the subsequent descent offered partial relief.


    The next phrase mirrored the opening motif but developed it differently. The oscillation around G (G_A+_G) suggested internal uncertainty, a mind torn between conflicting emotions. However, the sustained G~ that followed provided a brief reprieve, a moment of reflection before the rise to Bb+. This ascent culminated in a soft landing on a sustained G~, suggesting resolution and acceptance after an internal struggle, bringing proper closure to the section.


    The audience sat in awe, their attention riveted on the stage. Every note, every lyric, seemed to carry a weight that resonated deeply with them. The performers, too, were fully immersed in their roles, their music weaving together seamlessly into a rich emotional tapestry.


    The spotlight shifted, and Alvorna stepped forward. Her voice, in sharp contrast to the lead vocalist¡¯s maturity, carried an innocent grace that breathed fresh life into the performance.


    D D_F G~| G_Bb+ A+_G A+_F D|


    Hands held in hand, the children dance in gorgeous clothing.


    D_F G F A+| Bb+ A+ G A+|


    Dancing together, the children compete with one another.


    The previous section refrained once more, this time carried forward with Alvorna¡¯s innocent grace that contrast with the lead vocalist, the backdrop instruments going double time as the percussionists perform in earnest while Jihoon remain almost inaudible between the soundscape yet unmistakably there for the sharp-hearing as it his blended emotionally as though indistinguishable.


    The lead vocalist joined Alvorna in the next lines, their contrasting harmonies intertwining like two halves of the same soul.


    D_F G G_A+_G| G_Bb+ A+_Bb+ A+_F D|


    Hands in hand, lush garments, their happiness fills the air.


    D_F G~ F| Bb+ A+ G~|


    Just before the season of hope.


    The interplay of their voices was breathtaking. The lead vocalist¡¯s calm strength and Alvorna¡¯s youthful clarity created a dynamic that perfectly embodied the song¡¯s themes of reflection and hope. The instruments swelled behind them, carrying the performance to greater emotional heights.


    Jihoon, while playing his part, couldn¡¯t help but analyze the song¡¯s structure. He¡¯d had his suspicions during preparation, but now he was certain: the choice of G minor as the key signature wasn¡¯t just a coincidence. The sheer amount rises to Bb then just drops guide him toward the truth of its melody structure.


    ¡°It¡¯s deliberate,¡± Jihoon thought, his mind briefly pulling away from the music as his fingers moved instinctively over the strings. ¡°G minor sits opposite Bb major in the Circle of Fifths. Bb major is the key of hope, while G minor is the key of resentment. This song was crafted to deceive. The general audience won¡¯t notice, but anyone with even basic music theory can see the brilliance here. It¡¯s disguised as a song of hope and renewal in melody progression, but at its heart, it¡¯s about struggle, longing, and reconciling with pain.¡±


    As the final notes of this section faded, Jihoon glanced at Alvorna. Her presence on stage, her ability to take the song¡¯s vulnerability and transform it into something breathtaking, left him momentarily speechless. The audience, too, seemed caught in the spell, their silence speaking volumes about the impact of the performance. Even if he has been part of many performances himself, it is still a unique experience each time.


    This was no ordinary festival piece. It was a masterpiece of emotional storytelling, one that resonated with each listener in a deeply personal way.


    As the performance moved forward, the song transitioned into the pre-chorus, signaling a shift in tone. The ensemble, which had previously played in full force, now pulled back. A hush fell over the instrumental section, leaving space for the lead vocalist to pour every ounce of emotion into the lyrics.


    G_A+ Bb+_C+ D+~| Eb+ D+ C+ Bb+| A+ G~~| A+_G D~~|


    When the festival music sounds, the moonlight spills out¡­ all around.


    The soundscape thinned dramatically, heightening the weight of each note. The percussion provided only brief, steady slaps, marking time with quiet authority. The zithers played in delicate, fluid motions, their strings barely touched as they shimmered in the near silence. Jihoon, too, held back, his guitar¡¯s muted strums striking only once per measure¡ªlike a heartbeat steadying the breath of the song itself.


    The melody ascended ambitiously, moving through multiple registers with elegant precision. The sustained D+~ at the peak created a moment of emotional suspension, holding the audience in breathless anticipation. Then, the line gently descended¡ªEb+ D+ C+ Bb+¡ªa gradual release of tension, flowing like a sigh of relief.


    The phrase landed softly on A+ G~~, a double sustain that lingered in the air like the echo of a deep-seated emotion. Then came A+_G D~~, where the extended sustain on D~~ seemed to offer a fleeting sense of peace. This entire section created an emotional wave¡ªrising tension, then a soft, soothing release¡ªlike the rhythm of natural breathing, drawing the listener into a moment of quiet reflection.


    The melody continued, contemplative and dreamlike:


    D F Eb~| F G~~| Bb+ A+~~| G~ A+~|


    The light overflows into the foliage''s shadow.


    The progression moved with shorter, more exploratory phrases, each sustained note acting as a stepping stone in a sequence of emotional realizations. The earlier sustained notes¡ªEb~ F G~~¡ªfelt like moments of contemplation, each note lingering in thought. The later ones¡ªBb+ A+~~¡ªfelt more purposeful, as if emotions that were once uncertain were now beginning to take form. The use of double sustains (~~) emphasized these realizations, offering a deep and meditative sense of peace before the melody moved forward.G_A+ Bb+_C+ D+~| Eb+ D+ C+ Bb+| A+ G~~| A+_G D~~|


    The curtains of a wonderful night, falling upon with splendor of moonlight.


    ¡®Here!¡¯ -Alvorna


    At that moment, Alvorna stepped forward, her presence undeniable as she seamlessly joined the measure. Her voice, lighter yet no less powerful, intertwined with the lead vocalist¡¯s mature resonance, creating a striking contrast that sent chills through the audience.


    Then came the most crucial moment.


    A+_Bb+_A+~ A+_Bb+_A+~ A+_Bb+_A+_G A+_Bb+_A+_G| A+_C+_D+~D+ D+_D+ Eb+_D+|


    Let us eat, let us drink, let us dance this night away until the dawn. Until the dawn.


    The repeated A+_Bb+_A+ pattern introduced a new intensity, an emotional insistence woven into the fabric of the song. The oscillating notes felt like a struggle¡ªan internal dialogue mirroring the pull between joy and lingering sorrow. The rise to D+ and Eb+ marked an emotional culmination, the tension building toward a climactic peak. Yet, rather than resolving entirely, the section ended on D+, leaving a lingering sense of expectation, a prelude to something even greater.


    The festival crowd, enraptured, swayed with the rhythm, their expressions mirroring the emotions carried in the music. Some closed their eyes, lost in the moment, while others watched in awe, unable to tear their gaze from the stage.


    Its hidden complexity, the deceptive use of G minor¡ªa key of resentment¡ªagainst Bb major, the key of hope, was a masterstroke of composition. The interplay between the two key signatures mirrored the very essence of the festival: a celebration that acknowledged both the fleeting nature of joy and the beauty found within it. One could endlessly argue about whether it was a festival song or not, but the undeniable fact remains that it truly touch the heart of many regardless of its described nature.


    As the final notes of the pre-chorus rang out, the music hushed once more, as if holding its breath. The tea yard was silent no longer. The festival¡¯s peak had arrived, and the audience was swept into the music¡¯s embrace. The flickering lanterns overhead swayed gently, their soft golden light cascading over the performers. And with it, the song would finally reveal its true heart.


    The chorus begins, with the full weight of emotions arrived.


    D_F G D_F A+| G_A+ Bb+_C A+_G D


    SAKURA, SAKURA, and a scarlet sky above.


    D_F G Bb+ A+| Eb+ D+ C+ D+|


    When I think of you, I know that you are with me


    At once, every performer on stage sprang into action. The percussionists struck their drums with newfound vigor, their rhythms pulsing like a heartbeat driving the song forward. The zithers and strings joined in full force, their harmonies swelling with the combined weight of longing and celebration. Jihoon¡¯s guitar roared to life, his sharp, distorted notes weaving into the soundscape without overpowering the traditional ensemble.


    At the front of the stage, Alvorna and the lead vocalist sang together, their voices intertwining in a stunning harmonic interplay that carried the soul of the song. The contrast between Alvorna¡¯s ethereal clarity and the lead vocalist¡¯s mature resonance made the words feel tangible, as if they were reaching beyond the music and into something more profound.


    The chorus opened with a rising pattern, its notes climbing steadily, gathering emotion with each step. The ascent to A+ built tension, like the tightening of a held breath. When the second measure descended back to the root note D, there was a fleeting sense of relief¡ªbut it was not yet true resolution. The melody then surged once more into the high register (Eb+ D+ C+ D+), intensifying the feeling of yearning, of searching for something just out of reach. This pattern of the entire section establishes an emotional question of yearning


    D_F G D_F A+| G_A+ Bb+_C A+_G D


    Round and round, come and go, all the horrible dreams and nightmares.


    D_F G~ F| Bb+ A+ G~|


    Until it all melts into the sound.


    The progression echoed the opening motif but evolved, shifting its emotional weight. The sustained G~ added a contemplative moment, lingering in the air as though giving space for a deep breath, a quiet reckoning. The final sustained G~ provided a more definitive rest¡ªa moment of pause before emotions surged once more.


    The festival audience, now fully immersed in the performance, swayed with the rhythm. Some clapped softly along with the beat, others closed their eyes, letting the music pull them into its spell.


    D_F G D_F A+| G_A+ Bb+_C A+_G D


    Keep dancing, keep dancing, I give myself over to the cheerful music


    D_F G G_Bb+ A+| Eb+ D+ C+ D+|


    Letting the whirldwind of the night carry me away.


    The melody refrained once more, its familiarity now imbued with greater urgency. The new variation (G_Bb+ A+) added a fresh layer of tension, a subtle shift that deepened the emotional weight of the piece. The high-register ending lingered, refusing to fully resolve, as if emotions were still swirling in the night air, unsettled yet intoxicating.


    D+_C+ D+_Eb+ D+~| C+_D+ Bb+_C+ A+_G D


    Hiding deep within my heart, is the wish we made that night


    D_F G~ F| Bb+ A+ Bb+_A+ G|


    That I kept within so tight.


    From the high, soaring register of the previous section, the melody immediately launched into an emotional peak. The sustained D+~ stretched across the measure, holding tension in place, as though suspending the audience in a moment of profound realization. The notes then began their gradual descent¡ªC+_D+ Bb+_C+ A+_G¡ªbut rather than a simple resolution, there was still ascending movement, an internal conflict easing into reluctant acceptance.


    Each section revisits similar emotional territory, and each return adds new elements or variations upon. Which suggests processing emotions from different angles. The final section provides the most complete resolution.


    The final oscillation (Bb+_A+) before the melody¡¯s soft landing on G provided a gentle, reflective closure. It was the sound of an emotion fully processed, a memory acknowledged, and a fleeting dream embraced before it slipped into the past.


    Each return to the chorus had revisited similar emotional ground, but each time, new elements emerged¡ªsubtle shifts in the harmony, variations in phrasing¡ªsuggesting that the song wasn¡¯t merely repeating itself, but rather, allowing the audience to experience the emotions from different angles.


    By the time the last note of the chorus faded into the cool night air, the festival crowd sat in stunned silence, their hearts still caught within the lingering echoes of the music.


    Jihoon exhaled, fingers still resting on his guitar strings as the vibrations dissipated. He could feel the weight of the performance in his chest¡ªnot just as a musician, but as someone who had lived the emotions the song conveyed. He glanced at Alvorna, who stood with her hands clasped before her, her emerald eyes bright with an emotion even she probably couldn¡¯t name.


    The music had reached them all. And the night was far from over.


    Back at the group¡¯s table, Karim observed the performance with a practiced poker face, betraying no emotion as he listened to the lingering echoes of the melody. His sharp eyes stayed fixed on the stage, following the interplay between Jihoon and Alvorna as they prepared for the next section.


    Aquarius and Rosa, however¡­ their reactions were far more complicated.


    Aquarius sat unusually still, her gaze distant, her fingers lightly gripping the edge of her teacup. The usual veil of detached elegance she wore was gone, replaced with something softer, more vulnerable. The song, with its poignant lyrics and aching melodies, resonated with something deep inside her¡ªsomething even she didn¡¯t fully understand.


    Rosa, on the other hand, was fidgeting. Her foot tapped an uneven rhythm against the wooden floor, her arms crossed in front of her as if trying to shield herself from what she was feeling. She refused to look at anyone, her gaze locked onto the stage.


    Karim glanced at both of them, his expression unreadable.


    "When you''re happy, you enjoy the music. But when you''re sad, you understand the lyrics."


    A certain quote resurfaced in his mind, one he had heard long ago. It wasn¡¯t that he was particularly happy or sad, but as the lyrics continued, something about them struck him differently.


    The words. The emotions. The way Jihoon and Alvorna¡¯s voices intertwined in perfect harmony, almost as if their souls were speaking to each other through the music.


    Karim exhaled softly, leaning back in his seat. He had been watching this entire thing unfold from the beginning, yet only now, as he listened to this song, did he take a step back and truly see everything for what it was.


    Jihoon.


    The Daughter of the Matriarch.


    The CEO of Magni Conglomeration.


    The Princess of the Sargasso Royal Family.


    All of them, tied together by the most improbable of circumstances. A man who, by all accounts, should have remained a fleeting presence in their lives. A wandering musician, nameless and unheard in entirety of Absence. And yet, somehow, he had become the crux of their intersection, the force that had drawn all of them together.


    Karim had witnessed countless chance meetings in his life¡ªalliances forged through trade, strangers crossing paths for fleeting moments, destinies altered by mere coincidences. But this¡­ this was something else entirely. The way their lives had intertwined, like celestial bodies aligning in the sky, was almost unthinkable.


    Was it just music that had brought them together?


    Or was it something far greater?


    Karim wasn¡¯t one to believe in fate. He preferred to think that life was built upon choices¡ªdecisions made in the moment that led people down different paths. And yet, when he looked at the stage and saw Jihoon and Alvorna standing side by side, their voices carrying the weight of something neither of them had put into words yet¡­


    He wondered.


    What would their lives have been without him?


    Would Alvorna still be the faithful Daughter of the Matriarch, forever bound by duty, never daring to chase her own desires or having her own aspiration? Would Aquarius still be locked in her pursuit of pitiful defiance as someone whose entire life until now has been sheltered? Would Rosa remain just as much a holder of a title, never knowing the full-depth of her own ancestry as she just moved along with the flow like a rock falling down a mountain?


    Would Jihoon still be wandering alone aimlessly, unsure of where he truly belonged?


    The thought lingered in his mind as the song shifted, the intermission drawing to a close.


    Karim closed his eyes briefly, allowing the music to wash over him once more.


    Whatever the truth was¡ªwhether it was fate, coincidence, or something in between¡ªit didn¡¯t matter.


    What mattered was that they were here, together, sharing this moment.


    And as the performance continued, Karim had a feeling that their journey was only just beginning.


    As the tea yard held its breath, the music resumed.


    Surprisingly, it was Alvorna who led the next verse, stepping forward into the dim lantern glow. The ensemble fell into a delicate hush, the traditional instruments reduced to mere whispers in the soundscape. It was as though the stage itself had pulled away, leaving only her voice to carry the weight of the lyrics.


    D D_F G~| G_Bb+ A+_Bb+ A+_F D|


    "Cloudburst and wind, a blurred moon in the distance."


    D_F G F A+| Bb+ A+ G A+|


    "And many fragments of sweet memories."


    Her voice, soft yet laced with something deeper¡ªsomething raw¡ªfilled the space. She sang not as a performer, but as someone living the words.


    D_F G G_A+_G| G_Bb+ A+_Bb+ A+_F D|


    "Even though we loved each other, it still has yet to come true."


    D_F G~ F| Bb+ A+ G~|


    "A sad story of our unrequited love."


    The second half of the verse was but a refrain of the first, yet the repetition only made it heavier. There was a purpose to refraining, after all¡ªto emphasize, to etch meaning into the listener¡¯s soul. And for Alvorna, who had studied the lyrics intently before the performance, she had not failed to notice how much this song mirrored her and Jihoon¡¯s relationship.


    But then again¡­ wasn¡¯t that the nature of music?


    Songs of love, of longing¡ªanyone could find a reflection of themselves in them. But standing here, singing these words beside Jihoon, Alvorna couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this was more than coincidence.


    As she held the final note, the pre-chorus arrived once more¡ªbut this time, something changed.


    Jihoon¡¯s guitar, which had thus far woven itself within the fabric of the ensemble, suddenly rose.


    With a deliberate strum, his sound cut through the delicate tapestry of traditional instruments, overtaking the entire arrangement. The song, once a grand festival performance filled with layers upon layers of musicianship, now shifted into something much more intimate.


    For a moment, it was no longer a troupe performance.


    It became a vocal-instrumental duo.


    Jihoon and Alvorna, bound by the song.


    G_A+ Bb+_C+ D+~| Eb+ D+ C+ Bb+| A+ G~~| A+_G D~~|


    "Let the horrifying fate come to an end and vanish without a trace."


    His guitar wailed with newfound intensity, its gritty, distorted tone cutting against the soft elegance of the original composition. This was no longer merely an accompaniment¡ªJihoon had claimed his place in the song, carving his presence into it like a blade etching into stone.


    Alvorna¡¯s voice rose to match him, their combined sound creating a tension so raw, so real, that it made the air itself seem to tremble.


    D F Eb~| F G~~| Bb+ A+~~| Gb~ A+~|


    "May the days of happiness continue unabated."


    The gentle, contemplative phrasing from earlier returned, but now it carried something deeper¡ªlike a desperate wish sent into the void, uncertain if it would ever be answered.


    G_A+ Bb+_C+ D+~| Eb+ D+ C+ Bb+| A+ G~~| A+_G D~~|


    "I will always be watching over you from this place, from far away."


    Jihoon¡¯s fingers moved with effortless grace, plucking out notes that bled emotion, raw and unfiltered. It was not just accompaniment. It was a conversation, a declaration in sound.


    Alvorna turned her head slightly, casting him a glance from behind her kitsune mask. Jihoon did not look back at her¡ªhis focus was entirely on the music. But he didn¡¯t have to.


    She understood.


    And so, she gave her answer in song.


    A+_Bb+_A+~ A+_Bb+_A+~ A+_Bb+_A+_G A+_Bb+_A+_G| A+_C+_D+~D+ D+_D+ Eb+_D+|


    "Spring evening, intoxicating, stars in the sky, a tiger on a bamboo branch, until the dawn... Until the dawn."


    The repeated A+_Bb+_A+ pattern built insistently, demanding to be heard. It oscillated back and forth, as though refusing to let the song end unresolved. It was yearning, it was insistence¡ªa desperate push against the inevitable.


    The night reached its peak, the performance reaching a crescendo as the final chorus surged forth.


    The entirety of the troupe joined in full force, surging forward with their instruments, their voices, their presence. No longer were they the ones guiding Jihoon and Alvorna. Instead, it was they who were assisting them.


    It was no longer a performance where the two had to fit into an existing framework.


    The framework moved to accommodate them instead.


    The lead vocalist harmonized with Alvorna in perfect synchrony, their voices weaving together into something greater than the sum of their parts.


    The flute soared, its melody spiraling around the vocals like a guiding wind.


    The zither and percussions surged, adding weight and momentum to the sound, pushing them forward rather than restraining them.


    The festival, the cherry blossoms, the lantern lights¡ªthey all seemed to blur into a singular moment of music, alive and burning with passion.


    Jihoon¡¯s guitar roared, no longer merely blending into the soundscape, but standing at the forefront, reinforcing every rise and fall in intensity.


    The song had transformed into something more than just tradition.


    It was alive.


    D_F G D_F A+| G_A+ Bb+_C A+_G D


    SAKURA, SAKURA, I entrust myself to you.


    D_F G Bb+ A+| Eb+ D+ C+ D+|


    On this melancholic, lonely night.


    Alvorna¡¯s voice rang clear as crystal, resonating in perfect harmony with the lead vocalist. Their voices, so different yet so complementary, wove together like twin threads in an intricate tapestry. The flute soared above them, embellishing the melody with delicate trills, while the zithers provided a textured, rippling backdrop.


    Jihoon¡¯s guitar roared back into the mix, no longer standing apart from the traditional instruments, but blending seamlessly into them. His electric chords reverberated like thunder, bringing a weight to the chorus that pushed it beyond mere festival music


    The rising pattern returned, but now it soared, lifted by the combined power of every performer on stage. The ascent to A+ carried a weight that had not been there before¡ªa sense of longing transformed into action.


    No hesitation. No uncertainty. Just pure, unfiltered emotion. As the melody descended back to the root note (D), there was no longer an unresolved feeling, no lingering doubt.


    This was no longer a song about sorrow but a bold declaration.


    D_F G D_F A+| G_A+ Bb+_C A+_G D


    I believe that someday, my wish will become true.


    D_F G~ F| Bb+ A+ G~|


    And my thoughts toward you will never fade.


    The second half of the chorus refrained, but its meaning had deepened. This wasn¡¯t just repetition¡ªit was affirmation. The voices rose, the instruments built up like a cresting wave, every note reaching upward, straining toward something greater.


    Alvorna and the lead vocalist pushed their voices further, carrying the chorus beyond its original intent. Their voices stretched across the festival grounds, reaching every soul present. Jihoon¡¯s guitar burned through the measures of the phrase, echoing their voices in defiance of impermanence.


    The next refrain surged forth, no longer bittersweet, but radiant. The audience felt it too. Many had their eyes closed, not merely listening but feeling. Others watched the stage with an intensity that spoke volumes¡ªthis performance was something they would never forget.


    And then, as the song surged forward, Alvorna smiled. Not just a polite smile. Not because she is being the distant, unreadable Daughter of the Matriarch.


    A real, genuine smile.


    And Jihoon saw it.


    D_F G D_F A+| G_A+ Bb+_C A+_G D


    Keep smiling, keep smiling, a sad face doesn''t belong at a festival


    D_F G G_Bb+ A+| Eb+ D+ C+ D+|


    Yet tears still fell no matter the spectacle.


    The percussionists hammered their drums, not in somber restraint, but in a celebratory burst of power. The flute swirled in joyous defiance, soaring above the layered voices, guiding the melody like wind carrying sakura petals into the sky. Jihoon struck his guitar with renewed intensity, his sound no longer melancholic but empowered, steadfast, like a heartbeat refusing to fade.


    Even if the festival was meant to be joyous, tears could still fall. Even if they smiled, it didn¡¯t mean the past didn¡¯t weigh upon them.


    But still¡ªthey kept going because life awaits no one.


    D+_C+ D+_Eb+ D~| C+_D+ Bb+_C+ A+_G D


    The spring snowflakes dancing in the night, like a dream of paradise.


    D_F G~ F| Bb+ A+ Bb+_A+ G|


    A shared heaven where only we reside.


    The final lines of the chorus rang through the night, the words sinking into every heart present. With how much Alvorna is impassioned by the performance, the way she expressed it toward her targeted recipient makes it a barely disguised confession.


    A whispered truth carried on the wind. Jihoon let the last note of his guitar fade into silence. Alvorna¡¯s voice lingered for a heartbeat longer before falling still. But the performance hasn¡¯t ended yet. The song enters another interlude or as defined in song structure. Middle 8.


    A middle 8 is a section of a song that differs in melody and lyrics and helps the song develop naturally by providing contrast to what was previously playing in the song, usually set after the second chorus.


    Whatever is chosen to put in this section, there is only one important factor to keep in mind: a middle 8 exists to bring variety to a song. It is a sort of break before we go back to the main part of the tune, the chorus. It serves the need to make the song more dynamic, as it adds movement and tension, finalized to resolve on the hook.


    Even if the terms are often used interchangeably, the middle 8 and the bridge are still different parts of a song. The bridge usually connects a verse to the chorus, while the middle 8 doesn¡¯t serve as a connection but, rather, as a turning point.


    G~~~|D+~~~| D+_C+ Bb+_A+ G_D~D| D F Eb~| F G~~| Bb+ A+~~| G~ A+~|


    The flute began to play. Alone.


    Its delicate melody filled the space left behind by the fading instruments, weaving through the night like a spectral whisper. Every other sound, every presence on stage, faded into absolute absence, leaving behind only this singular voice¡ªa quiet reflection of the festival¡¯s mystique.


    It felt like stepping beyond time itself, where the world continued to move, yet the soul remained suspended in stillness.


    The initial long-sustained notes and instant jump from tonic to dominant give the feeling of emotional awakening while lost in suspended time itself. Then with the cascading descent from high to middle register, gives visualization to the layered emotions as it gradually settles.


    Then with much more gentle motion that the note progression moved, the sustained flat (Eb) gives sense to melancholy then with the resolution to tonic gives brief stability before jumping to higher register to showcase lingering emotional intensity. Before ending on sustained A+~ leaves feelings unresolved but peaceful


    Finally, Jihoon performs once more. The percussions returned, soft and measured, like footsteps in the snow, while the flute lingered just enough to guide the way.


    But this moment belonged to Jihoon alone.


    G~~~| G_A+ Bb+_C+ Bb+_Bb+ A+| F_F~F~~|


    The guitar¡¯s first note rang out¡ªa single, long-sustained G, its sound raw and unfiltered.


    It was a moment of stillness, a confession held between trembling hands.


    Then, the ascent began, the notes climbing steadily, trembling with growing intensity. The perfect fifths of G and Bb reinforced the weight of this unspoken turmoil, the harmony clashing yet complementing, creating a tension that spoke louder than words. Where hope and resentment but two sides of the same coin.


    Then came the fall¡ªBb+ A+¡ªthe melody dropping suddenly to the lower register. The descent was not gentle despite its stepwise motion. It was heavy, like the slow collapse of something unsaid, something breaking under its own weight.


    F_G A+_Bb+ A+_A+ G| Eb_Eb~Eb~~|


    Each refrain fell lower, dragging the melody further down.


    It felt like something spiraling downward, like a weight pressing onto the chest. The guitar wailed, its tone bending into something between grief and defiance. Jihoon¡¯s fingers pressed harder against the strings, as though forcing the instrument to scream in his place.


    Eb_F G_A+ G_G Gb| G~ A+~|


    The descent seemed endless. The falling notes continued, pressing downward, drowning in lament¡ªuntil suddenly, there was a shift.


    A single, unexpected Gb¡ªan accidental note. A note that didn¡¯t belong to the expected structure. A note that broke the downward spiral.


    It was a moment of resistance. A struggle against fate itself.


    And just like that, the melody climbed again¡ªG~ A+~¡ªnot fully resolved, but no longer falling.


    Jihoon played on. His fingers moved instinctively, the notes now woven with raw emotion, no longer held back by conscious restraint.


    G~~~| G_A+ Bb+_C+ Bb+_Bb+ A+| F_F~F~~|


    F_G A+_Bb+ A+_A+ G| Eb_Eb~Eb~~|


    Eb_F G_A+ G_G Gb| G~ A+~| C+~ D+~


    He repeated the phrases, the guitar crying out once more. Instead of remaining trapped in an unresolved fade, Jihoon pushed the melody into a final rise, reaching a higher register dominant (C+ to D+), allowing for a fleeting moment of resolve¡ªimperfect, yet resolute.


    The highest note yet in the progression. The solo had not resolved in the traditional sense, but it had refused to surrender. Allowing for a fleeting moment of resolve¡ªimperfect, yet resolute.


    This solo is Jihoon¡¯s returning confession to Alvorna herself. Because of his role as guitarist to her role as vocalist, this is his only way of responding to her own during the performance itself. He can¡¯t convey any word to her with such personal closeness in public lest another incident similar to the first meeting when he dares try to connect with the Daughter of the Matriarch repeat itself. Now even more considerable as he now has a lot more at stake in Absence.


    Jihoon had never been one for myths, but even he recognized the shape of their story.


    A man with no place in the world, and a woman bound by something far greater than herself.


    It was the tale of star-crossed lovers, a love denied by heaven itself.


    No matter what he wished to say to her¡ªhe couldn¡¯t.


    Not even in words. Not in a place where her duty, hierarchy, and expectation loomed over her like an immutable law. And its shadow by collateral cast over him.


    All he could do was wail toward the heavens, pouring his emotions into the grit of his guitar and hoping for a faint chance of reciprocation. Or even bolder, to forcefully move heaven by his heart.


    As his final note hung in the night air, he exhaled. His answer had been given.


    And now, it was Alvorna¡¯s turn to respond. The weight of Jihoon¡¯s guitar solo still hung in the air, a wordless confession left unanswered. Yet, as the music swayed into its final verse, she took a step forward, lifted her voice, and let the song carry her reply.


    D_F G_F G_Bb+ A+| G Bb C D


    A morning cloud arrives from the east as the sky opens.


    D_Eb D_Eb G_F G_A+| Bb+~ A+_Bb+ G|


    The feast is almost over, and spring will soon pass.


    Her voice floated through the night, delicate yet unwavering. The quiet acceptance in her tone contrasted with the intensity of what had come before. This was not a verse of sorrow or regret¡ªit was one of understanding.


    Her melody, much like Jihoon¡¯s solo, traced the arc of emotions struggled with, wrestled down, and finally embraced. Her voice, carrying all the weight of unspoken words, rose into the cool night air. The zither and flute trailed behind her like wisps of mist, delicate yet present, as though hesitant to break the spell.


    This part of the lyrics held meanings that she could not help but reflect upon her own circumstances. A fleeting moment, something that could never last.


    F_G F_G~G~| D+ Eb+_Db C+_Bb+ A+_G|


    From one to three, I counted the falling petals.


    The words struck deeper than they should have.


    Jihoon, watching from his position on stage, felt his grip instinctively tighten over the guitar. The imagery was clear. One petal, then another, then another¡ªfalling away one by one, never to return to the branch they once belonged to.


    Hadn¡¯t they all been counting petals this entire time? Counting the few seconds together that is inevitably stripping away before they are truly unable to meet with one another again as Alvorna¡¯s Rite of Ascension draws close.


    Hadn¡¯t they all known, deep down, that this moment¡ªthis song, this festival, this fragile world where he and Alvorna could stand on equal ground ¡ªwas destined to fade away?


    Alvorna¡¯s voice, unwavering despite the emotions she must have felt, carried the final lines of the verse:


    The melody swelled, and the ensemble gathered their strength.


    A+_Bb+_A+~ A+_Bb+_A+~ A+_Bb+_A+_G A+_Bb+_A+_G| A+_C+_D+~D+~~|


    I wish over, and over, in my voice until I can reach you. No matter the distance.


    The melody became insistent, her voice layered with urgency, almost as if she were pleading.


    Each repetition of A+_Bb+_A+ carried more weight than the last¡ªan undeniable sense of determination, of hope clashing against reality.


    Her voice climbed higher, reaching for something beyond what could be put into words. As if she was calling out to someone she knew would never hear her.


    And yet, she still sang.


    She still reached.


    Because if she didn¡¯t¡ªif she stopped wishing¡ªthen the emotions would fade, just as the petals did in the spring breeze. And she couldn¡¯t allow that.


    This was the turning point¡ªthe final buildup before the grand finale.


    D+_D+~D+ Eb+_D+ D+ | Eb+_D+ Eb+_F+ Eb+_D+~D+|


    Over the sea, Over the stars, and over everywhere


    The sustained D+ stretched across the measure, soaring as if desperately trying to close the distance between them. The percussions rumbled, pushing the melody forward like rolling waves.


    The final line stretched outward, her voice carrying across the night like the wind itself.


    Beyond the sea.


    Beyond the sky.


    Beyond the world itself.


    If Jihoon had wailed toward heaven, then Alvorna was calling back from the stars.


    The moment hung suspended, the weight of her words rippling outward like a stone cast into still water. She knew Jihoon was listening. She knew he understood.


    Even if neither of them could say it aloud.


    As the final notes lingered in the night air, the song neared its end. Then¡ª The final chorus began.


    And the troupe gave it everything they had.


    D_F G D_F A+| G_A+ Bb+_C A+_G D


    SAKURA, SAKURA, the pale scarlet sky above.


    D_F G Bb+ A+| Eb+ D+ C+ D+|


    The sky is changing to heavenly hues of blue


    The percussionists struck with fervor, the deep, rhythmic pounding of their drums echoing like a heartbeat. The flutes and zithers danced, wrapping their melodies around the harmonies of the vocalists. Jihoon¡¯s guitar roared with electric flourish, unrestrained¡ªhis chords ringing out in tandem with the ensemble, as if his emotions had finally found their place in the music.


    D_F G D_F A+| G_A+ Bb+_C A+_G D


    Round and round, come and go. The rustle of life draws the road ahead.


    D_F G~ F| Bb+ A+ G~|


    Of that path that we must tread.


    The music shifted, taking on an almost bittersweet weight.


    Though the festival was vibrant, though they stood on a stage bathed in warm lantern light, the lyrics spoke of a journey¡ªof a path that must be walked, whether one wishes to or not. The melody, once sorrowful, now carried a different weight. It was no longer just longing, no longer just lamentation. It was acceptance.


    The voices of the two vocalists intertwined as their harmonies lifting each other like the meeting of two stars in the night sky.


    And then came the final refrain.


    Time does not wait.


    Seasons change.


    Cherry blossoms bloom, only to fall.


    And only because of its impermanence it was beautiful. Yet¡­ some things remain regardless passage of time.


    D_F G D_F A+| G_A+ Bb+_C A+_G D


    SAKURA, SAKURA, no matter how many years may pass.


    D_F G G_Bb+ A+| Eb+ D+ C+ D+|


    There are some things that can never be changed.


    The final lines rose and fell, carrying with them the weight of everything unsaid. The very idea of fate, of a love destined for one another yet denied by heaven itself, paradoxically.


    The ensemble reached its peak, the voices rising in unity, the instruments lifting them ever higher. The tempo


    Even as time marches forward, even as life moves in endless cycles, some things are eternal.


    The music climbed, yearning, reaching.


    D+_C+ D+_Eb+ D~| C+_D+ Bb+_C+ A+_G D


    The heart of love that yearns for you, and the place where we first met.


    D_F G~ F| Bb+ A+ Bb+_A+ G|


    Where our red thread of fate tied its knots


    The voices softened, pulling the song into something intimate, something deeply personal.


    This wasn¡¯t just a festival song anymore.


    It was a confession¡ªto the past, to the present, to the future. Whispered through melody, carried by the wind she cast.


    D_F Eb G_F A+| G~~~|


    Beautiful cherry blossom.


    G_G F_G~G~ | D+ G+~~|


    His guitar sang its last cry into the night, the sustained high note G+ of the flute resonating like the last petal drifting from a branch¡ªa farewell. But not an ending, as the updraft brings said petal to somewhere far away from sight.


    And then after that ¡ªsilence. As the wind chimes reverberate with the scattering wind.


    For a heartbeat, the world stood still.


    The festival lights flickered. The cherry blossoms floated soundlessly in the breeze.


    And then¡ª applause. Thunderous. Deafening. Endless.


    The tea yard erupted, cheers and whistles shaking the air as the audience rose to their feet. A standing ovation. A celebration not just of a performance, but of something far greater¡ªsomething alive that had taken root in the hearts of every single person who had witnessed it.


    The troupe members stood, breathing hard, their faces stunned as they took in the sheer force of the reaction. Jihoon slowly lowered his guitar, his chest rising and falling. His hands still trembled from the final notes and the entirety of the performance, but his mind was elsewhere¡ªlost in the song, in her voice, in everything that had been said without words.


    And Alvorna¡­ She stood still as stone, her gaze distant, as if the performance had carried a piece of her away with it.


    Jihoon wanted to speak. To say something to break the silence. But he couldn¡¯t, because she was already looking at him.


    And in her eyes, he saw it. The same truth he had tried to convey in his music.

 Chapter 49: Bad Apple

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 49: Bad Apple


    After that rapturous performance before, exchanging parting words and paying his respect to the troupe for having allowed him to join even in this performance, Jihoon returns to his given seat in his usual clothes again quietly with such casual ease as though he just returned from the bathroom break and missed the entire performance just now. Not that he regretted the performance¡ªnot at all. But the last thing he wanted was even more attention placed on him than he already had.


    ¡°How¡¯s the performance? I hope that it measures to your standard¡±. Jihoon said as he took a shallow breath, exhaling as he leaned back in his seat. Even though the performance had ended, the energy from it still lingered in the air, like the final note of a song that refused to fade completely.


    ¡°Well, I certainly don¡¯t know what the song before you participate would sound like. But it certainly wouldn¡¯t be the same without you and Alvorna performing in it.¡± Karim said as the wood elf gave his most objective remark since he himself isn¡¯t the best when it comes to music or its intricacies. He enjoyed it, but not its inner workings and theory.


    Jihoon tilted his head slightly at that. Coming from Karim, that was a sufficiently high praise.


    ¡°What about you, Alvorna? Did you have a good time performing on stage with him?¡±. Karim asked as his gaze turn toward the Harpy.


    Alvorna simply nodded. Nothing more. Perhaps between one another, during the performance, each note, movement, gesture toward one another imparts too many things to be spoken through just words alone. She simply finds this nod an appropriate summarizing answer to Karim¡¯s question.


    With that, the climax of the Night Festival comes to an end as the group eventually departs from the teahouse back to the inn. For everyone else, the night is over. But for Jihoon, it is still painfully young.


    By the time they returned to the Perfect Cherry Blossom, the warm glow of the inn¡¯s lanterns greeted them, casting long shadows over the pathway leading to their rooms. The others were ready to retire for the night, the exhaustion of the festival beginning to catch up to them.


    But Jihoon had one last thing to do.


    As they walked through the inn¡¯s corridors, he glanced briefly at the hallway leading to the chamber where his therapy awaited.


    His steps slowed. His gaze lingered. He already knew why they had come to Lotus-Eater Island in the first place. Not for the festival or for a temporary escape from the trials of Odyssey.


    But for this.


    ¡°My lotus chamber dream therapy.¡± Jihoon muttered the words to himself, almost as if testing its weight on his tongue. ¡°Guess they worry about me enough to make me go through this procedure.¡±


    A humorless chuckle left his lips.


    He had spent so much time immersed in the music, in the festival, in the unexpected depth of the performance¡ªthat he had almost forgotten. That he is still someone with an immeasurable amount of mental baggage shown in actions that they felt that they must take action for him before he collapses and burn.


    But now, standing here at the threshold of the night¡¯s true end, he could no longer push it aside. Because now, it was time to face the ghosts of his sown past.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do this¡­¡±. Jihoon only said to himself as he marches toward what he truly felt as the point of no return. Even if it is truly nothing to be worried about in the first place. He took a slow breath, his fingers flexing slightly at his sides before curling into loose fists.


    The Lotus Chamber Dream Therapy was a widely recognized treatment, one available in all high-class inns and clinics across Lotus-Eater Island.


    The process was simple in theory:


    A recipient would spend the night in a chamber nebulized with lotus essence, allowing them to delve deep into their own memories in clear, vivid detail. It was said to be a lucid dream so realistic that one might fail to recognize that one would fail to even recognize that they were dreaming¡ªuntil the experience reached its natural conclusion, or until they fell asleep inside the dream itself.


    A simple concept on paper. But terrifying in practice.


    It was safe. It was controlled. It was meant to heal.


    But none of that stopped the uncomfortable weight pressing against Jihoon¡¯s ribs as he entered the chamber once his scheduled appointment arrived.


    The room was dimly lit, the air already carrying the faintest trace of floral musk.


    As soon as he stepped inside, a group of attendants revealed themselves, dressed in traditional robes embroidered with delicate lotus motifs. They moved with practiced grace, their presence calm, methodical¡ªalmost ritualistic.


    "We have carefully dosed the lotus oil for your therapy, Master Jihoon." One of them bowed slightly, her voice gentle yet firm.


    "The compound has been adjusted to guide you toward the best parts of your past. A sanctuary of memory, untouched by sorrow."


    A place where he could reconnect with the light that had once existed in his life.


    It all sounded reassuring to the locals of Absence. Yet, having his own mind tampered with by outsiders¡ªeven if only indirectly¡ªwould have scared any normal person. And Jihoon was no exception.


    But he didn¡¯t fight that repulsive feeling back at all. Because if he kept running from his past, then the past would eventually catch up to him.


    And when it did, it wouldn¡¯t be on his terms. It had already happened before.


    He had met his past face-to-face when Jin Sarae reappeared in his life. His junior from his previous occupation, the bright, young recruit he had once known¡ªnow fallen to the path of a Black Hunter, consumed by the very darkness they had sought to survive.


    He had seen it in Sarae¡¯s eyes, in the way their hands trembled around the grip of Der Freisch¨¹tz¡ªthe cursed firearm that had become their last, desperate lifeline in the abyss. A weapon that had kept them alive in the darkest of times¡ªuntil it didn¡¯t.


    Until it corrupted them completely.


    Jihoon closed his eyes briefly, forcing the thought away. ¡®Not tonight.¡¯ He thought to himself, mustering all the reassurance he has. Tonight, he wasn¡¯t going to run. And tonight, he was going to face it all.


    "Begin the procedure."


    The attendants moved swiftly, the air thickening with the heady scent of lotus as the therapy began in earnest.


    As Jihoon sank down onto the prepared bedding, the surrounding clear water reflecting its surroundings. His breathing slowed, his eyelids growing heavy as the mist wrapped around him like unseen hands, pulling him downward.


    Downward¡ª


    Into the depths of his own memories.


    He descended, searching for his closure in the echoes of his past.


    After unimaginable amounts of time passed in his mind. He opened his eyes once more, in a familiar yet simultaneously not apartment room of his. He recognized it as a place that he might have lived in but after changing places so many times because of the Gates bringing destruction everywhere it goes spontaneously without warning, he forgot what his original place even looks like. But still, the feeling of everyday peace that was unimaginable now returned as though all that of pain and hardship never existed.


    It truly does feel like he¡¯s back to a paradise that he took for granted. And that it could have been worse after all. Suddenly, he truly felt and understood the sentiment of the Odysseus¡¯s crews when they had the taste of the lotus fruit and don¡¯t want to return. Because just maybe¡­ this dream was a better reality after all.


    The date is¡­ that pandemic¡­ Been that long huh?


    He recalled that a widespread global pandemic forced everyone to basically stay and work in their home. Alone with himself and his instruments to do play and perform whatever he wants, it technically is a good memory but he certain that it can¡¯t possibly be the only reason.


    Then he heard the pings of his laptop resounding. He checked it to see that he is being invited by his coworkers of Arisen Studio to a group call. Without hesitation, he immediately accepts the call as he is brought into the fold. And only now did he remember his online handling and how it didn¡¯t exactly represent him best at all.


    CookieXI ¨C Hey, our edgy manhwa boy finally accepts our call. XD.


    ToxicXEternity ¨C Can you please stop compare me to those mass-produced slops ¡®PrEtTy¡¯ boy!? It¡¯s not like I can change my 10-year-old username at will!


    OneByteDrummer ¨C But either way, what¡¯s going on your end? Hope the pandemic homestay treats you well.


    ToxicXEternity ¨C Ain¡¯t nothing like a long dream of Gates suddenly appear does to make the mind clear.


    CookieXI ¨C See, I told you that you are a natural-born manhwa protagonist!


    ToxicXEternity ¨C Shut up!


    A laugh escaped Jihoon before he could stop it. ¡®God, had they really been like this?¡¯


    It had been so long since he had last heard these voices. Too long. And yet, here they were¡ªexactly as he remembered. For a brief, fleeting moment, it felt like he was truly back where he belonged. Like he had never left.


    He had forgotten. Forgotten how ridiculous his old online handle was. Forgotten how loud they all were when they got together. Forgotten what it felt like to just¡­ talk. When life was not about survival. Not about monsters or war. Just¡ªnormal human things.


    For the first time since stepping into this dream, Jihoon allowed himself to sink into it. Because in this moment¡ª He was just another musician. No more, no less.


    ToxicXEternity ¨C Either way, do we have any contract to do or not?


    SilvaGun_GildedSun ¨C Nah, director didn¡¯t say anything at all. So we¡¯re free to do whatever we want. For another day.


    GrimoreCroiX ¨C What are you up to now? Another shitposting yet again on your NewTube page? Where did you even get the ideas to even do this for years daily!?


    SilvaGun_GildedSun ¨C That¡¯s why director placed me as creative director isn¡¯t it? I¡¯m pretty sure that none of you can match up in terms of creativity.


    TripleKill ¨C Then again, you don¡¯t play any instrument technically. I¡¯m the editor stitching all the playback together in the soundtrack while doing the same thing as you did. And I don¡¯t get special treatment like you do.


    Right¡­ it was long enough that he forgot virtually every real name and role of everyone he worked with back in Arisen Studio. He could probably ask the name again but that would probably raise suspicion and that they would probably not answer truthfully thinking he just play an amnesia joke.


    On another note, on the off chance that he will meet any of his old colleagues yet again¡­ They probably are not going to be happy like he is. His meeting with the little goddess through his music was such a massive stroke of luck that he didn¡¯t need to dirty his hand or going down the forbidden path.


    ToxicXEternity ¨C So is everyone here? I assume.


    TarmaSpaghetti ¨C I think that is all there is¡­ I don¡¯t think we¡¯re missing anyone else here.


    TearsOfTragedy ¨C Not that it is a common occurrence. It¡¯s not often that someone would just decide that they have enough for today and cut off all communication.


    Jihoon felt a tinge of guilt because that sounds like it is precisely him doing that.


    SaraeJinnae ¨C Hey, this is my first time in the group call! I just didn¡¯t expect that there would be a pandemic a few months in my career. I thank you all for not laying me off to cut cost!


    ToxicXEternity ¨C Bruh, where the hell do you even work before coming here to consider this as special treatment!?


    LeonMight - Ouch. Not even I was that desperately pleading you know.


    Something tightened in Jihoon¡¯s chest at the sound of it. That was¡­ Jin Sarae, his old junior. Before gotten hold of Der Freischutz. Before everything that had gone. And here they were, laughing, joking¡ªlike nothing bad had ever happened.


    Like the future he knew for them didn¡¯t exist.


    Jihoon¡¯s hand instinctively curled into a loose fist in responses. Even though this was just a recreated dream, it truly felt like he was living in the past and his self-conflicting denial is getting him nowhere.


    He simply no longer wants to know after feeling somehow exhausted in the memory already. He didn¡¯t want to know. Instead, he simply leaned forward, elbows on his desk, his voice slipping back into old habits.


    "So what¡¯s everyone been up to? You all just sitting on your asses waiting for new projects, or is someone actually doing something?"


    The conversation shifted, flowing into casual talk about their daily lives¡ªwhat they were working on, what they were listening to, the random creative ideas that would never see the light of day but were fun to entertain.


    Jihoon listened, occasionally throwing in a comment or a snarky remark, playing his part perfectly.


    The conversation flowed naturally, filled with the usual banter, lighthearted teasing, and general nonsense that Jihoon had long since become accustomed to. For a moment, it was almost too easy to fall back into the rhythm of it all, to pretend that things were exactly as they had been before.


    And then¡ª SilvaGun_GildedSun suddenly clapped her hands, cutting through the chatter with an unmistakable sense of authority.


    "Alright, since everyone¡¯s here for once¡ª"


    There was a pause. And Jihoon already had a bad feeling about this.


    "¡ªwe¡¯re doing a fusion collab."


    ToxicXEternity ¨C Hah? The hell do you mean? On what? And just like that?!


    SilvaGun_GildedSun ¨C Oh, you probably already know what. And yes, just like that. It¡¯s been too long since we¡¯ve all played together properly, and this is the perfect chance. Consider it both practice and a much-needed morale boost. We could all use something to break the monotony of isolation, and this¡¯ll do it."


    OneByteDrummer - Fair enough, I¡¯ve been going stir-crazy with the length this pandemic is going on.


    Jihoon blinked as a link popped up in the group chat. His eyes skimmed over the text¡ª And then froze. Because of course this was the song that SilvaGun would pick.


    The song that had long surpassed its origin, becoming a cultural phenomenon in its own right. A song with a dramatic, heavy-hitting lyricism that resonated far beyond its humble roots.


    A song that had been recreated, remixed, fused, and brought to life through shadow artistry in ways that no other piece of music had ever quite managed to capture. SilvaGun in particular had a long-running tradition of creating fusion collabs, blending it with other tracks in ways that had no business working yet somehow always did.


    A song that, even now, was still instantly recognizable to anyone who had spent any time in music circles.


    ¡®Bad Apple.¡¯


    CookieXI - YO, NO WAY.


    TripleKill - Oh, we¡¯re really going there, huh?


    ToxicXEternity - Oh, come the fuck on, we¡¯ve played this song to death already.


    SilvaGun_GildedSun - And yet, it¡¯s still a banger every single time.


    TripleKill - More like you never get tired of throwing this song¡¯s soundfont into literally everything and calling it a fusion remix.


    SilvaGun_GildedSun - And you say that like it¡¯s a bad thing.


    TearsOfTragedy ¨C A certified classic. Good choice.


    Jihoon exhaled slowly, his fingers hovering over his keyboard as he considered his options. The last time he had heard ¡®Bad Apple¡¯ had been¡­ ¡®God, how many years ago?¡¯


    And yet¡ª Even as he clicked the link, allowing the first few notes to filter through his headset, something settled in his chest. Like slipping into a well-worn memory, like walking through a shadow cast by his own past.


    The music started. Slowly at first. That unmistakable melody¡ªa creeping, hypnotic refrain that swayed like a pendulum, rising and falling in slow, deliberate waves. The lyrics followed shortly after¡ªand the moment the first line was sung, Jihoon froze. Because of course. Of course it would be this song.


    A song about doubt and isolation. About self-reflection. About being trapped between light and shadow, unable to tell which side one truly belonged to. A song that, despite its fan origins, had become something far greater¡ªa cultural touchstone, a piece of art that had transcended language and borders, finding its way into so many different interpretations.


    And now, as Jihoon listened¡ª He couldn¡¯t deny it even from the beginning. The lyrics, the theme¡ªit fit him too well. Even if it was just the nature of music to make listeners see themselves in it.


    "Am I the same as before?"


    "Am I still who I used to be?"


    "Or have I already been consumed by the darkness?"


    These lines of thought unsettled him, lingering in the back of his mind as the others enthusiastically began assigning parts for the collab.


    SilvaGun_GildedSun - Alright, so obviously, I¡¯ll be handling the fusion layering. CroiX, you¡¯re taking the piano lead, no arguments.


    GrimoreCroiX - Ugh, fine. But I swear to god, if you make me do another four-hand duet, I¡¯m walking away from this.


    TripleKill - I¡¯ll take care of the percussion and backing synth. Need to make sure it doesn¡¯t turn into a goddamn reverb mess again as part of SilvaGun¡¯s idea of ¡®joke¡¯.


    OneByteDrummer - I''ll work out the drum sequences with Triple.


    SilvaGun_GildedSun - Jihoon. You already know what I¡¯m about to say.


    Jihoon let out a dry chuckle.


    "Guitar, huh?"


    SilvaGun_GildedSun - You were made for this, man. Your tone work is perfect for the raw edge of ¡®Bad Apple.¡¯ I need you on lead.


    Jihoon considered saying no, intent to brush it off saying that he hadn¡¯t played the song in years. That he wasn¡¯t in the right headspace, that he didn¡¯t think his style fit¡ª But none of that was true. For these long-time colleagues would see through his hollow lie with absolute clarity.


    So instead¡ª


    "Yeah. I got it." Jihoon only said with resignation.


    There was a wave of excited confirmations, and just like that¡ªthe session began.


    His fingers hovered over his keyboard, his mind already shifting gears. It had been years since he¡¯d last played it and yet¡ª As he clicked play on the track, letting the familiar melody pour through his speakers for the first time in what felt like an eternity. It all came rushing back in total clarity.


    His grip on his mouse tightened slightly as the words sank in, deeper than they had any right to. This was just a cover collab, a fun throwback between old colleagues and yet¡ª As he sat there, relistening to it after all these years¡ª


    It felt like a message from the past, meant only for him.


    SilvaGun_GildedSun -Alright, parts division. Jihoon, you still remember your old arrangement, or do you want me to send over a reference?


    Jihoon blinked, snapping back to reality. A small smirk tugging back on his lip.


    ToxicXEternity - Pft. Do you really think I forgot? C¡¯mon, I could probably play this in my sleep. But just send the damn thing anyway.


    He leaned forward, reaching for his electric guitar. Past or not, this was happening either way. And if he was going to do this, he is going to make it count.


    ¡°Alright¡­ Let¡¯s do this¡±. Jihoon said his phrase again. At this point, it may well be his catchphrase already.


    Key signature, D# minor. The key sign of depression, deep distress.


    D#- D#- D#- D#-_D#-_D#-_D#-| D#- D#- D#-_D#- D#-| D#- D#- D#- D#-_D#-_D#-_D#-| D#- D#- D#-_D#- D#-|


    Through the group call, CookieXI played her first introductory melody. The steady tempo of one same note played, a creeping, hypnotic refrain that swayed like a pendulum, rising and falling in slow, deliberate waves. The sound of chiptune played is harsh yet its irreplicable timbre distinct from classical instruments making it stood out and attention-catching right at the start. All of that yet the melody retained the same emotional weight.


    D# D# D# D#_D#_D#_D#| D# D# D#_D# D#| D# D# D# D#_D#_D#_D#| D# D# D#_D# D#|


    Her signature chiptune synthesizer carried a sharp, synthetic timbre, one that stood out instantly¡ªharsh, distinct, impossible to ignore. Jihoon knew no one who wielded digital sound like CookieXI. She had always had a knack for bridging the gap between the artificial and the organic¡ªcreating arrangements that felt both familiar and alien, nostalgic yet unpredictable.


    And if there was anyone in Arisen Studio who could make a song unreasonably difficult, it was her. She¡¯s the one who created the first-ever rage-inducing happy song that virtually all her coworkers absolutely hate to perform on their own instrument due to how ludicrously fast its tempo is. Fingers were cramped, and wrists were broken. It was not a pleasant day at that time.


    Worst is that her music got into a rhythm game¡¯s highest difficulty. She learned of it, proceeded to ace it in such a way that she is still her own record holder of her own songs.


    Raising the note progression by a register, she prepares the song¡¯s opening stage with the next part following the introduction. If she had been particularly cruel today, she would have cramped a ton more notes just within the few measures somehow, but she abstained her hands this time.


    This time, Jihoon officially performs.


    D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#_F# G#- F#_G#|


    D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| G#- F#_G# D#- D#_F#|


    The electric guitar hummed to life in Jihoon¡¯s hands, his fingers moving with instinctual precision, the notes falling into place like they had never left him.


    There was a reason why ¡®Bad Apple¡¯ had transcended its origins and far surpassed it. Within a song, conveyed a feeling understood by many intuitively.


    A melancholy cycle that looped endlessly, mirroring the internal battles that never truly ended. And Jihoon understood every single moment and essence that it meant to convey.


    The cyclical repetition of the note progression, locked in D# minor, anchored by the minor seventh (C#), brought with it a persistent dissonance¡ªa longing without resolution. Every rise to G# and F# seemed to offer hope, a flicker of light breaking through the shadows, but it was always fleeting. Inevitably, it returned to the grounded D#¡ªto reality, to sorrow.


    To a place where resolution was always just out of reach.


    A perfect reflection of what it meant to struggle with oneself. To constantly search for closure, for peace¡ª And all that to only find nothing but temporary relief.


    As Jihoon¡¯s fingers moved instinctively, his electric guitar hummed with steady, deliberate motion. His unwavering tone laid the foundation of the song¡¯s emotional weight, and then¡ª


    Then, OneByteDrummer joined in. A percussive performance lay beneath the melody. The rhythm pulsed, measured, matching Jihoon¡¯s tempo like footsteps in deep contemplation. Seamlessly falling into place, his percussion keeping a deep, rhythmic pulse, like a heartbeat echoing through the abyss.


    A grounding force. Something to hold onto amidst the spiral of emotions.


    D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#_F# G#- F#_G#|


    D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| G#- F#_G# D#- D#_F#|


    CookieXI¡¯s electronic pulse setting the scene.


    Jihoon¡¯s guitar weaving the melody of longing.


    OneByteDrummer¡¯s percussion anchoring them to the present.


    A haunting, hypnotic loop¡ªboth familiar and infinite.


    Jihoon closed his eyes for a second, letting himself sink into the sound. "


    Damn."


    It really had been too long. And yet, as the song drew them in, its rhythm wrapping around them like an old, inescapable memory


    D#~~~| D#-~~~| D#~~~| D#_F_F#~ F-F#_G#~ G#_A#+_B+  B+_C#+_D#+~|


    Slowly strumming the root note before picking up his pace, Jihoon¡¯s finger dances across the string in ascending arpeggio before preparing for the transition toward the bridge. This extension didn¡¯t exist in the original as this is officially his first official impromptu after getting back into his musical career.


    A#+ D# A#+ D#| G# F# F F#_G#| A#+_C#+ D#+ A#+ C#+| D#+_F#+ A#+_C#+ D#+~|


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    CookieXI applies her own chiptune harmonic in the backdrop. From the opening motif alternating between the tonic and dominant notes, creating a strong and stable interval, thus evoking the sense of grounding and determination. The repetition of this harmonic pattern establishes a rhythmic drive, of forward motion and persistence. Of a sense of purpose and effort.


    Then the descent to the chromatic note F then the rises to the minor 7<sup>th</sup> (C#+) evokes the sense of yearning and unresolved tension, combined with the feeling of struggle and vertical climb as the note progression moves to higher registers as if reaching for something just out of grasp. Which only adds a bittersweet quality to the progression.


    Then with the last measure introduced the highest note so far, F#+ which brough upon the sense of fragile and fleeting hope before falling to D#+~ (sustained tonic) to brings upon the sense of closure. But the lingering tension from the previous measures keeps the emotional tone complex and layered.


    With that, the song officially enters the chorus.


    D# F F# G#|A#+~~~| D#+ C#+ B#+~| D#~~~|


    Ever on and on~, I continue¡­


    A#+ G# F# F| D# F F# G#| A#+~~~|


    Circling with nothing but my hate...


    G# F# F D#| F F# F D#| D F~~|


    In a carousel of agony, I...


    This time, TearsOfTragedy joined the performance as the studio¡¯s best female lead vocalist. She is someone who could change the pitch of her voice and tone in an almost undiscernible manner in ways that seemed almost unnatural.. From her usual voice, she can stretch her own pitch in undiscernible ways¡ªone moment childlike innocence, the next, the weight of an elderly soul..


    SilvaGun had once joked that she could voice an entire audiobook by herself, covering every role flawlessly, and no one would notice until they checked the credits.


    All jokes aside, vocal tracks are her utmost specialty. Almost no one could measure up to TearsOfTragedy in how much she could evoke emotions out of the lyrics like she did. The human aspect of her tone was visceral and real as though she merged with the character she was supposed to embody with. The way her tone wove itself into the melody, threading emotions into every note as if she were not just singing, but living the words.


    Jihoon was relegated to the backdrop. His guitar still played, still bled into the music, but now¡ª he was just supporting her as a coworker should.


    The one laying the foundation rather than standing at the front. Because as the lyrics unfolded, as he listened to them again for the first time in years. They cut close and deep.


    From the very first opening phrase, there was already tension. The ascent from tonic (D#) to dominant (A#+) carried a searching, restless quality¡ªlike reaching for something unseen. Then the sudden jump into higher register (D#+), creating a sense of elevation and aspiration. All before the sudden drop to just tonic note (D#) again like a reverie coming to an end. Like a fleeting dream that suddenly snapped back into reality.


    Then with the next section starting high once more, only to be dragged downward. The descent¡ª(A#+ G# F# F)¡ªfelt like a retreat, a moment of introspection, the chromatic movement (F# to F) adding an edge of melancholy, unease. With the final phrase, with its repetition and the accidental D, leaves the listener with a lingering feeling of ambiguity. Of unresolved emotions. Of questions left unanswered.


    And as the chorus continued, Jihoon found himself passively registering the lyrics. But the more he played¡ª The more he listened¡ª


    The more the words began to sink into him.


    "Ever on and on, I continue¡­"


    Jihoon¡¯s fingers moved automatically, muscle memory guiding them across the strings but in his head, he was somewhere else. That line¡ªit felt like it was speaking to him directly.


    A constant cycle, repeating. No destination. No closure. Just moving forward because stopping wasn¡¯t an option.


    "Circling with nothing but my hate¡­"


    His other hand instinctively tightened around his guitar neck. He had tried so hard not to let anger define him, to not become someone consumed by resentment, bitterness, or regret. Even until now, in a memory that held no weight, he understood too deeply of the resentment he has toward what had become the world he lived in.


    Buried deep, lurking beneath the surface. Because no matter how much time may have passed, no matter how much he tried to move on¡ª The past never let him go like a master holding the chain of its slaves.


    "In a carousel of agony, I¡­"


    The words lingered in the air as though his mind is about to turn blank taking in the lyrics. When you¡¯re happy, you enjoy the music. When you¡¯re sad, you understand the lyrics. Jihoon¡¯s focus even though is mostly in his performance, still dissecting the lyrics to no end even though subconsciously. As though his miserable circumstances actively searching for any help in sight, searching for any understanding no matter how ephemeral.


    He was no stranger to circles. No stranger to repeating the same things over and over, expecting something different to occur.


    A cycle. Over and over. The same emotions. The same spiral that he was subjected to be part of without any consent.


    Jihoon exhaled sharply, forcing his mind to direct entirely on the music. It was just a song. Just a performance. That was all there should be to it.


    As he strummed, as TearsOfTragedy¡¯s voice poured emotion into every syllable¡ª He couldn¡¯t deny it any longer that the song had its hooks in him. Complete with line and sinker too as though a fish pulled out of the water. Even if he wanted to ignore, ¡®Bad Apple¡¯ had already become a mirror reflecting things that he didn¡¯t want to face.


    D# F F# G#|A#+~~~| D#+ C#+ B#+~| D#~~~| A#+ G# F# F| D# F F# G#| A#+~~~|


    Slowly I forget, and my heart starts¡­ vanishing and suddenly I see


    G# F# F~| G#~ A#+~ | B#+~~~|


    That I can¡¯t break free¡ªI¡¯m¡­


    The progression refrained once more, going through the same evocation all again as it reinforces the theme. The melody repeating like an inevitable cycle, with each note, each phrase, each inflection¡ªthe same emotions resurfacing again and again.


    The final phrase of the section however altered as the progression now felt hesitant, stalled, like someone second-guessing their steps. A moment of introspection, uncertainty threading through the melody. The held chromatic F~ brought lingering tension as it resurfaces.


    The movement to G#~ and A#+~ feels like a gentle climb, reintroducing a sense of hope or forward motion. Which is pretty ironic when the lyric of this section is just filled with only despair and hopelessness.


    The final resolution to B#+~~~ introduces a sense of longing or transcendence. The major 7th (B#+) is a note of tension in D# harmonic minor, and its sustained presence creates a sense of unresolved tension and longing. Thus evoking a feeling of reaching for something just out of grasp, or a moment of transcendence that isn¡¯t fully realized. Like reaching for something just beyond grasp¡ª


    Not with finality, not with resolution. But with longing. Like standing at the edge of a cliff, staring at a future you don¡¯t believe you deserve.


    The lyrics sank deeper than before. Jihoon¡¯s fingers moved automatically, his focus split and shift between playing and listening. Between performing the music¡ªand being consumed by it.


    Jihoon¡¯s mind blanked for a moment, again. As though he keep pressing his own trauma trigger then proceed to tank through it because crying about it solved nothing for him. The words lingered in the air, pressing against his chest like an invisible weight.


    Because after the Gate Outbreak, after everything that had happened¡ª Hadn¡¯t he felt this exact way? Hadn¡¯t he lived these words?


    "Slowly I forget¡­"


    His old life. His old self. The person he had been before the world fell apart.


    "And my heart starts vanishing¡­"


    The days spent wandering. The nights spent wondering if he should even keep going. The feeling that, piece by piece, he was becoming someone unrecognizable. He had spent so many years surviving that he had forgotten what it was like to simply live. Many thing that he had lost along the way.


    Dreams. Aspirations. Parts of himself. And worst of all¡ª There were times he wasn¡¯t even sure what he had lost anymore.


    Because after the Gate Outbreak, after the world turned into something unrecognizable, after everything fell apart¡ª He had kept moving forward.


    Because there was no other choice.


    "Suddenly I see that I can¡¯t break free¡ª"


    The weight of his past. The memories that haunted him. The knowledge that even if he wanted to go back¡­ there was nothing left to return to. All of them combined into his multitudes of failure that he can¡¯t hope to fix with all his lifetime of efforts. Like chains and shadows, no matter how much he tried to run, no matter how much he wished to sever. It will always forever remain there.


    All of his combined mistakes, failures and regrets. Forming the shackles that bind him spiritually as though there is nothing capable of removing.


    From the people he couldn¡¯t save. From the people who had walked different paths than him. From the people he had been forced to leave behind. The phantom gazes of others lay upon him as the multitudes tighten its grip.


    Jihoon exhaled sharply, his grip on his guitar tightening for just a moment.


    This wasn¡¯t real. This was just a dream. It is only a memory, an illusion, a moment of the past wrapped in the sound of a song that had outlived its own origins. But somehow¡ª


    It had found him anyway.


    And as the chorus pressed onward, he played on. Because what else could he do?


    He wasn¡¯t sure if he was leading the song¡ªor if it was leading him. It spoke of him so perfectly as though fate is laughing at him in mockery at his expense.


    But the performance isn¡¯t ending, and there is no reprieve for performers till the bitter end.


    // guitar backdrop


    D# F F# G#|A#+~~~| D#+ C#+ B#+~| D#~~~| A#+ G# F# F| D# F F# G#| A#+~~~|


    //D#~~~|~~~~|~~~~|~~~~| C# B~~|~~~~|~~~~|~~~~|


    Slowly through the crack¡­ of a dark e~ternity with nothing but my pain¡­


    G# F# F D#| F F# F D#| D F~~|


    //C#~~~|~~~~|~~~~|


    And the paralyzing agony. To¡ª


    D# F F# G#|A#+~~~| D#+ C#+ B#+~| D#~~~| A#+ G# F# F| D# F F# G#| A#+~~~|


    //D#~~~|~~~~|~~~~|~~~~| C# B~~|~~~~|~~~~|~~~~|


    Tell me who I am~. Who I was~. Un¡ªcertainty enveloping my mind


    G# F# F~| G#~ A#+~ | B#+~~~|


    //C#~~~|~~~~|~~~~|


    Till I can¡¯t break free¡ª And¡­


    The chorus refrained once more as TearsOfTragedy¡¯s voice pierced through the soundscape, unwavering, unshaken. Relentless in every breath and chord that she sang. As Jihoon¡¯s guitar wailed, OneByteDrummer¡¯s percussion and CookieXI¡¯s chiptune harmonic surged beneath her. Not once did she falter as her voice threading between despair and defiance.


    The control that she has with her own voice is frightening in its own way. The perfect balance of masculinity and feminine evoke from the same chord makes her own identity solely unique to her. Like an angel of battle screaming and marching into her war.


    Most vocalists¡ªany other vocalist¡ªduring a live performance at this moment would have choked by now, gasping for air between lines. But TearsOfTragedy displayed none of that to be discern.


    She¡¯s a master of her own profession. The studio director even said it once.


    She doesn¡¯t just sing, she breathes in music itself.


    Microbreathing. A technique so that she could inhale air without breaking her vocal delivery¡ªa skill that allowed her to sustain her voice longer than anyone else Jihoon had ever met. To say that the director got his talents at a bargain price is understating and perhaps all of Arisen Studio fits those criteria in some way.


    His fingers moved, sustaining the backdrop notes, letting her voice carry the weight of the song. Even without his conscious input, his mind was already dissecting the lyrics again.


    ¡°Slowly through the crack¡­ of a dark eternity with nothing but my pain¡­¡±


    Isn¡¯t that just his life post-Gate Outbreak? A world where its own law of existences altered and changed irrevocably where survival become an endless cycle without a true end in sight? Perhaps, someone is enjoying that new era with their own awakened power that no can deny them. But for people like him who lost everything they had to it and remain in its dark crevice, it was nothing but just a hopeless hell that they have no hope of getting out unless by pure random chances.


    Someone¡¯s heaven¡­ is another¡¯s torment.


    ¡°To tell me who I am, who I was. Uncertainty enveloping my mind until I can¡¯t break free¡±


    That is what had become his existence until now, wasn¡¯t it? Is he still the musician as he was before the Gates or a wandering survivor lost in a world that he no longer felt belong to?


    Who had he been? And who was he now? Even until now, this question continues to chain itself upon him. And he had no satisfying answer.


    Even as his hands remained perfectly steady, even as his playing didn¡¯t falter, his thoughts were spiraling. The lyrics followed him like ghosts. Reminders of everything he hadn¡¯t come to terms with.


    C#+ D#+ A#+ G#| A#+~~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    Maybe it¡¯s a dream. Maybe nothing else is real.


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~| C# D# F F#| G# A#+ D#~|


    But it wouldn¡¯t mean a thing, if I told you of how I feel.


    Jihoon¡¯s fingers moved without thought, following the familiar structure of the piece, but his mind lagged behind, processing the words even as his body performed on autopilot.


    The immediate start from minor 7<sup>th</sup> (C#) to tonic (D#) creates a brief moment of fragile resolution and the descent to dominant note (A#) introduces a gentle, reflective quality. A sound that hovered between stability and something left unfinished.


    With the sustained dominant bringing about an unfinished resolution and the minor tonality keeping the mood introspective. Then with the next measure scaling with upward motion up to tonic (D#) creating a sense of aspiration before repeating the same introspective resolution again, as though a moment of self-reflection isn¡¯t enough. Thus creating a complex emotional landscape, evoking the feeling of inner conflict or unresolved emotion.


    The repetition of this motion, this climb-and-fall, mirrored something deeply human¡ª Self-doubt. Reflection. The search for meaning. The melody lingered, as if it too wasn¡¯t sure of its own truth. As though a moment of self-reflection wasn¡¯t enough¡ª And so it repeated itself.


    Because how many times must one think about the same thing before it makes sense? How many times must one try to understand before the answer actually comes?


    Then with the next section introduced a more complex melodic structure. The descending phrases (G# A#+ G# F# | F C# D#~) and the chromatic movement (F to F#, vice versa) evoke a sense of hesitation or introspection, as if grappling with difficult emotions. The back-and-forth motion between the G# note portrays the feeling of hesitation and unease, a feeling of grappling with something too large to hold.


    The resolution with tonic feels like temporary but the subsequent phrase (C# D# F F#) reintroduces tension with the chromatic movement from F to F#. Like an emotion that kept flickering, refusing to settle. Its progression try to reach for the closure, only for it to realize that it didn¡¯t exist.


    The final resolution to D# tonic feel stable as a conclusion but didn¡¯t resolve any of the lingering tension built between, painting narrative of introspection, struggle, and quiet acceptance, leaving the listeners with a sense of both beauty and complexity. The bittersweet quality of D# minor, combined with the melodic fluidity and unresolved tension, makes this progression deeply evocative and reflective.


    Jihoon¡¯s thoughts kept spiraling alongside the music. He knew this song wasn¡¯t written for him. But just like before when he and Alvorna put themselves in ¡®SAKURA in full bloom¡¯. Jihoon felt undeniably connected to it in an intrinsic level.


    "Maybe it¡¯s a dream. Maybe nothing else is real."


    How many times had he thought the same thing?


    That the world after the Gates¡ªthe one filled with horrors, with loss, with death¡ªwas some cruel illusion? Some awful jokes that hopefully someone steps outside some unseen shadow and say, ¡°It¡¯s just a prank, bro!¡± and everything conveniently return to normal?


    That maybe, if he closed his eyes long enough, if he let himself forget, he¡¯d wake up in his old life?


    That none of it had actually happened?


    But the truth was crueler than that. Because even if it was a dream¡ª Even if the life he had now was an illusion¡ª It wouldn¡¯t change the fact that he had already lived it. That the emotion he felt of the people he had lost still etched upon indelible. Scars, both seen and unseen would never fade. And even worse¡­ No one is awaiting him on the other side either.


    Because there was no other side to cross to begin with.


    "But it wouldn¡¯t mean a thing, if I told you of how I feel."


    Jihoon exhaled sharply, fingers tightening against the guitar again for uncountable number of times already.


    ¡®Yeah¡­ Even that, too, hit far too close¡¯ Jihoon¡¯s though echoes to himself.


    Because who the hell was there to tell? Who, in both worlds, would actually truly understand? The ones who could have understood were either lost to time, lost to themselves, or simply¡­ gone.


    And the ones who remained or that he told¡ª They had their own struggles. Their own burdens to carry.


    He had always been the one who listened. The one who played his music for others.


    Never the one who spoke. Never the one who let others in. Because even if he did¡ª


    What difference would it make?


    And still¡ªthe song continued. Because music, like life didn¡¯t wait for its performers to catch up. It simply moved forward. And so, despite the weight pressing against his chest¡ª Jihoon played on.


    A#+ C#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    So I¡¯m tired of all the pain, all the misery inside


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~| C# D# F F#| G# A#+ D#~|


    How I wish that I could live, feeling nothing but the night.


    A#+ C#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    You can tell me what to say, you can tell me where to go


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~| C# D# F F#| G# A#+ D#~|


    But I doubt that I would care, and my heart would never know


    The chorus section refrained once more to further reinforce the theme, TearsOfTragedy still sing with all her vocal volume without a single shortness of breath in between. Even he can¡¯t imagine anyone else keeping up with her by now while maintaining such intensity. Even though the rest of the ensemble played their part flawlessly, she had become the soul of the performance itself.


    Again though, his mind in high acceleration analyzes the lyrics as though a moment is stretching eternity within his mindscape. Even more ways that his spirit¡¯s restlessness continue to discover so that it could keep torturing him.


    "So I¡¯m tired of all the pain, all the misery inside."


    "How I wish that I could live, feeling nothing but the night."


    Jihoon¡¯s stomach twisted as the lyric sank into his gut like cold edges. He didn¡¯t want to relate to such words with profound connection like this. Yet that is what exactly occurred.


    No matter how much time may passed, no matter how much he tried to move forward with his life after the fact. His soul was so battered by the entirety of it that the exhaustion couldn¡¯t left no matter how much he wished to just lay himself to rest. So deeply ingrained that it no longer just being physical. Permeating into his physical body, his thoughts, his very existence.


    Years have passed since the Gate was opened. And all he felt was that he barely holds everything together. So much of it that he once wished that his existence ceased entirely, consumed by helplessness as the darkest night of his life goes on.


    "You can tell me what to say, you can tell me where to go."


    "But I doubt that I would care, and my heart would never know."


    His fingers moved on instinct, his body still playing, still keeping pace with the song¡ª But his mind is racing against the night, stretching each second into eternity of its own. Caught between the present and the past, between music and meaning, between performance and self-reflection.


    "You can tell me what to say, you can tell me where to go."


    Hadn¡¯t that been his entire life since the Gates opened? Orders. Commands. Missions. Expectations. A world that didn¡¯t care whether he wanted to be part of it¡ª It simply pushed him forward, forcing him to move, forcing him to act. 5 years fighting for his life in an era of chaos brought about by the Gate and he received zero recognition of it despite being forced into conscript against said ceaseless horde all the way. So much so that if it mattered, he wouldn¡¯t have been an F-rank Hunter when he started the career to begin with.


    Did he ever really have a choice? When even survival itself becomes a luxury that he can¡¯t afford no matter what?


    "But I doubt that I would care, and my heart would never know."


    Because the truth was¡ª He had stopped caring a long time ago. Until that moment at the very least.


    Not about people. Not about music. But about himself. Somewhere along the way, he had lost the ability to even recognize what he wanted anymore. Hadn¡¯t it for the Forgotten Melody, for the little goddess giving him a new hope again no matter how flickering it is. It pulled him back from the abyss that he would have wasted away, feeling nothing but the ¡®night¡¯. To find his determination to live and carve a place in a world he no longer belonged in.


    He began to wonder, however. Had he really changed? Or had he simply repackaged his suffering into something a bit more bearable?


    A#+ C#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    If I make another move, there will be no more turning back.


    D#+ F+ F#+ F| D#+ C#+ A#+~| G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~


    Because everything will change, and it will all fade to black.


    With the final section performed, which a finishing variation is played instead, the opening note is changed to a dominant. A small but intentional disruption to the usual pattern, then progressing to the repetition of minor 7<sup>th</sup> (C#) which create tension right at the start before reinforced with unresolved tension, like a thread unraveling but never fully breaking. Before the usual measure brought back to grounded, reflective pace.


    The next part of the section, however, brought to higher register along with chromatic movement and descent (F+, F#+), creating a sense of elevation followed by tension. The chromatic descents (F#+ to F+) adds a darker, more dissonant flavor, as F is outside the D# natural minor scale but fits into the D# harmonic minor scale. The resolution to D#+ C#+ A#+~ feels like a partial release, but the lingering tension from the chromatic movement keeps the emotional tone complex.


    Then with the final measures, return to the back-and-forth motion (G# A#+ G# F#) as the dissonance of harmonic scale with natural scale apply twice successively, bringing about tension and unease. As though between hesitation and introspection, as if grappling with difficult emotions. The final resolution to D#~ feels stable but not fully resolved, as the lingering tension from earlier in the progression keeps the emotional tone ambiguous. Acceptance but carried with is unresolved longing.


    As Jihoon stared blankly as the song plays him instead of the other way around, he felt it within his thought and heart. Because for all this time, he had convinced himself that he was moving forward. That he was getting better slowly but surely. That he was no longer having suffering defining his way of life.


    But perhaps that wasn¡¯t true at all. Maybe, he simply made his suffering as a whole of his own identity. That it had become such a huge and integral part of him so much that the mere thought of changing and truly letting go of his past, would mean that he no longer feel like himself.


    He is no longer certain of what scared him more. The idea of continuing to exist in this pain forever¡ª Or the idea of letting it go and realizing he had nothing left.


    No suffering. No weight. No purpose.


    Just¡­ Nothing.


    Jihoon barely registered that his fingers were still moving. That the performance was still happening.


    That the song hadn¡¯t ended yet. But at this point, the music was playing him, not the other way around. And as the final notes of the section loomed closer, one thought lodged itself deep into his mind.


    "If I make another move, there will be no more turning back."


    Wasn¡¯t that exactly what he had been avoiding? Making a choice. Actually moving forward¡ªnot just going through the motions. He had spent so long running from the past while at the same time clinging on to it paradoxically, from his own emotions, from his own pain¡ª Because deep down, he was terrified of what would happen if he truly let go. What would remain?


    What would be left of him? Would there be anything at all?


    The performance wasn¡¯t over yet, but Jihoon could already feel it. That something inside him had changed, something had been pulled to the surface. And even if after the performance is completed, he would not be able to bury it again ever.


    A#+ C#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    Will tomorrow ever come, will I make it through the night?


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~| C# D# F F#| G# A#+ D#~|


    Will there ever be a place, for the broken in the light?


    The other instruments become silent as the song¡¯s chorus section still goes on except for the vocalist and Jihoon¡¯s guitar. The air felt hollow without the rest of the ensemble, the absence weighing down on the soundscape, leaving behind something raw, exposed, utterly vulnerable.


    Jihoon¡¯s sustained chords hummed beneath her vocals, their presence gentle yet unyielding, holding everything together like a lifeline in a vast, empty void. As his sustained chord plays while she sung with all her breath. As though one is screaming into the void all their misery, pain and longing. And only a distorted echo is all that returns from it.


    A#+ C#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    Am I hurting or am I sad? Should I stay or should I go?


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~| C# D# F F#| G# A#+ D#~|


    I¡¯ve forgotten how to tell. Did I ever even know?


    Then the percussion of OneByteDrummer and chiptune harmonics of CookieXI made their re-entrance like one slowly regain their own previous fervor. A feeling of reclamation, like one finding their way back. Even if with all the bitterness and misery that is ingrained into one¡¯s being.


    A#+ C#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    Can I take another step? I have done everything I can.


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~| C# D# F F#| G# A#+ D#~|


    All the people I see, they will never understand.


    A#+ C#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    If I find a way to change. If I step into the light


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~| C# D# F F#| G# A#+ D#~|


    Then I¡¯ll never be the same. And it all will fade to white.


    Jihoon felt another sharp pull in his chest. Just another self-afflict torture in this agonizingly long session.


    "Will tomorrow ever come?"


    A question that had haunted him for years after the Gates opened. A question he had stopped asking himself long ago.


    Because for the longest time, he had assumed the answer was no.


    When the world had turned into a waking nightmare, when the Gates had twisted everything he once knew, when survival had become a cruel game of chance¡ª Back when the world was still unraveling, back when each day felt like it could be his last. He had spent so long never thinking about the future, only focusing on making it through another night, another battle, another hunt. Eventually, he had simply stopped expecting a future.


    Tomorrow was never promised. So, he never let himself hope for it.


    ¡°Will there ever be a place for the broken in the light?¡±


    That¡­ That was something he didn¡¯t know how to answer. Hadn¡¯t he already decided that he didn¡¯t belong anywhere in his world?


    That no matter how much time passed, no matter what he did, he would always be an outlier¡ªa man out of sync with the world around him?


    And yet, even now, even with all his doubts, with all of his hesitation¡ª He was still here, because of them¡­


    "Can I take another step? I have done everything I can."


    "All the people I see, they will never understand."


    Even now¡ªafter everything, after every nightmare, after every mistake, after every failure¡ª Could he keep moving forward regardless?


    And if he did¡ª Would anyone understand what it cost him? Would anyone see past the surface? Would they realize the weight he carried? Would anyone even care?


    ¡­


    No.


    That wasn¡¯t true anymore, was it? Perhaps if it aimed toward him before his arrival at Absence that it may have hold true but¡­ He could speak with certainty that he of today had surpassed him of previous in one aspect.


    Alvorna, Karim, Aquarius, Rosa. His compatriots in Absence.


    The people who had given him a reason to fight, a reason to stay, a reason to keep playing. The people who had refused to let him fall into the void. The people who had never given up on him, even when he had long given up on himself.


    Wasn¡¯t that proof enough? Wasn¡¯t their kindness, their faith, their relentless belief in him¡ªwasn¡¯t that proof that he wasn¡¯t just suffering and nothing else?


    He was no longer alone for they had seen everything through the mask into his pain. And instead of turning away, they stayed for his sake even without any promise of their efforts repaid by him.


    Alvorna, who had never once hesitated to stand by him. Someone who had watched over him even when he wasn¡¯t watching over himself. Who had shown him endless grace, even when he didn¡¯t think he deserved it.


    Even now¡ª Even when he still didn¡¯t understand what he wanted, who he was, or where he was going¡ª


    She was still here. With that confident smile and grace of a life soaring above his height and standing. Even without counting her, others did the same for him.


    Maybe that wasn¡¯t the end of the story. That truly there is more to his life than just his suffering.


    And so, Jihoon arrived at the truth that had been buried beneath everything else. One that took an embarrassing amount of recollection and self-reflection, and facing everything he had ignored to arrive.


    [His suffering was not all that he was.]


    For a very long time, Jihoon believed himself only to be what he had lost.


    The truth remains that he had been indelibly shaped by said suffering, defined by the tragedy and carried forward by the bitter feelings of failure. But to say that was all he ever was, is close-minded and shallow. And doing injustice to everything he had gone through and experienced. Spending so long believing that only his past is what defined him entirely that he failed to recognize everything else that is also transforming who he is today.


    The past will always be a part of him, there¡¯s no rebuke or denying that. The weight of it will never disappear for certain. But they were not everything.


    He is becoming more than that. His time in Absence forced him to establish connections again, that he must allow himself to care about those around him while not wallowing in his despair. To empathize with the circumstances of those around. And the most important of them all is¡­ That he recognized that people of Absence saw something in him beyond just suffering.


    In their eyes, they don¡¯t see a hopeless, broken man that is beyond salvation. They see him as a prodigious musician and performer of greatest caliber. A Maestro fastest to achieve his title in entirety of Absence¡¯s academic. With reverence, they were moved by his music performance and that is easily the biggest counterargument against all that hopeless pessimism spelled out before which he drowned himself in years.


    The song transitioned into its bridge, the refrain building once more. And as Jihoon continued to play¡ª His mind was clearer than it had been in years.


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~|


    D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#_F# G#- F#_G#|


    D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| G#- F#_G# D#- D#_F#|


    Without hesitation, he faced his own fear as he answered the burning question with all the pride and dignity that his self-loathing being could muster.


    ¡®I am all of me ¨C the past and the present¡¯


    Right when he affirmed the answer in his heart. The song progression slowly transitions away from the usual bridge that is played in the beginning as everyone in the ensemble seems to share an impromptu in mind. There was no verbal cue, no plan¡­ Yet everyone in the ensemble seemed to share the same impromptu instinct.


    Everyone else who remained silent until now of the performance joined as the distinct voices of their respective instruments. TearsOfTragedy abstained because there is no lyric for this impromptu but knowing her, she would probably have made one on the spot. But as the saying goes, less is more sometimes.


    The soundscape then reduced to a few muted percussions. Like a heartbeat still palpating in tension within the moment of silence and self-reflection, as one becomes one with the stillness around them.


    D#~ D#_C# D#|~~~~|C# D# F# G#| A#+ D#~ D#|C# D#~~|


    Then slowly other instruments of other performers of Arisen Studio joined, slowly filling in their place of the soundscape without interfering with anyone else. The sound of piano from CroixGrimmoire, the violin of LeonMight, CookieXI¡¯s chiptune, the acoustic guitar from Jin Sarae and then his own electric guitar as all the pieces fell together, forming an orchestral. As each individual perform the bridge to synchronize with one another.


    D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#_F# G#- F#_G#|


    D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| G#- F#_G# D#- D#_F#|


    Then finally, as all thoughts united as one. Without a word spoken beforehand toward one another, their thoughts converged toward the one and only melody.


    The chorus of the original Bad Apple, the one that the popular fan version took direct inspiration from. Returning to the root where it all began, so that one may find the answer to their own existential question. It¡¯s not one-to-one recreation but this is meant to pay tribute to the original that gave steps to its derivative creation that exceeded it. A melody that had paved the way for its fan rearrangement to rise beyond it, to become a cultural legend in its own right.


    D#~~~|C#~~~| D#~~~| D# F F# G#|F#~~~| A#-~ F F| F# D#~~|~~~~|


    C#~~~|D#~~~|D# F F# G#|F#~~~| A#-~ F F| F# D#~~|~~~~|


    C#~~~| F# F# G# A#+| G#~ F~| G# G# A#+ F#|~~~~|


    C#~~~| D#~~~| F F# F~| D~ G# A#+|~~~~|G#~ F#~| D#~~~|


    The repetition of motifs, those long-sustained notes stretched across time measure itself, creating a sense of cyclical reflection. The feeling of being trapped within the spiral of one¡¯s own emotions, whether negative or positive. The sustained notes prevent the melody from just rushing forward. Searching for a resolution it might be, it continues to explore, search and contemplate as its flow mirror the ebb and flow of one¡¯s inner emotions. The weight of introspection, the longing for something beyond reach.


    Thus, to summarize, this impromptu is a meditative trance which a restless soul caught between the turmoil of the past and present. Reflecting back the emotions that had driven this performance from the start.


    SilvaGun_GildedSun ¨C Good work, everyone. But this isn¡¯t a fusion collab.


    SilvaGun_GildedSun ¨C This is just a usual performance. A collab requires everyone to perform their respective part before changing performance role to someone else. Which goes on until the song ends.


    A brief moment of silence, then¡­


    ToxicXEternity ¨C Fuck off, mam.


    The explosion of groans, laughter, and mock outrage erupted all at once in the voice chat.


    CookieXI ¨C Boooooo, let us have our moment, you corporate shill!


    OneByteDrummer ¨C We get one legendary impromptu moment, and you gotta be a textbook about it?


    LeonMight ¨C This is why you have nobody wants to be your friend, Silva.


    SaraeJinnae ¨C Don¡¯t bring our suffering into your textbook definitions, man.


    Jihoon just chuckled, shaking his head. It was chaotic, and ridiculous all the same. But it was also comforting in a way he hadn¡¯t felt in a long time.


    Because in that one moment, in that one shared performance¡ª He didn¡¯t care about the music itself. Instead, it was about the people. About connections, past and present and the fact that even when everything else felt lost, there were still things worth holding onto.


    Even if it was just a single song. Even if it was just a fleeting moment.


    It was enough.

 Chapter 50: A New Day

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 50: A New Day


    After that brief commotion between them, their rehearsal of ¡®Bad Apple¡¯ continues with the second half. It is practically a reprisal of the first part in melody structure and progression with little to virtually no variation. But still, everyone gives their effort all the same either way. Their concerns lie not in the complexity or difficulty of the track but seeing it through and finishing what they have started. And so while nobody noticed, Jihoon played with clarity instead of the feeling of resignation weight upon him.


    D# F F# G#|A#+~~~| D#+ C#+ B#+~| D#~~~|


    Ever on and on~, I continue¡­


    A#+ G# F# F| D# F F# G#| A#+~~~|


    Circling with nothing but my hate...


    G# F# F D#| F F# F D#| D F~~|


    In a carousel of agony, I...


    The performance goes on, but perhaps the most profound transformation that has taken place, isn¡¯t in the music itself but the fact that Jihoon no longer allows himself to sink into negativity. Not without conscious efforts however though, but he knew for certain that he must be stronger than who he was previously in not just body but spirit if he could brave the tomorrow ahead. Time awaits no one, and the best thing he could do is to get onboard while the initiative is still his.


    As the fingers strum electric guitar with steady motion. Jihoon focused his intent, clearly toward what¡¯s ahead and immediately around him.


    D# F F# G#|A#+~~~| D#+ C#+ B#+~| D#~~~| A#+ G# F# F| D# F F# G#| A#+~~~|


    Slowly I forget, and my heart starts¡­ vanishing and suddenly I see


    G# F# F~| G#~ A#+~ | B#+~~~|


    That I can¡¯t break free¡ªI¡¯m¡­


    The lyrics resumed, carrying the same melancholy and despair as before. But this time, Jihoon started to look at the words differently. The weight of the words naturally is still there but Jihoon no longer let himself sink into it to the point of self-detachment or numbness. It isn¡¯t that the words lost their meaning on him or anything. But now that he allowed himself to observe it from a more objective perspective now that he isn¡¯t wallowing in his pain or similar.


    ¡°Slowly I forget, and my heart starts¡­ vanishing"


    Wasn¡¯t that exactly what had almost happened to him? Hadn¡¯t he spent so much time drifting, letting his original world pull him apart from one place to another, letting his emotions be drowned out by the sheer exhaustion of living? He had spent years believing that he was fading and wasting away in sorrow.


    That his existence had no more weight than a shadow cast by the past. And with all honesty spoken, no one would probably last or struggle their way out of that downward spiral of a mindset without immense willpower and effort together. Even he himself nearly gave up at some point¡­ at least until the Forgotten Melody reminded him of what he had to do with his given strength. Sure, the little goddess gave him some help here and there. But the conviction to move forward still lies on him doing so.


    And so here he is, still performing, still standing, and most importantly. Living.


    D# F F# G#|A#+~~~| D#+ C#+ B#+~| D#~~~| A#+ G# F# F| D# F F# G#| A#+~~~|


    //D#~~~|~~~~|~~~~|~~~~| C# B~~|~~~~|~~~~|~~~~|


    Slowly through the crack¡­ of a dark e~ternity with nothing but my pain¡­


    G# F# F D#| F F# F D#| D F~~|


    //C#~~~|~~~~|~~~~|


    And the paralyzing agony. To¡ª


    D# F F# G#|A#+~~~| D#+ C#+ B#+~| D#~~~| A#+ G# F# F| D# F F# G#| A#+~~~|


    //D#~~~|~~~~|~~~~|~~~~| C# B~~|~~~~|~~~~|~~~~|


    Tell me who I am~. Who I was~. Un¡ªcertainty enveloping my mind


    G# F# F~| G#~ A#+~ | B#+~~~|


    //C#~~~|~~~~|~~~~|


    Till I can¡¯t break free¡ª And¡­


    Maybe before, he would have felt trapped in these words. Maybe before, he would have let them consume him. But now as he looked at them objectively, as if analyzing someone else¡¯s story rather than his own. Because only know he truly realized one thing after counting his blessings once more.


    The weariness that the past weight upon him still remain. But for what he could cast away, all of his self-doubt and self-loathing, he had done so without hesitation, and he could say that he broke free with as much confident that he could put behind.


    C#+ D#+ A#+ G#| A#+~~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    Maybe it¡¯s a dream. Maybe nothing else is real.


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~| C# D# F F#| G# A#+ D#~|


    But it wouldn¡¯t mean a thing, if I told you of how I feel.


    A#+ C#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    So I¡¯m tired of all the pain, all the misery inside


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~| C# D# F F#| G# A#+ D#~|


    How I wish that I could live, feeling nothing but the night.


    Like a midsummer night. Fleeting and ephemeral as beautiful as they are, a dream remained only as a dream which one ultimately wakes up from. If Jihoon¡¯s life post-Gate was that of an endless nightmare that he wished to eventually wake up from. Then his stay in Absence is truly the most beautiful dream that he ever had. So much that he wished that he could stay in it forever with all honesty.


    But it is not his place no matter how welcoming it is to someone like him. Even one day, he must depart from this paradise as he eventually must return to his world once more. To know heaven¡¯s feel and know you can¡¯t return is a devastating feeling that one can¡¯t possibly withstand entirely unscathed.


    A#+ C#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    You can tell me what to say, you can tell me where to go


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~| C# D# F F#| G# A#+ D#~|


    But I doubt that I would care, and my heart would never know


    Previously, he would have considered this as his own slow succumb to the apathy toward the world around him as the life he had taken away from him. And even now, he can¡¯t really interpret it as something else at all. The lyrics itself is just that bleak on its own that one can¡¯t really think of it as anything else but most harsh and straightlaced truth spoken out loud. Like a mirror shard cutting straight into one¡¯s heart.


    No point sugarcoating reality, some truth is just simply what it is said and written.


    A#+ C#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    If I make another move, there will be no more turning back.


    D#+ F+ F#+ F| D#+ C#+ A#+~| G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~


    Because everything will change, and it will all fade to black.


    And now, as he had his eyes placing itself toward the future. The idea of moving toward the uncertainty isn¡¯t as harrowing as he thought it to be anymore because his own mind had already chosen its own direction without conscious input before he even recognized it. Why he fought so hard for Aquarius¡¯s freedom, or to uncover the primordial truth of Absence¡¯s history when he himself has nothing to gain from doing so.


    His choices had already shaped his fate, without him even acknowledging them.


    So, what¡¯s the worry of things turning irreversible if he took actions? It did without his consent already and there¡¯s nowhere to go but up when one is at the abyss.


    A#+ C#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    Will tomorrow ever come, will I make it through the night?


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~| C# D# F F#| G# A#+ D#~|


    Will there ever be a place, for the broken in the light?


    He might have lost the life that he once has, in that little slice of haven that he took for granted. But as the little goddess has shown to him. If he found no place around that he could belong to. Then make one himself where he is surrounded by like-minded people who share his beliefs and thoughts. Do anything convey your sentiments and let it be heard. Found no words to succinctly put all the feelings? Then let one¡¯s action speaks in hundreds of words at once. And in Jihoon¡¯s case, it is his music performance.


    The pain and isolation that one felt is real and undeniable, but often, all of said agony is self-inflicted as one lets their own worst fear dominates themselves in their headspace. One suffers more in their own imagination than in reality. And that downward spiral of one¡¯s own depression may well end the war before even the battle has begun. Jihoon understands unfortunately too much of it to just disregard with a single phrase of indifference unlike most observers.


    A#+ C#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    Am I hurting or am I sad? Should I stay or should I go?


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~| C# D# F F#| G# A#+ D#~|


    I¡¯ve forgotten how to tell. Did I ever even know?


    Hurt too much to even begin the measurement of agony even. And although he could precisely tell when it all began, to tell when he had overcome it instead of ignoring in indifferences is another ordeal. 10 years of living in a world that he knew didn¡¯t belong in is an experience that would drive everyone else to the brink if placed in equal circumstances like he did. And, he can¡¯t deny that the Forgotten Melody did so much wonder that its basic description of ¡®negating all negative mental effects¡¯ is doing injustice to what it actually done to turn his life back around.


    The reason why he started composing music to begin with is now also the salvation of his second attempt of his dream once more.


    A#+ C#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    Can I take another step? I have done everything I can.


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~| C# D# F F#| G# A#+ D#~|


    All the people I see, they will never understand.


    No one will understand exactly the pain he has endured even as he retold his experience. But so too is he when he listened to Alvorna¡¯s plight atop the cloud stage as she tearfully spoken of all the inner repression that she did to herself as she tried to make herself appear exactly how her mother wanted to be. A bird in a gilded cage that can¡¯t break free beyond its boundary. The pitying glances wondering why Alvorna so stubbornly pursued what is considered as an ill-fit mismatch against her aeromantic birthright.


    Every ounce of repressed insecurity, every instance of self-doubt ruthlessly squashed for the sake of self-appearance, every bitter grievance against the suffocating confines of expectation. Even if Jihoon would witness every flaw and ugliness that she has, all too woven into the harmony that they are resonating together.


    He too can¡¯t exactly say that he understands truly the exact experiences she underwent. But he understood the pain and anguish she felt for the source of their suffering come from one same origin. The anguish of not feeling belongs to the world they live in.


    A#+ C#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    This time you¡¯re not hurting me. This time I will take a stand


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~| C# D# F F#| G# A#+ D#~|


    All the hatred in my eyes. Building up an evil plan.


    The melody turned abrupt, signaling the final part of the chorus. The tempo surged, with OneByteDrummer pushing his rhythm into overdrive, each beat hammering like a war drum. Jihoon¡¯s part held steady, his guitar delivering long, sustained riffs¡ªa foundation of sound beneath the rising storm. And above it all, TearsOfTragedy sang with unrelenting force, her voice cutting through the chaotic crescendo with the intensity of someone who had finally embraced the abyss.


    The feelings invoked by the lyrics changed entirely from its first half, as though the singer had truly embraced the darkness. Had he remain mired in his own depression, then perhaps that part would have completely subsumed him as likely did what the lyric does. But to look at it with a changed perspective is truly¡­ enlightening because it makes him wondered what would happen if he had listened to it with a wrong headspace.


    No longer did they lament helplessness or despair, this verse was vengeful, defiant, brimming with resentment. And if Jihoon had still been mired in his own depression, if he had listened to these words with the same headspace he once had¡­ Wouldn¡¯t he have seen this darkness as his own? Wouldn¡¯t he have resonated with its consuming fury, letting it sink into him completely? Wouldn¡¯t he have thought¡ª


    "Maybe this is what I should be."


    But now, with a new perspective, with a mind no longer shackled by his own pain after he realized all the blessing he has received. He saw it for what it was.


    A warning. A glimpse of the path he could have easily fallen into.


    But had chosen not to in the end.


    A#+ C#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    Standing lonely in the night. With the darkness by my side.


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~| C# D# F F#| G# A#+ D#~|


    Looking deep within myself. All it revealed is only fright.


    The lyrics spoke of solitude, of being surrounded by darkness, finding only fear when they looked within themselves. Jihoon finally understood all of what is meant to convey. The way that self-hatred could build up, how it twisted into something more than just sadness itself. Into rage and bitterness. Into something that would just sought to lash-out at the world around ceaselessly instead of healing oneself. Completely abandoning all of one¡¯s relations to the world around since they themselves are isolated already.


    The worst is that Jihoon saw it happen with his own eyes. Of the people who had lost everything, who had no path forward, who had chosen to wallow in their fury rather than facing the pain themselves. And that he had been dangerously close to just being one of them. Had the Forgotten Melody never reached him, had he never encountered the little goddess. Nor his arrival in Absence in finding a new path forward for himself. And never meeting the those who gave him a reason to play again.


    Would he have been any different? Would he just simply let his own resentment fester until it become the only thing he had left? Would he become the very person that this song described?


    It was only thanks to his last stroke of fortune that he turned his life around, and how he responded appropriately to it even at the utter bottom. Only through that combination above, did he finally notice the abyss ahead and took a different direction while he can.


    Even if the pain is ever-present and an undeniable aspect of him, they simply cannot be the entirety of his identity. To be defined entirely by his suffering, is to only see the shadow of oneself cast but not one¡¯s own visage.


    The illusion of power crumbled in the very final line. Because what did that anger, that bitterness, that embrace of hatred amount to in the end? Nothing but fear. No matter how much rage someone buried themselves in, no matter how much they convinced themselves that they had become something stronger¡ª It was still fear.


    Fear of being vulnerable. Fear of facing one¡¯s reality. Fear of accepting that the past could never be undone.


    A#+ C#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    If I make another move. If I take another step.


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~| C# D# F F#| G# A#+ D#~|


    Then it would all fall apart. There would be nothing of me left.


    As the final section of the chorus began, Jihoon found himself listening with clarity, no longer weighed down by his own biases or emotional fog. All of that previous displayed beneath his stoic fa?ade were perhaps him react truly to what it is speaking out to him. Of the fragility that his mental state were back then which he would have agreed without a moment of reflection. That every step he made is destined to inevitable failure and losses beyond his control, taking away everything that mattered to him. To summarize it all, is the fear of change no matter for good or bad.


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    The belief that one wrong step, one wrong decision, could erase everything.Jihoon had once felt the same way¡ªtrapped in an existence where moving forward seemed as dangerous as standing still.


    But all of that was just dangerous doomsaying that his self-doubt voiced to him. Which did not come without a reason of its own. Unless that he can physically disproven his doubt by obtaining something that is truly his that can¡¯t be stolen by mere circumstances, then its fear talking will stay no matter what until then. After all, not moving is the real death sentences.


    A#+ C#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    If I¡¯m crying in the wind. If I¡¯m crying in the night.


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~| C# D# F F#| G# A#+ D#~|


    Will there ever be a way? Will my heart return to white?


    Within the words carry the longing for purity, for a clean slate, for a past that can no longer be returned to. The yearning for innocence was palpable that Jihoon felt achingly familiar without a doubt. However, it didn¡¯t take today to realize that he can¡¯t return to that halcyon day ever again. That was in fact long ago, which is how and why he composed SPIKA to begin with.


    Because at the end of the day, he did not need to become the person he once was. He does not need to try to wash the stubborn stain of the past to move forward in life. Carrying the burden onward is the only proof required that he lived through it. It is not the feeling of absolution that he needed but the acceptance that he does not want his own past to be erased. No shame of being marked by the past, no shame in being changed by suffering.


    A part of him it might be no matter how much pain it held. A part of him, but not all of him.


    A#+ C#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    Can you tell me who you are? Can you tell me where I am?


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~| C# D# F F#| G# A#+ D#~|


    I¡¯ve forgotten how to see. I¡¯ve forgotten if I can.


    The sense of disorientation in the words resonated with him. That feeling of being lost, of not recognizing oneself, was painfully familiar. Like how he take a look at his own reflection for the first time in 10 years since the Gate Outbreak, and not even recognize the person looking back. And him abandoning from his world and arrived at Absence in hope of finding a kindred soul to share his plight.


    Now, on a simultaneous quest to find himself again. Not to reclaim what is lost but to redefine clearly of who he is.


    He was Jihoon. A musician. A Maestro. A man who had chosen to keep playing, even when the song of his life had nearly stopped.


    He was no longer searching for who he was. Because he had found himself in the music he performed once again.


    A#+ C#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~~| G# A#+ C#+ D#+| A#+ G# A#+~


    If I opened up my eyes. There will be no going back.


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~| C# D# F F#| G# A#+ D#~|


    ¡®Cause I¡¯d throw it all away. And it would all fade to black.


    The one that sealed the fate of the song¡¯s story. The moment where the singer had given in completely, choosing to embrace the darkness over holding onto even a fragment of hope. The harshest words of them all.


    And now, standing here, fully aware of who he was, of what he had gained, of how far he had come. Jihoon let the last line linger in his mind, the words repeating themselves like a haunting refrain.


    ¡°It would all fade to black.¡±


    Once, he would have seen this as the literal surrender of hope. A willful descent into despair¡ªchoosing to remain in the darkness because it was the only place that felt familiar. To reject the light entirely because it was foreign, unreachable, and fleeting. To forsake the dream of redemption and embrace the comforting numbness of solitude, because it was all one had ever known. To become one with the very suffering that bound you, because it was the only thing that felt real.


    The lyrics¡¯ bleakness was undeniable as there was no hopeful interpretation that didn¡¯t feel forced or dishonest.


    And maybe that was the point. Not every darkness had to be given a silver lining. Sometimes, it just had to be faced for what it was and walked away from on one¡¯s volition.


    Jihoon knew exactly how easy it was to fall back into that pit despite the newfound clarity he obtained. He had once lived that line in literal sense, sinking into the black because there was nothing of sort to hold on to. But now that he is out of thanks to the little goddess¡­


    He chose not to go back again. Lest that he disgraced his benefactor after she expended her effort on a worthless nobody like him.


    G# A#+ G# F#| F C# D#~|


    D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#_F# G#- F#_G#|


    D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| G#- F#_G# D#- D#_F#|


    The song entered its impromptu section again much like in the latter first-half. The rhythmic motion played out like palpating heartbeats as the instruments all converged together on one singular melody again. Jihoon knew that this song was about to come to a proper conclusion. After these few minutes of enforced self-reflection and emotional rollercoaster, it felt like years have gone by and his lifespan were shaved out of his weary spirit. While he had appreciated the moment as it had brought him to proper closure of his past, he would rather not be going through another similar experience ever again.


    D#~ D#_C# D#|~~~~|C# D# F# G#| A#+ D#~ D#|C# D#~~|


    D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#_F# G#- F#_G#|


    D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| D#- D#-_D# D#_C# D#_D#-| G#- F#_G# D#- D#_F#|


    Together united as one again. They performed the chorus of the original Bad Apple again. No better way to end this shared performance, than going back to the root. Full circle.


    A#+~~~ |G#~~~| F# F C F| D#~~~|


    D# F F# G#|F~~~| A#-~ F F| F# D#~~|~~~~|


    C#~~~|D#~~~|D# F F# G#|F#~~~| A#-~ F F| F# D#~~|~~~~|


    C#~~~| F# F# G# A#+| G#~ F~| G# G# A#+ F#|~~~~|


    C#~~~| D#~~~| D# F F# F| D~ G# A#+|~~~~|G# F# F C#|


    [D#-; D#; D#+]~~~|


    The final note held by all the instruments, by all of its performers as its finality linger in the air. Then silence as all of its performer still playing the notes mentally in their mind.


    SilvaGun_GildedSun ¨C Hey TripleKill, did you record the performance?


    TripleKill ¨C Hold your horse, woman. It¡¯s not like it¡¯s going to run anywhere.


    SilvaGun_GildedSun ¨C Yeah, well, you¡¯d be surprised because knowing your history of goldfish memory in worst timing. You would forget to click the record button and not check it again.


    TripleKill ¨C Hey, that was just a one-time incident.


    CroixGrimmoire ¨C One time, you said. You forgot to record the entire collab with Enigmatic Station, and we had to do it all over again.


    TripleKill ¨C Excuse you, I¡¯m a professional. I got the whole thing recorded here now. Triple-checked even for your words of confirmation, even the part where Jihoon got all introspective mid-performance like he was going through an existential crisis.


    CookieXI ¨C Oh my god, he totally did. Man wasn¡¯t just playing, he was out here fighting demons. (¨i©n¨i)


    Laughter erupted through the group call, and Jihoon sighed, rubbing his forehead in slight exasperation. Jihoon leaned back in his chair, still catching his breath. Despite the lighthearted banter, he found himself genuinely reflective, still caught in the emotional resonance of the performance.


    ToxicXEternity ¨C You know¡­


    SilvaGun_GildedSun ¨C Hmm?


    ToxicXEternity ¨C It¡¯s funny. I¡¯ve heard this song a million times. But playing it just now, it felt¡­ different.


    There was a beat of silence, as if his words had momentarily stilled the air. Then¡ª


    CroixGrimmoir ¨C You¡¯re just thinking about it too hard.


    TripleKill ¨C Yeah. It¡¯s just a damn song, dude. Don¡¯t go writing a philosophy paper on it.


    SaraeJinnae ¨C He¡¯s so totally gonna write a philosophy paper.


    OneByteDrummer ¨C You were looking way too deep into it, bro.


    TarmaSpaghetti ¨C Yeah, it¡¯s just an edgy song about despair, not a religious text.


    JinSarae ¨C Nah, let him have this. He looked like he was about to uncover the meaning of life halfway through the second verse.


    SilvaGun_GildedSun ¨C ToxicXEternity¡¯s Essay on the Existentialism of Bad Apple.


    Jihoon let out a soft laugh, shaking his head at their playful dismissal. He hadn¡¯t expected them to take him seriously¡ªand honestly, he didn¡¯t mind. After all, this was just one of those rare moments where he allowed himself to feel freely, without any pretense.


    ToxicXEternity ¨C Fine, fine, laugh it up all you want. I just thought it was interesting how the lyrics evolve through the song.


    SilvaGun_GildedSun ¨C And that¡¯s why you¡¯re you, dude.


    Despite the teasing, there was warmth in the exchange. Because no matter how philosophical or ridiculous their interpretations got¡ª The important thing was that they had played together.


    The call eventually ended, the once lively banter fading into silence as each member logged off one by one. The room was left in complete stillness, save for the faint hum of Jihoon¡¯s amp and the quiet whirr of his laptop fan. The screen cast a dull, fading glow on his face, illuminating the subtle exhaustion in his eyes.


    For a moment, he simply sat there, motionless, staring at the darkened screen.


    Then, without warning, his shoulders began to tremble.


    Jihoon stood up away from his chair as he laid himself over the bed. His breath caught as though the dam broke, and all the pent-up emotion he had been holding back finally surged forth. He clenched his fists against the edge of his desk, his nails faintly digging into the wood, as he let out a ragged exhale.


    Tears welled in his eyes, and despite himself, he allowed them to fall freely. The performance had been a cathartic release¡ªbut even so, it hadn''t been enough to absolve him of everything he carried. The weight of the years of guilt, the bitterness of loss, and the ache of all that he could never regain still lingered.


    And so, he let it out. Soft sobs escaped him, shoulders trembling as the overwhelming mix of relief and sorrow coursed through him. Even if there¡¯s anyone complaint about this scene, of a man struggles to reconcile his emotions and mental burdens then kindly he would kindly tell them to leave the audience chamber since he and no one invited such people to be here.


    As the minutes stretched into eternity, the burden gradually dissipated. He felt lighter, in a strange, intangible way¡ªas though the performance had somehow exorcised a lingering fragment of the past from his heart.


    And with it, came the inevitable wave of fatigue. A bone-deep exhaustion that clung to him not only in body but in spirit, as though the dream had drained something real from him. A bone-deep, soul-crushing fatigue that had been lurking beneath his skin, waiting for a moment like this to finally settle in.


    He had carried it for so long, buried beneath distractions, behind his responsibilities, behind the constant pushing forward that had become second nature. And now, with nothing left to hold onto, with no weight left to bear¡ª He let it all go.


    His limbs felt heavy, his breathing slow and deliberate. With a soft grunt, Jihoon pushed himself off his chair and staggered toward his bed. He collapsed onto the mattress, not bothering to even remove his jacket.


    The familiar warmth and softness of his bed cradled him, wrapping around him like a familiar embrace. For the first time in what felt like forever, he allowed himself to simply exist¡ªwithout thinking, without fighting, without running. His eyelids drooped, too heavy to resist.


    The nostalgia of being back in his past, the conversations with his old friends, the long, winding emotional journey¡ª All of it had drained him. Even though this had been nothing more than a dream, a carefully induced illusion, it had felt too real.


    Too real for his heart to come away unscathed.


    And just like that, he let go, letting the familiar lull of sleep take him. As his mind slipped into unconsciousness, he thought he could still hear the faint melody of their performance echoing in his ears.


    The past faded into darkness.¡­ Just like that.


    ¡­


    When Jihoon opened his eyes again, he was no longer in his old world. Seeing the soft glow of lantern light, the faint scent of lotus incense in the air, and the cool stillness of the Lotus Chamber greeted him.


    For a moment, he simply stared upward, disoriented. It took him a few seconds to register where he was¡ªback in Absence. The dream therapy had ended. Back from the dream into the waking world where his current reality resides. He was back in Absence.


    Immediately, a gentle murmur of voices surrounded him. Chamber attendants in flowing robes stood near his bedside, monitoring his conditions in the process, watching him with curious yet professional expressions.


    One of them, a woman with delicate features and calm eyes, stepped forward.


    ¡°How do you feel?¡± she asked, her voice smooth and measured.


    Jihoon took a moment to process himself, testing his thoughts, his emotions, his body. There was no lingering haze, no pain, no sense of disorientation¡ª Just a quiet and determinate clarity.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he answered after a pause. ¡°No side effects.¡±


    The attendants exchanged brief glances, nodding in understanding.


    ¡°The therapy was a success, then,¡± another attendant noted, scribbling something onto a parchment. ¡°If you experience any unexpected symptoms, please notify us immediately. But otherwise, your treatment is now complete.¡±


    With that, they slowly began to disperse, leaving Jihoon alone once more.


    Jihoon sat up, running a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of what had just transpired. He wasn¡¯t sure what to feel in particular. There was no dramatic sense of closure, no overwhelming revelation or grand absolution of all of his worry. What he obtained after all of that is a simple and quiet understanding. He looked back upon his past, confronted it for what it was. And now, his only decision that he could make out of the hazy future ahead, is to simply step forward with all he has.


    Would he relapse? Probably? Would there be moments when the weight returned once more? Absolutely and undeniable.


    But in the end, he accepted it for what it was. People moved forward regardless of what it is holding them back in the past. And his circumstances were never special to begin with.


    He was never unique in his suffering.


    Even so¡­ Because as long as he could keep moving, as long as he could keep playing, as long as he could keep holding onto the present¡ª He knew he could face whatever came next.


    Jihoon let out one final breath, feeling the last remnants of his weariness slip away with the exhale before he got up and left the therapy chamber.


    It was time to begin again.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    The door to the Lotus Chamber slid open with a soft creak, and Jihoon stepped out into the cool corridor.


    As soon as he left, just waiting outside of the Lotus Chamber was a certain someone that took him by surprise and her presence stopped him dead in his track. Alvorna. Who literally just sat waiting outside the therapy chamber when there¡¯s literally no reason to do so. He blinked once, unsure if he was hallucinating from the lingering effect of dream therapy. But no¡ª


    She was really there.


    From the way that she appears and the expression she wears, Jihoon was afraid that she literally just stares at the door of his therapy chamber for the entire night while no one does anything to dissuade her. When her mind finally processed that he was here before her and that he was real did her dull and vacant eyes slowly widened. From the way she looked, with her hollow, weary expression and the vacant glimmer in her emerald eyes, her wings faintly trembling, and legs drawn close. He could immediately tell the situation. And that realization made his stomach twisted with dread.


    For hours that she remained there, alone with her thoughts and left to simmer in her own silent torment.


    Her lips parted slightly, trembling, but no words came out. Then, she stumbled forward, her legs giving out beneath her, her body limping from exhaustion and its full weight collapsed into him. She would have collapsed to the floor entirely had Jihoon not caught her. He instinctively wrapped his arms around her, holding her slender form tightly as she sank into his embrace.


    Her fingers curled weakly into his shirt, clutching at him with desperate strength, her talon-ed feet reflexively scraping against the stone tiles, seeking some kind of purchase.


    Tears started to flow without control even though she wasn¡¯t crying explicitly as she was so worried about him that she just became restless no matter what. She didn¡¯t sob immediately, no wailing, no broken sounds at first. Just the slow, unyielding stream of tears that slid down her cheeks without control. Her breathing was ragged, uneven, catching in her throat, her chest heaving silently as she clung tighter as though trying to bury into him.


    Jihoon¡¯s arms tightened around her, holding her close as he felt the tremors wracking her frame. And then, the dam finally broke as she crumbled completely. Her wings wrapped around him, clinging as though she were afraid that he would disappear the moment she let go. Alvorna¡¯s voice cracked, her breath hitching with strained, broken sobs.


    She wept. Ugly, unrestrained, soul-wracking sobs, the kind that shook her frame and left her gasping for breath.


    Her voice caught in her throat, broken, messy, incoherent with emotion.


    ¡°I¡ªI was so scared¡­!¡± she choked out between shuddering gasps, her voice cracking with the weight of her anguish.


    Jihoon froze. Her voice was raw, trembling, hoarse from the long night of unspoken terror.


    ¡°I¡ªI didn¡¯t¡­ I didn¡¯t know if you were going to¡ª¡±


    Her words collapsed into a broken sob before she could finish. Her fingers continued to fists into his shirt, clutching him tightly as though she could somehow anchor him to this moment¡ª Her body convulsed with every heaving breath, and she buried her face deeper into his chest as though trying to hide herself from the world. Her nails digging in slightly, trembling as if she were desperate to hold onto something tangible.


    She was practically suffocating in her own storm of emotion. And Jihoon just held her, letting her break apart in his arms.


    For the first time, Alvorna, the Harpy, the Daughter of the Matriarch who was supposed to be free, unfettered, untamed and answers to no one but her family¡ª Wept over someone else. And it terrified her, because she never once worried for anybody before herself until this very moment.


    The idea of him being in the Lotus Chamber, where the therapy forced him into his past, reliving memories he could barely face¡ª


    Combined with the myth of the Lotus-Eaters, the story of those who ate of the flower and forgot themselves entirely into the dream as they will never wake up again once more¡ª


    It had all cascaded into a wave of irrational fear. Anxiety had clutched at her throat the moment she imagined him not waking up. That he might forget her. That he might not return at all.


    For minutes, she cried without words, without holding back. She didn¡¯t care how she looked. Didn¡¯t care if it was unsightly or pitiful. Didn¡¯t care if she appeared vulnerable.


    Because at that moment¡ª All she could feel was the overwhelming relief that he was still there. That he was still alive and by her side.


    Through her choked sobs, she finally spoke, her voice thick with anguish.


    ¡°You¡­ you idiot¡­ And so am I¡­ for approving it¡­¡± she whispered, her voice hoarse and trembling, barely louder than a breath. Even though she was the one to also agree that the Lotus Chamber dream therapy is necessary for him. But during the supposedly the shortest duration that will be passed in no time, it ended up becoming her endless torment which every second felt painfully long like years.


    Anxiety had clutched at her throat the moment she imagined him not waking up. That he might forget her. That he might not return at all. The idea of him being lost in a dream he could never wake from had driven her into a spiral. And the thought of it left her shaking the deeper she contemplates even though everyone peacefully rests the night away.


    There was no freedom in her heart anymore. No empty skies she wanted to soar toward alone. She realized she could never go back to that solitary existence.


    ¡°I¡ªI was so scared, Jihoon¡­¡± she sobbed. Her voice was ragged, and barely above a whisper, but the anguish in it was deafening.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­ I didn¡¯t know what I would do if you¡ª¡± Her throat caught, the words cutting off mid-sentence as she choked on another sob.


    Her fingers tightened their hold on him, trembling violently as though her own soul will detach from its own body from sheer anxiety.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to lose you¡­ not you¡­ not again¡­¡±


    And that was it. The entire dam of repression that she had held back for so long came crashing down. The day he had reciprocated her feelings atop the cloud stage, the day he had sung out her pain along with her with his instrument, that was the turning point of her life. She can no longer imagine the life that she would lead without him, not even succeeding her mother in the Rite of Ascension that she once looked forward brought any more assurance than his presence did.


    As she wept into his chest, Jihoon slowly lowered his chin to rest against the crown of her head.


    His hand slowly stroked her hair, offering her a silent comfort. He didn¡¯t say anything. Didn¡¯t offer hollow reassurances.


    Because she didn¡¯t need words. She just needed him. He simply let her know¡ª That she wasn¡¯t alone. That she never would be again.


    And so, he held her, steady and unmoving, as she let herself fall apart. And for the first time in so long¡ª She let herself be vulnerable. Because she knew that, no matter what, he would be there to catch her. Her sobs eventually quieted, but her breathing remained uneven, her chest still heaving softly against his.


    Her wings remained draped around him, her talons loosely curled into his back, still trembling faintly.


    And for a long, long moment¡ª They simply stayed there. Together.


    Without a word spoken, without a sound beyond the quiet raggedness of her breath. And even though her tears still lingered on his shirt, and her chest still shook faintly from the aftermath of her sobs¡ª


    She never let go.


    And neither did he.

 Chapter 51: Last Day of Vacation

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 51: Preparation of Second Trial


    [57 days left until Alvorna¡¯s Rite of Ascension]


    With the emotional early day coming to an end, Alvorna cried herself out until she completely fell asleep, peacefully within his embrace as though her tormented soul laid at rest, no longer haunted by the suffocating anxiety that had gripped her so mercilessly throughout the night. Her arms remained loosely draped around him, her wings limply folded, For the first time in what felt like an eternity, she looked at peace. Jihoon stroked her hair gently, brushing back the dark vanilla strands that clung to her damp cheeks.


    His arms remained around her, cradling her sleeping form as though he were afraid she might slip away if he let go.


    For Jihoon, however, he knew he was in for the long days ahead now that from the itinerary that Rosa had shown him, he only had one day worth for actual vacation on Lotus Eater Island. The rest is the return to the athlete village where the Second Trial of Odyssey will begin.


    And Alvorna was supposed to report her job as an Overseer back at the Citadel.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that, she used one of her few precious vacation days allotted per year just to stay by your side. You better feel damn proud and honored that a Harpy laid eyes on you seeing how just how strict they can be with their requirements to be their spouse. And with the Daughter of the Matriarch even, no less.¡±. Karim, the merchant, his sponsor of his musical career of Absence and one of his companions spoke from a stride distant away as though anticipated this scene from the beginning.


    Jihoon suddenly turned his attention toward the wood elf, confused briefly of what he was supposed to respond with. Then there¡¯s hiding behind him is Rosa the dwarf with her disheveled long rose gold hair stared at him with discerning eyes while her height is of Karim¡¯s chest in height. The CEO of Magni Conglomerate, which had a near chokehold on Absence¡¯s metalwork industry. Someone whose first impression of is utterly dead serious and calculative.


    Which contradicts the current appearance of her being jealous like a teenage girl first discovering romance story. Like an indignant, love-struck teenager. Her rose-pink hair was disheveled from tossing and turning all night. And her discerning eyes¡ªnormally so sharp and unyielding¡ªwere instead filled with a mixture of irritation and unmistakable jealousy.


    The Dwarves had a strict sense and code of honor and conduct, Rosa is no exception. After his help pulling her father out of the nostalgia that he is mired in while forgoing everything else, Rosa decided that she wanted to be part of his journey without any of his input thus here they are.


    She crossed her arms over her chest, her expression a blend of scowl and pout as she stared at him narrowly. Her voice was deadpan, but there was no missing the sulky undertone.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re just going to let her steal the whole day, huh?¡± Rosa muttered dryly, her gaze flicking toward Alvorna¡¯s sleeping form with unmistakable envy.


    Jihoon¡¯s mouth parted slightly, caught off guard by the unexpectedly petulant tone. He glanced back at Karim, as if seeking some kind of clarification, but the elf just chuckled knowingly while tipping his fedora. He¡¯s the only one with actual charisma to make use of it instead of having it be obnoxious like his world¡¯s current association that it has.


    And now, as she stood there with narrowed eyes and her arms stubbornly crossed¡ª It was clear that she wasn¡¯t particularly thrilled about being upstaged by a certain Harpy.


    Jihoon, despite his lingering exhaustion, couldn¡¯t help but smile faintly.


    The absurdity of it all¡ªthe hardened CEO glaring at him with the pouting expression of a jealous schoolgirl¡ªwas almost too much. But he said nothing. He simply held Alvorna closer, feeling her steady breath against his chest, and let the moment linger.


    Because in this fleeting moment, surrounded by his companions. He felt more human than he had in years. And as the day¡¯s trials loomed ahead, Jihoon knew¡ª No matter how difficult they would be, he would face them all.


    Because he had people worth fighting for no matter what said otherwise.


    The day goes on after he placed Alvorna in her bed. Once Alvorna was settled in, Jihoon lingered briefly by her side, ensuring that she was fully asleep before he finally pulled away. Her soft, steady breathing filled the room, her dark vanilla hair sprawled loosely over the pillow, and her wings¡ªnormally alert and graceful¡ªwere now slackened with exhaustion.


    Even in her sleep, she remained tightly curled around his pillow, her hands faintly gripping the fabric as if seeking his presence even in her dreams. Jihoon exhaled quietly, brushing a few stray strands from her face.


    She had been so worried for him, so tormented by her own irrational fears, that she had exhausted herself completely. And now, for once, she could finally rest without the burden of anxiety weighing her down.


    With one final glance, he slowly turned away and left the room, quietly closing the door behind him with deliberate care. And when he turned, he was immediately met with the expectant gazes of his three remaining compatriots.


    Karim, his merchant sponsor and habitual smirker, grinned lazily as he leaned against the nearby hallway post, arms folded.


    Rosa, the CEO of Magni Conglomerate, stood beside him, her arms still crossed with lingering feigned irritation¡ªthough the sharpness in her eyes had softened somewhat, replaced by a teasing glimmer.


    And then, standing off slightly to the side was Aquarius, the mermaid princess of Sargasso. Normally someone like her would definitely have escort guards all around. Especially for the reckless stunt taking place way earlier. But somehow she convinced that she alone could be safe with him and his crew. That¡¯s the level of trust that the king of Sargasso had in him that he wouldn¡¯t recognize.


    Dressed in her typical sailor shirt and dress which is her casual outfit while her aquamarine hair shimmers in the soft daylight of the hallway windows. Her luminous eyes in color of the sea regarded him quietly, her lips curved into a faint, amused smile as though she had already guessed exactly what he needed.


    ¡°Shall we?¡± Karim asked, his voice light with playful anticipation, already pushing off the post.


    Jihoon, still worn out but no longer weighted by the emotional tumult of the morning, simply nodded silently.


    And so, the four of them¡ªKarim, Rosa, Aquarius, and Jihoon¡ªset out into Lotus Eater Island, determined to make the most of the few precious hours they had left before Jihoon will eventually depart back to the athlete village to prepare for the Second Trial of Odyssey as they escorted him.


    They strolled through the sunlit streets of Lotus Eater Island, weaving between eastern Absence-inspired architecture, with its wooden pagodas, ornate lanterns, and crimson-draped awnings swaying faintly in the gentle sea breeze. The scent of lotus blossoms lingered in the air, sweet and delicate, as the leisurely sounds of the island¡¯s traditional eastern instruments drifted along the streets.


    Despite the impending departure, the four of them wasted no time in wringing every ounce of enjoyment from their final half-day of reprieve.


    ¡°Hey, look at this place!¡±. Rosa said as her finger points toward the culinary street with a giddy expression as though like a child still has its innocence. One would think that as a CEO, such street culinary stuff is way below her with what she could purchase but¡­ nope.


    So they sampled local street food, devouring freshly grilled seafood skewers, sesame pastries, and delicate mochi cakes filled with fragrant lotus cream, not the addictive one which its maker promised which Jihoon figured.


    Aquarius, unexpectedly the culinary enthusiast, eagerly dragged them from one vendor to the next¡ªher face lighting up with delight whenever she discovered a new dish. ¡°You¡¯ve gotta try this!¡± she exclaimed, holding out a tiny bamboo tray of fried seaweed strips drizzled with honey glaze.


    Rosa, not even bothering to pretend she wasn¡¯t interested, immediately snatched a handful, stuffing them into her mouth with undignified relish. Had people even realized who she is, she ain¡¯t going to walk out of here without shame. Yet no one ever raised a word at all about her appearance.


    Jihoon chuckled quietly at the sight of the CEO devouring street food like a starved tourist, while Karim casually swiped a few strips for himself without saying a word.


    Then the next in their traversing the missed spots of Lotus Eater Island that they didn¡¯t get the chance to do so yesterday is a large marketplace where there just seem to people flowing endless in and out. And of course, displayed and sold inside is numerous merchandise and souvenirs of Lotus Eater Island. In which the group chose for themselves with whatever they could pay for themselves.


    Well¡­ when you have the literal royalty of Southern Absence¡¯s capital kingdom and one of the CEO of Absence¡¯s largest industry conglomerate entering a simple tourist market, you end up with trouble ensued. For different kinds of reasons actually.


    Rosa ended up arguing with a jewelry seller for her great discernment of metal quality due to being a dwarf, and especially high-ranked at that. And that the prices tagged onto them don¡¯t even worth half of its product value, which when spoken by a dwarf had to be taken rather seriously. For someone like her stand so high in Absence¡¯s metalwork industry as its largest congolomerate, it offended her so badly that she had to openly argue.


    Karim naturally intervened while using his charisma to diffuse the situation. He really thought he was the weird one of the group when he just shamelessly abuses his charm for his profession as a merchant, but he ended up the one to put out fire whenever the antic of the group arises and causes.


    And¡­ Aquarius¡­ wasn¡¯t the best with buyer¡¯s impulses. Anything caught her interests, she just bought instantly regardless if she had a need for them or not. At least with food, Aquarius would get full at some point, but she would ended up cleaning shops before Karim had to intervene and made her assess her own purchases.


    Although she has the deepest pocket out of them all beside Rosa for being literal royalty, it would set a bad precedent and habit if not addressed. The result of living such a sheltered lifestyle that only until now she stepped to the outside world. Only now does Aquarius is taught by Karim of the value of things she beholds and purchases.


    Karim himself bought some valuable goods which he said were for good business and exchange. As he bartered with local tradesman, Karim secured himself with goods from exquisite plum wine to luxury silk garments. Using his silver tongue, he somehow purchases things for barely half its original price.


    After all of those incidents just before, Rosa clutched her haul triumphantly, smug and satisfied, despite the fabric practically drowning her short yet absurdly voluptuous frame for her size. And Aquarius, while normally serene and composed, allowed herself a rare indulgence after Karim sorts out everything for her¡ªblowing glass bubbles with the local children, enchanting them with her water magic as the shimmering orbs floated and danced in the warm island air.


    Needless to say, they got good experiences all around. But what Jihoon actually purchased would have raised a massive alarm of its own had he is without his reputation. From an alchemist store, Jihoon bought¡­


    500 vials of Lotus Essence. All stored in his silver ring that is his purchased subspace storage from Magni Conglomertaion itself. The highest quality that his paygrade as a Maestro could afford reasonably.


    So much, in fact, that the attendants visibly paled when he made the request. They even tried to refuse the sale outright, citing concerns over potential misuse.


    ¡°Sir, with all due respect, we cannot in good conscience sell you this amount¡ª¡± The storefront clerk said to him as they fear the most obvious thing around. Worse is that he just recently gone through one and that does nothing to assure his purchases.


    After many arguments and promises later, Jihoon simply signed the agreement they pushed toward him without hesitation. He didn¡¯t even blink as he scrawled his name across the parchment, agreeing not to exchange the substance with anyone else. The attendants, still clearly uneasy, reluctantly handed over the vials for him. Counting the received money while fear clutching their heart like a devil¡¯s whisper.


    Of course, Jihoon had no intention of using the Lotus Essence in Absence. He had purchased it for one reason only: To recall the past in perfect clarity.


    The ten years of misery he had endured had turned his memories of that time into a hazy blur of sorrow, making it impossible to distinguish one day from another.


    Too many moments were shrouded in fog, lost beneath the weight of grief. And if he was ever going to face his past properly¡ª He needed to see it clearly, without distortion or numbness. Although he was truly afraid of just how pervasive the dream therapy treatment might be, losing his only chance of setting things right with the past because of his fear is even more disgraceful.


    And of course, he intends not to disclose this fact with those around. They may truly fear that he got addicted to Lotus much like its actual myth. He even got that suspicion originally when he first heard of it and voiced his concern about it to them.


    Afterward, the group goes on their merry way until they find themselves on an outdoor plaza. In which they come across another band of musicians performing. And suddenly, Karim had a so-called bright idea to test his skill against residential performers as though the performance yesterday at the Night Festival wasn¡¯t satisfactory enough for him somehow.


    ¡®House of Strings¡¯, the performers spoke the name of their bands. They were clearly no amateurs, evidenced by their well-tuned coordination and the fluidity of their harmonics, which had drawn such a sizable crowd. And they were clearly doing something right seeing as they gathered a decent size of audiences here and his assessment didn¡¯t find any particularly glaring fault with them.


    The crowd gathered even more quickly in greater amount, eager to witness the contest between the sole Maestro against an ensemble of his own.


    The band members who wield their own respective string instruments offered their challenges as they all wanted to see if the tall tales involving him were true or not. Jihoon without a word picks up his guitar as he is thrust upon into another challenge without his consent.


    With a coin toss performed by Karim to see who perform first, Jihoon landed correctly although he partially suspect that the wood elf rigged the toss in his favor. Since it is his initiative, Jihoon started first with the one melody still fresh in his mind after the dream therapy.


    The opening rhythms of Bad Apple.


    D#- D#- D#- D#-_D#-_D#-_D#-| D#- D#- D#-_D#- D#-| D#- D#- D#- D#-_D#-_D#-_D#-| D#- D#- D#-_D#- D#-|


    The harsh and gritty sound of his electric guitar rang out again. As the first few measures of Bad Apple are strummed by Jihoon, the entire ensemble in front of him faltered entirely and stiffened as though losing their entire competitive spirit they have just now.


    The crowd hushed. They stared at Jihoon¡¯s hands as he played¡ªhis fingers fluidly moving along the fretboard with mechanical precision, drawing forth searing riffs and haunting overtones.


    And before Jihoon could even reach the first verse, his opponents¡ª


    ¡°We concede¡±.


    Without even finishing the first passage, the lead instrumentalist lowered his instrument, shaking his head with a sheepish laugh. He raised his hands in mock surrender, then offered a low bow of genuine admiration.


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    ¡°We¡¯re not even going to try. How on earth could we compare our mundane string instruments to yours which sound as fierce and furious like rolling thunders?¡± His voice carried through the crowd, a mixture of defeat and awe.


    The crowd burst into cheers, but Jihoon was left staring in mild disbelief, the guitar still in his hands. He had barely started, and the duel was already over.


    The moment the word ¡®thunder¡¯ was invoked, a wave of excited murmurs spread through the crowd.


    The nickname had first surfaced just a week prior¡ªamong the forums and musical communities of Absence¡¯s ethernet network. Ever since his performance at the Odyssey¡¯s opening ceremony which was the mass¡¯s first exposure to the sound of his electric guitar. And just hearing it spoken aloud in front of him, that¡¯s just how far and impactful the distinct sound of his instrument really is.


    There had even been fan edits of his performances circulating online¡ªartworks and images just of him performing with his electric guitar while wreathed in streaks of lightning, his eyes glow ethereal white beneath storm-filled sky. Some clips had been enhanced with visual effects, making it appear as though dark clouds raged behind him while his music shattered the heavens.


    Raijin. The Thunder God of Eastern culture in his world, which is also the same thing here had become the nickname of sort for his instrument and the sound which he played with it. It is a distinct thing that no one has yet able to replicate despite being so ahead in technology and culture.


    The crowd erupted into wild applause, cheering and whistling despite the duel ending almost immediately. Jihoon stared down at his guitar, still in his hands, blinking once in mild disbelief.


    ¡°You have to kidding me...¡± he muttered under his breath.


    Karim, of course, was the first to pounce. With a wicked grin, he clapped Jihoon¡¯s shoulder roughly.


    ¡°You magnificent bastard.¡± The wood elf snickered. ¡°The literal stormbringer. The real Raijin in the flesh and his incarnation!¡±


    Jihoon rolled his eyes, already regretting the entire unwanted encounter. ¡°Don¡¯t start.¡± He muttered with resignation.


    ¡°You might as well start wearing a crown at this point, Maestro,¡± Rosa teased, her voice drenched with sarcasm and devoid any of the traits that made her dead serious.


    Aquarius, meanwhile, was beaming with pride, clapping lightly with genuine admiration sparkling in her eyes.


    ¡°I think the crowd would¡¯ve worshipped you if you played for even a minute longer, Jihoon,¡± she said sweetly. Probably only for him due to their relation.


    At this point, Jihoon only exhaled as he runs a hand through his hair. ¡°Yeah¡­ I guessed that I reap what I sowed¡±. He groaned quietly under his breath with half-exasperation and resignation.


    Despite all of that however, he was kinda glad that he could just go on stage and perform for its sake either way.


    ¡°All I wanted was just to play music¡±. His thought occurred, which for what had become of his life may as well be an unreachable dream.


    Time flew by in a whirlwind of activities, and before they knew it, they were approaching the end of their itinerary of this short vacation. It was time to return to Perfect Cherry Blossom Inn to pack their belongings.


    As the golden hues of dusk began to paint the sky. The air had taken on a cooler edge, the once-vibrant chatter of the streets softening as Lotus Eater Island eased into the transition from late afternoon to evening.


    From this point onward, it will be unknown when the whole group be together next time since their each respective duty and responsibilities took considerable precedent. Their once-lively chatter now tempered with a quiet solemnity.


    This was it. The last hours of their short vacation before duty called them back to their respective paths.


    ¡°Guess this is it, huh?¡± Karim stretched his arms over his head, rolling his shoulders as he let out a heavy sigh. His usual smug grin was still there, but it was tinged with something softer, almost reluctant.


    ¡°Back to the grind,¡± Jihoon muttered, rubbing his temples.


    Rosa, standing with her arms crossed over her chest, gave a firm nod, her expression as serious as ever.


    ¡°I have to return to the Magni Conglomerate.¡± She exhaled slowly, glancing toward Jihoon. ¡°My father¡¯s been more active lately, which means I have to be there to keep him from getting too lost in his nostalgia again. Business never stops, after all.¡±


    ¡°Sounds about right,¡± Jihoon mused, knowing full well that Rosa¡¯s father¡ªone of the most influential figures in the Magni Conglomerate¡ªhad been teetering between sentimental detachment and overambition recently.


    Aquarius, the mermaid princess, let out a soft sigh, her delicate fingers brushing over the ornate iridescent shell locket resting at her collarbone. Something of great importance to her beyond words.


    ¡°The tides of Sargasso won¡¯t wait for me forever,¡± she said with a wistful smile. ¡°There¡¯s still so much to be done with the court¡¯s negotiations¡­ My brothers have been holding down the fort in my place, but I can¡¯t leave him to fend off the aristocrats alone for too long.¡±


    Jihoon frowned slightly at her circumstances, self-inflicted a lot of it were. ¡°You sure you¡¯ll be okay?¡±


    ¡°The political struggles in the court won¡¯t wait for me, and my father is¡­ impatient to know the results of my time here.¡±


    There was an edge to her voice¡ªone that Jihoon noticed immediately.


    ¡°More pressure?¡± he asked, raising a brow.


    ¡°Always.¡± Aquarius gave a wry smile, but there was a flicker of something else beneath it. ¡°But that¡¯s my burden to bear. I just need to keep proving my worth.¡±


    Jihoon hummed, knowing that was easier said than done.


    The weight of reality settled on them. After this evening, they wouldn¡¯t know when they¡¯d next be together again. Their lives were being pulled in different directions, dictated by obligations that none of them could ignore due to their roles.


    Jihoon, at the very least, still had Karim by his side. The wood elf was bound to him as his sponsor, monitoring his every move during the Odyssey Trials since he knew that he could not allow Jihoon to go unrestrained with his past behaviors and actions which Jihoon does not blame in slightest.


    ¡°Absence¡¯s music scene has exploded since your debut, Jihoon. It¡¯d be a crime not to take advantage of that, you know? Especially since your joining of the Odyssey will only further elevate your reputation way further, much as I would rather it being more organic and not controversial¡±


    Jihoon rolled his eyes. ¡°Of course, leave it to you to find a way to profit from my suffering.¡±


    Karim¡¯s grin widened while not showing his displeasure in the slightest. ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. I profit from your success, not your suffering.¡±


    ¡°Maybe next time we see each other, we¡¯ll be entirely different people,¡± Rosa mused, stretching her arms above her head.


    ¡°I sincerely doubt you¡¯ll change even a bit. You¡¯ll still be the same money-hungry vulture, circling above unsuspecting deals.¡± Karim chuckled.


    ¡°And you¡¯ll still be the same thorn in my ass.¡± Rosa retorted with an unamused expression.


    Jihoon smirked at their banter but said nothing. His thoughts were elsewhere.


    And then, there was Alvorna¡ªstill resting peacefully inside their room, unaware of the quiet discussion taking place outside the inn.


    Jihoon¡¯s gaze softened slightly. She had used one of her precious few vacation days just to be here with him. And once she woke, she would have to return to her role as Overseer at the Citadel¡ªa position that left her little room for reprieve.


    The weight of that realization settled in his chest.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be a long while before we¡¯re all together again, huh?¡± Jihoon murmured, his voice quieter now.


    The group fell silent for a moment, because they all knew the truth. Once they walked out of here, they¡¯d be scattered to the far corners of Absence, each carrying their own burdens and responsibilities. When would they see each other again? No one could say for certain.


    Then¡­


    Out of nowhere¡­


    ¡°Jihoon¡­ Spar with me¡±. Aquarius¡¯s voice cut through the evening air, firm and unyielding.


    The group halted mid-step, turning to her with various degrees of surprise.


    Jihoon blinked. ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    Aquarius stepped forward, her teal eyes gleaming with an intensity he hadn¡¯t seen before.


    ¡°You just reached Advanced-class Light Magic Proficiency, didn¡¯t you?¡± she said. ¡°That means this will be the first time we fight on equal ground.¡±


    Jihoon hesitated, gauging the seriousness in her gaze. This wasn¡¯t just a casual match for her which she declared in both words and intents.


    ¡°Why now?¡± he asked, tilting his head.


    Aquarius took a deep breath, her fingers clenching at her sides.


    ¡°Because I need to prove something¡ªto myself and to everyone else. That my struggle means something and that I can stand on my own without needing to rely entirely on someone else¡±


    Her expression hardened, and she met his gaze head-on.


    ¡°Jihoon. You promised to win the entirety of the Odyssey for my sake and using the victor¡¯s reward to assert my self-sovereignty over my life. I know that. But I won¡¯t accept a future where my fate is dictated by a wish I didn¡¯t earn.¡±


    Her voice was steady, unwavering.


    ¡°If I received your wish without proving my own strength and conviction, no one would take it seriously. And I would only suffer more for it as said wish would only become a debt that I can¡¯t repaid.¡±


    Her fists clenched tighter.


    ¡°A gift is only a gift if it¡¯s shared between equals.¡±


    Jihoon¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, absorbing her words.


    So this was what had been weighing on her mind.


    He had fought for her¡ªto grant her the freedom she desperately sought. But if she couldn¡¯t prove she deserved it, if she couldn¡¯t stand on her own two feet¡­ or fins in her case. Then to the world, it would mean nothing.


    And worse¡ªto herself, it would mean nothing. That his efforts were wasted on a good-for-nothing like her.


    For a moment, Jihoon was silent.


    Then¡ª


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he slung his guitar behind his back and rolled his shoulders.


    ¡°But don¡¯t expect me to hold back, princess.¡±


    Aquarius grinned, stepping back as the air around her rippled¡ªthe faint pulse of oceanic magic gathering at her fingertips. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have it any other way.¡± She said.


    Half an hour later, the gentle hum of the evening waves accompanied them as they set sail toward the deserted island just off the coast of Lotus Eater Island. It was strictly forbidden to use magic near residential areas¡ªan ironclad law enforced by the Harpies themselves. The damage magic could cause, even unintentionally, was not to be taken lightly.


    Neither Jihoon nor Aquarius wanted to risk accidentally leveling a portion of the island with their magic, so a more remote location had to be chosen.


    Their boat rocked steadily over the waves, the journey a quiet one as Jihoon opened up his System Interface to assess the gap between them.


    His gaze swept over his own stats first.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon


    Level: 84


    EXP: 713/1,631


    Class: None


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 24


    -END: 25 (+9)


    -AGI: 25


    -DEX: 24


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 20.2


    -CHA: 14


    -MAG: 40


    Attribute Points: 52


    +Weapons:


    -Judgement of Light (Decayed) ¨C Halberd [Heroic]


    -Dual Adamantium Survival Knives [Mortal]


    -Adamantium Spiked Handaxe [Mortal]


    +Musical Prowess: Early-Expert


    +Active Skill:


    -Doppelganger (Master)


    -Mana Attunement (Advanced)


    -Light Magic (Advanced)


    -Judgement of Light ¨C Halberd (Novice)


    +Passive Skill:


    -Deadly Obsession [Inactive] (Innate Trait Skill)


    -Eyes Gazing the Past, Safeguarding The Future (Unique) [NEW!]


    -Agony Resistance (Advanced)


    +Song Magic:


    -Forgotten Melody (Intermediate)


    -Glint of Cold Steel (Intermediate)


    -Belief (Intermediate)


    -Exceed! (Intermediate)


    -Smashing Through Mountain Path (Intermediate)


    -Death That I Deserve Truly (Intermediate)


    -Absolute Absurdity (Intermediate)


    -Bad Apple (Intermediate) [NEW!]


    -RiET-949 (Intermediate)


    -SPIKA (Intermediate)


    -Alvorna (Expert)


    -Restia. (Expert)


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Level: 84. Not bad. He had progressed decently, and his growth had been steadily rising since his involvement in the Odyssey Trials.


    Then his eyes drifted to Aquarius¡¯s numbers as he used [Observation] on her. And he nearly choked on air seeing it now that it is revealed entirely.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Direct Heiress of Sargasso Royal Family


    Name: Aquarius Sargasso


    Level: 155


    Class: Royalty


    Job: Musician/Princess


    Race: Merfolk


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 277


    -END: 245


    -AGI: 122


    -DEX: 111


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -INT: 8


    -CHA: 23


    -MAG: 512


    -Active Skill:


    +Water Magic (Advanced)


    +Mana Attunement (Advanced)


    +Wind Magic (Intermediate)


    +Shapeshifting (Intermediate)


    -Passive Skill:


    +Everlasting Youth (Innate Racial Ability)


    +Enhanced Senses (Intermediate)


    +Perspicuity (Intermediate)


    +Musical Prowess: Late-Intermediate


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ¡°Okay.¡± Jihoon blinked. ¡°I, uh¡­ I¡¯m so going to die.¡±


    Karim, sitting lazily in the boat with his legs propped up, snorted at Jihoon¡¯s visible reaction. ¡°What, just realizing now that she could probably fold you into a neatly pressed shirt?¡±


    Jihoon shot him a flat look. ¡°No, I knew. I just hadn¡¯t internalized it yet.¡± He rubbed his face with one hand, exhaling sharply.


    How the hell had their stat gap become so ridiculous? He also recognized that it is still ridiculous even in their first meeting when a lot of it is redacted with ¡®?¡¯ all over due to the level differences but seeing it with clarity really do set the stage of just how badly he is going to be beaten. Likely just as bad as his own Doppelganger beating him red and blue all over until it finally gone down by sheer attrition as everyone heals him while he fights it (failingly).


    Back when he first met Aquarius, she had nothing but desperation to her name. She had fled from her own father as she stole his relic, with royal guards on her heels, terrified of the shackles of royal responsibility and loathing of his insensitiveness of her mother¡¯s passing as he brought in someone else near instantly.


    Now? She was returning to face that burden head-on. Jihoon glanced at her, watching as she stared ahead, her expression calm, composed unlike that of a panicking and self-centered girl in her own sheltered world.


    She has come a long way since then as she resolved to face all of it on her own terms.


    Their boat finally bumped against the rocky shoreline of the isolated island. The place was nothing but jagged cliffs, open plains, and stretches of sand¡ªa perfect battlefield where collateral damage wouldn¡¯t be a problem.


    Jihoon jumped off the boat, stretching his limbs as he took in the barren landscape.


    ¡°Alright, this should do.¡±


    Aquarius followed, her bare fins levitating atop the damp sands as her own Water Magic passively lifting her up. She flexed her fingers, the air around her shifting as traces of Water Magic responded to her presence.


    Fighting a merfolk, in a surrounding filled with endless water. It is practically nothing short of just suicide in another name. To even overcome the homefield advantage so brutal that is laughable, he would need massive advantage to call his own.


    ¡°No reservations, Jihoon.¡± Her voice was firm. ¡°I don¡¯t want you holding back.¡±


    Jihoon exhaled, rolling his shoulders. ¡°Fine. But don¡¯t blame me if you end up regretting it.¡±


    Aquarius smirked with mustered confidence, lowering into a ready stance.¡°I won¡¯t.¡±


    The air crackled between them. Jihoon knew that if he wasn¡¯t prepared, the fight would end instantly. And from the impression that he had of her from the way she speaks just now, she most likely thinks that his performance in Lap 4 of the First Trial of Odyssey back in Cicones is his peak performance for someone just recently entering Advanced-class Magic Proficiency. Thus, she intends to go all out here from the first step because it is the only appropriate response to his feats.


    ¡®System, allocates all the Attribute Points into MAG¡¯. Jihoon thought to himself in which the System promptly does what he intends.


    |MAG: 40 -> 92


    Feeling the power beneath swelled beyond words. His breath hitched as his body adjusted to the sudden spike in magical capability. The density of his mana and magical power increased without a rhyme or reason to discern. Jihoon took another look at his own status screen as he observed the new changes that he received.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Bad Apple


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 15):


    -+(3*[MAG])*X% to all Physical Attibutes.


    Effects become stronger the more mental afflictions user is directly suffering from. Denotes by X.


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    His newest Song Magic¡ªa manifestation of the very song he once performed with his Arisen Studio colleagues in his dream therapy. He probably missed the notification when it becomes a Song Magic that he can use but here it is now that he knew about it.


    The effects were not that special compare to the way more brutal and exploitable enhancement effect of other Song Magics with way more ease of triggers. He welcomes anything with additional multiplicative layer however, that means he could make use of it.


    He was certain that he is playing a goddamn card game by arranging his Song Magics in certain orders to scale things even higher.


    This Song Magic was crafted from a history of struggle, anguish and misery from the 10 years of Gate done upon him and taking away all that he holds dear. And when he confronted the abyss that is his past, he gazed not only into his self-reflection but its piercing stare as it questions him if he truly ever been beyond his own pain. What is it that mattered to him in that hazy blur of misery that he is subjected to?


    He couldn¡¯t say that he approached toward a satisfying answer conclusively. But, he can say for sure that his life is more than the pain wrought upon by his past. The people around him now are the testament that he indeed managed to achieve something even if he has lost everything else previously.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Eyes Gazing The Past, Safeguarding The Future


    Classification: Passive Skill


    Rank: Unique


    Effects:


    - 80% reduction in all mental afflictions¡¯ effects.


    - Greatly increased resistance to active mental attack (brainwash, illusion, identity corrosion, etc..)


    - Enhanced clarity, focus and all mental faculties.


    - 1.5x EXP gain


    --------____{\\\\////}_____--------


    Jihoon exhaled reading the new passive skill that he received which can¡¯t be anymore obvious with that [NEW!] notification highlighting it. He had a very strong suspicion on where it might come from, and he could tell that it comes from the same source that Bad Apple is.


    The Lotus Chamber dream therapy.


    Much like its mythological counterpart, Most people who entered it left changed¡ªfor better or worse. Some cracked under their own trauma. Others found clarity they never thought possible. And some¡­ just willfully enter their everlasting paradise in dream and intent to never return if it weren¡¯t for its limited duration.


    In Jihoon¡¯s case, he managed to put a little closure to the past of his life. Confronting the darkness within himself, and properly stay level-headed to not be consumed by it as he relates while performing to Bad Apple with his coworkers of Arisen Studio even if it were just a dream reconstructed from his past.


    He had acknowledged the pain. Let it wash over him. And stood his ground so that he didn¡¯t embrace the darkness no matter how familiar it had become to his existence. As much as it had integrated into his being, it wasn¡¯t the sole definition of his life.


    Perhaps, this is how the little goddess encouraged and commend his efforts to overcome his internalized fear and the misery haze that had become integral to him. All journeys of thousand miles start with a single step, and to move beyond the shadow of his tormented past is no different that he must confront and gather each important parts of his will and determination to overcome the pain had plagued his life for so long.


    The first step, is to willingly look at one past to know where he has gone wrong, to trace his step and history again to find a better way forward for the present. So that the future will be more merciful and to his liking.


    Jihoon looked at all that he received and learned all over again since his arrival at Absence from another world. And everything he gained right now isn¡¯t just a Chekov¡¯s Gun. All of that details passing by and learned formed its multitude into a behemoth Chekov¡¯s Gunship with every weapon system primed and every cannon loaded to ready and fire.


    Is this the moment to unleash it, one may ask?


    Not exactly. This is just but a duel between two friends, between two compatriots. There is nothing to fear or worry when it is each other. Don¡¯t be Defeated by a Friend, is the sentiment shared between the two of them in good spirit and further understanding one another in how they combat.


    But he knew after reading so much progression fantasy of the same kind that everything that is introduced must eventually be resolved. He doesn¡¯t consciously compare life to fiction, at least negatively anymore at this point, but it is still a rule of thumb that he must remain consider now that his life had become one.


    ¡°No hesitation, let us begin properly. Now¡±. Jihoon said as he took out his decayed halberd, the Judgment of Light as the aura of light emanates its decayed form.


    Aquarius manifested numerous pre-prepared Water Magics as the tension between each of them reach a breaking point. Then, as sudden as a sea breeze passing by, the duel begins.

 Chapter 52: Eyes Gazing the Past

    Ensemble Leveling


    Chapter 52: Eyes Gazing the Past


    ¡°No hesitation. Let us begin properly. Now.¡±


    Jihoon¡¯s voice was steady as he leveled his decayed halberd, Judgment of Light.


    The weapon, despite its rusted, timeworn form, emanated a faint radiance, an aura of light tainted with decay¡ªa paradox of divinity and ruin. No enchantment or magic that he knew could mend it, yet it still carried the will of its past wielders.


    She had already prepared her magic in advance. The air around her quivered, pressure building as a formation of watery bubbles bloomed around her presence.


    The tension shattered like a snapped bowstring.


    Advanced-class Water Magic ¨C Neptunian Hammer.


    From above, rectangular masses of water¡ªdense as steel, vast as boulders¡ªcrashed down like meteors. Each one was unnatural in itself, as though carrying the weight of the ocean''s pressure, distorting the air with sheer force as they descent toward him and the general surrounding.


    Judgment of Light ¨C 1st Form: Breaking Dawn.


    A golden arc of incandescent tore through the air.


    His halberd cleaved through the first descending mass, splitting it apart in a single, merciless swing. The force behind his strike sent glistening water droplets flying, reflecting light like shattered kaleidoscopic glass.


    He pivoted. Swung again. Another mass fell¡ªanother was bisected mid-air, its halves crashing harmlessly to the sides. Jihoon moved with fluid efficiency, each motion a blend of instinct and technique, his halberd tracing afterimages of light in the dimming evening sky.


    He frowned, something felt off with the way she is combat. Although she isn¡¯t a natural-born combatant, it would be blind of him to not take precaution measures and consider her the same as they first met.


    The cut masses of water did not dissipate. Instead, they remained suspended, like hanging prisons of liquid, reflecting the battlefield in fractured, distorted angles.


    Jihoon¡¯s mind raced as he tried to figure out her intents. None of them are ordinary water constructs which he surmised but he fail to grasp what they are for. Jihoon¡¯s grip tightened. She¡¯s setting up something.


    As Aquarius leaped back, widening the distance, she scattered more of them¡ªher hands weaving new spells, summoning more floating cubes to hover in the space between them. She doesn¡¯t even try to hit him with them, which he started to notice as he fast approaching her.


    Then before he could fully discern her strategy, she made her first assault.


    Aquarius dived. She vanished into one of the water cubes scatter about their dueling ground like a fish slipping through the ocean¡¯s embrace. Then¡ªshe reappeared behind him with a spell prepared to strike at his momentary weakness.


    Intermediate-class Water Magic ¨C Aqua Bleed


    Jihoon barely twisted in time to intercept. The rush of high-pressured water clashes against his halberd as he narrowly dispersed its impact.


    He knew just how lethal water can be as he remembered that even industrial water cutter split apart diamond like nothing and even though he is beyond peak human in durability, his body is still not without its vulnerability let alone tougher than diamond.


    The moment they clashed just now, she was gone again, diving into another water mass before he could properly response to her swift and sudden attacks.


    She was everywhere and nowhere at once, using the conjured cubes as a fluid battlefield, an extension of herself. Like an ocean on land which she launched herself from one to another like a torpedo while negating the weakness of being a merfolk on land.


    The realization struck Jihoon like a blade to the gut because it is the most obvious there is to be. A merfolk¡¯s greatest weapon wasn¡¯t just water that they cast. It was also the ability to move through it seamlessly¡ªto attack and retreat without warning. In terms of aquatic battle, there really is no race better adapted to it.


    She had turned the battlefield into her home turf and Jihoon is like ironically like a fish beached on land against her swift maneuvers that he couldn¡¯t fight directly against.


    Jihoon barely kept up. Every strike he countered and deflect left him drained, every spell dodged forced him further on the back foot. His endurance was waning, while she only grew more relentless, her Intermediate-class Water Magic setting the sequential steps toward his defeat at her hands.


    For every one of his movements, she had already set up three responses.


    She wasn¡¯t aiming for a decisive, crushing blow¡ªshe was bleeding him out. Like a shark circling, waiting for its prey to slip, to drown in its own fatigue.


    ¡°Tch¡­ so that¡¯s your game.¡± Jihoon exhaled, sweat rolling down his brow.


    ¡°You catch on fast, but can you do something about it?¡± Her voice echoed, shifting from one cube to another. Her tone was teasing, but he could hear the undercurrent of genuine curiosity. She wanted to see how he would turn this around.


    Then he would show her. Jihoon stamped his halberd into the ground, his free hand reaching into the air.


    Advanced-class Light Magic ¨C Aurora Borealis.


    The incantation shimmered through reality, shifting through its stages as the magic built up in his grasp.


    From Initiate, a mere string of light.


    To Novice, a taut rope and a whip in itself.


    To Intermediate, a luminous cable that pulsed with radiance.


    And finally¡ª at Advanced¡ª


    A brilliant iridescent fabric unfolded between his fingers. Like the very Northern Lights had been woven into cloth. It expanded as Jihoon expended his mana into it, stretching wide across the battlefield, casting waves of dancing color in its wake.


    Jihoon snapped his wrist, the fabric surging forth in an attempt to ensnare Aquarius.


    But she was far from an easy catch. She dived once more, narrowly slipping past the net¡¯s edge, but Jihoon was already adjusting, sweeping it across like a fisherman closing in on a writhing catch.


    Aquarius¡¯s eyes sharpened. She twisted mid-motion, angling her trajectory to slip through a gap just before the net could close around her.


    Jihoon grinned. ¡°That¡¯s fine. That¡¯s what I wanted either way.¡±


    In that instant, his other hand flicked back¡ªand with a burst of strength, he hurled his electric guitar skyward.


    Aquarius¡¯s focus was still entirely on the net¡ªon evading, dodging, reacting. She didn¡¯t see the second act unfolding, entirely unaware of it in the slightest.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Doppelganger


    Classification: Illusion Magic


    Rank: Master


    Effect:


    -Create up to 3 duplicate clones that share base stats of the user,


    can interact with mundane objects with equal proficiency as the user.


    Can''t utilize System [Skills]. Stats can''t be enhanced by external effects.


    User could customize the appearance of the Doppelgangers if one wished


    No duration limitation. Cooldown: 3 hours.


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    A flicker in the air¡ªthen, in a split second, an emotionless duplicate of Jihoon stepped from the unseen. No wasted motion. No hesitation.


    Advanced-class Light Magic ¨C Wings That Don¡¯t Reach.


    The clone immediately took off, launching itself into the air using translucent, golden ethereal wings of light as it unfurled, flickering as they propelled the clone skyward at blinding speed. All before shattered in one flap as feathers scatters as though wings of wax melting in the sun.


    Aquarius¡¯s eyes flicked upward as she recognized the motions unique to him and only him. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she understood the conflict in her heart.


    She had known Jihoon fought better with music. She didn¡¯t understand how or why¡ªbut she had seen it firsthand. She didn¡¯t need to know Song Magic to recognize its impact on him. She wasn¡¯t blind to its apparent effects that allowed him to perform the miracle of Lap 4 of the First Trial of Odyssey.


    And just now, Jihoon reclaimed the key to turning this fight around.


    Initiate-class Light Magic ¨C Between Two Worlds


    Establishing the mental connection between him and his Doppelganger using the same method that created the string of light, Jihoon mentally communicated his Doppelganger to play his own personal character theme. As egotistical that may sound.


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    Exceed!


    Classification: Song Magic


    Rank: Intermediate


    Effect (MAG 92):


    -+(MAG*10)% to all Physical Attributes of self. (Currently: 920%)


    -----_____{\\\\////}_____------


    ______-----{////\\\\}-----______


    +Physical Attributes:


    -STR: 24 (+221)


    -END: 25 (+239)


    -AGI: 25 (+230)


    -DEX: 24 (+221)


    +Non-physical Attributes:


    -MAG: 92


    ------_____{\\\\////}_____------


    Just one Song Magic, and his Physical Attributes skyrocketed with very little to no reason. Just like what is seen in the broadcast of the First Trial of Odyssey when his ranking placement fluctuates chaotically from last to first amongst the 300 participants until Lap 4 when he is the sole participant at that point.


    Jihoon braced his halberd once more as he swung the Judgment of Light with renewed vigor. The sheer strength imbued by his newfound vitality combined with the weapon as by sheer quantified statistics, he now matched equally with Aquarius in brute strength.


    Judgment of Light ¨C 1st Form: Breaking Dawn.


    Now, she was facing that same absurdity in real-time. His stance shifted. His grip tightened. His advance began.


    Aquarius had a dangerous premonition as instead of lunging from one cube to another, she quickly rushed upward like a koi swimming upward against the waterfall to become a dragon. Then, in that same instant, numerous floating water cubes in front of him cleaved apart and its form no longer maintained as by sheer force he disrupted its stability. With such raw impact that the water dispersed before it even had the chance to collapse into liquid.


    Aquarius quickly guides her own trajectory into another water cube/Neptunian Hammer nearby as she narrowly stabilized herself. She had no idea how just him listening to music alone brought him to such differences.


    Her advantage had shifted. Before, she held both speed and strength over him. Now, all she had left was one single edge¡ª Magic Potency.


    By [Observance], her MAG was 500. His? 92. Even with his absurd buffs, her spell potency was still in another league.


    She couldn¡¯t let him get close. She had to drive him back.


    Aquarius raised her hands, and the air quivered. Jihoon¡¯s instinct screamed immediately, knowing the danger she is capable of.


    Advanced-class Water Magic ¨C White-headed Vortex


    From the pooling water that scattered about as the result of the shattered water cube. A torrential vortex exploded into existence, a maelstrom formed mid-air, surging outward with the force of an ocean¡¯s fury.


    Stolen story; please report.


    Jihoon barely sidestepped, his halberd carving through the spiraling tides as he narrowly escapes its deadly grasp, but the sheer force of impact sent him breathless as the onslaught only just begun.


    She wasn¡¯t done with him. Not even close in the slightest.


    Advanced-class Water Magic ¨C Abyss Trident


    From within the water cubes, tridents of condensed, high-pressure water launched forward, so sharp and swift they ripped the air apart with an ear-piercing shriek.


    Jihoon twisted his body mid-dash, his halberd striking and deflecting against them in rapid succession. The impact sent shockwaves rippling across the battlefield.


    One after another. More. Faster. Stronger. She wasn¡¯t letting up in the slightest.


    He could see it now in her expression. She knew he could match her physically, so she was leveraging every single ounce of her superior magic to compensate as she used her magic more liberally.


    As he parried another Abyss Trident, Jihoon smirked while Aquarius frowned. ¡°How do you even do that? Aren''t your physical capabilities a lot weaker?¡± She said while her confusion was genuine.


    He shrugged, still grinning even in the heat of their duel.


    "When your own character theme plays, it''s rules of cool all the way.¡±


    His halberd spun once before pointing it toward her.


    ¡°When you know it¡¯s your moment, you feel as though you can surpass your own limits.¡±


    "Perhaps you¡¯d like your own theme?¡± He tilted his head mockingly in a jesting gesture.


    Aquarius scoffed but smirked despite herself. ¡°I¡¯ll consider it after this.¡±


    She raised her hands again and Jihoon readied his halberd. The battle has only started.


    Aquarius was relentless. Her form flickered between the conjured water cubes, twisting, launching, striking from impossible angles. Even though he is destroying and limiting her maneuver on his initiative, Jihoon barely had time to counter before another wave of spells crashed upon him.


    Advanced-class Water Magic ¨C Blue Ascension.


    A colossal geyser erupted beneath her, launching her skyward in an elegant spiral as the cascading torrents of water formed a shining crest around her.


    For a brief moment, she seemed untouchable¡ªlike the very embodiment of the ocean¡¯s wrath. The fury and horror when one is at complete mercy of the volatile world all-around.


    Jihoon wasn¡¯t about to let her control the skies when she already hold dominance of too many field of battle already.


    Judgment of Light ¨C 2nd Form: Rising Sun.


    He stepped forward and launched himself with a devastating upward strike.


    The ground beneath him shattered from the sheer force, the blade of his halberd illuminated in brilliant radiance as he aimed to cleave straight through her ascent¡ª His martial weapon arts a distinct thing from his magic entirely. And by logicality, doesn¡¯t suffer from the same thing his Advanced-class Magic did. Unfortunately, unlike magic, it is too straightforward against the more strategic opponents who could see the attack coming from a mile away.


    Aquarius uses Aqua Bleed again with ease as though flicking empty air. And unable to easily alter his own trajectory midair, Jihoon forcefully cast his only mobility magic.


    Advanced-class Light Magic ¨C Wings that Don¡¯t Reach


    In an instant, the translucent wings of light made out of shattered glass manifest behind him as he backpedal mid trajectory away from her attack. Yet, with just one single time he flapped to steer away, the wings that he had shattered in one use. Again.


    Aquarius, instead of pressing her advantage, sighed mid-air. She shouldn¡¯t be doing this. Jihoon was her opponent in this duel and she had the upper hand.


    But something about the way he struggled with his own power annoyed her more than it should.


    It wasn¡¯t like he lacked talent. In fact, the fact that he reached Advanced-class Magic alone without proper guidance or insight was proof that he had a terrifying level of natural intuition and realization of magic itself.


    And yet, he was wasting it. His magic, his skills¡ªthey weren¡¯t meant to be thrown away in a single burst. He knew precisely the component of self yet for some reason missing the most integral aspects of it.


    ¡°You¡¯re doing it wrong.¡±


    Jihoon blinked upon hearing her words. ¡°...What?¡±


    ¡°Stop using Advanced-class Magic like an overglorified bomb. You¡¯re supposed to be wielding it, not breaking it every time you use it.¡±


    She twisted her fingers in mid-air.


    ¡°Watch.¡±


    Advanced-class Water Magic ¨C Hydro Cannon.


    The vast pillar of water of Blue Ascension compressed into a single point before its trajectory altered forward and then detonating forward like a railgun, cutting through the battlefield with surgical precision in a surge.


    Jihoon barely dodged, or more that it narrowly misses him deliberately. The sheer pressure alone slicing apart the landscape behind him.


    Aquarius didn¡¯t stop casting at all as the magic didn¡¯t break apart. She moved fluidly between her spells, extending their effects, sustaining them.


    Jihoon felt frustration boil inside him. He did understand that part already so why is it that his shattered in one use? What is he missing entirely from the component of self that makes his Advanced-class spell way more fragile.


    ¡°How?¡±


    Aquarius glared down at him, sometimes he really had it with the man who changed her life for the better yet so blind with his own.


    ¡°Because I don¡¯t just use magic. I am my magic.¡±


    ¡°I get that already. So why in the living hell do my magic shatter apart in just one use!?¡±


    Jihoon gritted his teeth. He could feel the rage simmering beneath his skin, his frustration reaching a breaking point.


    He did everything right. He had understood the structure, he had imparted his meaning, he had become one with his own magic. Each sequential stages of Magic Proficiency led him here.


    So why? Why did it still break apart? His Advanced-class Magic never persisted, never flowed beyond the first moment of activation¡ª


    What separated him from her?


    "I did precisely as you said! I became my magic! I integrated the component of self! So what separates us!?" Jihoon roared with bitterness of relapsing issues, the weight of his failure pressing down on him like a crushing tide.


    Aquarius narrowed her eyes, seeing the absurdity that Jihoon embodies. The genuine brilliance that he had in understanding magic, yet missing the entirely obvious things altogether. Someone so paradoxically display both of the worst and best at the same time in what he does.


    "You of all people¡ª" she began, her voice cutting sharper than any blade, "¡ªwho understands and empathizes with the lives of others, who has changed them for the better, who SEES people for who they truly are...


    How can someone like you be so utterly blind to your own self?!"


    Jihoon staggered mid-air upon hearing those words. Her words cut deeper than he expected, more than any swung blade of S-rank Hunters, more than Extinction-class Monsters.


    Blind? To himself? That was absurd because it can¡¯t be to him. He knew who he was. He knew his strengths, his weaknesses. He had spent years in mortal combat against monsters far deadlier than his capability. Then the scant time he had now in order to refine his abilities, sharpening his skills, making himself stronger.


    So what the hell was she talking about¡ª


    Then, it struck him like a freight truck with no break.


    Magic wasn''t just an extension of the self. Magic was the self.


    And yet¡ª What part of himself had he been using?


    His mind raced back over everything he had learned.


    The core of Advanced-class Magic was the component of self. That much was unquestionable.


    And he had included that component. He had taken himself and woven it into his spells, letting his magic move as an extension of his own will.


    But who was "himself"? Once the question settles in, he is forced to face the truth of himself


    [Eyes Gazing the Past, Safeguarding the Future]


    Jihoon realized, with chilling clarity, that his magic only reflected his present self.


    The Jihoon of this moment.


    Not the Jihoon who had lived. Not the sum of his experiences. Not the pain, the struggles, the victories, the failures.


    His magic had always lacked weight and stability because he refused to acknowledge his own history.


    It wasn''t just about merging with the magic. It was about accepting everything that made him who he was.


    And the moment he truly looked at Aquarius''s magic¡ªhe saw it.


    Aquarius¡¯s magic wasn''t just powerful. It was alive. Her Neptunian Hammer, Blue Ascension, Hydro Cannon¡ª they weren¡¯t just techniques.


    They were a reflection of her life as a whole.


    The merfolks, born and lived in the depths of the ocean. The struggles of adapting to land, mastering the limitations of their bodies, slowly transforming weaknesses into strengths. Thus the way her magic moved like currents, how she fought like a tide that never relented¡ª


    Everything about her magic spells told the story of who she was. Her magic was her history, her battles, her triumphs, her burdens.


    Her life is her magic. And her magic is her life. The two were inseparable from the beginning.


    Even if her tapestry of life is filled with many disgraces and shame. Even if a lot of it is just her worst display of selfishness and self-centered behaviors, the fact that she had reached Advanced-class Magic Proficiency before their first meeting means that she accepted all of that ugly side of her with acceptance way before. That someone whose first impression is as petulant and immature like her, was ultimately far more mature than Jihoon ever did until now.


    And that stung more than any spell she¡¯d thrown at him.


    When someone like Jihoon continues to deny his own past because he selectively even if instinctively chose to ignore the pain that it brought. All of that saying should have been obvious the moment he received [Eyes Gazing the Past, Safeguarding the Future]. But it took someone spelling it out for him to realize.


    He had denied his own history. That was the missing piece. That was why his magic shattered upon release.


    Because he had been rejecting parts of himself.


    Jihoon closed his eyes even in the direst moment of the duel. He took a deep breath as his perception of time accelerated in the trance.


    He had been separating himself from his past, thinking of his life story as baggage instead of foundation.


    His present self was just a snapshot. A single frame in a full-length film. But magic at this level needed the entire reel which he prohibitively denies.


    The component of self that it referred to isn¡¯t himself in the moment. But the totality of oneself.


    Jihoon¡¯s mind flashed back to everything ever since the Gate.


    His first chord played on an electric guitar beneath a broken ceiling just immediately after the Gate broke out, when he is still in denial of the sudden alteration of his life.


    The nights he spent hungry and alone in the underground shelter, chasing light in a place where none existed. Thoughts consumed by endless anger at whatever force it was that had ruined his life and made him suffer pointlessly as he is beset by forces far greater than his capability and understanding.


    Longer into the nightmare, it only got worse. The rage mutated. Into bargaining. Into poisonous introspection. Every battle became a barrage of questions: ¡®Why? Why am I still doing this? What if I had chosen differently? What if I¡¯d run? What if I died here and now? ¡®


    He clung to what-ifs like they were ropes dangling above a pit. Wrapping it around his own neck like a noose before the drop terminate everything. He fought endlessly¡ªagainst monsters, enemies, and the gnawing feeling that he was living a life that wasn¡¯t really his anymore.


    And once a form of civilized world finally returned from the chaotic mess it becomes after such long grueling combats he underwent. After he earned his severance pay, when the fighting stopped, and he was handed his severance pay like a paper medal for enduring hell. His first decision with said money¡­ is to wall himself off from the world itself and uses only the minimum to kept himself going.


    He fell into depression, living all isolated in the lightless world while the world goes on moving. After having lost all that, he had, he no longer wished to have any aspiration in life anymore.


    He bought silence. He bought darkness. He used just enough to survive, but no more. He built a coffin for himself and let the world continue without him. After losing everything, he chose to desire nothing.


    What no one ever saw¡ªwhat even he refused to call by name¡ªwas that all of it, from beginning to end, had been the longest, quietest, most brutal session of the five stages of grief ever lived.


    Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression.


    Similar to Jin Sarae in his final moment when Jihoon deflected Der Freischutz¡¯s 7<sup>th</sup> bullet, the Bullet of Despair with the resonated Judgment of Light back at him. Within that instant, his old friend and once junior of Arisen Studio undergo the same grief before at last, arrived at his acceptance at fate¡¯s end at last.


    For the longest time, Jihoon had never once gotten close to his own closure. Even with the dream therapy of Lotus Chamber, he refused to directly confront the section of his life during the Gate Outbreak and instead resorted to the closest thing that his subconscious could pass itself as acceptable temporary solution.


    A laugh escaped him¡ªnot mockery, not joy, but a laugh of release, a breath after drowning too long beneath the surface.


    ¡°I see it now,¡± he whispered, his eyes shining with something new¡ªnot light, but clarity. ¡°I see me now.¡±


    Because he had only brought the him of now to the spell, leaving all those broken versions of himself locked away in the dark. But those versions¡ªthe scared one, the angry one, the hopeless one, the one who still cried for a dream no one believed in¡ªthey were all still him.


    He just never forgave them.


    But now, with this clarity, this piercing, searing truth brought on by Aquarius¡¯s merciless honesty, by her spells that screamed who she was with every crash of water¡ª


    Jihoon finally looked his past in the eyes. And then¡ªlike a note struck deep in the recess of his soul¡ªhe remembered.


    The Forgotten Melody.


    A tune that had no name when he first stumbled across it online, played in some obscure, glitchy recording with frayed quality and background static. He couldn¡¯t remember who composed it. He doubted anyone could.


    But that melody, ethereal and heart-wrenchingly beautiful, had planted the seed. It was the sound that first made him feel. That made him pick up a guitar, even when his fingers were too clumsy and his timing all wrong. The first time he heard it, he wept. The second, he vowed to create something like it. The third, he recreated it.


    A submerged graveyard of swords on a still lake, there a little girl half-submerged in the water surface melancholically playing her harp surrounded by these embedded swords where white roses float and took hold around them. As he looked at her, her eyes remained close yet holding onto the harp closely to her chest as if in slumber or deep contemplation.


    The very song that she played, is the same as the Forgotten Melody.


    When he approached, she didn¡¯t treat him with any specialty. She didn''t ask why he came. She only asked what he played and why he arrived here. And when he played that melody, she listened in silence. When the final note faded, she gave him no applause. No praise. Only wisdom.


    "Your music remembers you," she had said. "Even when you do not."


    And then, she taught him Song Magic¡ªnot as a system spell, not as some formula of numbers and buffs, but as a legacy. A sacred extension of the soul rendered audible. It wasn''t about chords or damage or amplification¡ªit was about resonance. With the world. With others. With oneself.


    That was the moment he truly began his journey¡ªnot to slay monsters or top raid charts¡ªbut to find his place in a world where he never belonged. Where Hunters and Gates and stat screens wrote the stories of victors and vanquished. But what was he? A musician clinging to broken strings?


    He wandered from place to place. Fought for his life. Wrote songs with no audience in mind.


    Then one day, to find a companion of his in a lonely journey. He searched in his old belongings and find another legacy similar to the Forgotten Melody. Its name ¡®Memories of Absence¡¯ is all of that description it has. And when he played and recreated it, he was transported to another world entirely. Similar to when he first transported to the little goddess through the Forgotten Melody.


    Him meeting Karim, the wood elf merchant who sponsored his musical endeavor. Alvorna, the Daughter of the Matriarch, trying to find her own voice when others around her wanted her to be something she herself isn¡¯t comfortable with. Rosa who would have went on not acknowledge the slightest of her own legacy as her father waste away alone, and finally, Aquarius whom Jihoon confident as the first person whom his intervetion directly changed her fate for the better.


    And now, here they were.


    Two broken people. Two fractured mirrors finally reflecting each other clearly through the clash of water and light.


    At long last¡ªafter ten long years¡ªhe had reached the fifth stage of the five stages of grief.


    Acceptance.


    Of what he was.


    Of what he had lost.


    Of who he had become.


    And of the life that shaped it all.


    Jihoon stood tall, the Judgment of Light pulsing with renewed resonance. It didn¡¯t shatter. It sang.


    And for the first time in a long decade of grief, the music inside him no longer cried for the past.