D.I.O

“Here you are.”

After entering into a room, Merlin submitted a thirty or so paged research thesis paper and red gem to the middle-aged man seated at the desk. The man seemed to be internet surfing(!). When he saw the paper and gem, he exclaimed aloud.

“Oh, the results came out quicker than expected. Let’s see now.”

The middle-aged man, who had well-kept blonde hair, was a great mage that realized the essence of the heavens and earth and could launch tens of different spells simultaneously. His name was Leighann Bennett. The library-like room that Merlin and Leighann were in was the topmost floor of the Magic Tower of Babel, a holy land for all magic users.

Flip.

Leighann calmly read through Merlin’s research thesis paper. Of course, he looked calm outwardly, but he rushed through the entire paper in less than five minutes.

“Oho, this is such a novel idea. There have been many attempts to crystalize mana, but to bring out such an explosive force out of magic power…”

Whistling in appreciation, Leighann picked up the gem that Merlin had placed atop his desk.

“It’s a model prototype.”

“I don’t have many fully operational gems at my disposal.”

It took two weeks to create a Howling spell gem. Someone might want to take a gem away from him, so Merlin didn’t take out a Howling gem if he could avoid it.”

“Is a gem an ingredient?”

“When the maker’s ability is low, an energy tank is needed. A gem would be best, but any container-type item would probably work. If mana can be crystalized, then a gem or vessel wouldn’t be needed, but one needs to possess the ability to use both internal energy and magic power.”

Hearing Merlin’s explanation, Leighann nodded his head. Reaching a realm wherein he nearly understood the essence of everything, and being a sage and great mage, Leighann almost completely understood the system that Merlin had ‘invented’. Leighann also knew the value of such a breakthrough.

For the past tens of thousands of years, the knowledge that an explosive reaction occurred when pure magic power and internal energy collided was a well-known fact, but the crystallization and stabilization of mana in Merlin’s revolutionary new approach was something that no other world or dimension, for the past tens of billions of years, was able to conceive.

‘Humans are truly interesting creatures. How could they come up with such a novel approach?’

Of course, this discovery wouldn’t really make an impact on human society or a human’s daily life. Even if Merlin’s approach was made public, no one would be able to crystallize and stabilize the explosive force that arose from the chaotic collision of magic power and internal energy. However, a transcendent being would be able to utilize this approach in an almost infinite number of ways. The demonic dragon race who tried to create an infinite magic power producing spiritual vessel through the explosive interaction between magic power and divine power, only to blast away and lose their home planet, would foam at the mouth and lose their minds if they found out that a human, a being that they considered much beneath them, had come up with a workable solution.

‘Of course, it’s still not possible to combine divine and magic power, and the overall power levels that are outputted from this process isn’t that great in the grand scheme of things… but this novel new approach is tremendously alluring due to its stability.’

After finishing his thoughts, Leighann turned his attention to Merlin. Leighann made a satisfied smile. Perhaps he felt that he had come across an invaluable gem by pure chance.

“Let’s make a contract.”

“Contract…? I came here because…”

“Forget about the test.”

As soon as Leighann answered, a wall of text appeared before Merlin.

/You have succeeded in your Occupation quest!/

/Your Occupation has changed from ‘Commoner’ to ‘Howling Archer’!/

/You now qualify to challenge for the acquisition of the Master skill, ‘Regeneration’!/

/ You now qualify to challenge for the acquisition of the Master weapon, ‘Olympos’!/

Merlin sensed a feeling of fullness throughout his body. He had expected a change, but this enhancement was beyond his expectations. Merlin had so much magic power that he could launch several AOE attacks without concern of depleting his magic power capacity limit. Merlin opened his status window and reviewed his new occupation.

[Title: Howling Archer

Description: An increase of 150 magic power points and 50 Willpower points.

Based on the novel spell casting approach created by Merlin, you can launch a singular, ultimate strike with Olympos, which contains the Howling spell.]

“Oh, not bad… hmm?”

While appreciating the rise in his stats, Merlin furrowed his brow. He realized that he felt something strange.

‘Weird. Normally, the stat window is just a numeric quantification of my abilities and skills, but this time around, the stat values changed before I received its effects physically. This means…”

Merlin was about to fall into thought, but Leighann soon spoke up as if to deter Merlin.

“Don’t concern yourself with those minor details. Read this.”

“I came here for the title, so it isn’t exactly a minor detail.”

Though expressing aghast at Leighann’s words, Merlin took the paper handed to him and then widened his eyes in surprise. Though Merlin possessed a wild imagination, he had never considered such a document to be presented to him.

“A… patent application?”

“Yeah. It’s a patent application for your gem production process. Read it closely and let me know if there’s any part that troubles you; although, having used such a patent for thousands of years, I don’t think you’ll find any errors in it.”

“What the hell…”

Though dumbfounded, Merlin perused the legal application document. He narrowed his eyes when he reached a specific clause, which read [Based on the patent law denoted in Union Law Chapter 12, Section 231, Clause 4…].

“W-wait! Did the Noblesse send you? I don’t know what you’ve heard, but this is a clear violation of Union Law!”

Merlin recalled the words of the researcher during the last mission, when he infiltrated a research facility to free a being named Lucy. The researcher expressly mentioned the words Union Law.

“Union Law… can you explain to me what this is?”

However, contrary to his expectations, Leighann shook his head.

“Sorry, but I can’t. You’re not in a position nor do you have the qualifications to know such things.”

“But…”

“I swear. I swear upon my name that you’re not suffering any losses. This will be an absolute profit.”

“What if I say no?”

Hearing Merlin’s question, Leighann smiled softly.

“Then it can’t be helped. I’ll take your research and label it as my own.”

Leighann’s straightforward words didn’t leave Merlin any room to doubt Leighann’s intent and sincerity. Moreover, Merlin didn’t know anything about Union Law or where to even submit a patent application.

“… then, what’s with this 20% agent fee?”

“Obviously, that’s my fee. Your idea isn’t half bad, but you don’t have the social standing, prestige, or ability to submit a patent or defend your idea, right? You absolutely need my help and standing.”

Hearing Leighann’s straightforward explanation, Merlin nodded.

“I feel like I’m being taken advantage of, but whatever. Based on the wording of this contract, it seems I’m on the subjugate side of the power dynamic. Since I’m unfamiliar with all the technical terms and aspects, I’ll have to rely on you, Mr. Leighann.”

“I also don’t want you to enter this contract on the basis of blind faith. A multidimensional contract like this patent application shall be overseen by the god of wisdom and justice, Tort.”

“The god of wisdom and justice?”

“Tort is also often referred to as the god of contracts.”

As soon as Leighann finished speaking, a substantial pressure fell upon them. It wasn’t a pressure that came from a being suppressing them or from the presence of a powerful being. It was a type of pressure that originated from…

“A glance…?”

“Right, based on an ancient oath, Tort turns its attention and glances. Amongst the top gods, Tort is one of the few who does such things for the lower dimensions.”

The [Glance] moved from Merlin to Leighann before it landed on the contract.

Whoosh!

“The contract…”

“Don’t be surprised. It’s an official process.”

“But… we didn’t sign it…”

Leighann shrugged his shoulders.

“A contract substantiated and upheld by the gods doesn’t require such a thing. As long as we possess the will to uphold the contract terms, Tort takes care of the rest.”

Though explaining this in a matter-of-fact manner, internally, Leighann was surprised.

‘So quick. The process wouldn’t finalize unless both sides fully understand the terms of the contract.’

Leighann was surprised that the contract burnt up before he had the chance to give some additional explanation. Of course, the contract was only a few pages long, so it wouldn’t take that long to read. But the ‘fully understanding’ requirement of contracting was an entirely different matter; one didn’t ‘fully understand’ just by memorizing or reading something. A user, who shouldn’t have known or understood many things, had easily ‘fully understood’ the contract. This carried a poignant meaning.

‘This guy, he’s already formulated and made some assumptions.’

However, Leighann didn’t trouble himself on the matter. DIO possessed many aspects that made it hard for any thoughtful being to simply conclude that it was just a game. It would be more surprising if there weren’t any humans who questioned these things.

‘Of course, the eventual realization was always part of the plan… but this is too fast. Tan, what the hell are you thinking?’

Leighann shook his head to clear the image of Tan, the Noblesse who was also the head honcho of the DIO operation. Though Leighann was also a Noblesse, he was not Tan’s equal. As those who were on the cusp of transcendence, beings like Leighann and Tan were like senior professors at a university, but Tan was like a dean, so the two couldn’t be compared. Moreover, Tan was more powerful. Giving a somewhat defeated smile, Leighann raised his right hand.

Crackle.

“What?”

Merlin, who had been watching Leighann’s movements, audibly sucked in air when he saw the crystallized gem in Leighann’s right hand. Surprisingly, Leighann made a magic stone using Merlin’s process. Though it took Merlin two weeks to properly process and produce a working core, Leighann had made a magic stone almost instantly.

“You shouldn’t be surprised. From time immemorial, surprising breakthroughs or inventions all possessed value in their uniqueness or creativeness, not their specific utility per se. Also, in terms of our background civilization and power levels, you and I aren’t comparable.”

Merlin stared at the diamond that Leighann created. It didn’t possess that much magic power, but the purity level of Leighann’s gem was much greater than any that Merlin had created.

“That’s true, but… if you’re not familiar with the use of martial arts, it shouldn’t be easy to contain the chaotic nature of the product.”

Leighann possessed more than enough magic power to directly crystallize a fully operational gem, but he had chosen to use spiritual power instead; this meant that Leighann had used internal energy, the other component necessary for the opposing reaction of two forces. However, Leighann shook his head.

“One doesn’t have to be an internal energy user to use internal energy. Internal energy and magic power aren’t the smallest units that comprise the world.”

“The smallest units that comprise the world… what are those?”

“Force, essence, and ether.”

Merlin had never heard of this concept before. He had always thought that the world was comprised of mana and that the differentiation of uses were based on how mana was accepted and applied; Merlin’s knowledge was based on what most mages knew. However, the truth was closer to what Leighann just mentioned. Leighann’s theory was knowledge that only great mages, who understood the essence of the heavens and earth, knew about.

“Then…”

“That’s all I can say for now. Didn’t you mention that you were planning on participating in some event to gain gem points?”

Leighann knew about gem points. He also knew, probably better than anyone else, the reason why gem points existed.

“I might as well offer you some advice while I’m dropping so many hints. You’ve probably already figured some things out yourself, so I’m not sure if this’ll be news to you, but gem points will be something usable even after the conclusion of this event. The main reason for this event is to lower the barrier to access the New Continent and to gain interest. However, make sure to put some attention into creating your flying shuttle. I’m not sure if they’ll give you the option of breaking through the atmosphere, but the ability to fly in outer space is a must.”

“Outer space flight… is it a must?”

“That’s all I have to say.”

Leighann gave a soft smile as Merlin’s surroundings changed. Merlin found himself somewhere on the outskirts of the Magic Tower of Babel.

“Hmm. I feel like I somewhat understand…”

Merlin turned around as he mumbled to himself. Various theories regarding DIO and the basic elements of the world sprung into Merlin’s mind, but above all else, Merlin was pondering why his physical condition changed moments after he had received the Master title and its increased stats.

Unlike when his stats quantified his increased stats after he trained and developed, his stats had gone up first, and then his body reflected the spiritual power stat changes. Merlin realized, through simple reasoning and conjecture, that this change belied a much deeper meaning. The bonus point system was probably also based on this principle.

‘About those bonus points…’

Unlike Yongno, Merlin knew about bonus points. There was no way one couldn’t help but overhear other users talking amongst themselves about bonus points in the bustling city streets of a city or be blind to the plethora of forum posts and videos regarding the use of bonus points.

Even a normal person, let alone a genius, would be able to catch on to the existence of bonus points, but Yongno really didn’t know. On one hand, one could say that Yongno’s ability to focus and concentrate were extreme, but on the other hand, one could also state that Yongno just didn’t know how to read a room. Unless Yongno was interested in something, he totally shut himself off.

‘This knowledge… might help me exploit a bug.’

The thought popped into his mind, but Merlin soon shook his head. Merlin was confident that he’d be able to gain some advantage or profit if he exploited a bug; however, he wasn’t confident that he’d be able to execute the bug play without the developers noticing. The ‘complete play’ Merlin was planning to do during the next event wasn’t an exploitation of a bug, as it fell within the rules of the game, so at worst, he’d only receive a warning; however, the bug exploitation ‘play’ he was thinking about right now might cause his account to be locked or terminated.

‘Well, since I’m unsure, let’s leave my bonus points alone for the time being. If I don’t have enough bonus points on hand when a chance presents itself, I won’t be able to exploit the bug play.’

Since anything that Merlin spoke would be shared with Yongno in their shared perspective, Merlin kept all these thoughts in his mind. From sight to sound, Merlin and Yongno shared all five traditional senses, as well as a special sixth sense; however, they didn’t share their internal thoughts or, to a certain point, their past memories. This was how they were both able to coexist.

“Well, I guess it’s about time for the event to start.”

After reviewing the time on a clock display that was visible in the corner of his eye, Merlin teleported. Soon, Merlin would execute the most ‘No manner’ play ever seen in DIO.

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