My Alter Ego’s Path to Greatness - Chapter 48

Advance preparation (2)

Seoul Southern Branch of the Korean Returnees Association.

Knock—knock!

“Branch leader, regarding the installation of a canteen in the branch that you ordered last time… … Branch leader?”

The secretary who was entering the branch manager’s office holding the approval documents paused for a moment.

Jiyoon Yoon, the branch manager, was frowning and staring intently at the computer screen.

“Ah, is Secretary Kim here? “Bring it here.”

The eyes were still fixed on the screen.

“Branch manager. “Did something happen at today’s meeting?”

Today was the day of the regular virtual meeting for the branch manager level and above, and Secretary Kim had just arrived after hearing that it had ended a little while ago.

“If it’s an incident, it’s an incident… but isn’t this ambiguous?”

“What do you mean by vague…?”

“You have a blood oath, right?”

She looked up from the computer screen and looked at her secretary.

Secretary Kim nodded in the affirmative.

“Yes, it is an organization made up of Korean vampires. “I heard that you haven’t done anything major yet… but you really did work for the hardliners?”

“It’s a big deal, but I don’t think it’s a bad thing. maybe?”

“yes?”

“They say the moderates won. They say they are clearing out the hardliners’ executives and absorbing the remnants. “Alpha’s whereabouts are unknown.”

Secretary Kim looked at the branch manager with a shocked expression.

“Is that possible? “I think I heard that the power difference is quite severe.”

“That’s right. “What strange thing happened?”

The Returners’ Association, or Guardians, had been keeping an eye on the clan for a long time.

This is natural from the standpoint of maintaining public order.

So, I knew about them in more detail than I thought, and I was able to quickly notice this incident.

“I guess we should try talking first. “We have helped a lot along the way.”

In fact, the returnee association had been secretly supporting the moderate faction by supplying blood through blood centers.

The government’s Bureau of Supernatural Talents wants to control them, but from the perspective of maintaining public order on the front line, it was better to maintain friendly relations with moderate people.

It has been an effective tool so far as it can reduce potential enemies at a time when there is already a shortage of manpower and has the effect of keeping radical hardliners in check.

I didn’t know what would happen in the future, but wouldn’t it be better than the hardliners gaining power?

Now I had no choice but to hope so.

“I hope it doesn’t get any busier here…”

“I mean…”

Otherwise, there will already be a lot more work to do.

***

Heinz II quietly opened his eyes.

The forest that seemed familiar yet unfamiliar welcomed him.

A dense forest that never changes.

Only he was different then.

“Nothing has changed here since then.”

This is the place where he first arrived in Outerica.

The starting point was the Forest of Monsters.

‘Because right now, this is the best place to hide and study.’

The Oath of Reverse Heaven completely disappeared from the vicinity, and the vampires had no time to pay attention to the forest as they lost Azantu, the closest city.

And since the denomination had already been abandoned once, it was truly Muju Commune.

‘There are limits to monitoring this entire forest. The surrounding monsters will serve as a natural fence as well as the test subjects, so there is no better place than here for quiet research.’

Heinz flew away and headed deep into the forest.

The monsters around him couldn’t even detect his presence, and thanks to that, he was able to move around comfortably.

‘I feel like times have come. At first, I think I was fighting for my life against a monster.’

Was the guy I was fighting at that time a black leopard?

Today, Heinz is no better than a neighborhood dog.

It took a while to move like that.

He finally stopped in front of a cave and looked around.

“Maybe around here would be appropriate.”

Even a cave with a large space to study the distribution of monsters living in a place that is not easily visible.

It was perfect for setting up a secret laboratory.

“First of all, it would be a priority to ask for the understanding of the residents who have settled in first.”

Heinz confidently entered the cave.

And after a while.

He was able to install a barrier by generously using his abundant blood.

The energy of “concealment” pervades the entire barrier constructed with the “mystery of blood.”

Primary preparations have been completed.

A few days passed like that….

Sigh –

Inside the cave, the walls were filled with bizarre patterns made of blood.

For a moment, darkness fell in the middle of it all.

[Phew….]

A person wearing a black robe and dispersing pitch-black energy.

It was Hans.

[Hmm, I guess I have to hurry.]

As soon as the transmission was sent, Hans immediately moved.

Although he had already covered his entire body with a cloaking shield to hide his existence, it was more certain to install a barrier.

He carefully used his dark magic to carve a new shape on the bottom of the wall with the blood-red pattern.

Barrier construction work done at high speed.

Heinz, who was waiting inside the cave, also joined in and added the power of “Concealment” to the place.

The inside of the cave was filled with all kinds of barriers, including black magic concealment, spatial distortion, cognitive decline, and inability to detect.

As if to prove the growth so far, the effects of the “Way of Magic” were far superior to those seen before.

[I think I’ve done enough. I’ll have to wait and see what the results will be.]

I was confident that it was a collaboration between Hans and Heinz that they did their best, but since I didn’t know what the limitations of the saint would be, I wasn’t at a point where I was at ease yet.

Since they have the best source of information, the effects will be readily apparent.

It only took one day to find out the results.

“Hello, saintess? You don’t seem to be in a very good mood today. “What’s going on?”

“Ah… Hello, Sir Heinrich. There’s… something that’s a bit frustrating. “It’s not a big deal, so don’t worry about it.”

Through the saintess’s reaction confirmed through Heinrich, it was clear that she had not been able to determine Hans’ location.

They only showed a slightly frustrated expression and made no move to summon a punitive force.

‘Still, it’s amazing. Even though they blocked it so thoroughly, it seems like they sensed Hans’ presence.’

Although Hans only felt that he was in Outerica, he couldn’t even specify the approximate location.

The effort was worth it in many ways.

‘Anyway, we can start full-scale research with this. If anything changes, you can find out through Heinrich.’

Hans immediately took out the materials and began research.

Since I had time to spare, I looked through it step by step without rushing.

When I first thought about Harley’s career path, I had a lot of concerns.

Among them, the most important thing was to walk the path of Majin, like the other two avatars.

Since it was bound to grow quickly, it was the natural choice.

‘The first thing to be considered was a werewolf.’

A werewolf whose potential grows by eating the heart of the prey it catches directly, its official name was lycanthrope.

However, it wasn’t a bad option since there were plenty of ways to circumvent it even ‘directly’.

Because my great seniors were able to help me in some way.

‘But the potential only grows, and the rise is not as dramatic as that of vampires. Also, it seems like our personalities overlap too much. That’s why it was put on hold for now.’

In addition, in Outerica, lycanthropes were a minority race that was ostracized due to their ferocious tendencies, unlike beastmen, so their activities were bound to be restricted.

As I continued to worry, I discovered this research data.

It was commonly called the ‘Completely Evolutionary Biological Project’.

Although there were significant similarities to chimera research, this had a completely different goal.

The goal was not to simply use a different body by force, but to continue evolving the body by absorbing only superior genes.

‘And like a werewolf, it can also transform in case of emergency!’

No matter how much I thought about it, transformation was an element that I couldn’t afford to miss.

It was a groundbreaking discovery that could exclude the disadvantages of lycanthropes while retaining the romance… or rather, the advantages.

‘It is this ‘dragon’s blood’ that is the basis of it.’

Hans took out a vial containing a purple, jewel-like liquid and shook it.

The blood of a predatory dragon that exists in the Lauveda dimension.

Predatory dragons were the highest ranking beings in Lauveda, a dimension where numerous dragons and dragon hunters existed.

The worst dragon that continues to evolve, manifesting the characteristics of the opponent it devours.

It continues to evolve for as long as it survives, eventually becoming an apex predator to the point where it has no natural enemies.

‘…It was written in the research report.’

Beoncheonhoe began research to utilize the characteristics of predatory dragons through its blood.

[The amount of blood is a little small, but the important thing is the characteristics contained in the blood, so it doesn’t matter.]

When I searched the head of the research center, there was also information about competition with other branches, so I guess blood was distributed to several branches and research was carried out simultaneously. It seemed like it was done.

The problem here was whether Hans could reach a goal on his own that even Beuncheonhoe, who had mastered numerous techniques, could not achieve.

Completing this research was a difficult task even if Hans had all the skills.

[Hehehe… Of course, this body has no intention of completing the research, so it’s probably a good problem.]

That’s right, there was no need for him to completely ‘complete’ the research.

All I wanted was Harley’s reinforcement, so all I had to do was make it usable.

I acknowledge their connection through various techniques.

However, the research log that went through that process is now here, and Hans’ “Forbidden Knowledge” contains all kinds of information that even the Buncheonhoe does not know.

And crucially…

Harley

suddenly appeared from one side of the cave and walked towards me.

Before you know it, the cooldown has passed and you can once again use the transmission line.

All kinds of subspace magic tools, including a large backpack, cross-bag necklace, and bracelet draped over Harley’s body.

It contained numerous ingredients obtained from Tarak.

[There is truly a perfect test subject here.]

Even if a problem arises during the experiment, it can survive with its strong vitality through “adaptation” and “super recovery,” and it cooperates unconditionally with any harsh experiment and never goes crazy.

Since the experimenter and the subject are mentally connected, even subtle changes in the subject’s body can be immediately identified and reflected in the experiment…

‘There is no need to produce universal results. It doesn’t matter as long as I can only use it on Harley.’

It was also very pleasant to be able to intercept their research results and use them first.

[Now then, shall we begin?]

So Hans and Harley began working together as researchers and test subjects.

***

Roselia Grand Shrine on a sunny afternoon with the sun shining.

“…He is the sword and shield that protects the people, so I appoint Heinrich Landgard as a Holy Knight of the Main Church.”

In a chapel there, an ordination ceremony to become a Holy Knight was held, in which Heinrich participated.

In the process, he received the surname ‘Landgard’ from the church and is now ‘Sir Heinrich Landgard’.

The beautiful sunlight shining through the colorful stained glass and the benevolent atmosphere emanating from the solemn chapel.

Even the archbishop, with a benevolent smile, hangs the holy symbol of a Holy Knight around his neck.

It was a sacred scene that looked like it had been painted.

《The entity has met the conditions and achieved enlightenment. Acquire the special skill 「Blessing: Leap」. 》

Until an unexpected system window blocks my eyes.

“hmm? Oh oh-! What a grace! A blessing is given at the investiture ceremony! “For the Lord is watching!”

Divine power erupts from Heinrich’s body in an instant.

The archbishop who gave him the sign as he knelt looked at it and let out an exclamation.

Then, he looked up to the sky, closed his eyes, and began to pray.

Naturally, other people who were observing the investiture ceremony joined in, and the situation quickly grew, leading to a sudden prayer meeting.

Except me.

‘…When will I wake up?’

It’s good to be ordained as a Holy Knight, and it’s good to receive new blessings, but I don’t know how to react because the order of the ceremony has changed.

However, I felt like it was pointless to stay still like this, so I quietly put my hands together and took the posture of praying.

“…The Lord watches over the earth and guides the poor…”

And he organized his thoughts using the prayer led by the archbishop as the background.

There was one very special thing about this blessing.

‘It was only for a moment, but I definitely felt the will of the Lord.’

It was also surprising that the main priest personally bestowed a blessing upon the ordination ceremony. Just like when one was first baptized, one was instantly connected to the main priest.

Although it was a much shorter moment than before.

Thanks to that, I was able to know that Jusin still found me interesting.

‘Why? Because I come from another world? It’s not just curiosity. ‘I didn’t feel those human emotions.’

In fact, ‘interest’ was nothing more than an arbitrary interpretation of what I felt.

That huge will was enough to make me feel distant just by coming into contact with the fragments.

〈Individual Information〉

-Individual name: Heinrich

-Common characteristics: 「Mind Herb」, 「Persona」, 「Super Recovery」, 「Mysterious Index」

-Individual characteristics: 「Sacred Baptism」, 「Blessing: Strong Body」, 「Blessing: Leap」, 「Skeletonless」 「 Crusader Combat Art” “Auterica Holy Art”

– Special Note: Holy power continues to grow beyond the high priest level. I was able to use more diverse vocal techniques skillfully. Due to the influence of the blessing, my body became stronger and I was able to transcend space.

However…

I was so distracted by the Lord’s will that I realized its effect belatedly, but the newly acquired blessing was unusual.

‘Oh wait! Beyond space? ‘This is a space movement technology!’

I still don’t know anything about how many times a day it can be used or what the distance limits are.

Isn’t spatial movement itself a top-level ability?

This ability can be developed through training, so it was a much needed ability for Heinrich considering his future work.

‘How dare you give me this ability as a gift. After all, you’re not the Lord for nothing? There was a reason why continentals followed him!’

It was a quick change of attitude.

Heinrich corrected his posture properly and prayed sincerely to the Lord.

Filled with desire to give something more.

And that moment.

The archbishop, who slowly opened his eyes to finish, smiled happily upon seeing Henry’s passionate prayer full of desire.

‘Hehehe, he is truly a faithful young man. He is also talented and will become a pillar of our denomination.’

The Holy Knight Ordination Ceremony ended successfully and everyone was satisfied.

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