Episode 116 Harbinger (1)
"No, I'm telling you, I need more detailed information! What am I supposed to do with just a map? Do I look that easy to you because I've been obediently following orders? One of these days, I'm going to…"
Knock, knock—
Andrew Weber, the blonde man who had been ranting, hurriedly shut his mouth at the sudden knock.
"Ahem, come in."
The door quietly opened with his permission.
A maid entered silently and started to set tea and snacks on the table.
And before she left after finishing her work, Andrew casually spoke to her.
"By any chance, is Lady Siana at the mansion right now?"
"No, she hasn't returned yet."
"Hmm, I see. It's nothing. You're dismissed."
"Yes."
He glanced at the maid, who bowed politely and left, and sank deep into his chair, putting a snack in his mouth.
His anger subsided, and he sighed, thinking it couldn't be helped.
'Tsk, but I guess I have to try.'
What else could he do when his superior gave him an order?
The order he received was to investigate the massive energy clash that occurred in the northwestern mountains recently using "Trajectory Observation".
'My ability isn't that convenient, where I can just see whatever I want!'
The only thing he had was a location marked on a map, an uninhabited area with no detailed information.
There were reference materials about the natural vegetation, climate, monster habitats, and so on, but such general information wasn't helpful in pinpointing the location.
The best method was to directly see the target or location with his own eyes, and the second best was to familiarize himself with as much detailed information as possible, even if it was just written…
'I'm not even asking for a photo, just give me a sketch of the scene.'
And if the one who caused it was presumed to be the Immortal King, he wouldn't be of much use because he couldn't see him due to the difference in level.
'Of course, they gave me this task considering that.'
He had no choice but to at least show them that he was trying his best.
It was thanks to this ability that he was able to grow comfortably and receive such treatment.
Andrew sank deep into the armchair and activated his unique skill, "Trajectory Observation".
He couldn't immediately see the scene of the incident, so he first scanned the entrance, where there was a lot of data, and tried to slowly move inwards.
'Huh? There are people entering the mountains in the midst of this chaos?'
He was able to spot Harley's group, who had received a request around the same time and were heading north.
But he couldn't follow them for long, as their figures soon became blurred as if enveloped in fog as he started to go deeper.
'…I knew it. There's a limit to observation without information.'
He might be able to do it if his level was higher, but this was the limit of his current ability.
He tried several more times, but as expected, he failed to grasp the location of the energy clash.
'Ugh, I wasted my effort. They're just going to yell at me… Huh?'
Just as Andrew was about to end "Trajectory Observation",
He saw the group that had entered the mountains returning.
That wasn't strange…
'What? Why are they so blurry?'
Unlike when they went, their figures weren't clearly visible on their way back.
It wasn't as bad as the Immortal King, whom he couldn't see at all, but it was worse than even a True Blood vampire, whom he could indirectly observe.
No matter which member of the group he focused on, there was noise just from 'someone' being near them, making it impossible to see properly.
'Something has changed. I need to look into this more closely.'
And Andrew, who started investigating them, learned that they had received a request from the lord to rescue a Dwarf isolated in the mountains.
'Is there something about that Dwarf? Or was it a fake request, and they had another hidden motive?'
Anyway, it was clear that something was amiss.
He had failed to obtain the information he was originally after, but he happily got up from his seat, having discovered something suspicious.
He had at least gained something, so he could now speak to his superiors.
"Alright! I've done enough for today. I can continue next time."
He left the mansion with confident steps, got into the prepared carriage, and headed towards the entertainment district.
Playing at the mansion was also good, but how could a person live only inside?
'They don't really bother me as long as I do my job properly, so there's no better workplace than this.'
And with generous financial support, his job satisfaction was at its peak.
It would be even better if they didn't give him unreasonable tasks like this one.
As Andrew was riding comfortably in the carriage,
Swoosh—
Something was silently following him without any presence.
The formless something had only a faint sense of self, without any obsession or desire.
It was just quietly watching him.
____________________
"…He's fast."
Heinz, who arrived at Heterosis's office, clicked his tongue as he scrolled down with the mouse wheel.
It was only the first draft, covering the basics, but it was surprisingly well-organized, considering it was prepared in less than a day.
"It was a special order from the Lord, who came down after a long time. We mobilized the entire clan, even pushing the Blood Alliance!"
Jin So-ran grinned proudly, puffing out her chest, at his admiration.
She was satisfied with his surprised reaction, as she had even taken a break from her personal broadcasting, which she did as a hobby, to work on this.
Heinz briefly read through the contents.
From the theoretical part, starting with the characteristics of metal, to the practical part, starting with how to hold a hammer.
The data, which even included photos and videos, was practically the best blacksmithing introductory guide, allowing for rapid growth if you just studied it properly.
'Of course, it won't be easy to fully understand and grasp it.'
No matter how basic it was and how easily it was organized, it wasn't something an ordinary person could easily follow.
And how much more so if they had to self-study with only the theory, without a teacher?
It would take a considerable amount of time just to fully internalize this part, but…
Howard the Dwarf wasn't an ordinary person.
The contents, which were just a list of information to Heinz, were instantly analyzed by Howard's mind.
The properties of various metals, how to control the temperature of fire, the characteristics of the added materials, the principles behind each process…
The theory was engraved in his instincts, and he could intuitively imitate the movements in the videos.
'I want to try it out myself.'
Howard's hands itched after acquiring new knowledge.
No matter how great he was, there was a limit to what he could do just by knowing, so he needed to try out what he had learned and fully internalize it by tailoring it to his body.
'I've already used the transfer formation today, so Hubert can prepare the workshop while the cooldown ends.'
It was nothing for Hubert, who was now leading a fairly large trading company in Tarak, to prepare a workshop for Howard.
As Heinz was organizing his thoughts,
"Ah, come to think of it, I have one more thing to report to you, Lord!"
Jin So-ran, who had been smiling brightly in front of him, suddenly became serious.
"We've been continuously tracking the organization you mentioned before, Heaven's Turn Society… and we've found signs of them contacting several forces."
It seemed like a long time had passed because of the time difference with another world, but it had only been a little over a month since they stopped their activities in Korea.
But they were already showing signs of testing the waters.
"It's only at the level of light contact, as if they don't intend to move in earnest right now, so we're currently observing the situation and monitoring their movements."
"Hmm… good work. Don't intervene directly, just focus on gathering information for now."
"Yes, sir!"
Heaven's Turn Society.
Of course, he hadn't forgotten about them.
Wasn't the reason he was building up his forces like this to eliminate them?
'Actually, I think Hans alone would be enough for most of them.'
Heaven's Turn Society's power was already beyond what he could handle with his individual strength, and they were so thoroughly hidden that it was difficult to even find them.
And Hans couldn't recklessly intervene because of the nature of his energy, as he might make the wrong enemy…
'There's no need to rush. Let's be thorough. I'll gather more information about them and then completely crush them.'
Time was on his side.
While he had been building up his power for about ten months…
Only a month had passed on Earth.
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"Excuse me? Can you say that again?"
Talaria, the capital of the Talia Kingdom.
An argument was taking place at the main gate of the Bright ducal family's mansion, the most prestigious noble family in the kingdom.
The cause was a black-haired woman who suddenly appeared and tried to enter confidently, only to be stopped by the guards.
"I'm here to see Mulo."
"This is Duke Bright's mansion. Perhaps you've come to the wrong place…?"
The guard at the mansion's main gate stammered, cautiously speaking to her.
Normally, he would have chased her away without hesitation, but he was unconsciously intimidated by the strange atmosphere surrounding her.
"…Um, do you have an appointment?"
"Hmm… no? I just came."
The guard, trying to somehow resolve the situation, sweated profusely, but the woman standing before him just tilted her head blankly.
"This is a problem—. I'm sorry if I caused a scene."
She muttered to herself, her intentions unclear.
"…I'll inform them inside. Who should I say is here?"
"Me? Tell them it's 'Briki'."
In the end, he decided to leave the judgment to those inside.
If she was really a nobody, he would be scolded by the butler and his evaluation would be lowered, but if she was someone important and he treated her poorly, he might literally lose his head.
And it was a very wise decision.
As soon as her words were relayed inside, a butler personally came to the door to check on her.
"Hmm, this child too. What in the world happened?"
That was her first sentence as soon as she saw the pale-faced butler who came out of the mansion.
"I'll escort you inside. Please come this way."
The butler politely guided her inside.
Of course, the place they were headed to was filled with all sorts of barriers and security devices, a place that wasn't open to ordinary guests.
As they walked down the hallway, 'Briki' quietly looked at the one guiding her, a Pureblood vampire.
She could feel the altered blood in him, which she had already encountered several times on her way here.
'It's strange. The foundation hasn't changed, but there are too many incomprehensible changes.'
She had already caught a Fledgling along the way, smelled his blood, even tasted it a little, and checked in various ways, but…
She couldn't figure out the source of the change.
'And even the one involved didn't seem to know the details.'
Various 'evolutions' that were far more advanced than the original, caused by factors she couldn't even grasp.
That's why she personally came here.
The Lord would know more about the cause.
Knock, knock—
"Lord Mulo, I've brought her."
They finally met inside the mansion's inner sanctum.
With Mulo Brokoslack, the former Clan Lord.
"It's been a while, Mulo."
"Welcome, Lord Brokoslack."
The clan's progenitor, the Sacred Blood 'Brokoslack'.
She had finally arrived.