I got into school for nothing-73
I got into school for nothing (73)
Lesson 16. The Tutorial Is Over - 2
The place they emerged through the hole of light that Ban Yuwon had created was Room 20, Eden.
As soon as they entered Eden, he had somewhat anticipated Dokgo Yeon's cross-shaped pupils spinning wildly as she let out a cheer.
"Kyaaaah!"
Alright, recording complete.
Seeing him safely store the recorder, which he had pulled out like lightning, into his inventory, As Light narrowed his eyes and asked.
"What did you do, Ban."
"It's a secret. If you knew, you'd be in the same boat as me. Primarily, you'd risk being beaten half to death by Dokgo Yeon."
As Light, who felt he had already been beaten enough by Dokgo Yeon, turned away from him without looking back.
"You're mischievous, Yuwon."
"What a pity."
Ban Yuwon clicked his tongue, 'Tsk,' and followed behind them with Rucell.
On the ceiling of Room 20, was the reason Dokgo Yeon had cheered... the Fruits of Eden, hanging in abundance.
It wasn't just his imagination; there was certainly a greater quantity than what had been in Room 10.
"I thought there might not be any. Ban Yuwon, solving that riddle earlier certainly paid off."
"That's a relief. The Elixir of Life jam was slowly falling below half because I had been making candies out of it."
"What should I eat? This time, something a bit bigger..."
"Ban, you can make this into an elixir too, right?"
"Of course. For now, pick one each and eat it."
Just in case, Ban Yuwon checked if any figs were growing, but there was nothing even remotely similar.
Of course, it was natural, given he had been explicitly told that there was 'only one in Eden' when he ate it.
Now, if he were to speculate, could the Fruit of Good and Evil only be obtained by someone who knew of its existence?
Even Professor Zenon, who emphasized the importance of learning about Babylonian civilization, didn't know about Earth's Bible, so among all those who had entered the Tower so far, Ban Yuwon would naturally be the only one who knew about the Fruit of Good and Evil.
'But the Fruit of Good and Evil only appears in the Bible and has little to do with Babylonian civilization, doesn't it... Indeed, the "Babylonian civilization" Professor Zenon talks about is quite distant from actual Babylon. It's merely a new field of study that lumps together and researches the traces of civilization left in the Tower.'
The prime example of this is the way everyone refers to the Tower.
The name 'Tower of Babel' itself originally originated from the Bible—that is, Hebrew.
If one were to discuss it in Akkadian, the language of the true Babylonian civilization, 'Bab-ili (Gate of the Gods)' would be its original form!
'Well, since I'm the only one who knows this, it's probably why I've encountered all sorts of strange things during my exploration.'
Ban Yuwon, pondering up to that point, realized that further contemplation wouldn't yield any answers. He shrugged, picked a fruit for himself, and took a bite.
[You have gained Life 5, Mana 7, Charm 20, Domination 3.]
'Hmm?'
The increase in Life, Mana, and Charm was something he experienced every time he consumed an Elixir of Life, so it wasn't particularly surprising.
Of course, the fact that the concepts held within the complete fruit directly deepened the concepts in his body was impressive, but that wasn't the important thing anyway.
To obtain the concept of Domination from the Fruit of Life!
'Is this perhaps a completely random game?'
Ban Yuwon narrowed his eyes and looked back at his companions, and sure enough, Rucell, uncharacteristically, was bouncing up and down, her eyes sparkling.
"I feel my Wildness growing!"
"Just as I thought."
The Fruits of Eden grow the abilities needed by the consumer.
...Then why Charm, of all things?
Even as he pondered the unsolved mystery, Ban Yuwon began what he knew he must do.
He would gather all the concepts contained within the Fruits of Eden into the large jam jar he had prepared beforehand, and create the second batch of Elixir of Life jam!
—Constellation [Breath of Life] is astonished by your abilities.
—Constellation [Clock of the Toy Legion] urges you to use the Authority it granted you.
That he showed this current state to the Constellations sponsoring him was, of course, intentional.
Since the Elixir of Life jam was a necessary item to carry, like bandages, torches, or potions one brings when entering a dungeon in a game, its true nature would eventually be revealed anyway.
He also harbored the desire to make a big splash with it someday.
Judging by the Constellations' reactions, it seemed quite successful.
'Alright, then, shall I try using the power I just gained?'
Ban Yuwon strongly recognized the two new concepts residing within his body.
The first was the Authority received from the Breath of Life, Soul Flame.
It involved detaching a piece of his soul and embedding it into a creation, but putting a soul into jam would only make whoever ate it feel uneasy, so it wasn't necessary this time.
The Authority he intended to use this time was the second one, the 'Mutation' Authority granted by the Clock of the Toy Legion.
'First, activate the Constellation's Stigma, and then add Mutation to it.'
He could probably use the power of Mutation on its own, but doing so would only increase the Constellations' suspicion, and the ability wouldn't fully manifest either.
Therefore, he would 'season' it with the power of the Constellation's Stigma.
So that the Constellations would mistakenly believe Ban Yuwon was under their control.
Of course, the final result would be entirely according to Ban Yuwon's will.
'Now, if I activate the Authority with Hyungi...'
He felt the Hyungi within his body being sucked away at a terrifying rate.
Only after consuming nearly 70% of his Hyungi did the activated Mutation glow with brilliant light, and transform the elixir jam he had just made.
'Good... Now!'
Only after confirming that the Authority of Mutation had fully imbued the jam did Ban Yuwon seal the jar, completing the entire process.
At that moment.
[You have crafted 60 Elixirs of Life Preservation (靈藥). This elixir, created by inducing a special mutation in the concentrated Fruits of Eden, not only vastly restores and enhances the consumer's Life force and Mana, but also awakens new possibilities within the user, and implants a small Seed of Life within their body.]
[The Seed of Life will restore missing body parts, breathe life into dying beings, and maximize the consumer's vitality. If consumed regularly, the seed will grow larger, but if consumed excessively at once, you will suffer divine retribution.]
[You have created a miraculous medicine unlike anything that has ever existed or will ever exist. The depth of Life and Soul increases by 10 each. The depth of Mutation has become 11.]
"Oh, this is..."
This is a bit too much of a cheat.
To be honest, Ban Yuwon hadn't expected much from an Authority called Mutation.
Mainly because the name itself had evoked resistance.
But the Babylonia Code and the Authority of Mutation, combined with the added Constellation's Stigma and Hyungi, had created a miraculous synergy!
—Constellation [Breath of Life] is highly excited and promises to increase the power of your Authority if you offer it tribute!
—Constellation [Clock of the Toy Legion] gauges the magnitude of the Authority it bestowed and is astonished.
Just by looking at the reactions of those two Constellations, it was clear what was going on, wasn't it?
Anyway, 'tribute,' they say. He hadn't even used the Authority granted by the Breath of Life yet, but their lack of conscience had its limits.
Ban Yuwon snorted, and put the completed jam into his inventory.
In fact, Dokgo Yeon was staring at him with blazing eyes, so it was also partly due to his anxiety about when she might snatch the jam.
"You're already full from eating the fruit just now, anyway."
"I was merely curious about the taste of this newly perfected sweetness."
"Right, of course."
He couldn't express how fortunate it was that no one could interfere with his inventory.
As Ban Yuwon turned, pondering the future distribution of the Elixir of Life, As Light, who had just finished circling Eden, spoke to him.
"Ban, I think it's about time we washed up and rested."
"Indeed, it's night now. There's nothing else besides the fruits, right?"
"Seems so. It would have been good if there were artifacts."
"As Light, your common sense about the Tower is starting to go rotten."
Due to the previous exploration, up to Room 16 was practically a freebie, and at best, they had only dealt with the elite of Room 17 and caused a small miracle there.
After securing the Fruits of Eden thanks to that, desiring anything more would be greed.
"Alright, then, you wash first."
"Got it. ......If you peek, I'll stab you!"
As Ban Yuwon pulled out a makeshift tent and shower supplies, As Light, who took them, walked away, casting a magical spell that made even those who had no intention of peeking want to do so.
Good heavens, what kind of man in the world would loudly shout not to peek at his shower, shout it?!
"Yuwon, want to shower with me... K-YANG!"
"This way, beast."
Even Rucell, who had been subtly trying to tempt him, was grabbed by Dokgo Yeon and disappeared behind another tent. Ban Yuwon sighed 'Huu,' pulled out a camping chair, and sat down.
It was only after being left alone that he finally had the leisure to reflect.
'What a brutally tiring day, seriously.'
He had suspected that he would eventually become entangled with Constellations again, and even if just to avoid being swayed by them any longer, he had decided to research their powers.
But he had never dreamed that as soon as he re-entered the Tower, things would spiral so wildly like this.
This was all proof that the Rebellion party's Tower exploration was progressing faster than anyone else's.
'I've buttoned the first button correctly. I also received only the abilities I needed, and they were good. ...Let's get it together, Ban Yuwon. This isn't where it ends.'
Ban Yuwon sometimes felt as if the Tower had been designed to match his Authority, and it was the same when dealing with the Constellations.
It couldn't be, but—the power of the Constellations was structured too simply for Ban Yuwon's Authority to usurp.
'Well, it's probably just because the Authority my ancestor left me is so amazing...'
If he could just play his role well from now on, perhaps he could contain countless Constellations' Authorities entirely within his soul.
Of course, he'd have to be careful not to actually get consumed himself—but he was confident.
'I will reach the top of the Tower.'
Therefore, he couldn't be satisfied with merely this much.
To stand atop the Tower, where no one had ascended for thousands of years, simply honing his own abilities wouldn't be enough.
He would obtain everything that could be obtained.
And he would climb upwards.
Higher, and even higher.
—I'm certain now.
Just as he was rare-momentarily setting the mood and making his resolve, Cellon's gloomy voice pierced his mind.
"What did you say, Cellon?"
—It was only after entering the sanctuary that I could finally be certain. It took me a little while to collect my thoughts, but...
What could have suddenly happened to the fellow who had been so quiet until now?
As Ban Yuwon sighed and was about to ask what exactly he was so certain about, at that moment.
—The one who sealed me was a Constellation.
Hatred imbued Cellon's voice.
—The Constellations I believed were on my side betrayed me. They sealed my power and memories, stopping my contractor from reaching the top of the Tower.
"Hey, hold on a second. If you're going to say something, at least turn on your blinker... huh?"
He had thought something was strange the moment the word 'sanctuary' came up, but.
The Constellations betrayed him?
Sealed his power and memories?
...A contractor?
Ban Yuwon doubted his own ears.
But before he could even question it, Cellon let out a groan filled with indignation.
—But I don't remember that child's face. Nor how I came to contract with that child, or how I ended up being sealed...!
"So, wait, you..."
You clearly said last time that you were human.
But upon closer thought, that statement wasn't entirely wrong either.
"Cellon, you... could it be?"
—I was once human, and at the moment of my sealing, yes.
The staff leaning against Ban Yuwon's back vibrated violently.
The concept of rage, confined and raging within that narrow space, was clear enough to be distinctly read.
—I was a Constellation! I was a transcendent being who had transformed from human into a Constellation!
Truly, a declaration that was perfectly suited to conclude a tumultuous day.
It wasn't a bluebird bringing happiness, but to find out a Constellation had been by his side all along.
It was so preposterous that Ban Yuwon brushed his hand under his nose and burst out laughing, 'Hah-hah.'
"What a mess."
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