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My alter ego is becoming a big shot - Episode 48

Preliminaries (2)

Korean Returnees Association Seoul Southern Branch.

Knock—knock.!

“Branch Manager, regarding the installation of a store in the branch that you instructed us to do last time... ···Branch Manager?”

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..

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

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 this is ambiguous.?”

“The word ambiguous means···?”

“There is a blood oath.?”

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

Secretary Kim nodded in the affirmative..

“Yes, it is an organization of Korean vampires. I heard that nothing major has happened yet... After all, he was working 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, has been keeping an eye on the clan for a long time..

From the standpoint of maintaining public order, this is natural..

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

“I guess I should try talking first. We've helped you a lot so far..”

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 front line security, it is 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 know yeah···.”

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

***

Heinz II quietly opened his eyes..

A forest that seemed familiar yet unfamiliar welcomed him..

An unchanging dense forest.

Only he was different then..

“Nothing has changed here since then..”

This is where he first arrived in Outerica.

It was the forest of monsters that was the starting point..

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

The Oath of the Rebellion completely disappeared from the vicinity, and the vampires had no time to pay attention to the forest after losing Azantu, the closest city..

And the denomination was left in a state of neglect after it had already been raided once, so it was literally Muju Commune..

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

Heinz flew away and headed deep into the forest..

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

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

Was the guy I fought back then a black leopard?.

Today, Heinz is no better than a neighborhood dog..

It's been a while since I moved like that.

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

“This would be appropriate..”

A location that is not easily visible, the distribution of monsters living nearby, and even a cave with a large space for research..

It was perfect for setting up a secret laboratory..

“First of all, it would be better to ask for the understanding of the residents who 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..

「A barrier constructed with the “mystery of blood,” and the energy of “concealment” permeating it all..

Primary preparations have been completed.

A few days passed like that···.

Whoop—

Inside a cave where the walls are 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 spreading pitch-black energy..

It was Hans..

[Hmm, I guess I should hurry..]

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

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

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

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 interior of the cave was filled with all kinds of barriers, such as concealment of dark magic, spatial distortion, cognitive decline, and indetection..

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

[I think I've done enough. We'll have to see how it turns out..]

I was confident that it was a collaboration between Hans and Heinz that they did their best, but I was not at a point where I was at ease because I did not know what the limits of the saint would be..

Since they have the best source of information, they will be able to see the effects quickly..

One day was enough to find out the result..

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

“Ah... Hello, Sir Heinrich. Well... there's something that's a bit frustrating. It's no big deal, don't worry..”

The saintess's reaction, confirmed through Heinrich, showed that she was unable to determine Hans' location..

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

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

I only felt that Hans was in Outerica, but I couldn't even pinpoint the approximate location..

It was worth the effort in many ways..

‘Anyway, I guess I can start doing some serious 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 it over 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 he catches, his official name here was a lycanthrope..

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

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

‘However, their potential only grows, and their rise is not as dramatic as that of vampires. Also, it seems like our personalities overlap too much. Because of that, 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, what I discovered was this research data..

It was commonly known as the ‘Completely Evolutionary Biological Project’..

Although it had many similarities to chimera research, it had a completely different goal..

The goal was not to simply add and use different bodies by force, but to continuously evolve the body by absorbing only superior genes..

‘In addition, it is possible to transform in case of emergency like a werewolf.!’

No matter how you think about it, transformation was an element that was too good to miss..

That romance... No, it was a groundbreaking discovery that could exclude the disadvantages of lycanthropes while retaining their advantages..

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

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

The blood of the 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 exist..

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 it doesn't matter because the important thing is the characteristics contained in the blood..]

When I looked into the head of the research institute, there was also information about competition with other branches, so it seemed like he was probably distributing blood to several branches and conducting research at the same time..

The problem here was whether Hans could reach the goal by himself, which even Buncheonhoe, who had mastered numerous techniques, could not achieve..

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

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

Yes, there was no need for him to completely ‘complete’ his 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 decisively···.

Jump and run—

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 large backpacks and crossbags, necklaces and bracelets, draped over Harley's body..

It contained numerous ingredients obtained from Tarak..

[There is literally a perfect test subject here..]

Even if a problem arises during the experiment, it can survive with its tenacious 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. I don't mind 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..

[Well then, let’s get started.?]

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 field, so Heinrich Landgard is appointed as a paladin of the main church..”

In a chapel there, an ordination ceremony was held in which Henry participated..

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

Beautiful sunlight shining through colorful stained glass, a benevolent atmosphere radiating from the solemn chapel..

Even the archbishop, with a benevolent smile, hangs the sacred sign of a holy knight around his neck..

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

《The entity has achieved enlightenment by achieving the condition. Acquire the special skill “Blessing: Leap”.》

Until an unexpected system window blinds 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 and a sudden prayer meeting was held..

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 is out of whack..

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

“···The Lord watches over the earth and guides the poor.···.”

And I organized my 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 is also surprising that the Lord gave a blessing directly to coincide with the ordination ceremony. Just like when you were first baptized, you were instantly connected to the Lord..

Although it was a much shorter moment than before,.

Thanks to that, I was able to find out that Jusin still finds 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 gigantic will was enough to make me feel distant just by encountering the fragments..

-Entity Name: Heinrich

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

-Object characteristics: 「Holy Baptism」, 「Blessing: Strong Body」, 「Blessing: Leap」, 「Skeletonless」, 「Crusader Combat Art」, 「Auterica Holy Art」」

-Special note: His divine power continues to grow beyond that of a high priest. 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 jump through space..

however···.

Although I was distracted by the will of the Lord and realized its effect late, the newly acquired blessing was unusual..

‘Oh, wait! Beyond space? It's a space movement technology, this!’

I still don't know how many times a day it can be used or what the distance limit is..

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 people on the continent followed it.!’

It was a quick change of attitude..

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

Filled with desire to give something more.

and at that moment.

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

‘Hehehe, he truly is a faithful young man. He is a talented person who will become a pillar of our denomination because his abilities are outstanding..’

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

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