novelraw Chapter 164: Reverse (3)
Chapter 164: Reverse (3)
Translator: Dreamscribe
The atmosphere of Arsilan Saga was better than ever.
Countless Heroes and Arsilan citizens were joyfully clearing quests in the Seoul Field, and they had crossed over to LA to enjoy new content while preparing for the Great Rift.
Although the Reverse World had not yet opened, FS Games and LA had cooperated to prepare a wealth of content. The sight of many Arsilan citizens and Heroes appearing in LA impressed numerous tourists. Since it had already been showcased in Seoul, this time, everyone accepted it with curiosity yet naturally.
The street where Level 3 of the Gate of Souls was installed was especially popular.
“Wowww!”
As Heroes riding mounts appeared on the street, a young child’s eyes sparkled in admiration. Since the Heroes could feel people’s gazes, they had come to LA equipped with their best mounts and cosmetic items.
It was well worth it.
They did interviews with foreign media, and photos were uploaded to social media. Named Heroes were particularly popular. The popularity of named Heroes already exceeded that of famous Hollywood actors.
“Me, RomanticBard?”
“That person is that crazy Hero who’s ranked No.1 crazy...?”
Of course, there were also named Heroes who weren’t popular.
“Kyaa!!”
“Waaaahhh!”
Not only were they unpopular, but they were also notorious.
Some children, who had been watching the Heroes with sparkling eyes, even cried.
While everyone was enjoying the Dimension Gate, Arsilan was steadily solidifying its foundations. Several villages had already sprung up around the city on their own, expanding the living environment. The Kingdom of Sillion had given full support and established various legal systems to lay the groundwork.
Centered around the disciples of the Magic Tower, Arsilan's borders were being thoroughly investigated. Unlike the enemies who had invaded recklessly until now, things had remained quiet and unchanged. Crossing over the now heavily fortified borders of Arsilan, reinforced by Jinwoo, was a major risk and consumed a great deal of power.
Now, Jinwoo could fully use the power of space once handled by the Lord of Greed, and furthermore, he could apply it through the fusion of the Soul Gate and magic.
‘The tables have turned now.’
All the authorities once possessed by the higher beings of Erosion were now in his hands!
Jinwoo gazed beyond the borders of Arsilan. Nothing could be seen except darkness, as though there was nothing out there. Still, many lands of Arsilan remained devoured by Erosion.
Jinwoo’s goal was not only to reclaim all of Arsilan. After reclaiming Arsilan, he would take everything that Erosion possessed and make it suffer forever.
He would turn it all into nourishment for Arsilan.
‘That’s for later…’
There was too much to do right now. First, he had to focus on reinforcing their foundation. Tiris tore through space and appeared beside Jinwoo.
“Master, installation is complete. The machines from Earth were a great help.”
Jinwoo looked to his side.
Massive machines were lined up along the borders of Arsilan. The machines were equipped with large pipes that extended beyond Arsilan’s borders.
“Activate them.”
“Yes.”
When Tiris pressed the button, the machines began to operate, and through the pipes, they started to absorb the energy of Erosion from the space beyond.
Erosion was an extremely efficient form of energy.
It displayed energy efficiency that surpassed even Magic Stones and did not degrade over time. Unless exposed to Ella’s authority, fused with the Soul Gate, it would not be damaged.
Now that all entities in Arsilan had gained immunity to Erosion, the energy of Erosion was nothing more than energy, just like Magic Power.
So how could they not use it?
Ziiiiing!
As the energy of Erosion flowed through the pipes, it condensed through the machines and was gathered in one place. After checking the gauges, Tiris nodded.
“It’s stable. Beginning solidification process.”
When Tiris looked toward the Magic Developers, they began adjusting the Magic Tower and machinery to start the solidification process. Shortly after, solidified Erosion appeared from the machinery.
It was a fist-sized stone, flickering in ashen color.
As soon as it was exposed to Arsilan’s light, the ash turned black and began to shine. Despite being packed full of Erosion energy, it looked beautiful like a jewel.
It almost resembled obsidian.
Jinwoo examined it closely.
“It’s much more powerful than Magic Stones of the same grade.”
“Amazing. It’s not bulky and almost weightless. If we keep condensing it, we could make it even smaller.”
Even Tiris’s expression was unusually filled with awe.
It became immediately clear why the higher beings of Erosion looked down on Arsilan’s magic as trivial. With this level of power, the stagnating magic engineering technology could be advanced in one leap.
‘With the current Magic Power output, super-massive warships or magic machinery that were previously impossible are now viable.’
Magic engines that used Magic Stones or Magic Power as fuel suffered from worsening fuel efficiency as output increased, and their formulas became more complex. In the case of large ships or trains, a significant portion of space had to be used just for fuel compartments. But this was different. It was energy that rarely got destroyed or altered.
If this appeared in physical form on Earth, it might even be called a dream energy.
The Heroes would love it!
A smile formed on Jinwoo’s lips.
‘And at this level...’He could create an effect that surpassed the reversed Leon, something even greater.
“How about naming it True Magic Stone?”
“Not bad. I’ll register it immediately.”
Tiris immediately registered the information for the True Magic Stone.
Jinwoo lightly conjured a Fireball using the True Magic Stone. Thick black flames rose with a sticky sensation.
“We can release it in Episode 4, Chapter 2.”
“Yes, if we present it as a result of the Erosion energy growing stronger, the narrative plausibility will be solid.”
They planned to make it obtainable by defeating strong monsters on Earth. Thus, the True Magic Stone production facility began continuously extracting Erosion energy from the space beyond and mass-producing True Magic Stones.
Now, the relationship between Erosion and Arsilan had been completely reversed. No longer was Arsilan being robbed, it was the one doing the robbing. This True Magic Stone would make Arsilan shine even brighter.
“If we combine it with Magic Stones, it might become even more compatible with magic. I’ll research it.”
“All right.”
Now, they could create a true boss monster filled with Erosion! The monsters created while developing Episode 4 had only been imitations that mimicked Erosion. Because of that, the computational strain on the Magic Tower had been severe.
“Master.”
“Hm?”
“I’ll upgrade Leon’s body using the True Magic Stone. It’ll allow for an even better production. And it will greatly help in future battles against Erosion.”
Jinwoo nodded.
Until now, Leon’s body had operated based on Holy Power. If even Erosion energy could be used as a power source, Jinwoo’s capabilities would increase significantly. Jinwoo took out Leon’s body and handed it to Tiris.
Tiris set up a workshop near the True Magic Stone production facility. Since no one was allowed to approach the borders of Arsilan, she was free to bring in all kinds of equipment. Tiris modified various machines brought from Earth and adapted them for use in the workshop.
Jinwoo had been monitoring the situation in LA at FS Games, but upon receiving Tiris’s call, he returned to Arsilan’s borders.
“You’ve arrived?”
“You haven’t slept? You can take it easy.”
"I couldn't do that."
Tiris looked haggard.
She hadn’t slept for several days, and heavy dark circles had formed under her eyes. The area was filled with energy drinks and coffee cans brought from Earth.
‘Drink this, and you won’t sleep.’
‘Add Magic Power and shake before drinking, works like a charm.’
‘Try mixing it with a recovery potion at a 1:1 ratio. You’ll stay fine for three days.’
Even the Magic Developers were drinking it like water.
It had now become an essential item for the Magic Tower!
To the point where various recipes utilizing alchemy had emerged.
‘It should be fine... right?’
Still, she was a high-ranking mage. She should know how to take care of her health on her own.
“Master, I have once again reached a new realm. Even the higher beings of Erosion will be jealous of my talent. This talent... is terrifying.”
Tiris nodded with a face full of pride.
Jinwoo looked at Leon, lying in her workshop. Nothing had changed. He was still handsome and looked as if he embodied all the light of the world, almost holy.
So, retirement was probably out of the question now?
He had settled deep into the hearts not just of Heroes but of the Arsilan people as well. Among the resurrected, many didn’t even know that Leon’s true identity was Jinwoo. Regardless, all Arsilan citizens believed that whether he was the Archmage or Leon, he was their king.
“Looks exactly the same.”
There was no visible difference in Leon’s appearance from before. Seeing Jinwoo’s reaction, Tiris nodded. Though still expressionless, it was clear she was deeply satisfied.
Even Jinwoo’s reaction had been something Tiris aimed for.
“Please, try using it.”
Jinwoo inhabited Leon’s body. Tiris conjured a large magical mirror in front of him.
Jinwoo moved the body.
It was still unmatched compared to other bodies, but it didn’t feel particularly different.
“Hm?”
Upon inward inspection, he discovered something like a switch. The switch was connected to a complex magical formula and a subspace within Leon’s body. Even for Jinwoo, engraving something with this level of precision would not have been easy.
‘This alone is enough to be called transcendental.’
Tiris’s craftsmanship was touching the realm of transcendence.
Tia must have received a message and came through the workshop door.
“You haven’t started yet, right?”
She sat beside Tiris. As if telling him to go ahead, both Tia and Tiris looked at Jinwoo. Jinwoo took a deep breath and pressed the internal switch.
Kugugugugu!
An enormous force surged, not just Magic Power, but pure Erosion energy.
The workshop shook violently, the floor cracked, and the ceiling collapsed. Tiris cast a barrier to protect Tia.
“This is a bit...”
The concentrated Erosion energy burst outward, forming a massive tornado. The ground itself split, and magma surged up. The incredibly condensed Erosion energy disturbed the space itself and triggered natural disasters.
“This is way too flashy.”
Kwooooaaah!
The ashen current surging from his body formed a curtain that covered the sky and created a giant pillar of darkness. It was a scene as if a higher being of Erosion had descended upon Arsilan.
“Wow! That’s insane! It’s scary!”
“I used up all the True Magic Stones that had been created so far.”
I didn't hear anything about that!
Jinwoo was flustered but calmly adjusted the energy. As the ashen storm subsided, his form was revealed.
Jinwoo looked into the barely intact magical mirror.
The man in the mirror was Leon, but at the same time, not Leon. Leon’s impression had changed completely.
His hair had turned pure white and flowed down to his waist. His skin was unusually pale, and his blood-red eyes flickered fiercely. He was taller than Leon and looked slightly thinner. If Leon had a kind impression, this reversed Leon appeared extremely cold.
Jinwoo smiled.
Even the facial expressions were altered, and a twisted smile appeared.
“Wow!”
“As expected, magnificent.”
Tia and Tiris approached and admired him.
“Hm? Even the voice changed?”
“Yes, I configured it to be deeper than the original. I also mixed in a bit of a metallic tone.”
When Jinwoo held his throat and spoke, Tiris explained.
The low and rough voice made the reversed Leon appear like an entirely different person.
Tia suddenly clutched her chest.
“Ugh, uuuh! Wh-what is this?! It hits me right in the chest. Is this... decadence?”
“As expected of you, Tia-nim. You’ve appreciated it correctly. It’s the domain Leon had yet to conquer.”
“He could... he could conquer the world with this?”
“Of course.”
Jinwoo couldn’t keep up with their conversation.
If Leon’s bright appearance had its own charm, the reversed Leon was filled with decadent allure. It was a charm Leon never possessed!
Suddenly, Jinwoo felt doubt.
“Was it really necessary to put this much effort into it? He’s just an enemy, after all.”
The original plan was to create a grotesquely deformed Leon.
Since Leon was a handsome man, the reversed Leon was supposed to be grotesquely transformed, fitting the narrative. He was meant to bring trials to the Heroes and the Arsilan people in such a form, but the plan had gone completely off course.
'Just a different colored Leon would have been fine too.'
But Tiris had modified everything from the bone structure to the facial muscles, creating an entirely new character.
‘Hmm....’
Jinwoo drew up the energy of Erosion. The ashen energy surged and condensed in his hand. He looked at Tiris and Tia, then used the Erosion energy to generate a body.
Before his eyes appeared the forms of Tiris and Tia, tainted by Erosion.
He had replicated their appearances exactly, but with the corrupted effect of Erosion applied, they appeared fallen.
“Oh? I look like a bad unnie now.”
“......”
Tia nodded in admiration, while Tiris silently stared at the body.
Tiris’s body had been generated in a slightly more mature form. Seemingly displeased, she frowned while touching various parts of the body that had appeared in front of her. It could be categorized under “Reverse”.
Tiris nodded.
“It might be good to expand the scale of the production.”
“Ah! Then even the Heroes...?”
“Yes, Tia-nim. Not just the Heroes, but we’ll create corrupted versions of all Arsilan citizens as well. We can keep producing True Magic Stones anyway. We’ll animate them through the King Slime and the Magic Tower.”
Reversed Leon and the Reversed Legion of Light that follows him!
‘Not bad.’
As he imagined it, the scene began to vividly take shape.
The scenario would need to be revised, but it was going to be a spectacularly despairing production!
“I’ll help wi-”
Tiris couldn’t finish her sentence before slumping into Tia’s arms. She fell asleep, cradled in Tia’s embrace.
"She's asleep. She must have been very tired."
“Hmm....”
After all her hard work, Jinwoo resolved to make good use of the Leon she had created. Tia carefully moved Tiris to the bedroom beside the workshop. Then she quickly returned to Jinwoo.
"Please speak coldly to me."
“Coldly?”
“Yes! While saying a heartless line! No, actually- read this.”
Tia handed Jinwoo a script she had written.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Jinwoo looked at her and spoke.
“Pathetic woman.”
“Ugh!”
“Crawl on the ground like an insect.”
“Gkhhh!”
Tia covered her nose and mouth with her hand and gave a thumbs up. The half-rolled eyes and ragged breathing were a little disturbing. It had been a while since he’d seen such an extreme reaction.
“Ma-masterpiece!”
It seemed to have hit Tia’s tastes perfectly.
"Scenarios are just popping into my head! I'll start right away!”
Tia began working on the scenario on the spot. Jinwoo watched her for a moment, then began restoring the collapsed workshop.
“Hrk, hrkhrkhrk....”
“Huhu, fufufu....”
Tia worked while letting out strange laughter, and Tiris mumbled in her sleep. Jinwoo quietly excused himself from the area.
...They’ll be fine, right?
Jinwoo was starting to feel a bit uneasy.
Still, it was all for Arsilan.
He would do his best.
Jinwoo moved around disguised as Leon. It had been a while since he’d helped out newbies and handed out items.
To those who couldn’t defeat the boss monsters or pass through the Magic Barrier, he cast sacred spells and cheered them on.
“Le...”
“Haha!”
One of the Heroes tried to call his name, but another Hero beside him hurriedly covered his mouth.
“Thank you for your help!”
“Thanks so much!”
The Heroes were deeply touched.
Jinwoo’s actions were posted on Arsilan Worlds and became a hot topic.
Title: Just Light...
There is a noble person, whose identity we absolutely do not know, helping the Heroes. They’re clearly experienced and incredibly skilled, truly light incarnate.
(Attached photo: The holy figure of unknown identity)
If you see this person, let’s all give them our praise.
Since we mere Heroes can never know their identity, let’s simply offer thanks and gifts.
Anonymous1 (KR): I saw them in Seoul Field. For some reason, they looked familiar, but they’re such a good person.
StockRuined: (This comment has been deleted.)
└ Anonymous2 (US): Delete it.
└ Anonymous3 (FR): Delete it now. Do you want to ruin your life too?
└ StockRuined: I’m sorry. I didn’t know. Please forgive me.
Heina: Who could that person be? We should award them a medal.
└ Tia: Truly amazing.
└ Anonymous5 (JP): Gasp! Right? I really have no idea who it is!
└ Ella: ㅋ
└ Haebyul: Hi, Ella-nim
Leon, just like other Arsilan citizens, could also view Arsilan Worlds. So even though it was obvious to the Heroes and Arsilan citizens, everyone was just pretending not to know.
Jinwoo chuckled as he browsed Arsilan Worlds. He was intentionally reminding them of Leon’s importance once more. That way, it would hit harder when they lost him.
‘I need to spend more time with the Heroes.’
The buildup for Episode 4, Chapter 2 was progressing beautifully!
*****
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