Chapter 449
Her wish.... So that’s what it was about.
Recalling a certain memory due to Baek-Yeon’s words, Se-Hoon narrowed his eyes.
“So she made her choice...”
When Li Kenxie had muttered those words in surprise upon hearing of Baek-Yeon’s intervention, Se-Hoon abruptly realized she’d been planning something for a long time. And from that moment on, he had significantly increased vigilance against her.
After all, regardless of what her goal may be, letting an incident related to the Demon Force slide made her a potential threat to humanity.
And that was why, despite the topic unexpectedly surfacing now, Se-Hoon was largely unaffected. In the first place, Baek-Yeon was the main reason he had gathered the other Perfect Ones.
I expected something like this... but I didn’t think that I’d actually hear that she’s achieved her wish.
Including the pre-regression Aria, Se-Hoon had met a total of eight Perfect Ones and had come to recognize two groups they could be divided into through his encounters with them.
The first group pursued a wish. For them, their power was merely a means to fulfill that wish. Li Kenxie, who had sought what lay beyond anatta, fell into this category.
Then there was the second group, who had already fulfilled their wish. For them, their power itself was the wish—like Wurgen, who had created the Netherworld with the concept of Boundaries.
In that case... it means Baek-Yeon has crossed from the former to the latter group.
But what kind of wish could be granted through her simple intervention in the Offering Ritual? Wondering what the answer could be, Se-Hoon first organized his thoughts before finally looking her in the eyes to just ask. “What kind of wish did I fulfill for you?”
“...”
Baek-Yeon remained silent, just staring in his direction with an unfocused gaze. Then, after a long moment, she began slowly opening her mouth.
“Happiness.”
“...Excuse me?”
“My wish was to be happy.”
“...”
All Se-Hoon could do was make an odd expression. While her indifferent answer of “happiness” was something fundamental that many wished for, when it came from a Perfect One of all people, it became a very unexpected answer.
Isn’t happiness more of an outcome?
Happiness was the feeling that resulted when something lacking—whether physical or emotional—was fulfilled. Most people would wish for ways to fill in those gaps, gaining happiness as a result. In fact, to a hero, that very longing to fill in the gaps was their synesthetic mindscape.
So for someone who had polished her synesthetic mindscape and reached the top of the Tower of Heroes to have such a wish? It was strange.
Is she being indirect because there are other Perfect Ones around? But if it’s not that...
Assessing if her wish could really be so simple, Se-Hoon revisited the power of Perception.
The power to observe countless potential futures and seize the one the user desires, making it real.
Even without knowing what was lacking or how to fill it, the nature of the power allowed the visualization of the result—in other words, it allowed Baek-Yeon to see which path led to happiness.
Connecting the dots to the most likely answer, Se-Hoon looked at Baek-Yeon again and let out a faint chuckle at her unflinching eyes.
“So it really is true.”
All this time, Baek-Yeon had continued observing the flow of possibilities in search of a future where she could be happy. And along the way, she removed unnecessary paths or guided them to flow elsewhere. Every one of her actions, even her assassinations of criminals and intervention or withdrawal in the fights against the Demon Force, must have been part of that process.
“Hmm...
May I ask just one thing?”“What is it?”
“Have you ever killed an innocent person?”
At the blunt question, the surrounding Perfect Ones blinked in surprise as well.
“That’s a rather bold question,” Baek-Yoon remarked with an annoyed glare.
“It’s also something that must be addressed.”
“...”
At Se-Hoon’s persistence, Baek-Yeon stared for a moment, then chuckled faintly.
“Not even once. Every time such a dilemma came up, all possible futures vanished.”
“...I see.”
Not just distorted—completely gone. In other words, it was all but certain that her death was guaranteed in those futures. And when Se-Hoon factored in the thoughts he had just been having... his gaze became much more serious.
She’s probably foreseen this exact moment for a long time, Se-Hoon realized. If that were true, then the truth behind her wish being achieved could be far more complicated than he thought.
“As you also wield the power of Perception, you must also understand what’s happened,” Baek-Yeon calmly continued, just as Se-Hoon had that thought.
“...”
“The arrow has already been let loose. No matter what happens from here, and no matter how you respond, the future I’ve captured will inevitably become reality.”
A blind arrow—its destination and target unknown even to the one who fired it. By all accounts, such an arrow would miss. However, with the power of Perception in play, it wouldn’t. Regardless of the method, the objective would be achieved.
“That’s why there’s no need to concern yourself with me—no, concerned or not, it won’t change a thing.”
Se-Hoon’s brow twitched. Baek-Yeon’s indifferent tone made it clear she didn’t care either way.
This is kind of pissing me off.... Tsk, I can’t exactly press her either.
Because he didn’t know what happiness meant to Baek-Yeon or how it would be realized, it became far harder to take action. There were ways to interfere, sure, but if her happiness included peace for humanity, then disrupting it would be the biggest mistake of his life.
Torn between the two options, Se-Hoon eventually just sighed and shrugged.
“Well, do as you like. I’ll do the same.”
Hearing such a thing from a Perfect One, anyone would likely have been overwhelmed—but not Se-Hoon. After all, he had already seen a world that had already collapsed once, unable to be kept intact by even the Harbingers of Destruction.
The Perfect Ones, Harbingers of Destruction, even the Golden Ring itself... not a single one is omnipotent.
There was nobody unreachable, so as long as he was determined, Se-Hoon was certain there was no future he couldn’t change. Reaffirming his resolve, Se-Hoon wrapped up his thoughts and looked up.
“Is there something you all want to say...?” Finding all four Perfect Ones intently staring at him, Se-Hoon couldn’t help but ask that question.
“...No. Seems we were mistaken.”
Yet, despite their denial, they continued to gaze at him with curious eyes. Perplexed, Se-Hoon reached up and touched his own face.
Was my expression too revealing?
Now worried that he’d reacted too sharply, Se-Hoon felt the need to ease the tension, so he lightly clapped his hands and moved to wrap things up.
“Alright. Now that we’ve confirmed where we all stand, I think it’s time we discussed our next steps. Do any of you have specific plans in mind?”
To Se-Hoon’s next question, Ludwig was the first to reply. “I’m thinking of focusing on researching the Towers of Heroes for a while. Thanks to your efforts, I was able to make some progress.”
At those words, Se-Hoon began pondering. Had something promising come out of the crossroads they had arrived at when altering Li Kenxie’s power of Anatta? Regardless, the research could provide long-term benefits, which made Se-Hoon move on with a nod.
“Sounds good. And the rest of you...”
“I’m considering expanding the Pilgrim’s Path if the opportunity arises.”
“Really?”
Se-Hoon blinked in surprise. Expanding the Pilgrim’s Path was practically equivalent to reclaiming territory lost to the Demon Force.
“Ever since the Demon Force was weakened, there’s been a bit more leeway. If the resistance isn’t too fierce, I’ll attempt it little by little.”
“I see... Got it. I’ll also see if there’s anything I can do to help.”
It wouldn’t be easy, considering it was a matter of survival for the Demon Force. However, if they completed the Divine Mana Conversion Device Lea was working on and had the Einherjer act as support, success wasn’t out of reach.
Luize’s Divine Speech could be helpful here too... but that’ll need more caution.
Given how closely Divine Speech was tied to the power of Grace, Karl training Luize could bring quick results—but there was no guarantee things would go smoothly like they had with him. Deciding to save that conversation for when he could speak to Karl one-on-one, Se-Hoon turned his head.
Now, the only one left...
Jason sat there deep in thought, his intentions unreadable—and as unpredictable as Baek-Yeon’s.
Maintaining his vigilance, Se-Hoon cautiously addressed him. “What about you, Jason?”
“I’m going to continue training,” answered Jason immediately after lifting his head.
“Training...? You mean going around fighting like you used to?”
“No. I’m going to try meditating first. I’ve heard it’s more effective the stronger you are.”
“...”
Jason’s indifferent tone made Se-Hoon pull a wry face. He’d instantly assumed that Jason would be back to wandering and fighting until the Demon Force was eradicated—only to hear that he’d be meditating instead?
What’s gotten into him...?
Had something changed during that battle with Demon’s Edge on the Silent Volcano? He didn’t know, but because Jason looked more serious than ever, Se-Hoon glossed over it.
“Alright. If you ever need help, please reach out to me or the Heroes Association. Just... don’t handle everything on your own again.”
If Jason ever got bored with meditating and started roaming again, his temperament would inevitably lead to conflict.
“...I’ll keep that in mind.”
And with that, the conversation naturally drew to a close.
Well, I guess this ended better than expected.
Se-Hoon had been ready to assert dominance if the Perfect Ones tried to look down on him, but thankfully, there was no need. Of course, not every risk had been eliminated, but at least there wouldn’t be any foolish internal disputes when they were so close to victory.
Hopefully, at least...
What-ifs sprouted in his mind, but Se-Hoon brushed them all away. Though preparation was good, it could easily be in vain once doubt crept in and twisted the entire course of action. He, too, had to trust the four standing before him while also staying cautious.
“...”
Looking at the four about to disperse, Se-Hoon paused. Would the four of them ever gather like that again?
“Wait just a second.”
Driven by an instinct stirred by the yet-undefined power, Se-Hoon’s voice had reflexively come out before he knew it.
And upon hearing it, the Perfect Ones stopped and turned their heads—just to see Se-Hoon pulling out his phone.
“...What are you doing?”
Baek-Yeon, who had already closed her eyes again, had an incredulous look on her face.
“Well...” Se-Hoon awkwardly turned on the camera. “You know how people usually take commemorative photos after meetings like this? I thought we could try that, too....”
“What nonsense...”
“You’re always doing these weird things.”
As Baek-Yeon and Jason grumbled, Ludwig and Karl exchanged a glance.
“Well, once in a while should be fine.”
“I think it’s a good idea, too.”
With their support, Baek-Yeon and Jason stayed put, albeit reluctantly, as well. Still, Se-Hoon hurried to snap a photo of the four.
Click!
Ludwig, as always, wore a soft smile with his hands behind his back. Karl, surprisingly, made a playful V-sign with his fingers. Meanwhile, Baek-Yeon and Jason had turned their heads away, clearly uninterested in posing.
Their personalities show through even in this.
Chuckling, Se-Hoon mentally named the photo: “Ascenders: Commemorative Collection.”
Then, putting the phone away, he gave them a slight bow.
“I look forward to working with you all.” It was a heartfelt farewell.
Pausing, the four looked at him for a moment in silence, then quietly dispersed. Karl vanished in a flash of golden light, returning to the Pilgrim’s Path, followed by Jason, who disappeared without a trace by slipping into the gaps of space.
Baek-Yeon, though, lacked a movement ability, so she approached Ludwig to return with his help.
“Oh. I forgot to mention something.”
Just before they crossed space, Baek-Yeon turned her head and looked back at Se-Hoon.
“Your next target is Doppelganger, right?”
“Probably, for now.”
Judging from what they’d tracked so far, Doppelganger was clearly in some kind of alliance or contract with Offering. And that likely meant Meirin, once part of Offering, was also involved.
Whatever it is they’re trying to create... it’s not something I can afford to ignore.
Se-Hoon had to stop Doppelganger from gaining a new power—and Meirin from crossing a line she couldn’t return from.
Gaining his confirmation, Baek-Yeon glanced off to the side and said calmly, “Then I advise you to use Ma Kwang-Soo.”
“Professor Ma?”
“If you end up fighting Doppelganger alone, it’ll do whatever it takes as one of the Ten Evils. But if Kwang-Soo steps in—”
“Don’t go any further.”
Before she could finish, Ludwig cut her off firmly.
“That’s not something we should be discussing.”
“...You’re right.”
Acknowledging his warning, Baek-Yeon glossed over it. “In any case, having Kwang-Soo at the forefront could minimize damage. Also, know that I’m not forcing you—just consider it.”
“Hmm... I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Alright. Then, we’ll be going.”
With that, Ludwig and Baek-Yeon crossed space and disappeared, leaving Se-Hoon and his complicated expression alone.
Kwang-Soo, huh...
Was she suggesting he exploit the grudge between them? If he had to be honest, it was hard to believe it’d make that much of a difference. Still, if someone with the power of Perception said so, perhaps it mattered more than he thought.
And... he was a regular customer too.
He still remembered how Kwang-Soo had vanished while chasing Doppelganger before his regression. Just what kind of ending would he face now? Not wanting to let it end the same, Se-Hoon decided to make some time for a talk.
And with that, he too was done here—
Vrrr-
His phone buzzed in his pocket.
Maybe one of the Perfect Ones wanted a copy of the photo? Thinking that silly thought, Se-Hoon pulled out his phone.
Inoue Ren: The place where Immortal is hiding has been identified. Interested?
Only to find out his archnemesis—the one who had killed his parents—had appeared again.