Episode 96. The War of the Stars (2)
-The huge shield that always defended humanity has passed away.
In the past, countless people expressed their condolences over the death of Kim Young-hwan, the guild master of the Four Guardian Gods guild. Numerous celebrities came, and I also paid my respects to the Hero that passed away.
It was a very unfortunate incident. It was said that Kim Young-hwan, who was active in the field even after his 60th birthday, had made many mistakes that day, unlike his usual self.
He couldn’t remember basic information on Monsters and didn’t follow precautions in certain Rifts……… They were basic mistakes that even 3rd class Hunters didn’t make.
Old Kim Young-hwan eventually threw himself to protect the people his mistakes had put in danger. And it was said that he died while trying to stop the Monsters by himself.
It was a heroic end, fit for someone who was more righteous than anyone else, but that was why everyone found his death sad. Kim Young-hwan had gone through so much. No one would have blamed him had he retired and rested. It felt like he had died without being rewarded for all his efforts.
-He was too old. At that age, even legendary athletes would lose to rookies. He must have been having a lot of physical issues. Recently he said that he couldn’t remember well… I didn’t expect such a tragedy to happen during the hunt.
At that time, I thought it was a very sad affair. I blamed the desperate situation the world was in for causing such an old man like Kim Young-hwan to remain active in the field.
But now that I thought of it, something felt wrong. Apparently, there was nothing wrong with him physically, and people close to him said that he only had a problem with his memory.
[Why don’t you answer? Do you want it?]
I was thinking about the past when the Traveler alerted my attention. I decided to stop thinking and focus on the current situation.
“When this energy spreads throughout the body…….”
Kim Young-hwan was still explaining Mugong, so I nodded slightly instead of answering the Traveler directly. The Traveler smiled and spoke.
[Yes, I knew it. If you want to be strong, you have to take in everything you can get.]
“…….”
[Also, Kim Young-hwan’s ability will change your body quite a bit. If so… I may be able to pass on one of my useful skills to you.]
It sounded tempting. I had no information on the Traveler. What would his skill be like? I couldn’t expect any specifics, but I was quite sure that his skill would be more powerful than any power I knew.
I mouthed to ask the Traveler a question.
‘But how can you receive another person’s Characteristic? I’ve never heard of it.’
[Of course you haven’t. It’s nearly impossible. Only a user of the Akashic Records can do it in cases of specific abilities.]
‘……?’
I made an inquiring face. The Traveler continued.
[Ability related to Memory, Information not recorded in the Akashic Records, and ability related to an Alien World unknown to the user. If the ability belongs to one of these three categories, the Akashic Records will start to move first.]
“…….”
[Of all the dimensions, the Akashic Records is the most information-hungry entity.]
Upon hearing those words, memories flashed through my head. The moment I was forced to link with Kim Min-jae to absorb his memory, and the time I consumed Seol Ah-rin’s memories and gained her ability.
Both times I didn’t do anything. My instinct merely led me, and when I came to my senses, it was done.
Did he mean that the same thing was going to happen this time?
[But I don’t think the guy inside you is very interested this time… Try to make it curious. Persuade it yourself to believe that Kim Young-hwan’s power will benefit the Akashic Records.]
‘…You want me to persuade it?’
* * *
“Thank you for telling me about Mugong.”
“It was a long story, wasn’t it? Haha… I’m sorry for talking alone for so long.”
“No, it was an interesting story.”
Kim Young-hwan’s explanation of Mugong was quite mysterious. I always liked to learn new facts, so it wasn’t boring. It was a bit too long, though.
After a moment of silence, I spoke before Kim Young-hwan could talk.
“By the way, may I ask you a few more questions?”
“Yes?”
“About the Spirit of Moorim you mentioned earlier. I’m very interested in ‘phenomenological analysis’ these days, and the world you explained seems to be similar to an ‘Alien World’.”
“Ah…”
“Do you mind? It’s certainly not polite to ask in detail about Characteristics…….”
“Not at all. Most guild members of The Four Guardian Gods know anyway. Of course, about the fact that I’m losing my memory… only my eldest son knows.”
Kim Young-hwan smiled bitterly.
“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone else.”
“Haha, I know you’re not the kind of person to go around talking. By the way, what would you like to ask? I will tell you if I can.”
Kim Young-hwan pretended he was okay. Honestly, I didn’t want to pry when he had revealed to me his deepest secret… But I had to persuade the hungry Records inside me.
Also, if things went as I expected, it would be better for Kim Young-hwan for his Characteristic to move on to me.
I had better be abrupt.
“You said that you were still peeking into the memories of another world. That your Mugong is improving and developing…… Which must mean that the other world has stronger beings and that new stories are happening there.”
“Yes, you’re right. The memories flow into my head like a dream. Sometimes they are slower and sharper than reality, and sometimes they pass by quickly and faintly like an actual dream. Of course, I can’t keep up with anything I’ve been seeing lately. While I was stuck, the other world advanced greatly.”
Wriggle.
A weird emotion arose within me. The Akashic Records responded to me saying the word ‘story’. How simple-minded.
“All I can do is watch their movements to improve my Mugong little by little and add a few maneuvers. Their level of technique is advancing further and further, but there is no one to use it. I can’t keep up with it, and neither can any of my sons.”
“Oh, I see. Were there any memorable events that you saw?”
It wouldn’t take longer. The Akashic Records’ interest was piqued, and now all that was left was to see whether Kim Young-hwan had any stories that could stimulate its appetite.
“Uh… well, let me see. Someone who seemed like a third-rate fighter became an absolute master in just five years. And I watched people train at a place called Sorim Temple for a month….”
Please, not stories like that. Tell me stories that will interest the Records.
“Oh, there was one interesting event.”
Kim Young-hwan said, clapping his hands together.
“There was this time when an old man named Cheonma(天魔) appeared.”
[Well, that’s not a good name to hear.]
The moment Young-hwan said the word, the Traveler flinched.
At the same time, a curious desire arose within me. What the hell is Cheonma that the Records is reacting like this?
[The hidden ‘modifier’ has been spoken.]
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