Chapter 46
Chapter 46: The Experienced Hunter (1)
"Hey, wife. Try calling me 'husband.' We're going to be a couple, so are you going to keep calling me 'you' forever?"
The Imperial Princess found herself at a loss for words upon meeting this refreshingly crazy bastard.
Glittering. A consecrated head.
She had simply followed him because she was fascinated by that, but now she was being treated as if she were a wife who had come to his workplace.
"Jang Du-sik, do not show me any more rudeness."
At the Imperial Princess's single remark, a chill began to drip, through the Magical Tool Shop.
Even the Royal Guard who had greeted her.
The three Possessors who had followed him likewise averted their eyes and bowed their heads from one corner of the shop.
To this, Jang Du-sik said.
"Didn't the Imperial Princess touch my head first without restraint?"
He spoke ramblingly to the Imperial Princess, voicing his complaint.
"My head has only been touched by Sister Riferoze and Brother Erik besides the Imperial Princess."
"That is... well..."
"Does it make sense that the solemn Imperial Princess of the Imperial Family touches the head of an unrelated man when he is not even to be her husband?"
It was nonsense.
Yet, strangely, it made sense.
Though the Empire was liberal, such liberty was an exception for the Imperial Family.
Marriage is politics.
In the world the Imperial Princess knew, marriage was like that.
Even her father, the Emperor, had not taken a second wife who was a devout believer, had he?
Moreover, the situation the Imperial Princess now found herself in had to be viewed as a marriage alliance forged to deepen ties with a figure named Erik.
Of course, there was the minor issue that she was dealing with his right hand, not Erik himself...
"You're touching an unrelated man's head, and now you're going to say something different?"
"That's not what I mean."
Even amid this, the Imperial Princess's gaze remained fixed on Jang Du-sik's head.
A head that contained glittering divine power.
'A groundbreaking discovery.'
A situation where they had yet to discover even fragments of it.
Moreover...
'That I should be treated this way.'
A strange curiosity arose upon experiencing this unfamiliar treatment for the first time.
Who on earth would speak to the Imperial Princess of the Grand Empire in such a manner?
"Hey, look at it instead of touching it."
Jang Du-sik, as if sulking, released magical power through a club.
What appeared before the Imperial Princess's eyes was—
"—How beautiful."
Whoooong!
A brilliant azure light bloomed into an elegant rose.
Above the blue magical power, divinity intertwined, causing the rose to glimmer with a golden sheen.
At this, the Imperial Princess felt something inexplicable.
"Though not quite to the level of the Imperial Princess, I've created the most beautiful flower I know."
Jang Du-sik smiled widely—.
The Imperial Princess placed her hand upon the rose.
The intermingled magical power and divinity caused a tingly sensation at her fingertips.
'Divinity was flowing through my entire body!'
It was not merely beautiful.
The golden rose created by Jang Du-sik was truly a harmony of magic and divinity.
"That is remarkable, Du-sik."
"Du-sik... For now, I am satisfied with that. Let us slowly become accustomed to the honorifics as we get to know each other better!"
This guy!
That guy!
Jang Du-sik!
The Imperial Princess, who had been calling him these things, now called him by the name Du-sik.
Jang Du-sik was satisfied with that.
"At first, just push forward recklessly. The Imperial Princess has never been treated that way before, right?"
"And when the time is right, scratch a bit with things like honorifics. Once there's a reaction, do what you do best from there."
After that, the push and pull in romance was explained to be very important.
'So that "push-pull" thing Brother mentioned was true, after all.'
Jang Du-sik employed his own stratagems based on Erik's vague advice.
The result was satisfactory.
After that came the saying that excess leads to deficiency, so now he would simply narrow the distance gradually.
"So then, Du-sik, who are those people?"
Maintaining a suitable distance, the Imperial Princess looked at Jang Du-sik.
Her gaze was directed toward the three Possessors standing in one corner of the shop.
"They're Brother Erik's... um. They're Possessors, but they're not lackeys."
"Experimental subjects?"
To Jang Du-sik, who was pondering his answer, the Imperial Princess provided a clear one.
"Exactly, Imperial Princess! I didn't know there was such a perfect name for them."
Jang Du-sik was delighted.
After that, Jang Du-sik called over the three Possessors and had them line up before the Imperial Princess.
"Let me introduce them formally. Possessor Experimental Subjects 1, 2, and 3 of Brother Erik."
"I heard he sent the Possessors out, so those were them."
The experimental subjects of the Possessor Management Bureau, which she had only heard about.
She had heard that the direction was slightly different from the Possessor research at the Imperial Palace Magic Tower.
"Possessors with all their limbs intact—how fascinating."
"Brother said he's going to raise those guys to conquer the Labyrinth."
"So that's why... His Majesty brought in the Continental Unification Army."
Listening to the conversation between the Imperial Princess and Jang Du-sik, the three Possessors grew fearful.
'Experimental subjects of the Imperial Palace Magic Tower.'
In the early days, Possessors were treated literally as monsters.
Beings burning with divine power.
At best, they were black mages.
'That's why I remained at level 1.'
In fact, most Possessors, like Kang Pung-ho, maintained level 1 and lived hidden somewhere.
Though that would change now...
"Can you locate and purify 500,000 Possessors?"
"Brother Erik had a gift for finding Possessors and black mages since he was young."
"How could he possibly find them all in this vast empire?"
"Brother said it was intuition—"
Listening to the conversation between the Imperial Princess and Jang Du-sik, the three Possessors swallowed hard.
No matter how they thought about it, being caught by the PossessorManagement Bureau was nothing short of a miracle, let alone a stroke of luck.
"—Brother Erik's childhood nickname was 'The Seasoned Hunter.'"
A Seasoned Hunter begins the hunt by finding the prey.
And according to Jang Du-sik's words.
"Brother found that—lu—, uh. Ahem. He personally found that one too."
Jang Du-sik glanced at the Possessors as his words trailed off, but the Imperial Princess understood his meaning clearly.
The Demon King Lucifer, who had unleashed calamity upon the continent and then vanished.
It was commonly believed that Riferoze Astia had found and slain him, but the reality was different.
'It was Director Erik who found that creature?'
***
"That Dongtan Misirok thing"
"Isn't that like Chanel or Hermes in the Possessor world's luxury brands?"
In a grand chapel, Erik ran his hand through his hair.
'How do I explain Dongtan Misirok?'
He had wondered, but it was difficult to open his mouth.
Should he explain it as a neologism that had applied the characteristics of a new city district as "Misirok"?
Or should he mention that it was a style of clothing favored by trendy women, so much so that merchants designated "Dongtan Misirok" as a keyword?
'No.'
There was no need to explain.
Instead of answering, Erik posed a question.
"So it's from the House of Marquis Aaron?"
The name of the nobleman who had sent the clothes as a gift.
"I don't know the full name, but I heard it was someone from the House of Marquis Aaron?"
Erik's irritation rose even further.
Ruelle, savoring Erik's reaction, let out an amused smile.
'He's enjoying this.'
Every time he bought clothes, he displayed such an extreme reaction, so it was certainly amusing.
"Priestess Ruelle."
"Yes?"
"I plan to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the Marquis House regarding Possessors in the near future."
Let the Marquis bear his anger.
When you think about it, wasn't this sending clothes made by a Possessor to the home of the Director of the Possessor Management Bureau?
"It is clearly a challenge directed at me."
Possessor business within the Empire is not yet legal.
Some nobility conduct experiments with permission.
Of course, on Erik's advice, the Emperor had placed restrictions on the Possessors used in experiments.
[Those who have harmed Imperial citizens.]
[Those with achievements such as: Murder for pleasure, Life harvest, Human disqualification, etc.]
The verification of achievements and skills falls to Erik.
After all, among the regular duties performed at the Possessor ManagementBureau, identifying the Status Windows of new Possessors was included.
"... I don't know why you'd see it as a challenge, but do your best!"
Ruelle, watching Erik full of resolve, pumped his fist in a "Fighting!" gesture.
'Other clothing manufacturers have probably already started copying it.'
From now on, similar clothes could be bought anytime.
The Marquis Aaron matter... Well, Erik would handle it himself.
As Ruelle lost herself in such thoughts.
"I owe you much, Priest."
Erik stepped forward, reciting words of gratitude.
Ruelle tilted her head at the abrupt remark.
"Marquis Aaron is a close aide of Duke Raffin, whom I will meet this time."
The Empire's nobility factions are divided around four ducal houses.
Among them, the faction that formed a cartel around the Magic Tower and magical tools was Duke Raffin’s faction.
"So you're planning to gain more advantage from the Duke by using the Marquis as a pretext!"
"Exactly. This is all thanks to you, Priest!"
Erik was genuinely pleased to benefit unexpectedly from Ruelle, and Ruelle was delighted that Erik would do well.
The two burst into hearty laughter in the empty chapel.
'Laughter. The boss is in a good mood.'
Just then, Janson, who had been watching carefully, cautiously opened the door.
Click!
As the door opened, the laughter that had filled the chapel cut off— abruptly.
"Janson, what's the matter?"
Erik asked in a slightly displeased tone.
He had been told to guard the door...
Twin girls wearing masks had shown up with him.
With that, Janson stepped into the center of the chapel and began explaining the situation.
Hobble!
"Boss, the twins say they don't understand something. I don't understand the word either, so..."
The twins were entrusted with the grave duty of community moderation.
Unlike Possessors, the twin sisters were unfamiliar with Earth terminology.
That's why Erik had left instructions with the twins: if you see new slang or jargon from Possessors, visit the Possessor Management Bureau.
"The Possessor Management Bureau?"
"The Imperial Princess is there."
"What about Du-sik?"
"Du-sik hyung is with the Imperial Princess."
Ho-oh.
Erik's eyes widened at Jang Du-sik's resourcefulness.
'He's doing well.'
Du-sik was rough around the edges, but he had his own sincerity.
"Is he really going to become the Imperial Princess's husband...?"
As Erik mumbled absently, Ruelle cried out in astonishment.
"What? That gangster—no, Du-sik?"
"Well, I'm just speaking hypothetically."
Anyway.
He understood why the twins couldn't visit the bureau.
"What don't you understand?"
As Erik bent down looking at the twins, the two children hid behind Janson.
'They'd probably be better-looking than Marco...'
But they seemed even more frightened.
The two children, hiding behind Janson, asked their questions.
"Um, there's just these strange consonants written—"
Erik listened calmly to the twins' words.
'How odd.'
He had thought it might be something like the type where they write "mm" as "머머리" or "ear" as "커," but...
'It's a type I've never seen.'
Community posts disappear over time.
[Smart Possessor Life]
[How to Hide as an Adventurer]
Aside from some famous survival tips that someone passes down and uploads, no posts remain.
Of course.
[That Erik's Current Situation]
[Erik Burned the Third Prince to Death—The Story]
[Riferoze's Appearance Features—Sharing]
Posts of this nature.
[Cured by Holy Water.]
Posts presenting this sort of shared interest frequently repeated themselves, but.
[ㅇㄷㅇ ㅂㄹㅇ ㅂㅇㅈㅇ]
'What is this?'
The text the twins mentioned this time was a type Erik had never seen before.
"Um. Buttocks not good?"
"Priest, I don't think that's it..."
There was one more hint.
As the fumbling twins stood there, Erik smiled brightly and asked.
"What else was the message about?"
"Um, there was something about gathering somewhere—"
There was writing with that nuance, but the assembly location was strange.
"The Almanism Church, you say...?"
At the twins' words, Ruelle swallowed hard.
"Boss, the Possessors aren't trying to commit suicide, are they?"
Janson scratched his scar.
Why would beings burning with divine power seek out the sanctuary of the Almanism Church?
"Crazy bastards."
At that, Erik laughed deeply.
"When even nobility in the Imperial Capital are using Possessors, why would a religion be different?"
Moreover, hadn't the Religious Leader of the Almanism Church subtly received a scratch to his pride?
And with the confinement of the Second Empress, who was from that faction, coming to an end.
"Boss, does that mean...? The Almanism Church is hiding Possessors?"
"Ha! Really, crazy bastards."
Even Ruelle, a devout believer, clutched the back of his neck.
"I need to watch and see where they take them."
Erik was simply delighted.
He had proposed the Purification Work of the Empire to the Emperor but had received a reply that it would take some time due to opposition from various nobles.
However.
'Possessors appearing in the western part of the Empire?'
And through the Almanism Church?
The Emperor's solemnity... no, given the Emperor's fiery personality, the likelihood of him simply bulldozing through the Noble Council was high.
***
'So, some Possessors are moving through the Almanism Church into the interior of the Empire...'
Erik quickly organized the situation.
According to the twins, the post participants had undergone some form of verification procedure among themselves.
Since the posts didn't remain, it was difficult to confirm what the verification was, but Erik's intuition clearly pointed to a certain type of being.
'Black mages, then.'
Baang!
Once his thoughts were complete, Erik placed a barrier around the church.
He sent the twin sisters to their own home, which had been prepared in the back of the church.
From now on would unfold what adults discuss.
And that too, a conversation held regarding beings presumed to be BlackMage Possessors.
"I knew you had hidden depth."
Ruelle looked at Erik with admiration.
For having sent the twins away.
Erik had shown consideration for the two children born with the Black Mage class.
"The children bear no sin for how they were born."
With that, a serious conversation among adults began in earnest.
"Boss, recommend me some skills?"
"Janson, what are you relying on to entrust skill recommendations to me?"
From Erik's perspective, skill recommendations were something he could easily provide, but Janson clearly trusted him with the skill recommendations of someone around 100 levels. Erik was curious what Janson was relying on.
"I figured if the boss was amazing in real life, you'd have been great at the game too, right?"
Instead of answering, Erik filled his eyes with divinity.
Janson's progression up to his third class change became clearly apparent.
[Knight – Protecting Knight – Guardian Knight]
It felt like the sorrow of one who could not protect family.
Erik respected Janson's will.
"Your sword skills would be sufficient at Sword Master level. You'll break through the wall soon enough."
Erik, centering on the concept of 'Guardian Knight,' provided various skill combination recommendations.
And moreover.
"Invest your stats in all-around development."
Having provided stat recommendations based on the skill set Janson had chosen.
"Can it really be done this way?"
Janson, having made his selections, let out an exclamation.
Looking at the completed skill set, each individual skill had no wasteful overlap.
Moreover, the synergy with all-around stats was excellent.
"Boss, what was your identity before possession?"
Erik, or rather Park Ji-hun, was a truly remarkable player.
Sub-guild master of the Labyrinth conquest top 1 guild.
And ranked 1st in PvP, holding the fastest max level achievement record for all characters.
Erik recounted his play record in a composed manner.
"Wow, that's amazing. Back then, there were no users, so we had to research skills ourselves."
After that, Janson asked.
"So the wall you mention gets broken through by the third class change?"
The Sword Master, a realm directly achieved by Janson after possession.
Even here, the realm is divided by how many walls have been broken through.
The Paladin was similar.
"Janson, how about trying a Divine Power experiment after a long time?"
Erik approached Janson, manifesting divinity at his fingertips.
"Surely the boss hasn't broken through the wall...?"
Janson hesitated, then carefully brought the divine power to the scar on his forehead.
Ssssaaaaa!
The divine power, wrought into a miracle of healing, seeped into Janson's scar.
Chiiik!
"Ugh! Aaaaahhhhh!"
A scream full of agony emerged.
It was a cry, a shout, and laughter all at once.
The pain remained.
"Ugh. Boss, surely you...—"
The scar on Janson's forehead had faded, even if only slightly.
"Is this really...?"
Ruelle stepped forward with pat-pat footsteps between Erik and Janson.
He then stared intently at Janson's scar.
'Erik is healing Possessors?'
An endless stream of incomprehensible conversation about skill trees and whatnot.
Ruelle, who had been quietly observing the situation, was startled upon seeing Janson's faded scar.
What this meant was.
"Erik is both a Saint of the Astia Religious Order and a Savior of Possessors?"