Chapter 284

Words : 2512 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

Chapter 284 “These new districts will help broaden our students’ perspectives, offering them a wider range of experiences...” Ludwig continued his speech from the podium. Behind him, a screen displayed the vibrant landscapes of the new districts managed by the UD Group and the Pilgrimage Church, each panning across the screen like scenes from a film. Everyone gathered in the central square was in awe, their eyes shining with excitement as they watched. They couldn’t believe that the carefully managed garden of the Emperor of Ascension now housed both the Eternal Nocturne and the Pilgrim as well. The Emperor of Ascension gave up part of Babel? That’s something simply unheard of... This... isn’t just a formal alliance. The Three Perfect Ones have truly joined forces. Anyone aware of Ludwig’s deep affection for Babel knew he was someone who would never relinquish even a slight part of it lightly. Whether they were high-ranked heroes, former heads of the Heroes Association, or government officials, anyone who had meddled in Babel’s affairs had never ended on good terms. Yet here Ludwig was, declaring that he was sharing his authority over Babel with other Perfect Ones. It was shocking news to those who assumed the alliance had just meant adding a few new additional professors. Now it’s going to be even more important to secure a position within Babel. Both internal competition... and external scrutiny will just keep increasing. With the new stage of Babel heightening the prestige of Babel’s associates by folds, those already within Babel realized they needed to strive even harder to maintain their current status—igniting the determination of not only them but also the rest of the crowd who were slowly digesting the realization. “Hmm...” In contrast, Se-Hoon was staring blankly at the notification in front of him, unaffected by the energy of those around him. [Relationship: Rebirth] [Though one can atone and receive forgiveness for their past wrongs, their deeds are never erased. Then, what kind of life should one lead while they shoulder an everlasting sense of guilt? Once one has an answer to that question, a new Relationship will form. *A Fatestone is created whenever the subject feels like they have undergone a rebirth. *The maturation rate of the Fatestone increases whenever the subject is atoning. * The probability of the subject’s synesthetic mindscape manifesting inside the Fatestone increases when the subject attempts to seek new beginnings. *Currently created Fatestones: 1] His bond with In-Cheol had suddenly leveled-up. But even until the ceremony was nearing its end, Se-Hoon, who had been observing it the entire time, still couldn’t understand why it had popped up when it did. What exactly is happening? In-Cheol was a former Offering blacksmith who had stolen the Fire Heaven Greatsword, one of the Five Element Equipment, and left. Then, following a raid on Babel, he resigned from his position as the lead professor of the Department of Blacksmithing to atone for his sins before vanishing from public life. If he wasn’t affiliated with Babel anymore, how could his bond level suddenly rise? Could it be due to the unique nature of the Relationship? Se-Hoon fell into contemplation. Considering that In-Cheol chose to atone for his sins and seek a new life after listening to Se-Hoon’s advice, then perhaps any positive results that arose from it were attributed to Se-Hoon’s influence? Given how it popped up the moment the new districts were announced... it shouldn’t be just a coincidence. With the close relationship between Ludwig and In-Cheol, Ludwig might have even guided In-Cheol when he chose his method of atonement. And if that involvement was related to the new districts, it was plausible In-Cheol felt a sense of satisfaction, which in turn made their bond level increase accordingly. I wonder what was the exact role he played... Recalling the skills In-Cheol was good at, Se-Hoon’s eyes returned to the screen just as Ludwig began wrapping up his speech. “Do not lose that ambition; thrive by giving your best. Babel will recognize and reward such effort.” Bringing his speech to its conclusion, Ludwig stepped down from the podium. And, after a momentary silence, applause erupted from all directions, echoing like thunder. The crowd knew—from now on, Babel would truly be recognized as the heart of the world. Their respect for Ludwig mingled with their awe, channeling into the ovation that continued even as Ludwig left the stage. Then, once the short stretch of enthusiastic applause calmed, the MC took the microphone and smoothly transitioned to the next segment. “Next, we welcome the Head of the Special District, Gehenna, Director Richard Kruger.” Invited by the announcement, a man strode confidently onto the stage. He had long black hair down to his chest, a gentle face with a hint of a smile on it, and wore a black short-sleeved shirt with white cotton pants, his tall frame giving him a model-like appearance. “Ah, ah. Can you guys hear me clearly? It’d be slightly embarrassing if I ended up just talking to myself up here,” Richard joked, scanning the area with a smile. His words were met by silence. The entire crowd in the central square was completely taken aback by his laid-back demeanor, especially since it was after such a critical announcement that had been broadcast globally. However, Richard was unbothered by his perceived audacity and continued without skipping a beat. “By your expressions, I take it that everyone can hear me just fine. Anyway, it’s nice to meet you all. I’m Richard Kruger, CEO of UD Life Sciences.” Se-Hoon looked up with a subtle frown. Richard? That name sounds somewhat familiar... Before he regressed, a few of Wurgen’s descendants had grown up to make notable contributions to humanity. Of course, that was obvious since each was carefully nurtured to be a potential Perfect One. Regardless, even if their talent varied, all had exceptional abilities that contributed to the war effort. Yet Se-Hoon still couldn’t place Richard, which was primarily because of the sheer number of Wurgen’s descendants that he heard of.. “I suppose not everyone here knows who I am; I’m the eighteenth son of President Wurgen, or the forty-third child overall. Hmm, that probably still doesn’t ring a bell for you guys, does it? Haha!” The crowd just stared in disbelief at Richard, who was chuckling to himself. Meanwhile, Se-Hoon took the chance to observe him, squinting. He probably could hold his own in combat. He could see that Richard’s mana reserves were considerable and that he exuded a chilling aura familiar to those acquainted with the Netherworld’s darkness—a distinct, almost foreboding feeling that reminded Se-Hoon of Wurgen himself. Well, I guess he wouldn’t have put someone inexperienced in charge of the newly constructed district in Babel, Se-Hoon mused. In that case, he guessed Richard was likely ranked among Wurgen’s top heirs. Richard continued under Se-Hoon’s intent gaze. “Well, I think that was enough small talk. Let’s dive into Gehenna. This city, with its entire design planned out by the UD Group, is...” Introducing the new district to the audience, the screen behind him shifted seamlessly to showcase different areas of Gehenna that matched his words. Among the various new facilities, there was one in particular that piqued Se-Hoon’s interest—Valhalla. “Valhalla serves as both a training ground and a research facility. There, you can engage in battles against undead creatures managed by the UD Group, allowing you to gain battle experience and insights.” A place to fight the undead under Wurgen’s command.... While similar facilities already existed, Valhalla's scale and diversity set it apart. Tens of thousands of undead creatures of various kinds—heroes, demons, monsters—would be readily available at their disposal. It’s interesting how invested Wurgen surprisingly is. Just by the quality of the facilities, he could tell that a considerable amount of resources, even Wurgen’s own unique abilities, had gone into it. With renewed interest, he listened closely as Richard began wrapping up his introduction of the facilities. “As the head of Gehenna, I will strive to promote the advancement of Gehenna, Babel, and humanity.” The crowd erupted into a round of applause again, watching Richard wave amiably as he descended from the stage. And once he disappeared, Se-Hoon reflected on the smooth ending of the presentation, finding a moment where Richard’s gaze had met his own. Though I’m sure he heard about me from Wurgen, I don’t know to what extent... Judging by Richard’s casual interest in him, perhaps anything involving the Dream Demon had been kept under wraps. Then, just as Se-Hoon had the thought that he might soon meet another prominent figure, he heard the MC’s voice echoed across the plaza once more. “Next, we welcome Archbishop Kamal Sharma, head of the Special District ‘Paradise.’” Kamal, an elderly man dressed in a pristine white priest’s robe, ascended onto the stage. With his golden eyes gleaming with divine mana, the wrinkles lining his light brown skin hinting at a life of many years, and the gentle expression on his face, his stature was unassuming. Yet, there was an unmistakable aura of greatness about him. Well, would you look at that... Se-Hoon let out a silent chuckle at the sight of Kamal Sharma—in Se-Hoon’s memories, he was the bishop who would later be appointed the Pope of the Pilgrimage Order. Se-Hoon certainly hadn’t expected someone he’d once crossed paths with to show up here among the many archbishops. The world is so small... With an intrigued look, Se-Hoon observed as Kamal began his speech with calm authority. “I am Kamal Sharma, now appointed as the head of Paradise. Formerly, I served as an archbishop of the Pilgrimage Church, but from today onward, I will devote myself fully to my new role...” Unlike Richard’s somewhat disarming introduction, Kamal delivered his announcement in a formal, composed manner, capturing the audience’s attention. “This place, the Paradise Monastery, will serve both as the residence of saints and as a workshop for researching and crafting Holy Artifacts,” he explained. At those words, the screen changed to show a circular building enveloping a massive tree in the heart of Paradise. Even through the video, the tree’s sheer size was evident, making Se-Hoon stroke his chin thoughtfully. They really aren’t trying to hide anything, are they? The building’s intent was clear: help Se-Hoon successfully develop the Divine Mana Conversion Device, if not Holy Artifacts. Certain the entire district was actually designed for that purpose alone, Se-Hoon closely studied the tree in the center of the screen instead. Is that... the Divine Tree? He recalled how he and Karl had visited Babel a few weeks ago, and Ludwig had helped them plant the Seed of the Divine Tree in the southern sea. He hadn’t heard anything since then, simply assuming it was taking time to grow. But apparently Ludwig had kept it hidden using his spatial abilities. So the project he mentioned back then was referring to this. Staring at the display on the screen, Se-Hoon could hardly believe the massive structure had actually been constructed in total secrecy. The scope of the project was so wide that he couldn’t help but marvel at it. Meanwhile, Kamal began concluding his presentation. “I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly to serving humanity,” he finished with a polite bow. Again, applause rippled through the crowd, signaling the approaching end of the semester’s opening ceremony. With the end near, people around the plaza buzzed with excitement at the thought of exploring the new districts. Where should I start? I don’t think there’ll be any spots left if I don’t hurry to Valhalla. I wonder if we are allowed to get close to that tree... The crowd’s enthusiasm swelled and filled the central square, prompting them all to watch the MC expectantly. “And with that, we conclude the opening ceremony for the second semester.” Dismissed, everyone headed toward the new districts. “Don’t go to the train station! There won’t be any seats left!” “Running will be faster at this point!” Behind the students, reporters, and other visitors also quickly jumped into vehicles and followed. In the blink of an eye, the plaza became empty. They sure are fast... As Se-Hoon took in the emptying space, people started gathering around him—Aria and Ren from nearby, then Jake, Erica, Lea, Luize, Sung-Ha, Amir, and, finally, Eun-Ha, striding in from afar, disregarding the VIPs surrounding her. Silently, they all looked at one another. Each of them intended to take Se-Hoon along to the new districts, which led to a quiet yet intense standoff over who would win his company. “Wow, you’re quite popular.” Smoothly joining the group, Richard, who had been on stage earlier, stood in front of Se-Hoon. “You heard who I am, right? I look forward to working with you.” Smiling, he handed Se-Hoon his business card, which Se-Hoon accepted politely. “Likewise.” “Looks like you haven’t picked who to visit the new districts with yet. Why not come with me? As the head of Gehenna, I know the ins and outs better than anyone else.” Everyone immediately gave Richard icy stares, but he remained unflinching; Richard was long accustomed to such rivalry, having grown up among his competitive siblings. “How about we all go there together?” “Ah, sorry, that won’t work. The President specifically instructed me to show a few things exclusively to you.” Not missing a beat, Richard denied Se-Hoon’s suggestion smoothly, making the atmosphere even more tense. Few people could argue with Wurgen’s level of authority. “Then, I suppose...” But just as Se-Hoon was about to decide, another voice interrupted. “Pardon me.” Kamal stepped forward from the side. “Lee Se-Hoon, if you have a moment, may I invite you to Paradise for a tour?” With Kamal’s sudden appearance, the surrounding tension heightened even further. Looking over at Kamal, Richard narrowed his eyes in displeasure, clearly irked at losing his chance. “Don’t you think you’re crossing the line a bit?” “I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean,” Kamal replied coolly. Caught between the two district heads, Se-Hoon felt the mounting pressure. And aside from them, his eight fellow students were also watching each other warily, each sizing up their competition. Eun-Ha’s eyebrow twitched as she observed them all from afar. They really don’t know when to quit, do they? No matter how much they wanted Se-Hoon’s company, she thought that crowding him like that would only make him feel uncomfortable. So, as the Dean of Borsippa, Eun-Ha thought she should intervene and help her student get away peacefully. “I’ll be taking him.” Whoosh! But before she could, Se-Hoon suddenly vanished from everyone’s sight. Eun-Ha’s outstretched hand grasped only empty air, and the others, who had been sizing each other up, exchanged glances. Simultaneously, they all realized that the voice just now belonged to none other than Ludwig. “This is just outright unfair...” “You tell me...” And they each muttered a quiet complaint against Babel’s biggest bully.

Chapter 284

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