027: Conclusion

The pulsating heart seemed to sense something, as the marionettes near the dome rapidly slowed their movements.

The demon marionette, swapped into position earlier, attempted to flee when the Bizarro Sorcerer perished—but Don, using a Marionettist's abilities, had already infiltrated its spirit threads.

In terms of marionette control, he couldn't rival the theater. Yet his goal wasn't to seize this demigod-tier puppet, but to expand the channels and speed of knowledge transmission.

After entering the "Knowledge Pursues Man" state, Don realized his current grade far surpassed even the Sequence 2 Miracle Invoker.

'Because of my transmigrator status... and the System's intrinsic authority.'

The System's version of "Knowledge Pursues Man" operated on a principle of osmosis from higher to lower existences.

Anyone who'd studied basic science knew osmosis: the movement of water molecules from an area of high concentration to low concentration across a semipermeable membrane.

Apply this to grades—the "solution" with higher density (greater authority) naturally permeates the lesser. The same logic governed knowledge, thought, and behavior.

From a certain perspective, merely gazing upon High-Sequence Beyonders and gaining insights, or their subconscious influence over lower-sequence counterparts, could be considered a rudimentary form of "Knowledge Pursues Man."

Most higher existences couldn't control this phenomenon or exploit it fully.

Mystically speaking, the rate of permeation depended on the disparity in grades and the available channels.

The greater the gap and the more conduits, the faster and vaster the transfer.

Channels based on sight, hearing, thought, or understanding facilitated slower knowledge infusion.

Spirit-World pathways allowed moderate speeds.

The most efficient methods required pre-existing connections—like Spirit Body Threads.

The deluge began.

"I might not make this theater lose control entirely... but forcing it to 'lower the curtain' briefly will suffice."

He funneled everything he knew—supplemented by the System archive—about the cosmos, sefirot, true deities, and Outer Deities through four key Spirit Body Threads., ramming it into the core.

Countless threads stretched toward the distant dome while their other ends anchored to marionettes below. To a Marionettist, these were perfect conduits.

As predicted, the moment knowledge flooded in, anomalies appeared among certain puppets.

They began losing control.

The theater's core, bombarded by knowledge laced with the System's "additions," succumbed to madness.

Every fragment of knowledge carried authority. Each strand compressed the artifact's "living" traits, its corruptive, destructive force birthing Worms of Spirit.

Desiccated, thread-dangling worms scuttled into marionettes in Don's vision.

They carried away portions of knowledge—and drove the recipient puppets utterly insane.

No longer chanting "miracle," these former Demigods exhibited grotesque transformations: feathers sprouting, bodies collapsing, blossoms erupting from flesh...

"Even after being turned into marionettes... they still get defiled."

The remaining puppets, spared the worms, also went haywire as the core faltered.

"Now."

Don's body dissolved into pure knowledge, climbing the spirit threads.

The novelty was... intriguing.

Before the gem-like, pulsating core, he delivered another "knowledge infusion" for good measure before touching it.

The heart felt soft—like pudding—with "blood" surging inside. Up close, Don saw desiccated worm carcasses writhing within its translucent shell.

"Retrieve."

Seven seconds remained.

[Sealed artifact corresponding to "Miracle Invoker" recovered. Corresponding containment measures stabilized.]

The System's repository—the item guaranteeing perfect containment. Even a Uniqueness would behave inside!

Meanwhile, the core—frozen mid-corruption—couldn't replicate its earlier escape from the Bizarro Sorcerer by swapping positions.

Soon, the repository displayed a new entry:

[Item: Theater With Curtains That Never Draw]

The surroundings crumbled.

Owen and Olsen, having received milder knowledge exposure, plummeted. The miracle suspending them vanished. The ancient bell enforcing the Death Decree disappeared too, leaving chains to snag them mid-air—dangling like cured meat.

Don stood still as his white coat faded.

"Next—"

A broadsword descended from above.

"Die!"

The banished Black Knight?

Crack—

Transparent bones materialized, intercepting the blade with a crystalline clang. Simultaneously, the knight shuddered—no scream, just rattling armor as his body rotted inside, withering into final death.

Sequence 4 Black Knight of the Secret Suppliant pathway—one-shot.

"It seems my timing is poor."

A mild voice came from the dissolving circus entrance.

"No, Father."

Precisely as "Knowledge Pursues Man" ended, Don turned to see the copper-skinned Baron Lamud.

He grinned. "You're perfectly punctual."

The Death Consul's expression softened upon seeing his second son. As he stepped inside, the dome, stitched monstrosities, frenzied puppets, and chanting "audience" dissolved like storm-scattered mist, reclaimed by the System.

'Didn't expect you to be this useful.'

Don praised the System.

[Hehe.] It was pleased—the marionettes contained something it coveted.

Major profits.

"Oh, and let's discuss what you are on the way back."

System: [...]

No more hehe.

Dangling meat-bags Owen and Olsen: Are we just set dressing?!

(End of Chapter)