ALTANUS [9]

Regressor's Instructions Manual Episode 972

Altaunus (9)

The expression that seemed surprised the most was the first thing I noticed.

Blonde hair, eyelashes that were remarkably long, a face that looked exactly like what I had seen in the Crack Land, the person who had portrayed a friendly relationship with my statue was right in front of me.

'For some reason, I'm glad to see you.'

Although it was the first time I had seen Metel directly, I felt strangely pleased.

Occasionally, when I spent time with Max, about 80% of what he said was about her. Of course, most of those were just passing stories.

Stories like how Metel's guardian had the most beautiful heart among all her subjects, or how she was an incredibly compassionate person...

I couldn't bring myself to be interested in those stories, and their heartwarming memories also didn't resonate with me.

Nevertheless, I'm still happy. Maybe what I said had some effect after all. However, the only person who feels that way is me.

The mother of the boy in front of me seemed a bit tense. Her attitude was somewhat different from mine, who had tried to solve things as lightly as possible.

She even seemed to be speaking with caution, as if she was being careful about opening her mouth. She listened to what I had to say, but she was being extremely cautious, and above all...

'She's on her guard.'

It was some time after she opened her mouth.

"Who are you... exactly?"

'I can't exactly say that we're close friends.' [[It also translate to "I can't say that we're married."]]

"I'm Lee Ki-young."

"I'm not asking that...

"Would you like me to say that I'm the Wandering Priest on the surface and the Entrusted Priest in the underground? That... doesn't matter. What you call me... can't be important. What's important is that I can help you..."

"The voice that resonated in my head..."

"Ah, that could have been a problem."

"You... who are you exactly?"

If she's confused because of the quest, her reaction is understandable. Sending a quest using divinity was practically the same as sending a divine message, after all.

The method and type might be different, but depending on the person who receives it, they might feel that they've been entrusted or have had contact with a deity.

In other words, it could be said that Metel, the guardian of the Crack, felt a fragment of the Sacrifice and Resurrection God.

"Maybe..."

"Why? Do I look like a god to you? Do I look like I'm a reincarnation of a god or an avatar of a god? Did you feel like you heard the voice of a transcendent being?"

"...."

"I understand. But don't think too much about it and just focus on what's in front of you. Unexplainable things often happen here. For instance, the Crack that Metel is worried about, or Altanu's Saint. I think I'm in a similar situation. You can think of me as an avatar of a god, if that makes you feel that way... About how I know about it, let's explain it like this."

"...."

"I can see the future."

That wasn't a lie.

"What Metel is worried about will become a reality. The Crack will open, and all sorts of things will pour out of it."

"What?"

"The continent will become a living hell. The incompetent priests here and the rulers on the surface won't listen to your words. As Metel already knows, it's an absurd story. Stories about different dimensions and cracks... It'll be treated like nonsense, and it'll be treated as if we're dealing with someone who's lost their mind."

"...."

"I don't mind if you don't believe me honestly. To me, it also sounds like nonsense... The one thing that's for sure is that I have the means you want."

"Is that really true?"

"At the very least, in the future I know about, the continent won't collapse due to the crack. You and a few other guardians will complete your missions perfectly. And you'll be called the Crack Guardian..."

"Crack Guardian..."

Her reaction showed that the term was unfamiliar to her.

The question arises whether I have to hold on from beginning to end.

'If I think about it...'

The technology that makes up the Crack Museum is not from this era.

Despite searching for books and various materials since coming here with the invitation, the technology of this era cannot give birth to the systems of the museum, including Max.

Even if Metel is a genius who might appear once every few centuries, technological advancement has an order.

The Goddess's Mirror, the Goddess's Hand Mirror, the main system that oversees them, and the programs within it, were technologies that required overcoming dozens, if not hundreds, of levels to obtain.

'Could this also be...?'

Damn it, if it weren't for Lee Ki-young, the damn continent wouldn't be restored, just then, while gnawing at my nails.

There was a sound of knocking on the door along with a smart sound.

"Wait..."

Before the words could even be heard, a doll entered the room by opening the door.

"Benigore?"

She suddenly entered the room and began cleaning. She nervously flicked the dust off the cushions and vigorously mopped the floor, pushing Metel's and my feet with the mop.

'Why is she like this?'

No, it seems like she's jealous.

No, it seems like she's jealous. Rather than feeling genuine affection for the priests from the surface, she seems to have concluded that she must be attracted to me.

From Benigore's perspective, it might not have been about the priest who poured sweet words through various insinuations disappearing with a woman he met at the party all of a sudden.

'There surely must have been Benigore among the Atentas wandering around the large church...'

Since I said I would look for her again last time but never actually did, perhaps she secretly hoped for it.

If she had a certain frame of mind, she might have imagined situations like the two people meeting fatefully at the party or having a secret rendezvous.

But what she saw was probably the result of her horn coming out unknowingly and treading on my heels, resulting in us appearing together with Metel.

"Oops..."

"Can you move your foot for a moment? I think I need to clean."

'Really, you're like a child...'

"Why is this room so dirty? Is it because there's visible trash?"

'You're not talking about me, are you?'

"Is Metel alright? Have you not fallen for some sweet talk from someone?"

'Why are you like this? This isn't the right timing... We were having a serious conversation.'

Sure enough, Metel's face showed a growing sense of caution.

"Um... Benigore?"

"Who is Benigore? I am Atenta. It seems like the priests from the surface have many Benigores. There were probably many Benigores on the surface, right?"

"...."

"Please don't misunderstand. Benigore."

"I thought you'd say that. But do you know this? Priest? I'm not a fool. You never even passed... passed the exam, but... a licentious and lewd person."

'A little lewd maybe... But not that.'

"Liar. A philanderer, your mouth is overflowing with sweet talk."

"Benigore, there seems to be some misunderstanding. We were in the middle of a public discussion with Metel..."

"Looks like the priest failed."

I thought I said it calmly, but it seemed like there were tears in her eyes. She must have been slightly hurt.

No, this much couldn't be denied. Honestly, there wasn't much to it. We had a few conversations and made a vague promise to have a meal later.

I briefly considered whether the common sense of this era might equate this level of interaction to an engagement, but that wasn't it either.

'She must've been playing her drums and clapping alone. She's probably not innocent but also not a fool, I guess... It's hard to exactly define Benigore-like behavior, whether it's pure or foolish.'

"Now... it's over with the priest."

Though she closed the door with a cool demeanor, I didn't bother chasing after her.

'Maybe I should capture this dramatic scene for later.'

For now, Metel in front of me was more important.

"Just now... that person..."

"It seems there was a brief misunderstanding. You don't need to pay any attention to what Atenta said just now."

"No, it's not that... "

'Did she run away?'

Actions speak louder than words. Before Metel could say anything, I immediately pulled out the Goddess's Hand Mirror from my pocket.

As Metel, influenced by Benigore, picked up a small stick, realizing that what I took out was an unusual artifact, she stared at it in confusion.

The next action was predictable. Showing how the Goddess's Hand Mirror was formed and how it worked would likely make it easier to understand.

I manipulate magic. The light radiating from the Goddess's Hand Mirror extends like a hologram, filling the room.

The room is filled with geometric patterns and strange formulas.

Honestly, I didn't fully understand what all this was.

I have a general idea about the main systems and operational principles, but the deeper I delve, the more complex it becomes.

Without thinking, Metel, who had been gazing at them, jumped back in surprise when the holograms suddenly appeared.

But that was only momentary...

She stared in awe, her mouth slightly agape, at the spectacle before her.

'She can somewhat understand what it is.'

The massive system that forms the foundation of the Crack Museum, the program that sustained the museum until I entered the dungeon.

Created by Crack Guardians, including Metel.

'I can't hand over the Goddess's Hand Mirror.'

The probability is low, but she could lose the Goddess's Hand Mirror... There was more potential for development than I anticipated.

It provides only the basic clues. Perhaps the reason the museum's hardware was so massive and solid was because of this.

If the Goddess's Hand Mirror were to be created with this technology, the hardware would inevitably have to become huge.

"Can you make this?"

"...."

"Can you create this?"

"It's... No way..."

"As compensation for sharing this technology, there are just four things I want."

"...."

"First, ensure that the information never leaks."

"...."

"I will refer to you and the few individuals who will work alongside you as Crack Guardians. Only Crack Guardians can access information about the technology. I don't remember well, but recruit people like Jamie, Snape. Oh! Of course, categorize them by rank as well, with Grade 1 and Grade 2 information."

"...."

"Second, create an artificial intelligence dummy to oversee the entire system, and protect and research information about the Crack under the name 'Crack Museum.' We can discuss the details as we talk while you're here. There's a lot to consider, like the overall design and the extraction system... It will be more challenging than you think, so you'll have to learn quickly."

"This... What is this?"

'She's completely fascinated.'

It's like seeing someone encountering civilization for the first time. Well, in fact, that's exactly what it is.

Since it must have been a technology she couldn't imagine.

"Third, while you're here, please help me a little."

"...."

"I get lonely sometimes... In a place like a battlefield church... I thought there would be at least one person who could lend a hand, right? It's nice to have someone to talk to comfortably. And finally."

"...."

"Finally... You must forget about me."

She still couldn't take her eyes off it.

Regenerate