Chapter 244. Merlin (2)
“The things that make people suffer aren’t limited to Pandemonium or monster invasions.”
As he spoke, Merlin moved one hand.
“Serious human-rights abuses are taking place all over the world. Just like what Ha Mina did to you long ago.”
Each time Merlin moved his hand, scenes from different parts of the world appeared.
They showed acts of human cruelty so horrific they were difficult to look at.
“I want to create a world where things like this no longer happen.”
“Is that... even possible?”
“It is.”
“If we create a unified nation centered around an absolute powerhouse.”
“A unified nation...?”
“Yes.”
“An ideal world-state that everyone dreams of, but no one has ever achieved.”
The moment Merlin said that, Lee Hyeonje, who had been listening quietly, raised his voice.
“That’s impossible!”
“Lee Hyeonje, why do you think so?”
“Because it’s nothing more than fantasy! Uniting all these different countries and ethnic groups into a single nation? That’s something you’d only see in a science-fiction novel!”
“It certainly sounds unrealistic.”
“But... what if there were an absolute powerhouse who had saved the entire world?”
“What?”
“A hero who saved the world.”
“If someone that overwhelmingly powerful pushed for it, would it truly be impossible?”
“Don’t tell me... you plan to use that strength to conquer the world and establish a dictatorship?”
“I’d rather you not reduce it to something so simple.”
“I intend to win people’s hearts peacefully.”
“There’s no way something like that...”
“Not with humans alone.”
“But... with the support of us Constellations, it becomes possible.”
"...!"
Merlin looked back at Kang Yujin.
“Of course, this is only one possible method.”
“If we find a better path, then we’ll change direction.”
"..."
“But one thing is certain.”
“What I truly desire is peace and prosperity for the Material Realm.”
“That is my ultimate goal.”
With that, Merlin slowly approached Kang Yujin.
“Kang Yujin, it’s true that I interfered in many places around the world and caused a great deal of chaos.”
“I admit that.”
"..."
“Once I complete my mission, I intend to pay for those sins.”
“Just as I was sealed beneath a rock long ago, I’ll withdraw from all worldly affairs and seal myself away.”
There was unmistakable sincerity in his voice.
“So Kang Yujin...”
“To erase tragedy from this world, I want you to join hands with me and become the absolute powerhouse.”
─ Merlin’s really giving us everything today, huh?
─ Seriously. Why is he revealing so much?
─ He’s probably already finished his calculations.
─ Calculations?
─ The Nameless King disappeared.
─ Ah, so Merlin becomes the strongest force in the Spirit Realm now?
─ Until now, Merlin worked from the shadows.
─ But with things like this, it’s probably better to just step into the open.
─ Merlin’s using this opportunity to reveal his intentions to the Spirit Realm and demand support from the other Constellations.
─ Makes sense. If the Nameless King is gone, there’s no faction left that can really oppose Merlin.
─ Just looking at all those powerful Constellations on Merlin’s side makes you lose the desire to resist.
─ But what does Kang Yujin think after hearing all this?
─ He might be tempted.
─ Kang Yujin has always fought because he wanted to stop people from suffering the way he did.
─ Exactly. Has anyone ever shown him a concrete vision like Merlin just did?
─ The Nameless King just watched him without ever explaining anything.
─ And now that Nameless King is gone.
─ Then maybe...
Kang Yujin listened to Merlin without saying a word.
Merlin approached him and spoke gently.
“Kang Yujin, I believe you have the qualifications.”
"..."
“The qualifications to become a true absolute powerhouse.”
“To rise to the summit of this world as its one and only number one.”
The summit of the world.
Kang Yujin had never thought about anything like that before.
“At the very least, your character is more than qualified.”
“Your sense of justice is second to none.”
“But... your strength still isn’t enough.”
“You need to become much stronger.”
"..."
“So now, I’ll offer you two paths.”
Merlin raised a finger and spoke in a sweet voice.
“You can either contract with Heracles again...”
“or contract with me.”
─ What did he just say?
─ Contract with Heracles or himself?
─ Right, because the Nameless King disappeared...
─ Kang Yujin can contract with a new Constellation!
“If you contract with Heracles again, you’ll receive his Blessings and grow into an even more powerful warrior.”
Merlin pointed toward Alexandros standing near the entrance.
“As you can tell from Alexandros, Heracles possesses a Constellation Skill that allows him to cultivate his Contractors into heroes resembling himself.”
“If you train while receiving that Skill’s benefits, you could become an extraordinary warrior.”
Then Merlin pointed to himself.
“Contracting with me would be a good choice as well.”
“In that case, you could learn magic from me.”
“Until now, you’ve been a physical combatant who relies on your body and internal energy.”
“But if I guide you, you could also become highly accomplished as a mage.”
“You would master both physical combat and magic.”
Merlin smiled and tilted his head.
“What do young people in the Material Realm call this again...?”
“A tech tree?”
“A class change?”
“Anyway, if you choose Heracles, you’ll grow as a pure warrior.”
“If you choose me, you’ll become a magic swordsman capable of using magic too.”
“How does that sound?”
“Doesn’t it excite you?”
“I roughly understand what you’re saying.”
But there was one thing Kang Yujin simply couldn’t understand.
“Why would I contract with another Constellation?”
“Hmm?”
“I already have a perfectly good Constellation.”
“He’s still there, so why would I contract with anyone else?”
"..."
“Besides, I heard that once you’ve contracted with an S-rank Constellation, you can’t make a new contract unless the other Constellation is a higher rank.”
"..."
“Do you have some special ability like Jason?”
“He can make people contract with him regardless of rank.”
Merlin remained silent for quite a while.
“Kang Yujin...”
“Did you truly have no idea?”
“What?”
“This is... difficult to explain.”
Merlin shook his head.
“The Nameless King has disappeared.”
“What?”
“He disappeared.”
“He fought Cú Chulainn.”
“What are you talking about?”
Kang Yujin asked again because he couldn’t understand.
“Why would he fight Cú Chulainn?”
He turned to look at the others.
Then...
he saw Jason’s expression had gone stiff.
“Jason, what’s wrong?”
"..."
Jason bit his lip, his expression heavy.
“What happened?”
“Kang Yujin...”
“That man who was with you earlier.”
“The one who fought Beowulf beside you.”
“What about Kim Nameless?”
“Kim Nameless...”
“So that’s what you called him?”
Jason let out a sigh.
“That man was the Nameless King.”
“What?”
“Kim Nameless was the Nameless King!”
Jason scratched his head furiously and shouted.
“Damn it! Merlin! You’re not lying, are you?!”
“With this many Constellations watching, why would I lie about something like this?”
“He worked together with Cheon Sangwoon to defeat Cú Chulainn.”
“But at the very end, he let his guard down and was struck by Gáe Bolg in Cú Chulainn’s final desperate attack.”
“Haha... seriously?”
“What the hell is this?!”
Jason’s entire body trembled like he had lost his mind.
“What was that?!”
“He walked away looking so damn confident, like he had everything figured out, and then this happens?!”
“Damn it...!”
“Then... it’s really...”
Princess Longji murmured weakly from behind.
