Preceding the Encounter (1)
“No, I need more detailed information! What do you expect me to do with just a map? Have I been so easy to deal with that you’ve taken me lightly? I need to get serious about this…”
Knock, knock—
The blonde man, Andrew Weaver, who had been complaining endlessly, abruptly closed his mouth at the sound of the knock.
“Ahem, come in.”
With his permission, the door opened quietly.
A single maid entered without making a sound and began setting tea and snacks on the table.
Before she stepped out, having finished her task, Andrew casually asked her, “By any chance, is Miss Siana in the mansion right now?”
“No, the young lady hasn’t returned yet.”
“Hmm, I see. Never mind then. You can go.”
“Yes.”
After politely greeting and stepping back, he glanced at the maid as she left, stuffing a treat into his mouth and sinking deeply into his chair.
Once his irritation subsided, he exhaled a sigh of resignation.
Tsk, still, I have to give it a try.
If someone above says to do something, what else can he do?
The task assigned to him was to investigate the powerful surge of magical energy that occurred recently in the Northern Mountain Range, using “Trail Observation.”
My ability isn’t some convenient tool that lets me see whatever I want!
The area, devoid of human presence and detailed information, provided him with nothing but a single marked location on the map.
While there were reference materials on natural vegetation, climate, and monster habitats, such generic information wasn’t particularly helpful in pinpointing a location.
The best method would be to verify the target or location with his own eyes, or at the very least, familiarize himself with as much detailed information as possible from written sources…
I’m not asking for photos, at least give me a rough sketch of the site!
Moreover, if the entity involved was presumed to be the Undead King, who he couldn’t access due to the disparity in their levels, he would be utterly useless.
Of course, they probably assigned me this task knowing that.
He had no choice but to show some effort.
Thanks to this ability, he had been treated this way and allowed to grow comfortably.
As Andrew sunk deeper into the armchair, he activated his unique skill, “Trail Observation.”
Since he couldn’t immediately verify the incident scene, he aimed to skim through the abundant resources at the start and slowly venture inward.
Huh? Amidst all this chaos, it seems there are people heading into the mountain range?
He managed to catch a glimpse of Harley and his party heading north, having received a request around the same time.
However, as he shifted his “gaze” to follow them for a moment, things started to blur like fog as he ventured further in.
…I figured this would happen. Observing without any information has its limits.
Perhaps if he were at a higher level, it would be a different story, but this was the extent of his current ability.
After several more attempts, he failed to gain any insight into the site of the magical surge, just as he expected.
Ugh, I’ve been spinning my wheels for nothing. I shouldn’t have messed with it… huh?
Just as Andrew was about to terminate “Trail Observation,” he spotted those who had ventured into the mountain range returning.
That part wasn’t strange, but…
What’s this? Why do they look so hazy?
Unlike their previous appearance, the returning figures were not clearly observable.
While they weren’t as obscured as the Undead King, they were more difficult to see than the Trueblood vampires he had formerly observed.
No matter who he focused his gaze on among the group, the mere presence of that “someone” created noise, hindering proper observation.
Something has changed. I need to investigate further.
Thus, beginning his probe into them, Andrew discovered that they were on a mission commissioned by a lord to rescue dwarves stranded in the mountains.
Does that dwarf have something? Or is this a decoy mission with hidden ulterior motives?
One thing was clear: something was off.
While he had failed to uncover the initial goal of gathering information, he had stumbled upon some suspicious circumstances, prompting him to rise from his seat with a grin.
At least he had gained something, so now he had something to report back as well.
“Alright! This is enough for today. I can continue the rest next time.”
With no further hesitations, he confidently left the mansion, boarding a prepared carriage toward the entertainment district.
While relaxing at the mansion was nice, who could spend all their time indoors?
As long as I do my job properly, they won’t bother me, so I can’t find a better gig than this.
Plus, with ample funding to back him, he could claim maximum job satisfaction.
If only they didn’t assign him unreasonable tasks like this again.
As Andrew Weaver rode comfortably in the carriage, however…
Swish—
Something silently followed him without a sound, trailing behind.
This formless entity possessed neither obsession nor desire, merely a faint, nebulous consciousness.
It remained still, simply watching him.
*
“…They’re fast.”
In the office of Heterosis, Heinz dropped his jaw as he scrolled down with the mouse wheel.
Though it was only the initial report covering basic details, it was neatly organized, especially considering it had all been prepared in under a day.
“It was a direct order from the Lord who came down after a long time. We even urged the blood alliance to concentrate all our clan’s efforts!”
Hearing this, Jin So-Ran beamed with pride and shrugged her shoulders.
She had taken a break from her personal broadcast hobby to focus on this task, making his astonishment all the more satisfying.
Heinz read through the contents lightly.
Starting with the properties of metals and the theory behind it, progressing to practical aspects like how to wield a hammer.
The materials, which included pictures and videos, were practically the ultimate beginner’s guide for a blacksmith if studied properly.
Well, of course, fully understanding and grasping everything won’t be easy.
Even if it was basic and neatly arranged, this specialized knowledge was hardly something an average person could follow easily.
Let alone if they had to self-study the theory without a mentor.
Mastering this part alone would take considerable time…
But Dwarf Howard wasn’t an average person.
As Heinz read, the mere listings of information swiftly analyzed through Howard’s mind.
The properties of various metals, how to control the temperature of fire, the characteristics of the added materials, and principles of each process…
The theory was embedded into his instincts, allowing him to intuitively mimic the actions seen in the videos.
I can’t wait to experiment with this!
Howard’s hands itched to act.
No matter how extraordinary he was, simply knowing wouldn’t suffice; he needed to implement what he understood directly and embody it fully.
Since I used the teleportation stone today, Hubert should have the workshop ready by the time the cooldown finishes.
It was no trouble for Hubert, who had recently taken over a sizable trading company in Tarak, to prepare a workshop specifically for Howard.
As Heinz was organizing his thoughts, suddenly…
“Oh! Speaking of which, I have one more thing to report to the Lord!”
Jin So-Ran, who had been smiling brightly in front of him, suddenly shifted to a serious expression as if recalling something.
“I’ve been continuing to track the organization you mentioned before, the Buncheon Society… and I’ve identified signs of contact with them from several factions.”
Though it felt like time had passed due to the time difference with the other world, it had barely been a month since those guys had halted their activities in Korea.
Yet they were still seemingly incapable of grasping reality, making tentative moves.
“For now, it seems they’re not planning to act outright, just maintaining casual contact. We’re keeping an eye on the situation and monitoring their movements.”
“Hm… good job. For now, don’t take any direct action; just focus on tracking the developments.”
“Yes, understood!”
Buncheon Society.
Of course, he hadn’t forgotten about them.
The reason he was building up power and forming a faction was all to eradicate those guys.
Honestly, if it were an ordinary faction, I’d say Hans could handle it solo.
The Buncheon Society’s powers had far exceeded what could be dealt with by an individual’s strength, and they were incredibly thorough in hiding, making it difficult to locate them.
Furthermore, due to the nature of Hans’s energy, there was a risk that rash actions could backfire, making a careless enemy into an unexpected threat…
There’s no need to rush. Let’s do this right, thoroughly. After I gather more intelligence about them, I’ll strangle them firmly.
The advantage of time was on his side.
While he had been accumulating power for nearly ten months…
On Earth, only a little over a month had passed since then.
*
“Pardon? Could you say that again?”
In the capital of the Talia Kingdom, Talaria.
At the main gate of the Bright Duke’s residence, a heated negotiation was underway.
A suddenly arrived black-haired woman boldly attempted to enter but was stopped by the guards.
“I’m here looking for Mulo.”
“This is the residence of Duke Bright. Are you sure you have the right place…?”
The guard, flustered, carefully spoke to her.
Normally, he would have rudely chased away unwanted visitors without a second thought, but something about her presence filled him with an instinctive dread.
“…Er, did you have an appointment?”
“Hmm… no? I just came.”
Sweating profusely as he scrambled to salvage the situation, the guard was met with nothing but a blank stare from the woman standing before him.
“This is troublesome— I apologize if I cause a fuss.”
Muttering her thoughts aloud.
“…I’ll let them know you’re here. What name should I mention?”
“Me? Just say ‘Briki,’ and they’ll know.”
Ultimately, the guard decided to pass the judgment along inside.
If she turned out to be someone insignificant, he’d face the housekeeper’s ire, damaging his own reputation, but if she were someone significant and he treated her poorly, it could literally cost him his head.
And that was a very wise decision.
Once her name was conveyed inside, a housekeeper emerged directly to confirm the visitor.
“Hm, it seems this child is similar as well. What on earth happened?”
Facing the pale-faced housekeeper who came from the mansion, the first words she uttered were.
“I’ll escort you inside. Please come this way.”
Politely guiding her further inside was the housekeeper.
Of course, where they headed was a place not open to ordinary guests, filled with various barriers and security measures.
As they walked through the corridor, ‘Briki’ quietly studied the vampire of pure blood leading her.
Having already encountered the altered blood several times on her way here, she felt it emanating from him once again.
That’s fascinating. The essence hasn’t changed, but there are too many incomprehensible shifts.
She had already caught a drop of blood along the way to sample its scent and taste but couldn’t pinpoint the source of the change.
The party involved also seemed unaware of the details.
An evolution far superior to the original, stemming from factors beyond her comprehension.
That was the reason she had personally come all the way here.
If it was the Lord, he might know more about the causes.
Knock, knock—
“Lord Mulo, I’ve brought our guest.”
Finally, arriving at the mansion’s inner sanctum, they could finally meet face-to-face.
The clan’s former lord, Mulo Brokoslac.
“It’s been a while, Mulo.”
“Welcome, Lord Brokoslac.”
The clan’s progenitor, Pureblood ‘Brokoslac.’
She had finally come personally to this place.
