#80
Entity Projection (2)
‘So you’re saying I can layer my avatar on top of my body···?’
The duration would depend on the skill’s proficiency, so I’d need to figure that out gradually, but this was a greater ability than I expected.
To put it simply, if I project Hans, it means there would be two Undead Kings in the world at that moment.
“Wow··· this is definitely amazing.”
I couldn’t help but gasp in admiration.
The avatars were each stronger than the original, including Hubert up top and the newly created elf, Harris.
‘With all the growth perks and different flows of time, that’s just natural.’
With a skill like this, I could understand why there wouldn’t be any additional avatars created.
‘For now, I need to use it once. Who should I project first?’
I fell into a momentary dilemma while choosing my demonstration target.
The strongest was Hans, but··· his personality was so strong that I hesitated to make him the first test subject.
I didn’t want to risk any issues; a bit of mental preparation was necessary.
Elf Harris didn’t quite fit in with Earth’s atmosphere, and merchant Hubert wasn’t much different from the original.
So I had to choose from the others left···.
‘Ah! Right. Let’s try projecting Heinrich first.’
Since this would be a great opportunity for an avatar I hadn’t summoned in reality even once since returning to the Order.
“Hoo.”
I closed my eyes and focused.
Setting Heinrich as the target for 「Entity Projection」, I immediately applied it to my body.
“······.”
There were no popping sounds or blinding flashes.
In that instant, I realized it in my body.
I had become Heinrich.
I felt raw, violent power from the swollen muscles of my entire body, and my sharpened senses naturally collected information from all around me.
The haughty Holy Power flowing within me invigorated my body.
‘This feels kind of amazing.’
Though the real Heinrich still existed in the Order, there was no doubt that he was present here with me at the same time.
The essence of his being layered over mine, and the equipment I was wearing looked exactly like a copy of his.
“Is this what it feels like when an Awakened One using Holy Power returns to Earth…?”
I murmured softly, gathering Holy Power in one hand to create a gentle light.
It was something I already knew from widely spread information, but there was no hindrance to using my power.
‘Of course, it was definitely slower to recover than when I was in Auterica.’
Maybe around half as effective?
Even if the passage connected to the Holy God stretched and thinned like a rubber band, the Holy Power was being supplied as smoothly as usual.
‘God is indeed God.’
This was also why, right now, there were numerous religions flourishing in various dimensions on Earth.
Just on the internet, I could easily find websites like “XXX Dimension XX Church Korean Branch.”
‘It’s popular thanks to the people trying to harness the powers of returnees who are former clergy.’
But those places had limits on how big they could grow beyond a certain point.
After all, there weren’t many clergy members to handle many believers.
Only the returnees could use Holy Power because of their uniqueness, and Earth remained a barren land for abilities.
They couldn’t baptize others, nor could their Holy Power grow anymore.
And as faith dwindled, Holy Power would inevitably diminish, forcing the returnees who were former clergy to dedicate themselves to religious activities just to maintain the status quo.
There was an organization called “Pantheon,” a religious alliance from otherworldly realms, but their cohesion was rather weak because their doctrines were too different.
‘It’s quite an unfavorable position compared to other Awakened Ones, but it’s just something that can’t be helped due to the mechanics of power.’
I didn’t know if the gods had made some sort of agreement, but I should be grateful that the connection wasn’t severed immediately.
I turned my head to look at Hans, who was already hiding his aura with a barrier around us.
The latent energy between us caused a prickling sensation due to the opposing forces.
‘I’ve definitely confirmed the performance of 「Entity Projection」. The 「Mind Hub」 is also properly in effect. I’m curious how things will go if I project Hans.’
The only remaining question was how long I could maintain the skill.
And unfortunately, I’d find out that limit quickly.
“Eh?”
The sensation rapidly changed as if a filter was being swapped.
From Hans’s viewpoint, it seemed as if the image was edited in real-time, and I changed form in an instant.
10 minutes.
I couldn’t hide my disappointment after checking the time.
But given that it was my first use, it was understandable that the duration would increase as my proficiency did.
Perhaps I might discover other features as well.
‘This will surely make things easier going forward.’
This skill allowed me to become more free.
No need to consider the local conditions of the avatars; I could borrow the abilities I needed for specific situations.
‘Then for now…’
There were endless possibilities that came to mind for what I could do with this 「Entity Projection」, but the first thing was obviously already decided.
*
The next day, in the early dawn.
In an empty alley, two silhouettes suddenly emerged.
Dressed suspiciously in a hat and masked attire was me···.
Shiii—
Hans, exuding an aura that seemed to freeze the air around him, was the star of the show.
Hans, who had brought me here, quickly slid back down to the ground.
‘With Hans around, things are definitely easier. He’s so versatile.’
At that level of ability, it’d be harder to find something he couldn’t do.
Left alone, I quietly waited for Hans to finish his job.
‘…Done.’
After a brief moment, when everything was ready, I used 「Entity Projection」.
This time the projection target was, of course, the Knight Heinrich.
In that moment, the sensation transformed.
Power surged through my body, and I felt the Holy Power filling me.
‘Alright, let’s go.’
I lowered the visor of my helmet and immediately used 「Blessing: Leap」 to move to where Hans’s gaze fell.
Wham—
A burst of Holy Power illuminated the surroundings at my destination.
Despite the conflicting energies, the surrounding barrier shook but perfectly blocked the aura.
‘Alright. This part is smooth sailing.’
This was the hospital room where Tae-sang’s grandmother was hospitalized.
Having acquired a new ability, I came here to execute the plan I thought of last time.
‘Quietly handling everything is best. Thanks to Hans, I’ve done proper preparations.’
In the middle of the four-person hospital room, a light flashed, but everything around was utterly silent.
Thanks to the sleep magic and concealment barriers that Hans diligently prepared ahead of time.
‘Though he couldn’t even step into the room himself…’
He was now maintaining the magic remotely while peering into the area from a distance.
With skills like 「Path of Magic」 and 「Power Control」 helping, it wasn’t that difficult, but the efficiency would inevitably drop.
But there were no other choices.
‘It’s too dangerous to be near the patients, so it can’t be helped.’
Even if he could conceal his presence, the faint aura leaking out could still have adverse effects, requiring utmost caution.
Besides, for the weak patients, Hans was the literal embodiment of death.
I turned my head to quietly gaze at the still-sleeping grandmother.
‘…She’s aged a lot.’
She was someone I naturally formed a bond with while hanging out with Tae-sang.
Always smiling, she had taken care of me, being grateful to spend time with her grandchild···.
It had only been two years since I was cooped up at home the last time I saw her, but she looked noticeably more haggard.
Well, she had been close to his parents, so their misfortunes must have taken a toll on her mentally.
I gently grasped my grandmother’s bony hand and channeled Holy Power through it.
Now rolling gently, warm light began to spread from that hand.
Applying the 「Auterica Holy Law」, I relentlessly poured in Holy Power to restore her vitality, increase her stamina, and remove toxins.
‘How effective this will be, I’m not sure…’
Holy Power was not a panacea.
While it was effective for recovery compared to other powers, there was no helping the ailments caused by aging.
Just looking at the Pope of the Holy Church, he wasn’t bedridden due to old age.
‘Still, just healing minor ailments and boosting physical recovery should be enough help.’
Though weakened due to Earth’s dimensional limitations, the Holy Power of a bishop was anything but weak.
Holding my grandmother’s hand, I maintained the Holy Law while reminiscing.
I met Tae-sang, became friends, and naturally grew close with his grandmother as well.
The bonds of children extended to their guardians, and we often hung out with his parents as well.
Even when his grandmother was hospitalized, I had gone to visit her with them.
But that bond shattered with the incident that day.
I gently closed my eyes, maintaining the Holy Law until just before the skill’s duration ran out, then slowly released my hand and stepped back.
‘This should be enough.’
Receiving healing with bishop-level Holy Power on Earth was a luxury that not just anyone could afford.
There were too few capable people, and those willing to assist like that weren’t easy to find.
“…Next time, I’ll come with Tae-sang. Let’s meet again in better health next time.”
I whispered softly to my grandmother, whose expression had visibly relaxed, then used 「Blessing: Leap」 again.
In an instant, I returned to the alley under Hans’s control, and shortly after, Heinrich’s armor vanished, and I returned to my original self.
“Hoo…”
I wasn’t particularly tired, but for some reason, a sigh escaped me.
Sudden memories of the past stirred my heart.
…Today, thoughts of my deceased parents kept surfacing.
As I gathered my weakened heart, Hans, having finished up, suddenly emerged beside me with a chilling aura that froze the soul.
“······!”
Upon encountering that presence, my attention snapped back.
Hans.
The first avatar I created using 「Persona」 to contain my negative emotions.
Filled with bottled-up anger, sadness, loneliness, resentment… my doppelgänger, my avatar.
I gazed quietly into the blue eyes behind the Hahoe Mask.
Even though I was merely facing my avatar, my「Clear Mind」was shaken effortlessly, causing my thoughts to swirl.
I could feel the silent agony contained within that body.
…Indeed.
He was the manifestation of death, an avatar of fear.
A concentration of my negative emotions, and at the same time, evidence of my weakness···.
He was simply, ‘me.’
“Ha! Yes··· I kept raging, harboring resentment, and wallowing in sorrow like this… I can’t afford to indulge in emotions now.”
What I needed to do wasn’t to look back at the past and weep over memories.
It was to prepare for the future, to tear my enemies apart.
I briefly closed my eyes, took a deep breath, then turned to Hans.
“Alright, shall we head back?”
Smiling slightly, I oddly addressed Hans.
The shadow on the ground began to wriggle and slowly started to engulf us.
[Aah— the great saga has only just begun. Wallowing in nostalgia can wait until the story’s end, after stepping over their corpses. Hehehe… I’m anticipating that time!]
…I definitely need to add one more thing.
This fellow was my embarrassed abyss.
*
After arriving in the Elven Kingdom of the Enamel Continent, Harris began a journey towards the World Tree over several days.
During this time, the other elves and their village became a new source of fascination, and the melodious songs resonating from the spirits delighted his ears.
After many travels, they finally reached it.
The heart of the kingdom with the World Tree.
Though the immense size made it hard to judge distance, standing here, it felt like facing a massive cliff.
“Ah!”
At that moment, Cecily, walking beside him, suddenly exclaimed, staring blankly into the air.
The focus in her orange eyes slowly faded away.
“…It has begun.”
The High Elf Laforey quietly said, pulling the group back.
Harris stepped back alongside them, gazing intently at Cecily.
‘Cecily, now she’s really becoming a High Elf.’
Just as he was about to be engulfed by a subtle sentiment.
‘Ah! That is…’
Harris caught sight of something slowly falling from the sky.
A leafy branch swayed in the wind, drifting down.
‘The fruit of the World Tree.’
And at its very tip dangled a fist-sized red fruit.
