전생검신 85권 4화

[…….]

When I went silent, Even Sinha smirked.

“Well, that’s good. If you’re Saint Germain’s friend, you must be an interesting fellow, so I’ll be kind.”

[What do you mean by being kind?]

“Sticking this steel arm on is a piece of cake. But using this run-of-the-mill android arm? Its strength and performance are pitiful. Wouldn’t that be inconvenient?”

[……?]

“Come along. Hehehe.”

I followed Even Sinha into the workshop. There, I saw some mechanical limbs on a large iron plate, like a giant dish. There were four in total: two arms and two legs.

Even Sinha picked up one of the arms and said.

“I’ll be replacing your arm with this.”

A subtly glimmering platinum mechanical arm!

It looked extremely high-end, but I couldn’t shake my suspicion.

[What the heck is that? It better not have any suspicious devices attached!]

Even Sinha chuckled playfully.

“Hehehe, I can’t say no to that.”

[What?!]

As I was taken aback, Even Sinha continued.

“Don’t be surprised! This… is a mechanical arm made from Oreycalcos!!”

[……?!]

O-Oreycalcos?!

I was taken aback by that statement.

[Oreycalcos…?! You’re telling me it was made by melting down the emperor of ancient Atlantis and turning him into metal for a mechanical arm?!]

“……?”

[How could you do something so cruel…? You really are the court sorcerer of the Osman Empire, after all.]

As I shook my head in disbelief at the cruelty, Even Sinha wore a look of bemusement.

“What are you talking about? When you say Oreycalcos, you mean the absolute metal Orichalcum, right?”

[Orichalcum?]

“You’ve got to be kidding me… You know about ultra-ancient relic knowledge but don’t know about the legend of Orichalcum? What kind of person are you? It’s amusing, though.”

Even Sinha chuckled again and continued.

“This is the absolute metal. The best metal you can create through alchemy. It’s more malleable than gold, harder than diamonds, and has self-healing properties. If someone consumes it, they’ll become as immortal as an elder and can store an immense amount of magical power, even in tiny amounts. There shouldn’t be a superior metal to this.”

[……!!]

“A mere fingertip’s worth is worth more than a thousand pieces of gold! So I made your entire arm out of it.”

S-Seriously?!

I stood there dumbfounded, then snapped back to reality.

[You’re giving something like that to me for free? I can’t believe it.]

“Hehehe. To me, you’re an intriguing being who walks around even after your magic core was shattered. Just thinking about what would happen if such a mysterious existence used an Oreycalcos arm brings me joy.”

[…….]

“I have a feeling your current body can hardly draw out your true abilities. Am I right? It seems your strength rivals that of the current Lord of Luoyang, yet you only lost an arm to a chief of security. That’s strange, don’t you think?”

I was secretly impressed by Even Sinha’s insight, who seemed to be accurately grasping the situation. I nodded.

[So that’s how you figured out I was comparable to the Lord of Luoyang?]

“Just by sensing the spirit energy surging from your body, I could tell. I’ve never seen such powerful spirit energy, not even from a thousand-year-old grand sorcerer. The fact that you can draw that much spirit energy from a mechanical body means your true strength is even greater.”

[…….]

This guy is indeed a genius.

He figured out that I was exerting the power of the Sephiroth and the World Tree!

“I can declare with certainty: If you can properly utilize this Oreycalcos arm, you might not find anyone in this continent that can match you except for the Lord.”

[Hmm… Really?]

“Heh heh, you’re not surprised at all. You really were strong from the beginning.”

I shrugged.

[Well, you know… But it does feel a bit guilty to receive something like this for free. I think I should repay you somehow.]

I couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy. No matter how much I enjoyed free stuff, I knew well that the value of this arm was far greater than that of an entire nation. After experiencing the Law of Cause and Effect countless times, I knew that receiving things without payment would likely lead to disaster.

‘If it’s something of this value, I have to pay a price.’

Then, Even Sinha grinned.

“In that case, could you possibly go to the West and take down the Death King of Anatolia for me? I feel like you could manage it.”

[The Death King? What is that?]

“A being who refuses to die, a follower of the Old Ruler. He’s a very powerful existence, and no one has been able to defeat him yet. You’re free to refuse if it’s too much pressure…”

Is this just another annoying task?

Since I had to deal with demon kings anyway, I casually replied.

[Sure. If I have the time, I’ll go take care of it.]

“…….”

Even Sinha then stood there in awe before breaking into laughter.

“Hahaha! Is it like you’re going out for a leisurely stroll? You think the Demon King doesn’t even catch your eye? Delightful.”

[Regardless, good. Please attach the arm quickly.]

“Sure thing.”

Vuuuummm…

Chizzzzz…

After a moment, Even Sinha began welding the Oreycalcos arm onto me using various steel tools. Once he firmly attached the arm and tested its mobility, he seemed satisfied.

“You are my best masterpiece. Why not go ahead and replace all your limbs with Oreycalcos ones this time?”

[No thank you. I think one is enough for me.]

“Hmm, is that so? Well, take care then.”

[Then…….]

As I turned to leave, I suddenly hesitated.

‘Oh, by the way, back when I liberated the slave market, a girl from the Osman Empire asked me for something…’

Didn’t she want me to take down the leader of the Janissaries?

I was a bit bemused that I had completely forgotten about that request until now since I had been whisked away to another world. So, I cautiously asked.

[Even Sinha, do you know a girl named Hyasmin, who is a royal magic researcher from Anatolia?]

Even Sinha looked surprised.

“You know Hyasmin?”

[She asked me to slay the fallen Janissary leader in Anatolia. I completely forgot about it since it was so long ago, but upon hearing ‘Anatolia,’ I just remembered.]

“Heh heh… Is that so…?”

Even Sinha closed his eyes for a moment as he seemed to think and then spoke.

“Hyasmin is my granddaughter. She’s an incredibly talented girl and has become a minister in the Osman Empire now.”

[Oh, I see.]

“And about that job… I’ve heard a hero from the East took down the Janissary leader in your stead. His name is Jin So-cheong.”

[……!!]

Jin So-cheong!!

He went to the Osman Empire and exterminated a wicked being?

‘What is Jin So-cheong doing right now?’

Hearing such unexpected news made me feel both happy and curious about Jin So-cheong’s whereabouts. To be honest, I hadn’t spent a long time with Zhuge Sa, so I hadn’t heard much about the other companions outside of the Master of the White Lotus Sect. As I became lost in thought, Even Sinha looked at me with a knowing gaze.

“I can guess that you’re not I-Chong, are you?”

[What do you mean?]

“I think you are… perhaps the one referred to as the Lord of Soeul Castle in the East, named Baek Woong.”

[…….]

“You’re giving me that look of confusion. It’s simple. Hyasmin is my granddaughter, and she told me that story. If Hyasmin made that request, it could only be to the Lord of Soeul Castle, Baek Woong.”

I had no intention of hiding it, so I answered readily.

[That’s right. I am Baek Woong.]

“Why did you use the name I-Chong to enter this inner city?”

[There’s no big reason for that. The guy out there, Hwan Ji-gwang, said he doesn’t believe I’m Baek Woong.]

“Hehe, that’s understandable. Anyway, it’s a pleasure to meet such a great hero.”

Even Sinha chuckled and said, “If you’re ever bored, come visit me. Since you’re a hero, I could give you the rest of the limbs for free anytime.”

[No thanks. I’ll return with my real body someday.]

“I’ll wait.”

I left Even Sinha’s workshop. Upon seeing my new arm, Hwan Ji-gwang, who had been waiting outside, looked incredulous.

“Receiving a gift from that irritable old man? Impressive.”

[Hwan Ji-gwang, I think you ought to grasp your position a bit better.]

“Huh?! Why are you saying that all of a sudden?”

[Just because.]

I shot him a slightly pitying glance. Even Sinha was a remarkable figure who could stand as my former comrade, and frankly, Hwan Ji-gwang was nothing compared to even his toe. It was pitiful to see someone so small-minded when such a magnificent figure was nearby.

I told Hwan Ji-gwang.

[Looks like we’re done here. Please take me to the Lord.]

“Ah, understood. Please follow me.”

As I walked alongside Hwan Ji-gwang, I thought.

Finally, I’m going to see the Master of the White Lotus Sect…!!

‘Zhuge Sa’s mood seemed off… I’m worried.’

I just hope nothing serious has happened.

In the event something arises, I must somehow step in.

It was when we walked for what felt like over ten li that Hwan Ji-gwang, climbing the spiraling corridor, looked puzzled.

“What’s going on? We should have arrived at the Lord’s chamber by now…”

[What’s the matter?]

“Something feels odd. It seems like we’re walking in circles.”

[…….]

I briefly observed the surroundings at Hwan Ji-gwang’s words. Then I muttered.

[This is bad.]

“What do you mean?”

I knew what formation this was.

So I sighed and mumbled.

[This is the Eight Trigrams Formation.]

The legendary formation I had seen many times in my past life had now spread across the corridor of this inner city, trapping us inside a barrier.

Hwan Ji-gwang was taken aback by my words.

“The Eight Trigrams Formation?! That shouldn’t have been here originally.”

I replied curtly.

[It was probably here all along, but it only activated when you passed by.]

“Uh… that could be true, but…”

[Do you know how to break the formation?]

At my question, Hwan Ji-gwang thought for a moment and said.

“I have a basic understanding. But I’ve heard that trying to break the Formation Technique without proper knowledge can be very dangerous.”

[You seem to know well.]

“And what are you planning to do?”

[…….]

There are two options. Either learn the correct way to break it while following the designated path, or break through it forcefully.

Naturally, with the current circumstances, breaking through it would be the easiest answer.

I thought that, but something nagged at me. Why did the formation activate precisely when Hwan Ji-gwang and I entered? Moments later, I figured it out and spoke.

[Someone is controlling the formation from nearby. This isn’t the standard formation set up beforehand but rather a spell-based formation that’s blocking us.]

“Huh? What do you mean?”

[In my past, my companions told me there are two ways to deploy a formation: one is pre-prepared and the other is deployed through spells. Right now, we are caught in a spell that someone has cast, not a pre-existing formation.]

“Oh! That means…”

[It means the enemy is a powerful Sorcerer.]

“Oh wow!!”

Hwan Ji-gwang appeared genuinely impressed. Seeing his reaction, I felt my shoulders instinctively rise a little.

‘Hmm, that feels good!’

Is this how it feels when comrades explain something learned and knowledgeable to me?

I couldn’t help but smile at such a rare feeling. This is why education is important.

[So if we want to escape here…]

Just as I was about to say something more, a voice interrupted.

“How interesting. What do you plan to do to escape?”

[…….]

Paat!

In front of me appeared a young man in his thirties wearing Daoist robes shimmering with five-color smoke. His attire wasn’t that of the Nine Great Sects but of a true sorcerer, so he was unmistakably a Sorcerer. Hwan Ji-gwang, seeing the sudden appearance of the young man, unsheathed his sword and yelled.

“You! I’m Hwan Ji-gwang, Chief of Security of Luoyang! I have permission to be here, so how dare you block our passage with your formation?”

The young man in robes, while leaning on his long staff, casually replied:

“I am Kwon Ri-jong, one of the Four Heavenly Kings directly under the Lord. The Lord is currently busy with an important matter, so you cannot proceed.”

At this, Hwan Ji-gwang was taken aback and shouted.

“The Four Heavenly Kings!! You are the one who’s said to be working behind the scenes alongside the Dharma Guardian?!”

Kwon Ri-jong regarded Hwan Ji-gwang with a slightly proud demeanor and said.

“Exactly!”

“Ugh.”

“By the way, you there, Iron Man. Just how do you expect to escape my Eight Trigrams Formation?”

I met Kwon Ri-jong’s curious gaze as he looked at me. I softly responded.

[Were you curious enough to show your true self to us for that reason?]

“Indeed. Knowing that you immediately recognized the Eight Trigrams Formation and sensing the extraordinary power surrounding you prompted me to do so…”

[…….]

“Who are you? I’ve been scouting the Luoyang area for suspicious individuals, but I hadn’t heard of anyone as peculiar as you before.”

In response to Kwon Ri-jong’s words, I casually replied.

[Honestly, escaping the Eight Trigrams Formation is easy. Just break through it.]

“Huh? Hahaha! You sure carry your words lightly.”

Kwon Ri-jong burst into roaring laughter at my response. He laughed until he was nearly in tears, saying.

“I now see you are a curious being indeed, but do you realize just how formidable a sorcerer Kwon Ri-jong is standing before you? The Eight Trigrams Formation I personally unveiled would be difficult to dispel even for Zhuge Mu-hu after six years.”

[Sure, I know. How great could a sorcerer like you be?]

“Eh?”

Kwon Ri-jong looked exceedingly astonished at my next words.

[Zhongli Quan of the Eight Immortals. What are you doing in a place like this?]

“……?!”