wavenovel Chapter 238: Prelude to the Dimensional War (2)
Chapter 238: Prelude to the Dimensional War (2)
Translator: Dreamscribe
Nuclear fusion was a project Jinwoo had put considerable effort into preparing. It was an essential technology for maintaining long-term peace on Earth. It could be called the first step toward letting prospective Heroes enjoy Arsilan Saga to their hearts' content.
'That said, it's not like this alone will bring world peace....'
One step at a time.
All of this had been for the sake of Arsilan, and now it had become something for the Dimensional Realm as well. He hoped it would also serve as a gift for the Heroes.
At the news, Arsilan Worlds exploded, and every community, social media platform, and news outlet was in an uproar.
It wasn't some kind of scam.
The operating data and test results for the fusion reactor had been made public, and verification videos had been uploaded. The impact was enormous, with countless media outlets flooding toward the press conference venue, desperate to land an interview with Jinwoo.
The press conference hall, which had been filled with nothing but silence, began to buzz loudly. The reporters who had grasped the situation were stunned, drowning in disbelief.
The live broadcast was still going without interruption. The viewer count had exploded, and the chat was descending into chaos.
Jinwoo leisurely drank the beverage sitting on the table.
-He actually went and built one??
-At this point he's literally a god, right?
-A bunch of nobodies were getting on his nerves so he just straight up created electricity ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Jinwoo picked up the microphone as everyone stared at him.
The sound of people swallowing hard could be heard.
The reporters felt a shiver run through them.
Calling it a revolution was no exaggeration. Right now, they were witnessing the second revolution to descend upon mankind. The first, of course, had been Arsilan Saga.
"From now on, at least in Korea, people will be able to blast their air conditioning as much as they want. Since it's compatible with existing infrastructure, we should be able to roll it out before long."
He had used Grand Magic to create a convincing imitation of nuclear fusion, but the efficiency was remarkably high. A sphere made of magic with extreme efficiency sat inside the core. As long as Magic Stone fragments were supplied, it would operate permanently barring any extraordinary circumstances.
No matter how cutting-edge the technology claimed to be, it still generated electricity by spinning turbines. The mana supply system used in Alusion had been far superior from the start. It could convert supplied mana into electricity or various other forms of energy through magic circles, making it convenient on top of everything else.
But on Earth, there were too many constraints, so he had no choice but to settle for this level.
'It's a pain, but there's no way around it.'
Well, that was science for you.
"We're running short on time. Any questions?"
"Me!"
"I'm Kim Hyunsung from Gangcheon Daily!"
"Yes! I'm...!"
It became a madhouse.
Only the reporters who had come to attack Jinwoo stood there with blank expressions. The organizations backing them were probably in turmoil too. Naturally, since this was a gift for the Heroes, countries where Arsilan Saga wasn't available wouldn't be able to benefit from this technology.
"Yes, the reporter in the back."
"Th-thank you! I'm Kim Hyunjin from Seomail Daily. First, I'd like to express my gratitude to CEO Lee Jinwoo for inventing such a groundbreaking technology."
The treatment had completely changed.
It was like watching the early days when Arsilan Saga first launched.
'Hmm....'
Nice.
It was healing!
He felt like his mental fortitude, which had been chipped away on Luzen, was recovering. Having surprise events like this every once in a while seemed like a good idea. How about announcing a space development project next time?
"I'm curious about when you began development, where the fusion power plant will be built, and when it will be fully deployed."
"I have a related degree, actually. I've been researching it since I got my degree and came to Korea. The plant construction site doesn't need to be very large. Even something the size of my personal research lab could handle an entire city. Detailed materials will be uploaded today."
The reporter's expression turned to one of shock.
"First, we'll conduct a trial run centered on Seoul within the year, and we expect nationwide deployment before the fifth anniversary of Arsilan Saga. As you know, it's extremely safe, so we don't anticipate opposition from local residents."
Jinwoo answered with a serious demeanor.
-Korea gets stuff done insanely fast
-Well if they don't, the Creator God might just peace out to another country. I think he's got like 50+ honorary citizenships at this point
-Yeah that'd be terrifying for real
-Osung Group stock is going insane ㅋㅋ it's headed straight for Pluto at this rate ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-It's never coming back down. Right now is the lowest it'll ever be.
Jinwoo maintained an excellent relationship with the government.
Osung Group and countless connections were on Jinwoo's side, providing maximum cooperation.
A gift meant for Heroes must not become a bomb.
The fusion power plant was technically a joint venture with the government, but it was essentially Jinwoo's property. There would absolutely be no price hikes. Jinwoo intended to charge only enough to cover operating costs.
The reporter sitting in the very front row raised his hand with an extremely urgent expression. He was one of the shady reporters.
"I, I believe the technology should be shared. For the sake of humanity...."
Jinwoo nodded as if he understood.
"Technology sharing, sure. But even if I shared it, no one would be able to understand it. They wouldn't even grasp the underlying principles."
It was an arrogant statement, but no one thought he was wrong. Setting aside the Soul Link, various other products had been released, but nobody had even attempted to replicate them. The so-called brightest minds in the world had taken them apart piece by piece and studied them, but couldn't comprehend even one percent.
"Looks like we're out of time. I'll take no more questions."
The desperate reporters raised their hands high, looking at Jinwoo as if pleading, but he cut things off decisively.
"Oh, we have a lot of viewers?"
Jinwoo checked the broadcast and pretended to be surprised.
"Since we've gathered like this, there's one more thing I'd like to share. Please check Arsilan Worlds right now. Thank you."
-Huh?
-ㅋㅋㅋ is there something more surprising than nuclear fusion?
-At this point nothing phases me anymore
-He could say he already built a moon base and I'd believe it
The Episode 6 teaser had been posted on Arsilan Worlds.
-It's finally here!
-Ok that IS surprising.
-Forget fusion or whatever, THIS is the real deal ㅋㅋㅋ
-Ohhh yeah!
All hail the Creator God!
The reaction was explosive!
"Then I hope you all have a wonderful day."
It was a surprise event prepared for the Heroes, disguised as a press conference. Jinwoo set down the microphone with a satisfied smile.
All the baseless rumors that had been spreading were swept away in an instant, as if carried off by a massive tidal wave. He had always occupied an untouchable position, but now the name "Lee Jinwoo" had become a sacrosanct domain that tolerated no taint.
* * *
The world was ablaze with talk of Jinwoo.
The suddenly announced fusion technology received praise from many nations. There had been top-secret exchanges beforehand, and some information had leaked out.
Something of this magnitude couldn't be kept completely under wraps. The fact that it had been controlled up until now was because Jinwoo had employed a bit of magic for the sake of a dramatic reveal.
The first power plant was set to be built at the location of the Hologram Center. Construction had already begun at a rapid pace.
The global economy was rocked, but the Heroes couldn't have cared less. What had their full attention was Arsilan Saga Episode 6.
The view count for the teaser posted on Arsilan Worlds surpassed the billions in less than a day after its release.
Title: Analyzing the teaser.
[Video Playback 00:07]
First, this part shows Arsilan, and you can see a translucent boundary.
Normally, outside the boundary should be full of Erosion, but that's no longer the case, and grasslands have appeared around it. Seems to indicate that Erosion isn't what it used to be.
[Video Playback 00:42]
If you pause it, you can faintly see a massive Erosion entity with what looks like subordinates under its command.
[Attached image: Map of Arsilan before the Great War]
It seems like each entity has its own territory.
I made a map and overlaid them, and the size is similar to the old extent of Arsilan. Each of those is probably an entity on par with the Episode 1 boss.
Given the size of the territories and the fact that they're acting in groups, we can infer that the Erosion entities have a hierarchy.
And then there's this last thing.
[Video Playback 2:39]
If you look at that temple built in the largest territory, there's a Dimensional Rift opening up. It's identical to the Dimensional Rift we see when logging into side stories.
It's pretty clear they're scheming something dimensional, right?
Could Episode 6's story be about stopping that?
So far I can kinda follow, but I have no idea what this is.
[Attached image: Machinery buried in Erosion]
It doesn't look like it's from Arsilan. Did the Erosion create it?
Anon1: Oh, nice analysis. The scale is huge again this time.
Anon2: There's not just one Erosion but dozens of them....
└Anon3: They're probably banding together cuz they're scared ㅋㅋㅋ
Anon4: Are they trying to open a dimensional rift to call for backup?
└Anon5: That seems highly likely.
Anon6: Something new every time. Ohhh yeah! This is what Arsilan Saga is all about!
Anon7: My heart is pounding like crazy. All hail the Creator God!
Posts analyzing the bits revealed in the teaser dominated the trending section of Arsilan Worlds.
The title of Episode 6 had not been disclosed.
A Higher Entity of Erosion as massive as the Lord of Despair! And dozens of Lesser Entities following that Erosion!
The Heroes assumed the battle against them would be the content of Episode 6. That alone made the scale several times larger than Episode 5.
FS Games' development prowess was evident throughout. The developers from Salvation Headquarters, feeling a sense of rivalry with Erosion Headquarters, had poured their blood, sweat, and tears into it.
Countless Heroes flocked to the area near the boundary of Arsilan closest to Alusion. Everyone was waiting for the boundary of Arsilan to disappear.
[The boundary of Arsilan vanishes.]
As the boundary of Arsilan faded away, the prologue of Episode 6 finally began.
Jinwoo, who had returned to the Dimensional Transit Ship, pulled up his information window and observed the Heroes entering the prologue.
[Let's gooo!]
[Ooh! Erosion, it's been a while!]
[Ohh yeah! That rotten stench! I missed it!]
[Let's kill 'em all!]
The Heroes let out a collective roar and charged toward the land tainted by Erosion. Of course, it was a space Jinwoo had staged. Before long, the Heroes encountered Lesser Entities of Erosion.
All hell broke loose immediately.
Each Lesser Entity's Domain was as vast as the territory of Arsilan before the Great War. Jinwoo had created 30 such Lesser Entities, each with 30 distinct Domains.
[Whoa, they all have different themes. Guys, it's freezing cold here. Can't see a thing cuz of the snow! Yetis are swarming in!]
[Erosion Domain discovered! Everything here is made of crystal.]
[Dude, there's a massive tower here. Looks like a tower-climbing Domain.]
[Stuff just keeps coming out. This is insane....]
[Floating islands!]
[This one's a maze!]
It was fair to say that all the Content accumulated during Episode 5 had been distilled into this. It was designed so that clearing all 30 Domains would open the path to the Higher Entity.
[Arsilan]For Arsilan!
Arsilan has regained its peace, yet Erosion continues to defile it, occupying vast swathes of land.
Let us annihilate all Erosion, reclaim our Arsilan, and uncover what they are plotting so we may put a stop to it.
Once again, your strength is needed!
For the beautiful world we shall live in, for Arsilan!
Eligibility: Those who love Arsilan.
Reward: ???
When the Heroes discovered the Domains of Erosion, the Main Quest appeared.
This alone was main episode Content exciting enough to thrill the Heroes. Not a single Hero could have predicted that this vast and sprawling Content was merely the prologue.
'Once the Dimensional Realm is revealed....'
How would the Heroes react?
The anticipation was already building.
The Content to be installed on Luzen had already been fully developed. Now all that remained was deploying it to the appropriate locations using drones.
There were scenes staged with Bio-Golems made to look like Luzenians being slaughtered by the Kalsus Dimensional Empire's forces, spaces prepared for large-scale warfare, and a major villain designed to enhance immersion throughout this Episode.
"Heh heh...."
Jinwoo intended to play that villain himself.
He had been playing Leon all this time and never gotten to properly portray a villain. He would be the worst villain, tormenting the Heroes throughout all of Episode 6!
"Uh, Captain?"
"Hm?"
"There's some kind of dark aura leaking out of you."
At Ignis's words, Jinwoo looked down at himself. When he grinned ominously, a dark aura seeped out around him. The deeper the Luzenians' prayers grew, the worse this phenomenon became.
Jinwoo checked the Prayer List for the first time in a while.
The Luzenians had been sorted into their own category on the Prayer List.
[Prayer List (Evil God)]
[-]Please use me as kindling and set the world ablaze.
[-]I will fast for 50 days starting today. I offer this suffering to the great Evil God.
[-]I love you. I revere you. I adore you. I worship you. I exalt you. I glorify you.
.
...
....
The faith of the Luzenians weighed on him with crushing intensity.
He was able to analyze the information behind the dark aura.
[Faith]Evil God
A concept formed from the intense emotions and belief of the Luzenians.
Building infamy or increasing the number of followers strengthens Authorities and can unlock new ones. It is also influenced by faith and prayers.
*[Evil God]Curse
Upon those who dare speak ill of the Evil God or attempt to damage his dignity, a curse desired by the Luzenians shall descend.
A new Authority had appeared.
This was an Authority that belonged to him alone, not part of the Moon of Souls. That was because it was not an Authority Jinwoo had sought out himself.
"Hmm."
Come to think of it, the reporters and media outlets that had been writing malicious articles had been quiet lately. The same went for social media, which had been a major factory for rumors.
'Well, it's probably fine.'
Jinwoo thought lightly of it and moved on.
If he worried about every little thing like this, he wouldn't be able to get anything done. The Luzenians had once been a people who loved peace and harmony, so surely they wouldn't wish for anything too severe.
"Captain? Something wrong?"
"It's nothing. Let's get to work."
"Yes sir!"
Jinwoo and Ignis stepped outside the Dimensional Transit Ship.
Thousands of drones followed Jinwoo, ready for the task. The Content deployment operation had begun.
One drone cut swiftly through the sky, approaching the area Jinwoo had prepared.
Ignis spotted forces approaching from the distance.
"Kalsus Dimensional Empire troops?"
"Looks like it."
They had come in massive numbers, as if launching an all-out assault.
Suspicious-looking large equipment was visible among them. Were they heading for a Luzenian city? Not that they could breach the Barrier anyway.
Jinwoo and Ignis watched the massed Kalsus Dimensional Empire forces. Tanks and armored vehicles filled the ground, while warships could be seen in the sky above.
He had been planning to abduct them all and turn them into Puppets, so it was convenient of them to come directly.
"Hear us, vile Dimensional Predator! We are the invincible 3rd Division! We shall present your head to His Imperial Majesty!"
"OOOAAHH!"
"Long live His Imperial Majesty!"
They let out a battle cry.
They weren't looking at Jinwoo when they did it.
They were fired up and directing their fighting spirit at a single drone that had been sent ahead. Given its writhing tentacles, it did look rather monstrous.
The man who appeared to be the division commander stood atop his command vehicle, raised a jewel-encrusted sword, and pointed it at the drone.
"Attack!"
The moment the division commander's order dropped, the assault began.
Shells poured out from the tanks, and the warships launched missiles with devastating firepower. They unloaded everything they had on the drone.
It was enough firepower to easily erase a large city.
KRAKABOOOOM!
Yet even amid the tremendous explosions, the drone was completely unscathed.
A barrier made of magic deployed, blocking all incoming fire. Any attacks that managed to get through were swatted away by razor-sharp tentacles.
When the flames and smoke cleared to reveal the drone without so much as a scratch, the Kalsus Dimensional Empire forces were visibly shaken.
"D-do not waver! Activate the Spatial Disintegrator!"
At the division commander's words, the soldiers activated a massive machine.
As various mechanisms within the large cylindrical device began to spin, energy powerful enough to distort space itself gathered.
"Fire!"
FWAAAAAASH!
A crimson beam erupted from the Spatial Disintegrator and pierced through the drone in an instant. The space where the beam had passed rippled violently, contracted, then expelled a massive shockwave.
It was powerful enough to deal effective damage to a Lesser Entity of Erosion. The barrier enveloping the drone was breached, and the drone's center was punched through.
When the airborne drone crashed to the ground, the Kalsus Dimensional Empire forces erupted in jubilant celebration.
"YEAAAHH! This is the power of the 3rd Division!"
"OOOAAHH!"
"We won!"
"We slew a Dimensional Predator!"
"Dimensional Predator" seemed to be their term for Erosion.
The command vehicle carrying the division commander pulled up in front of the drone. The division commander dismounted, climbed on top of the drone's body, and struck a pose.
His officers were busy snapping photos of him.
"Rejoice, comrades! This is a great victory for our 3rd Division! We have written legend! Our names shall forever remain beneath the banner of the Empire, and...."
He launched into a grand speech.
Jinwoo and Ignis, watching the spectacle, exchanged glances.
"What are they doing?"
"Beats me."
They had taken down a single drone that could be made at any time and were celebrating like it was the event of the century. They seemed to have mistaken the drone for an Erosion entity.
"Retrieve them all."
The thousands of drones behind Jinwoo revealed themselves all at once and descended upon the Kalsus Dimensional Empire forces.
"We shall continue to claim victory and march forth toward the Empire's infinite glory, and...."
The speechifying division commander had no choice but to stop. Something was wrong with every single soldier.
THUD!
The soldiers all lifted their heads and stared at the sky.
Terror-stricken soldiers dropped their weapons to the ground. It was as if they had just witnessed something utterly horrifying.
"Wh-what...."
The division commander raised his head and looked up at the sky.
"Ah...."
Thousands of drones dominated the sky.
FWISH!
Long tentacles shot out from every drone and swept through the soldiers. Each time a tentacle made contact, the soldiers vanished as if being teleported somewhere.
"Ah, ah, AAAAAHHHH!"
The division commander let out a desperate scream at the tentacles closing in on him. But there was no way to escape.
The division commander, too, was swallowed by a tentacle and transported inside the Dimensional Transit Ship.
"Oh, someone already took down a Lesser Entity? LifeHunter got it. Ohhh! He looks like he's having a blast. Looks fun."
"They're clearing faster than expected. Let's hurry."
"Yes sir!"
Jinwoo and Ignis began installing Content on Luzen as if nothing had happened.
*****
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