Chapter 24 Chapter 24: This is the Mark of 'Salvation'
Chapter 24: This is the Mark of 'Salvation'
Until just a moment ago, Kevin's impression of the so-called 'Aeons' was still entirely based on fragments of information from others. He originally had no interest at all in understanding these things that had nothing to do with him, even if they sounded powerful and distant.
Theoretically, so-called gods are merely lifeforms that have become powerful to a certain degree. Didn't the Herrschers of the past also claim to be apostles of God? And many fools even worshipped the calamity-bringing Honkai as a deity.
In the end, humanity successfully proved that Honkai was not some lofty deity, nor was it undefeatable.
In Kevin's view, there simply doesn't exist any omniscient and omnipotent 'god' in this world. He never once fantasized that some so-called deity would come to help humanity.
But when truly witnessing that majestic figure just now, even the most steadfast atheist would inevitably waver.
The majestic form, seemingly composed of some kind of crystalline rock, almost blotted out the starry sky itself. And the dazzling galaxy surrounding them, so close at hand, was completely reduced to a mere backdrop.
The Aeon of Preservation — the Amber Lord, Qlipoth.
If there exists a being that can even represent a conceptual law on the 'Imaginary Tree', then calling it a deity doesn't seem like a mistake, does it?
Kevin truly felt it — the rule that brought power to Seele from the Imaginary originated from It. The barrier protecting all of Belobog was also the same.
If there truly are countless similar things across countless worlds in the entire universe, then how immense must the power of an Aeon itself be?
Erasing reality, creating worlds... such things probably aren't impossible either.
And as for Kevin, It merely glanced at him. No extra meaning, no trace of any possible emotion to be felt... For It, the realm of mortals probably isn't worth any extra attention at all.
Or more directly, trying to speculate about completely unknown alien beings from a human perspective alone is nothing but a joke, isn't it?
Humans might not even fully understand poetry collections left by people from hundreds of years ago.
After steadying himself for a moment, Kevin immediately pulled his thoughts back to reality. After all, the gaze It cast didn't carry any malice either. That distant existence had nothing to do with him for now.
He is, in fact, a very pragmatic person.
A connection similar to the faint link on Seele's body also appeared on him. Even if he doesn't plan to rashly explore it for now, isn't this still a good thing?
"So, what exactly is this thing you carved on my back? It actually boosted my strength this much?"
Seele beside him didn't notice anything amiss from Kevin's expression at all. She quickly shifted her attention back to that special red pattern on her back.
After she stopped using her ability, the pattern of the greatsword shattering solid ice also faded away simultaneously, leaving only her smooth, fair back. And despite such a huge boost in ability, she didn't feel any discomfort at all?
Like, there are no side effects whatsoever?!
She didn't understand a word of that stuff about Imaginary energy or whatever that Kevin just said.
"Its effect is merely to increase your efficiency in converting energy; it doesn't directly give you anything," Kevin shook his head and replied seriously. "To truly become stronger, you can only rely on yourself."
"As for its name... This is the Mark of 'Salvation'."
Hearing this, Seele frowned very directly: "Salvation? Isn't that name a bit too vague?"
If someone on the street yells about saving the world or something, even kids in the Underworld wouldn't do that anymore. If an adult said something like that, Seele might even go up and kick them a couple of times.
You can't even take care of your own family properly, and you're here shouting nonsense? Don't you let people sleep?
For ordinary people, so-called salvation is simply a distant proposition. They might not even be able to manage their own lives properly, so how could they handle matters of the entire world?
Even now, Kevin still considers himself just an ordinary person. This world doesn't have any heroes either. Those who save the world and sacrifice their lives for it are all just ordinary people in their own lives.
"Indeed, no one should bear such burdens, and no one has the right to force others to bear them... So I won't force you to do anything from my own perspective."
"But don't forget what you said — you have the determination to change all this."
Perhaps because he saw determination in Seele, perhaps because he felt pity after witnessing the situation in the Underworld, or perhaps it was just a simple whim — but Kevin did lend a hand to this dying world.
And since he's already given out the Mark, he might as well do a little more, right?
"Do you have anything you absolutely must do tomorrow?" Kevin suddenly asked.
"Huh? I don't really have anything I must do myself, but the Underworld hasn't been peaceful lately. Wildfire not only has to deal with conflicts between vagrants and miners; recently, many monsters that hurt people have been emerging from the Fragmentum and need to be cleared out... Wildfire is completely short-handed."
"That is... um... would you also..."
Seele really wanted to ask if Kevin would be willing to join Wildfire and help out. But she's always been straightforward; thinking that he had just helped her several times with major issues made her hesitate for once. She stammered for a long time without getting to the point.
After all, thinking it over, Wildfire really doesn't have anything that could attract him.
Kevin saw right through what was troubling this kid at a glance. He finally sighed and took the initiative: "In that case, let's go to the Fragmentum tomorrow."
"Huh?"
"To the Fragmentum. I'll teach you how to hone your combat skills and... what it means to be a qualified warrior." Kevin didn't follow up on what Seele couldn't bring herself to say; he directly gave the result.
Anyway, his original plan was to find some Fragmentum monsters to let this kid quickly adapt to the power of the Mark. Since Fragmentum monsters happen to be wreaking havoc in the Underworld right now, it's just convenient.
Regarding this... one could only say... You're just spoiling her!
There is an illustration here; it can be viewed after updating to the new version.
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