<h4>Chapter 146</h4>


    “Go on.”


    <i>“Grunt...”</i>


    Heading Ludwig''smand, the Vermillion Bird trembled and reluctantly flew toward Se-Hoon. It perched on his outstretched left hand and gently wrapped its wings around it.


    <i>Fwoosh-</i>


    Igniting, it began to burn the back of Se-Hoon''s hand, etching a me-like pattern.


    <i>Woong-</i>


    Reachingpletion, the Vermillion Bird burned away and the red me-pattern shimmered before gradually fading away. And although he could no longer see it, he could feel the connection and instinctively knew he could summon the Vermillion Bird anytime.


    Seeing Se-Hoon savoring the new sensation, Ludwig decided he could finish his exnation.


    “Since you’re the one who captured it, feel free to use it whenever you need it. Also, do remember that once you’re outside Babel, the connection with its main body weakens and you''ll have to use your own mana.”


    “Understood.”


    “Now, all that''s left are the elixirs. Have you decided on what kind of elixirs you need?”


    After a moment of consideration, Se-Hoon responded, “An Eternal Pill, a zing Flower, and a Shadow Root; these three should suffice.”


    Realizing each one was a highly potent yet dangerous elixir that could be fatal if consumed directly, Ludwig''s face lit up with interest.


    “Are you nning to process them first?”


    “Yes. I think I cane up with something thanks to the Vermillion Bird''s abilities.”


    Having acquired such a valuable worker, it would be a waste not to utilize it fully.


    Believing in Se-Hoon’s words, Ludwig nodded and made a gesture in the air.


    <i>Click-</i>


    Like every time before, a golden keyhole appeared in midair and unlocked to reveal a pristine white space. Three boxes then fell out in a row, and Ludwig pointed toward them.


    “Check them out.”


    Moving forward, Se-Hoon opened the first box.


    <i>Woong-</i>


    The first box contained a dark purple orb the size of a fist that had something resembling white sand slowly swirling inside it. It had a peculiar allure that seemed capable of captivating anyone who looked at it.


    Se-Hoon immediately checked its information message.


    <strong>[<u>Eternal Pill</u>]</strong>


    <strong>[Tier: Hero] [Quality: Perfect]</strong>


    <strong>[An elixir made from the core of a Time Devourer. </strong>


    <strong>It enhances the nervous system to amplify one’s sensory abilities and increase cognitive capabilities. However, caution is required during consumption as it may cause abnormalities in the cerebrum if its essence permeates the brain.</strong>


    <strong>*Increases all sensory and cognitive abilities]</strong>


    <i>Hmm. This seems quite well made.</i>


    The Eternal Pill was crafted from the byproduct of an A+ rank monster, the Time Devourer. And though its special effects were amazing, its side effects were severe enough to make it seldom used.


    <i>Let''s check on the other two first.</i>


    Having confirmed the quality of the Eternal Pill, Se-Hoon opened the remaining two boxes and examined their contents. One contained a flower made of mes with burning leaves, and the other held a shadowy root clumped together like a ball.


    He then checked their information messages as well.


    <strong>[<u>zing Flower</u>]</strong>


    <strong>[Tier: Hero] [Quality: Above Average]</strong>


    <strong>[A flower made of an endlessly zing me. </strong>


    <strong>When ites into contact with fire mana, it will take root and absorb the mana and heat.</strong>


    <strong>*Absorbs fire mana and heat to amplify its power</strong>


    <strong>*The properties of the leaves change ording to nutrients]</strong>


    <strong>[<u>Shadow Root</u>]</strong>


    <strong>[Tier: Hero] [Quality: Perfect]</strong>


    <strong>[A hidden root of the Shadow Tree. </strong>


    <strong>When ites into contact with darkness mana, it will take root and nt a seed inside. The root is then converted to pure darkness mana.</strong>


    <strong>*Forms a seed upon contact with darkness mana</strong>


    <strong>*The root is converted to pure darkness mana upon nting a seed]</strong>


    The zing Flower, if consumed, would drain one''s fire mana and grow inside the body, leading to a fiery death. Simrly, the Shadow Root was known for targeting one’s vital spots with its seeds, which could fatally invade their heart if unlucky.


    All three were dangerous, but they had rich mana content to match, making them beneficial if handled correctly.


    “These are all dangerous things, so do be careful when handling them.”


    “I’ll keep that in mind,” said Se-Hoon. He closed the boxes and ced them in his void pocket.


    When Ludwig saw Se-Hoon had stored them safely, he moved on.


    “Now that that’s settled, we should get to the main topic.”


    He leaned back in his chair and looked at Se-Hoon.


    “I made a major announcement yesterday. Did you see it?”


    “Yes. I watched it with Dean Ryu.”


    “I only initiated it because I thought Babel needed some change... but after settling everything, I became curious about what others might think.”


    Making a slight smile, Ludwig gently asked, “What do you think about this new cooperation system?”


    “...I think it will serve as a basis for good opportunities to rise. It will diversify the research being done at Babel, meaning there will be more opportunities for the students.”


    “I see. Anything else?”


    Was he looking for a specific answer, or did he want something expressed? Unsure of Ludwig''s exact intention, Se-Hoon pondered for a moment before replying honestly, “Looking at it from another way... meeting other Perfect Ones will also be beneficial for me.”


    “Why do you think so?”


    “Because...”


    Pausing, Se-Hoon yed with the Ascension Ring on his right hand. Then, after a moment, he said, “I can observe and study their powers as well.”


    Studying the powers of Perfect Ones—a statement few could make lightly. However, he had said it boldly as he knew Ludwig, despite being one, wouldn''t be offended by such a remark.


    <i>After all, he didn''t mind giving me something with his own power.</i>


    If Ludwig didn''t mind his own powers being studied, he probably didn’t care if the powers of others were either. In fact, he might even actively encourage it.


    At his words, Ludwig thought about it for a moment before expressing his agreement.


    “That could indeed be a good opportunity. I''ll take that into ount.”


    “Thank you.”


    “That should be enough about this topic... oh, right. When you''re feeling better, someone from the Heroes Association will visit you.”


    “The Heroes Association?”


    Ludwig nodded to confirm.


    “They''re from the Special Operations Division, here to investigate the recent incident.”


    Upon hearing Ludwig’s words, Se-Hoon''s expression tightened slightly.


    <i>Is it those hounds again...</i>


    The Special Operations Division of the Heroes Association was a corebat unit filled with rigid individuals. And before he regressed, Se-Hoon had bitter experiences with them, having been chased by them for months.


    Suppressing the irritation that surged upon remembering them, Se-Hoon sought to confirm something with Ludwig.


    “Are they suspecting me?”


    Given the situation, Se-Hoon''s significant contributions might have raised suspicions among the more paranoid even though he was one of the students who thwarted the enemy’s attack.


    “They im it''s to secure witness testimonies for the investigation... but knowing them, that could also be the case.”


    “<i>Hmm</i>...”


    Se-Hoon narrowed his eyes. He had known he would encounter them eventually, but the thought of dealing with their scrutiny annoyed him. However, with the meeting imminent, he began contemting how to handle them.


    “Well, don''t worry about it too much. Even if they find something suspicious... if I don''t allow them to investigate further, they won''t say a word,” Ludwig indifferently added.


    Even if the investigators discovered something, they couldn''t report it without Ludwig''s permission. That was one of the extraordinary privileges held only by Perfect Ones. Though even S-rank heroes dreaded the Special Operations Division, before someone as powerful as Ludwig, even they had to defer.


    <i>Looks like I''ve chosen the right one to leech off of.</i>


    Having found out he could get away with significant actions without fearing conflict with the Heroes Association, Se-Hoon bowed his head, now more at ease.


    “Thank you for your consideration.”


    “There’s no need to thank me. It''s my duty as the Chairman to protect my students,” replied Ludwig with a smile.


    ncing at his watch, Ludwig then said, “It seems I''ve kept the patient too long. Do you have anything else to discuss?”


    Se-Hoon shook his head. “No, nothing else.”


    “I see. Since there are still many rewards left to give you for this incident, feel free to ask if you need anything.”


    <i>Whoosh-</i>


    Waving his hand once again, Ludwig sent Se-Hoon’s body out of the office, his senses extending toward the hospital.


    “<i>Ugh</i>...”


    Upon observing that Se-Hoon sat down on the bed feeling nauseous, Ludwig withdrew his gaze and muttered with a curious expression, “Did he glimpse the Whitespace again...?”


    In the past, when Ludwig first ascended to the top of a Tower of Heroes, he learned that in what he thought was apletely filled space, there existed an empty space, the Whitespace. Being a location one that could not be observed with the naked eye or even with mana, since he was the only one who was able to perceive and control it, he became the one who surpassed all other spatial magic sorcerers.


    However, now he was no longer the only one.


    <i>The ring might have helped him a bit, but it''s still impressive...</i>


    Though a person with poor eyesight could wear sses to see clearly, it didn’t mean they would suddenly be able to understand a foreignnguage they''d never seen before. Yet Se-Hoon started to perceive the Whitespace after just using the power in the Ascension Ring a few times.


    <i>Will he be able tomand it in the future?</i>


    Perceiving and using it were two entirely different concepts, but since Se-Hoon managed to catch even a glimpse of it, it meant that there was a chance he could use it as well.


    A voice resounded from within the white void, breaking Ludwig out of his thoughts.


    <i>“What will you do about him?”</i>


    “...For now, I''ll just keep an eye on him. He might just excel in observation.”


    <i>“And what if he can do more?”</i>


    Just the thought of Se-Hoon being able to analyze every single power just by looking made Ludwigugh softly.


    “Then I''ll have to introduce him to some of my friends.”


    ***


    Back in the hospital room, Se-Hoon took out all the materials from his void pocket when evening fell and summoned the Vermillion Bird.


    <i>Fwoosh-</i>


    A me arose on the back of his hand where the pattern was, and shortly after, the small Vermillion Bird he had seen earlier appeared.


    But before he could give his greetings, the Vermillion Bird spoke first.


    <i>“Consider this a warning.”</i>


    The Vermillion Bird red sharply at Se-Hoon.


    <i>“The only reason I made a contract with you was because of that monstrous old man. If you’re thinking of treating me like a servant, you''d better change that thought soon.”</i>


    “...”


    <i>“You’re not ‘using’ my power, I''m ''lending'' it to you. If can’t even recognize the difference, I will burn you down so intensely that there won’t even be a handful of ashes left behind.”</i>


    <i>Fwoosh!</i>


    As if demonstrating, the Vermillion Bird''s body red up intensely.


    Even if it was just a clone, the pressure froming through the connection with its main body was formidable. And despite its smaller size, it seemed even stronger than before.


    Having chosen not to interrupt, Se-Hoon just watched its intimidation attempt. Then, out of the blue, he grabbed its neck.


    <i>“Ugh! What are you...!”</i>


    Caught off guard, the Vermillion Bird just watched Se-Hoon touch its ming body.


    “I can feel the heat, but there''s no aggression in it. Looks like any hostile actions against the contractor are forbidden, am I right?”


    <i>“Gah...”</i>


    “Isn''t itmon sense that the Chairman wouldn''t have suggested a contract without such safety measures? Are you an idiot?”


    The Vermillion Bird flinched.


    It had thought a little intimidation would put the youngling on guard, but unfortunately for it, Se-Hoon had already managed to fully grasp the nature of their contract.


    “Don''t worry too much about it, though. Just like you said, I n to only borrow your power and will maintain basic courtesy.”


    The Vermillion Bird looked up at Se-Hoon skeptically, remembering how someone had made a promise, only to end up squeezing its soul and subduing it.


    <i>...Sigh. What can I even do if I find this doubtful?</i>


    Bound by the contract and restrictions, the Vermillion Bird realized it had to cooperate with Se-Hoon.


    Resigning, it asked, “<i>So, what do you n to do?”</i>


    “First, I need to nt a flower.”


    <i>“You n to cultivate that?” </i>asked the Vermillion Bird, ncing at the zing Flower in the box.


    Then, with an arrogant tone, it arrogantly added, “<i>The petals will surely transform to be suitable for consumption with my mes. So, where do you n to nt it? You do know that the quality of the soil is crucial for its effect, right?”</i>


    “I''m actually deciding between two spots.”


    As Se-Hoon answered, he was scanning the Vermillion Bird''s body. Seeing him searching, the bird grew stiff, the realization dawning on it.


    <i>“...Why are you observing my body when talking about where to nt the flower?”</i>


    Though the Vermillion Bird in the room was just a clone, it still felt like its main body through the connection.


    Se-Hoon didn''t answer; he just kept examining the Vermillion Bird’s body until their eyes met. Then, he politely offered two choices.


    “Your head or your butt. Where would you like it nted?”