Episode 7 – However, it seems there is no being as capable as Esena.
The prayers that approached him in the pitch-black darkness were few, but Charles realized through the power of the Tablet of Revelation that he could almost mimic god-like abilities.
It was as if a seed of divinity had been planted within Charles. If he grows this power and becomes stronger, he might not only hear stories like now but possibly exert some influence.
For example, increasing followers, obtaining something in the mental world, or creating an incantation by attaching the name of the nameless, as he did today.
What if that happens? Not even Charles could predict the effects.
‘This has never happened before!’
There were a few instances when he displayed god-like powers in the 129 endings, but it was the first time he had become a special transcendent being in this way. Could this be the power of the Tablet of Revelation?
‘What if I continue to collect pieces of the Tablet of Revelation? What would happen?’
It was impossible to tell. Charles left the mental world with a pounding heart. And he saw the same scene as before entering the mental world.
- Hmm. Registration complete. I’ll set it as the lantern of the nameless.
In front of him, Paganarecor nodded and spoke. Charles remembered being in the mental world for quite a long time. However, in reality, it felt like barely a moment had passed.
‘To even control time?’
The power of the mental world was terrifyingly strong. If Charles entered the mental world, he would instantly gain time different from others. Just with this, Charles understood the advantages of the mental world. It was like the Room of Spirit and Time. - What’s wrong? Is there a problem?
- No, nothing.
- Hmm. Something seems a bit different.
Paganarecor sniffed as she grabbed Charles’s sleeve. Charles, startled, shook his hand. - Pervert!!
- Stop talking nonsense!
But when Charles looked at Paganarecor, he realized she had grown a bit. Last time, she was about the size of a thumb, but now she was about the size of an index finger. - You’ve grown a bit?
- I grew by consuming talents. I also just realized that this avatar form can grow.
- If I keep feeding you, will you become a giant…?
- Maybe.
Paganarecor said nonchalantly. She seemed indifferent to the idea of becoming a giant. After all, Paganarecor was not human. She had a female form but was essentially the consciousness of a magic book. - I should feed you in moderation.
- What!? There’s no such thing!
Ignoring Paganarecor’s words, Charles closed the book. In any case, he might not have the luxury to keep feeding talents.
When Paganarecor is fed talents, she produces an incantation. Initially, just one, but the amount of talents needed increases each time. Like a money-eating hippo.
First, there was a need to find the Oracle Auction House and become a member. Most economic activities in the secret world started there.
‘I should pay attention to the Oracle Auction House as well. But first, I should stop by the university.’
It was about time to head out. -
- *
Charles was moving in a carriage.
A large river cut through the center of Metropoulos. Called the Wynds River, it crossed the city center and became the heart of logistics.
Following the Wynds River downstream, one would reach the docks. The area near there was bustling with dockworkers. It was also the stronghold of the Fisherman Brotherhood and a place where a great number of steamships came and went.
During these musings, the carriage continued to move, and Charles saw middle-class workers commuting. They must be working at nearby factories.
The western part of Metropoulos was an industrial zone. There were steel mills, rubber factories, and match factories. Occasionally, female workers could be seen, but not many.
This world could be likened to the early 20th century Western world of Earth. Some areas were more advanced, while others were more backward, but overall it showed a similar development style.
"Master Charles. We’ll arrive at the university soon."
"Got it, Bonnie."
When the driver Bonnie spoke, Charles replied. He was riding a two-horse carriage, and the person in front handling the horses was a middle-aged black man in his 40s.
His original name was Marbonie Givenpickman. It was a strange name because his father had been a slave from the Southern Seas.
After being freed from slavery, he worked for a long time for the Hexen family. He remained a servant until his hair turned grey, partly because the butler of the mansion had not died yet and partly due to the stigma of his father having been a slave.
He had served Charles’s mother until she passed away and naturally continued to serve Charles along with Jayken.
While Flona served Charles loyally from the shadows, Bonnie was the servant who served him loyally in the open.
"Bonnie, you just need to be back by 2 o’clock today."
"Yes, Master."
Mistweaver University.
The university where Charles worked, and which was considered one of the prestigious universities in the country.
Established over a hundred years ago, it was particularly entangled in all sorts of occult and secretive matters.
For these reasons, players speculated that Mistweaver University was inspired by the fictional Miskatonic University, an homage theory. Not that it mattered.
After Bonnie dropped him off at Mistweaver University and left, Charles took out his pocket watch to check the time.
8:30 AM. It was almost time for his meeting with the academic dean. He leisurely walked over, observing his surroundings. He watched the people milling around. Most were dressed in a mix of checkered jackets and cardigans, which were the uniforms of the prestigious Mistweaver University.
To modern folks, wearing a uniform to university may seem odd, but in Metropoulos, it was normal. There were no uniforms in the previous stages of education.
Therefore, it was common for freshmen to feel overwhelmed or proud when they first wore the Mistweaver University uniform. It was a sign of being an elite.
Charles visited the central main building to see the academic dean, only to be told they were absent at the moment. The university president and the academic dean were both absent… Should he come back later? After listening to the staff, he headed to the Exploration Institute.
Though Charles specialized in Old Hermes Language, he was assigned to the Exploration Institute rather than the Humanities Department. This was because the archaeology department was part of the Exploration Institute.
In the game, Old Hermes Language was almost treated like modern Latin. Without it, one could hardly recognize ancient relics.
Knock, knock.
"Professor Carlton."
"Oh! You, finally fully recovered, I see."
A white-bearded old professor in his 60s with a kaiser mustache. Professor Carlton, with his monocle, looked intellectual. He might appear ordinary, but don’t be fooled.
He was one of the high-ranking members of the Dark Sacred Society, one of the five major cults in Metropoulos. It was a cult boasting the grandest initial power. Other cults grew rapidly, soon catching up, but none surpassed the Dark Sacred Society yet.
Additionally, Professor Carlton was famous for opening the first dimensional gate.
No matter what character one started with or what route they took, Professor Carlton’s event of opening a dimensional gate was inevitable. This caused chaos in the university, and cultists would take advantage of the situation to benefit from the chaos.
‘Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.’
Recalling the words of a certain mafia boss, Charles decided to maintain a close relationship with Carlton.
After a brief handshake, they had a conversation.
"The president and academic dean are absent, so I’ve been entrusted with the administration in their stead. There was a long gap. I plan to assign lectures within your capacity. Is that alright?"
"That’s fine."
"You made a wise decision."
Glancing down, he saw that the lecture schedule wasn’t very tight. Charles was a part-time lecturer, after all. Professor Carlton smiled.
"Hehe. The female students will be pleased."
"Excuse me? What do you mean by that?"
"Since your classes were canceled after you were admitted to the hospital, many female students cried through the nights. Now you can meet their demands. You’re simply returning to your original lectures."
"……"
Come to think of it, Charles Hexen was, unlike Kim Yeonsu, a super-socialite.
- *
-
- *
The Exploration Department, where Charles would be teaching, was located in the west wing of Mistweaver University. During lunchtime, he bought a sandwich from the school cafeteria and settled on a bench in the park to grab a quick bite.
He also identified a few key individuals within the university to keep an eye on: Professor Armitage, Librarian Horatio, Professor Carlton, and Dr. Drake. He hadn’t met many of them yet, but time would resolve that.
One thing Charles realized after playing this cult leader simulator game for a long time was that the ripple effect of events could spiral into chaos, like the flapping of a butterfly’s wings.
When the player incites a certain event, a series of other events follow as a result.
For example, Charles knew about the magic book in the secret library of Mistweaver University. He knew it had tremendous power and who would obtain it.
If Charles intercepted the magic book in advance, the story would change. The person who was supposed to acquire the book would return empty-handed and seek an alternative.
That alternative was something another person was supposed to acquire, and due to that incident, another would meet their demise… Such events followed in chains.
Just like multiple cars crashing on an empty highway or space debris destroying satellites one after another, these chained reactions led the player into an unknowable world of chaos.
Charles had repeated that process hundreds of times. Consequently, he concluded that some things should not be tampered with.
Changing a historical branch might lead to endless variations in endings due to its reverberations. Therefore, Charles decided not to interfere for now and avoid actions that could harm others.
Feeling someone’s gaze, he turned his head to find some female students looking at him.
"Kyaaah!"
"Did he just look this way?"
"Hold on."
- *
- Wow, quite popular, huh?
He ignored the admiring Paganarecor. To Charles, she was still someone whose true intentions he couldn’t fathom. Sometimes she would talk to him, but Charles felt there were still many secrets about Paganarecor he didn’t know.
The group of squealing female students approached Charles and greeted him. A girl, chosen as their representative and pushed forward, bowed her head and greeted him.
She had blonde hair and plain blue eyes.
"Hello, Professor."
"Do I know you?"
"We are taking your Old Hermes Language class."
"Sorry. I’m not good at remembering people. What’s your name?"
"Rika Webbs."
‘Webbs?’
Charles tilted his head. It was a surname he had heard before. Regardless, the female students introduced themselves. But the only name that stuck in Charles’s mind was Rika Webbs.
"I think I’ll be taking over the Old Hermes Language lecture from now on. The class will be automatically transferred."
"Oh, really? That’s awesome!"
Charles chatted with a few of the female students. From his previous life as Kim Yeonsu, he possessed excellent observation and reasoning skills. But he didn’t need such skills to see through these newly adult girls.
Their apparent affection for the young professor, whose age difference wasn’t much. Even though Kim Yeonsu had no real-life dating experience, he felt certain that these girls could be easily won over.
‘Hah. How long has it been since I wished to be born with a handsome face in the next life.’
It seemed that wish had been granted in this world. It would have been perfect if the world wasn’t about to fall apart at any moment.
