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Chapter 316 - Merba (3)

Why was sand covering this world in the first place? It was the last means chosen by the humans who were struggling against each other and sprinting toward destruction, having realized that if they continued, there would be nothing left. The official name of the sand was [Lullaby]. It deactivated all energy and reacted violently toward energy reactions that never faded away. True to its namesake, sooner or later, everything would fall into a quiet sleep forever. It was different from those who made it.

Merba’s unique alchemy, metallurgy, magic, and all their techniques developed through the endless war were mobilized to create this sand that divided infinitely, connecting it to a strong spiritual network so that it moved like a body. It was a miracle that gave birth to it, and mankind didn’t understand how they had completed it, and, of course, failed to reproduce it. In fact, the completed Lullaby was quite different from the intent of those who wanted to make it, as the person who named it wasn’t its creator.

What they initially wanted was an artifact that reacted only to the objects they wanted. They wanted to control it. Even if the land was devastated by war and civilians died from monster attacks, humans wanted to gain the upper hand over others and become rulers. If they could control the enemies’ magic, wouldn’t it be simple to annihilate them while protecting your allies? Not only that but wouldn’t it also be possible to exterminate all those monsters? The project, which started with that idea, ultimately failed.

Mankind couldn’t deal with spiritual power with their own strength, and they only knew of its existence because armaments made by famous blacksmiths in the past manifested their spiritual power during the war. There was nothing else in the world with it, except for the little hairpin found in the country where the blacksmith lived.

Merba’s survivors were convinced it was the work of Anvil and tried to create a system that controlled other armaments by using the hairpin that didn’t awaken. Contrary to their intent, the spiritual power contained within that hairpin didn’t comply with the will of humanity, and the completed [Lullaby] began to divide and amplify all energy-bearing entities. From then, it took only two months for the world to end. Thus, the world remained quiet until Kang Shin-hyuk had arrived, such a long time after.

“So, are all the weapons that have woken up flying to greet you?”

When Kang Shin-hyuk briefly explained what he had obtained from the sand, Claire posed that question, looking at the dark red weapons appearing out of the sand. Based on her expression, she already knew the answer. Even so, Kang Shin-hyuk decided to answer it.

“No, I don’t think so!”

“These children!”

Dozens of weapons flew through the air, clearly aiming at him. Swords, spears, axes, and even bits of armor and shields of different sizes were speeding through the air. In terms of the Gaia system, the weakest seemed to be at least the SSS-rank. They were connected to each other through spiritual power, just like [Lullaby], amplifying each other’s energy.

“Oops, children who don’t know their father should be educated.”

“Please wait, Tsukuyo.”

“Yes.”

Tsukuyo calmed down at his words and stepped back behind him. Kang Shin-hyuk continued to grasp and deal with the sand he just gained control of, expressing his trait’s power. What was the reason why [Lullaby] suddenly couldn’t control the weapons? Needless to say, it was because Lullaby, which was active without a master, recognized him as its master and was in the process of being attributed to him. It was the product of a miracle that possessed a tremendous performance, but in the process of devolving, its energy purification couldn’t be used. Even now, as his spiritual power spread throughout the spiritual network, the sand zone coming into his control was expanding. Naturally, the artifacts buried in it were running wild, but there was no need to panic. The automatic activity of the artifacts was still working to the last, but it was possible for him to deal with them directly.

“Shin-hyuk, they’re coming!”

“Grandpa, should I stop it first?”

“No... I’m ready now!”

When Kang Shin-hyuk shouted, the pillar was dismantled in an instant, becoming a storm of glass crystals that rotated rapidly around them. The dark red weapons that flew in from all sides were struck by the storm. A moment later, they were absorbed into it and vanished.

“Wow?!”

“Wow, grandfather! What is this?”

“Huh, thank you. I thought it wouldn’t work.”

Originally, Lullaby had a function to absorb energy, but not to decompose and absorb matter. But now, with Kang Shin-hyuk’s royal dragon energy changing and evolving it, it’s quality had risen at least one step.

“Anvil, it seems like it was a good choice to move to this place. A great number of weapons are flying in the direction we came from.”

“Oh, wait a second. It’s a little hard to move things that are still far away.”

Kang Shin-hyuk, growing impatient at Tsukuyo’s report, strengthened his mind with his spiritual power and Breaker. Lullaby was an enormous artifact that covered the entire planet. Even if Kang Shin-hyuk, the master of the spiritual power that was its source, took possession of it, controlling it wasn’t so simple. He began to increase his control, using himself as the center. However, the energy of the Royal Dragon was gradually encroaching on the Lullaby to help him regain autonomous movement. As a result...

“Woaahhh...!”

“If anyone sees this, they’d think grandpa can handle the magic of sand.”

In addition to the crystal storm raging around them, tornados of sand rose up in all directions. Dozens of tornadoes rotated rapidly around them, protecting the group. Unable to withstand the impulse, Claire took out her drone to capture the scene. Even with billions of dollars of CG, there wasn’t anything more exciting than this!”

“Wow, it’s moving just like a swarm of bees.”

“Gradually, the sand is gathering around here. How much did you accumulate...?”

It was fortunate that the party was staying in the air now. The sand moved out, revealing a valley of more than 100 meters below it. There was old metal building debris scattered under it, but no traces of humans. Kang Shin-hyuk, hastily moving his eyes from the destruction that reminded him of Cy Xenon, twisted his lips as he saw countless weapons flying through the air.

“No matter how many weapons were supplied, this is ridiculous.”

“Huh? Did you make all of them in your past life?”

“Yes... I remember a little now.”

-Synchronization has weakly accelerated- current rate of 99.8%.

A message appeared to support his words. He controlled Lullaby, frowning as fragments of memory loomed in his mind. The sandstorm caught and crushed all the weapons that approached. He wasn’t in a good mood about destroying the weapons he made, even if they had evolved their own egos...

“And... It’ll all be one anyway.”

The Lullaby, evolved by the Royal Dragon, was no longer a quiet thing that calmed down energy. It evolved using the energy it had accumulated over countless years, becoming a predator that could crush and consume. It vaguely resembled Onyx’s ability.

“That’s a little scary...”

“It’s really sad!”

Claire felt some fear at the sight of the evolved Lullaby, while Tsukuyo seemed genuinely saddened by the sight of the weapons being smashed. It was natural for her to react that way, given how much she loved the weapons consumed by negative emotions that Anvil made. However, she seemed to have no intention of gathering these weapons together and just watched them consumed.

-Your spiritual power has grown one step further and has become X2-rank.

At the end of that large-scale spiritual event, his power had set foot into what deserved to be called a true transcendental person. His range of control gradually widened, and the weapons that had already entered the area of the sandstorm were quickly absorbed. The Lullaby’s original protective power was completely restored.

“Oh, Anvil...”

“Tsukuyo?”

Amid that storm that was constantly absorbing the thousands of armaments bombing them, Tsukuyo opened her eyes and let out a gentle sigh.

“...I think I’ve found your mark.”