Chapter 192   – Demons’ Forest (7)

HH Editor: thursdays

[What the heck.]

[I heard he was half crazy, but I didn’t know it was this bad.]

Listening to Shanon and Hanryeong’s shock, Yeon-woo turned back to ask Galliard.

“…..Just what is all this?”

Galliard grinned seeing Yeon-woo’s shaking. Yeon-woo, who always seemed like a cold doll, finally seemed like a human.

Well, it was expected, since Galliard had been shocked out of his wits when he first saw this place as well.

From the hill to the cottage, there were Devil Trees growing all over the land.

And the trees all had purple flowers on them!

Galliard crossed his arms and snorted.

“Can’t you see? It’s a farm.”

Yeon-woo made a dumbfounded expression.

“Devil Trees could be farmed?”

If that was possible, the Draconic species would’ve farmed them a long time ago. And they wouldn’t have gone extinct.

Galliard spoke with a grin, like he understood what Yeon-woo was feeling.

“According to Brahm, demons are just simple beings created from plants, so they grow if you just give them water and fertilizer.”

[The demons show displeasure at Brahm’s statement.]

[An unknown Devil King is furious.]

[An unknown Devil Grand Duke curses Brahm.]

…..

[It was blocked by the god’s barrier.]

[It was blocked by the god’s barrier.]

[Contact with the outside has been partly blocked because the barrier was strengthened. Even the 98th floor isn’t able to do anything.]

Comparing demons to plants would obviously make them mad. But even if they were mad, there was a limit to what they could do.

Also, Brahm’s being was of a level that not even the demons could easily touch him.

‘But how did he do it? The fact that he farmed just purple flowers means… It’s not only devils that can be created but also demons.’

What if you could intentionally create demons, who were powerful enough to stand against the gods? It was horrifying just thinking about it.

But the moment he thought of it, Yeon-woo felt like he had been hit in the head.

He quickly opened his Draconic Eyes to check the farm.

He was right. It was exactly like he expected. Along the farm, there was a large transmutation circle.

It was a transmutation circle that was made with Brahm’s most prized possession, The Book of Mercury.

“Galliard.”

“What?”

“Is Brahm planning on waging war against Elohim…no, the entire tower?”

“Why do you think that?”

Yeon-woo’s eyes settled deeply.

“If not…why is he preparing to subjugate demons?”

[Huh? Does that make sense?]

[Subjugate demons……there’s no way that’s possible…..]

Shanon and Hanryeong couldn’t count how many times they had been surprised since they entered this illusionary world.

Demons were beings that were like gods. Of course, there were demons that were so weak that they couldn’t get to the 98th floor.

But demons were still outstanding beings that caused the Draconic species to go extinct.

Brahm was going to subjugate such beings?

Even if Brahm had the identity of the god Brahma, it sounded impossible.

[Wouldn’t that be dangerous? Master?]

Rebecca, who had been quietly watching, came out to observe the Demons’ Forest.

Even to her, it seemed strange.

The transmutation circle was the result of different kinds of alchemy and black magic, but it could be organized into 5 general processes.

The first was that it gave the Devil Flowers the nutrients it needed.

The second was that it stimulated the genes so the purple Devil Flowers would be able to get their color faster.

The third was that it forcefully made the newly born Demonic species eat each other, and the fourth was that the stronger Demonic species were used as sacrifices to summon something.

A demon summoning circle.

And at this point, the fifth process was set to activate.

A sealing circle. The moment the demons appeared, magic that was casted to bind them would be activated. Of them, there was magic that Yeon-woo was familiar with.

‘There’s even Divine Iron in the magic form. Is that possible?’

Yeon-woo became curious about Brahm’s knowledge about alchemy. Was it because he was a god?

However, there were a lot of incomplete sections of the transmutation circle.

Brahm seemed to be strengthening the barrier and finishing this transmutation circle when he left.

‘It seems like he normally uses the first two processes to get the Devil Flowers, and is saving the other three processes to summon demons later.’

The more he looked at it, the more complex the transmutation circle was.

Galliard was a bit surprised when the spirit appeared, but he didn’t think too much of it since Elves were used to spirits.

He just lightly laughed like it was amusing.

“Demon subjugation, you say. Actually, it’s similar, but different.”

“Can I ask for the details?”

“You saw Sesha, right?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t know if you felt it, but that child can’t live long.”

“…..”

Yeon-woo shut his mouth.

Galliard’s smile turned bitter.

“I don’t know if it’s because she’s a Quarter or something else. Sesha was weak from birth. Even if we gave her the best medicine, she only got better momentarily. She would be bedridden soon after.”

Yeon-woo nodded in understanding.

When he first met Sesha, he felt that she was weak.

Dragon Humans were creatures that had difficulties being born, because of biological reasons. They were children of two completely different species. They had immense potential, but it was hard for them to be born healthy. And she was a Quarter.

The ancient Kalatus knew this, and that was why he divided his power into 8 steps.

“But once, she got better.”

“It must’ve been when she swallowed the Demon’s Blessing.”

Galliard nodded his head.

“Correct. Actually, it hasn’t been that long since Sesha’s been able to run around like that or eat snacks, like the one you prepared.”

Yeon-woo thought of Sesha’s eyes that had been sparkling the entire time she ate.

“But even that is starting to show cracks. It seems like she’s gained an immunity to it.’

Yeon-woo realized the reason for the transmutation circle.

“So you’re going to get a fully grown demon and…..?”

“Yes. When a stupid demon appears, we’re going to seal it and have Sesha absorb it.”

Yeon-woo unwittingly laughed in disbelief.

Thinking of catching a demon to save a sick child was incredible, but actually going through with it was even more incredible.

‘He’s a fool for his daughter.’

Brahm was exactly like that.

“What happened between Sesha and Brahm? Brahm’s not like what I heard about him…..”

“He’s a lot different, right?”

Galliard grinned.

“Actually, I don’t know that well either. He’s keeping his mouth shut about that topic. But I know one thing for sure.”

Galliard lifted a corner of his mouth.

“He’ll probably even try to get a god if Sesha needs it.”

***

Yeon-woo picked a bunch of purple Devil Flowers and returned to the cottage.

Like what Brahm had said, there were a lot of flowers with a concentration of 4 or higher, so he was able to get as much as he needed. Since it wasn’t time to use it yet, he put them inside Intrenian.

“You’re here?”

Brahm looked up from the book that he was reading and adjusted his glasses.

Yeon-woo looked around and asked, “Where’s Sesha?”

“She said she wanted to take a walk so she went outside real quick. Seems like you got the flowers. You can put the subspace pocket there.”

Yeon-woo placed the subspace pocket on the table and unintentionally started to laugh.

Now that he looked at it, everything inside this world was made for Sesha. The refreshing forest environment, the pretty interior, and the farm to make medicine. How much time had Brahm spent on this? He really was the biggest fool for his daughter.

Thinking of that, he felt like he was a bit closer to Brahm.

“Why are you laughing like that?”

Brahm slightly frowned, hearing Yeon-woo’s quiet laugh. He seemed to have realized that Yeon-woo was laughing because of him.

“It’s nothing. Anyways, what are you looking at?”

Brahm looked at Yeon-woo with annoyance and answered.

“The Book of Mercury. I was checking if there was a section that I missed.”

Yeon-woo’s eyes widened. He never would’ve imagined that the normal-looking book would’ve been the book that had all of Brahm’s knowledge. Also, he knew that the book was a grimoire that had its own identity.

“Aside from that. Did you understand what I taught you yesterday?”

“If you’re talking about the equivalency exchanges, I’m reviewing it.”

“Recite it.”

“Normal magic works under laws, but alchemy has a property that equivalently takes and receives…”

As Yeon-woo’s explanation went on, Brahm’s eyes changed.

Although it had only been his first lecture, Yeon-woo seemed to have learned more than he expected.

Even though Yeon-woo had the Dragon’s Knowledge, it was more than what Brahm had expected.

‘Is it because he learned from Henova and Victoria?’

The two were people that Brahm had met before. Both of them were among the few that Brahm acknowledged.

If Yeon-woo learned from people like that, it made sense.

But actually, this was the result of Yeon-woo spending the night using Time Difference to try to understand.

Others might say that Yeon-woo was talented, but that was just how he was on the outside. Yeon-woo was someone who worked for everything he got.

‘And he’s not lazy about it.’

There was the deal in place, but Yeon-woo was someone that Brahm actually wanted to teach. Yeon-woo listened with attention to what he said.

Brahm stroked his chin. Yeon-woo would probably be able to understand everything soon.

It occurred to him that the completion of the transmutation circle wouldn’t take as long as he thought.

Tak!

Brahm shut his Book of Mercury and stood up.

“Follow me. I’ll teach you what’s after that.”

***

About two weeks had passed since Yeon-woo came to see Brahm.

Yeon-woo was writing something down on a piece of paper in the middle of the night, with only a small light to help him see. He rubbed his eyes tiredly.

He didn’t rely on his senses as much as before, but he still felt tired emotionally.

“…..It’s definitely not easy.”

Was it because of his continued use of Time Difference? His brain sometimes felt like it was being poked.

He needed some rest.

Over the past two weeks, Yeon-woo spent all his time studying alchemy.

Unlike what Brahm said at the beginning about only teaching him the basics, Brahm taught Yeon-woo a lot of things, and Yeon-woo was completely drained trying to understand everything.

He hadn’t even studied this hard when he was a student. Normally, he would’ve tossed it to Boo, but he couldn’t do that now.

Thankfully, he was able to somewhat understand it by using his Time Difference. Boo and Rebecca also helped him with their advice.

And about five days ago, Brahm had started to take Yeon-woo with him when he was working on his transmutation circle.

Yeon-woo just did small errands and things, but Yeon-woo was still able to learn a lot. Brahm probably knew this as well.

And now, he was able to attempt to interpret the Emerald Tablet.

The irrefutable fact, this is the most true.

The bottom is the top and the top is the bottom to have its unique existence.

And everything came from a single meditation, everything is connected.

…..

He interpreted what Leonte said word for word and got rid of the wrongly interpreted sections. With the knowledge he learned from Brahm, he attempted his own interpretation.

On the paper, he was writing and erasing different formulas, and the paper was eventually crumpled in Yeon-woo’s fist. There was a pile of crumpled papers next to him.

“…..This is so frustrating.”

Did he not know enough yet to understand the Philosopher’s Stone? His head hurt from the fact that he still didn’t even have a clue.

[It’s a fun formula every time I look at it. A Philosopher’s Stone…..I never imagined that such a thing was possible.]

[This time. I think. This section. Is wrong.]

If Rebecca and Boo weren’t there with him, he would’ve let go of his pen a while ago.

“Haaaa. Let’s do it again.”

Yeon-woo took a deep breath and gripped the pen.

Then.

Creak—

The door suddenly opened.

Yeon-woo turned his head towards the door. Sesha poked her small head through the narrow crack.

“Cain, are you sleeping?”

Tak, tak—

Her tail was slightly wagging, bumping against the floor. It meant that she had something to request. Sesha’s emotions could be read through her tail.

Yeon-woo put his pen down and said, “No. Are you hungry?’

“Hehehe.”

Sesha embarrassedly laughed.

Yeon-woo laughed too and stood up. She had roamed around this morning without any rest.

“Okay. I’ll make you a pancake, so wait here. It’s a secret from Brahm.”

“Okay!”

Sesha put her hand on her mouth. Yeon-woo ruffled her hair and headed over to the kitchen.

He had recently gone to the outer section of the Tower to get ingredients, so he had a lot. Watching Yeon-woo quietly prepare the pan, Shanon and Hanryeong spoke in strange voices.

[Gosh. Our master is interesting every time I see him. I never would’ve imagined he’s soft on children.]

[I agree.]

Yeon-woo was a bit flabbergasted at what they were saying.

‘…..Just what did you think of me all this time.’

[Iron-blooded.]

[I didn’t say anything.]

‘…..’

Rebecca had appeared next to him and was nodding her head.

[It looks good. Give me some too.]

Yeon-woo thought that it would only be more disadvatageous the more he talked, so he shut his mouth. But since even Hanryeong was making jokes now, it seemed they were all quite close now.

Yeon-woo put Sesha’s pancake on a plate and took it to his room.

The two were actually half right and half wrong.

It was true that Yeon-woo liked kids. But there was still a thin line between those he liked and didn’t. Thankfully, Sesha was inside that line.

But when he returned to his room, Sesha was doing something sitting down at his desk.

Sesha jumped in surprise, looking at Yeon-woo like she had done something bad, and quickly got off the chair.

“Uh, that’s…..”

“I won’t get mad, so don’t worry. Eat before it cools down.”

“Okay!”

Sesha beamed and took the plate from him. Her tail was wagging the entire time.

Yeon-woo smiled while looking at Sesha and gripped his pen again.

Then, he saw Sesha’s scribbles. But something was weird.

They looked like normal scribbles at first glance, but they all had some time of formula. There was a shape that was created with a golden ratio.

“Sesha, did you…..?”

“Hm? Hehe. What you drew. I tried drawing it on the back.”

Sesha took a big bite of her pancake and answered like it was nothing.

She was learning things from Brahm as well, so she had a lot of knowledge that most children didn’t. Even a Quarter was still a descendant of a dragon, it seemed.

However, Yeon-woo felt like he had been smacked in the face.

It was a simple method, but it was like it was leading Yeon-woo down a new path.

***

After Yeon-woo put Sesha to sleep, he spent the entire night focused on formulas. He tried not to forget about his inspiration and continued to work through it.

‘Until now, I only thought of the Philosopher’s Stone as something that could provide magic power without any limits.’

His hand became faster as he worked through it. This time, he didn’t get stuck on anything.

‘But if it’s not that, and actually something that helps amplify magic power…..’

And when he arrived at the last bit, the sun came up.

Yeon-woo’s eyes shined.

“Yeah. This was it.”

The Philosopher’s Stone was not something that provided an endless amount of magic power. It was something that exponentially increased it.

“So this is why Nemesis and Nike said it was a comfortable place to rest.”

Since just by being inside it strengthened magic power, the growth of the two Legendary Beasts had been rapid.

—This plate has information about the sun’s path.

The last sentence on the Emerald Tablet. The answer was there. The path of the sun was actually the circulation of magic power.

Yeon-woo clicked his tongue. He felt like he understood why Leonte and Bild hadn’t been able to finish Philosopher’s Stone. They just thought it was a tool for magic power. If it wasn’t for Sesha, Yeon-woo probably could’ve spent at least a few years on this.

“So the most lacking part of the stone is the source?”

Outside, the sun was rising.

The sunlight that poured in through the window shined on the paper filled with shapes and numbers.

And.

Yeon-woo’s eyes also became brighter.

A source. Meaning, he only had to find a magic source—though it wouldn’t be easy.

However, something that Yeon-woo could use as a magic source flashed through his head.

A demon, the thing that Galliard and Brahm were looking for. If he could get something similar to that and seal it inside the Philosopher’s Stone, it would be more than enough.

He might really be able to get a ‘limitless’ amount of magic power.

‘I might be able to make a magic source that’s equivalent to the Dragon Heart.’

Yeon-woo lightly wet his lips. To make a real Dragon Heart, he had to reach the 5th step of awakening. But if he could get an organ that could function like a Dragon Heart before that…..

‘I can have two organs for magic power.’

The transmutation circle that Brahm set up. This time, he would have to research that.

Yeon-woo gripped the pen in his hand even tighter.