Chapter 19: The Architect's Failed Gambit
As the world watched in horror, Japan was being brought to its knees by colossal monsters emerging from the S Rank gate. The once vibrant cities now lay in ruins, their streets choked with debris and the air thick with the acrid stench of destruction. The Japanese Hunters Association (KHA) was in disarray, its ranks decimated and its leadership scrambling to respond. Desperate pleas for international assistance echoed across the globe, but nations hesitated, unwilling to risk the lives of their S-Rank hunters. The world stood by, paralyzed by indecision, as Japan faced its darkest hour.
In the midst of this chaos, Markus stood in the shadows, a silent observer. His senses tingled as he detected the presence of Ethan, the Wraith Lord he had left behind. A faint smile curled on his lips. With a subtle gesture, he activated his Silent Phantom and Void Traverse skill, vanishing from his current location and reappearing beside Ethan in an instant. Ethan, ever vigilant, acknowledged Markus with a nod. Without a word, he led the way, his ethereal form gliding through the air with unnatural speed. They moved swiftly, navigating the cityscape, until they reached a secluded gate on the outskirts. Markus sensed the familiar aura of a gate nearby. His Silent Phantom ability still active, rendering himself invisible. He approached the gate, his presence undetected, and observed Jinwoo conversing with the team assigned to the dungeon. The conversation was brief, and soon, they entered the gate together. Markus, cloaked in invisibility, followed closely behind, confident that his enhanced stats and abilities would keep him undetected. Inside the Karutenon Temple, the atmosphere was oppressive. The air was thick with the scent of ancient stone and the faint, unsettling hum of latent energy. Massive stone pillars, intricately carved with symbols of forgotten deities, stretched toward a vaulted ceiling shrouded in darkness. The floor was a mosaic of cracked tiles, some depicting scenes of celestial battles, others of serene landscapes now lost to time. At the far end of the chamber stood a colossal statue of the Absolute Being, its eyes glowing with a malevolent red light, casting an eerie glow across the room. The commandments inscribed on the walls seemed to pulse with a sinister energy, as if alive, watching, judging.
As Markus activated his Copy ability, a surge of energy enveloped him, his senses sharpening as he prepared to assimilate the Architect's formidable skills of: System Moderation, This ability would grant him unparalleled control over the System, allowing him to manipulate its functions with the precision of its original creator, and Statue Manipulation: This allowed Kandiaru to effortlessly control his statues like puppets. Markus was thinking to use this on golems he can create from multiple elements and control them as he sees fit, incase his undead somehow was not available.
Hovering invisibly in the grand expanse of the Karutenon Temple, Markus observed the Architect's every movement. The Architect, his form a majestic statue of a hooded angel with six wings, exuding an aura of immense power. Markus could feel the strength, speed, and durability emanating from the Architect, each attribute a testament to the being's formidable nature. Yet compared to him it was not much. After copying the System Moderation and Statue Manipulation which was still waiting for integration, his stats increased by 90 to 120 points only. Which shows the highest stat of the Architect was around 500. The statues around them, lifelike and poised, seemed to await the Architect's command, their eyes gleaming with a malevolent light. As Markus initiated the copying process, a surge of energy coursed through him, his body momentarily flickering with the Architect's essence. He could feel the System's intricate mechanisms unfolding within his mind, the complex algorithms and protocols becoming clear. The power to manipulate the System, to alter its very fabric, was now within his grasp.
The Architect, sensing a disturbance, turned sharply, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the surroundings. Markus remained perfectly still, his invisibility cloak rendering him undetectable. The Architect's gaze swept over the area, lingering for a moment on the spot where Markus hovered, before dismissing the sensation as a mere anomaly. With the copying process complete, Markus felt a profound shift within himself. The Architect's mastery over the System was now his own, a tool he could wield with unparalleled precision. He could feel the weight of this new power, the responsibility it entailed, and the potential it unlocked. As the Architect resumed his activities, Markus observed with a new perspective. He could perceive the subtle manipulations of the System, the underlying code that governed their reality. With a mere thought, he could alter parameters, adjust variables, and even create new constructs within the System. Markus's mind raced with possibilities. The ability to control the System opened avenues he had previously only dreamed of. He could enhance his own abilities, create powerful allies, and even reshape the world around him. The Architect's power was now his, and with it, the potential to change everything.
As he prepared to depart, Markus cast one last glance at the Architect, who remained unaware of the intrusion. With a silent nod, Markus activated his teleportation skill, vanishing from the temple's hallowed halls, his mind abuzz with the infinite possibilities now at his command.
As Markus stood invisibly outside the gate, he delved into the System's intricacies, now within his grasp due to his recent acquisition of the Architect's abilities. He discovered that he could create quests at will, tailoring them to his needs and assigning rewards as he saw fit. This newfound control over the System's mechanics opened up a realm of possibilities, allowing him to manipulate the very fabric of the challenges he faced. His exploration revealed the workings of the System Shop, a feature he had previously only interacted with as a consumer. Now, he could adjust items, prices, availability, and even the types of items offered, granting him a strategic advantage in acquiring resources.
However, Markus's focus was on a more immediate concern: mana shaping. In the original narrative, Jinwoo's ability to manipulate mana was a cornerstone of his power, enabling him to perform feats such as creating portals and enhancing his physical abilities. Markus, with his enhanced understanding of the System, began to experiment with mana shaping, aiming to replicate Portals as he sees them the exit of this reality and the real gate to numerus others. He practiced molding mana into various forms, testing its limits and applications. This experimentation was crucial, as mastering mana shaping would not only augment his combat prowess but also provide him with the versatility needed to navigate the challenges ahead. He will copy the Black Heart as his third copy of the day and portal manipulation the following day. Portals were wasted in Jinwoo's hands to be honest, as he never had the target of traveling to some other worlds or realities.
Markus knew that acquiring these skills would require careful observation and timing. He intended to remain undetected, using his invisibility and enhanced stats to stay hidden while studying Jinwoo's skills. He started to wait for the arrival of KHA agents and Hunters Guild members. While waiting he contemplated, Markus was still not sure about starting a romantic relationship here in Solo Leveling. Having flings was enough for him. Even though he likes JinAh's beauty, naivety and innocence he was not sure if he'll start something serious with her or any other female here in Solo Leveling. As he was thinking about the better part of the humanity, he was planning to maybe he should rewards himself after getting the Black Heart he thought with a hungry glint in his eyes.
An emergency message from Woo Jinchul asking Markus to come as soon as possible to the gate he was waiting in front. With a smirk, he prepared to reveal himself. As the KHA agents and Hunters Guild members arrived, Markus stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. Woo Jinchul greeted him with a respectful nod, acknowledging his timely arrival.
Together, they entered the gate, moving swiftly through the corridors of the Karutenon Temple. As they ventured deeper, the group encountered formidable foes, statues that came to life, attacking with relentless precision. Markus, utilizing his enhanced abilities, engaged the enemies with calculated efficiency. He summoned his undead hybrids, directing them to protect the KHA agents and Hunters Guild members. When a statue's blade struck a KHA agent, Markus was quick to heal the injury, ensuring no fatalities occurred. The group pressed on, facing increasingly powerful adversaries. Markus's strategic command and the prowess of his summoned hybrids turned the tide in their favor. He continued to heal and protect the other hunters, ensuring their safety as they advanced toward the heart of the temple.
Upon reaching the inner sanctum, Markus observed Jinwoo confronting the Architect. Recognizing the opportunity, he activated his Copy ability, he waited for the skill to appear as Jinwoo was still in trance. Markus copied the Black Heart skill the moment it appeared. The integration was suspended until the end of the fight. His stats increased by another 30 to 40 points. With the battle concluding, Markus integrated the Black Heart skill, enhancing his mana pool by a huge margin of 100,000. He stood ready, his mind racing with the possibilities this new power afforded him.
Markus, after saying his goodbyes and accepting the grateful and warm thanks of the hunters became invisible again and started to follow Jinwoo. After observing him for a while, Markus felt his Copy ability slots replenishing. He had been waiting patiently, his form cloaked in invisibility. With his slots now available, Markus activated his Copy ability, focusing on the skills he intended to acquire:
Shadow Exchange: This skill allowed Jinwoo to swap places with any of his shadow soldiers, regardless of distance. It was a versatile teleportation ability that provided strategic advantages in combat and navigation.
Monarch's Domain: This unique skill enabled Jinwoo to project his own shadow, creating an area where any shadow would gain a 50% status increase while fighting. It was a powerful buff that enhanced the strength of his shadows during battles.
Portal Manipulation: This skill allowed Jinwoo to create portals, facilitating travel between different locations and worlds.
Upon acquiring these skills, Markus utilized the System to fuse them into the new skill: Grave Lord. This fusion enhanced the potency of the original skills, making his hybrids stronger and granting him a passive Monarch's Domain with his hybrids and undead always having %50 Stat increase. As he integrated the new skill, Markus couldn't help but admire Jinwoo's sister, JinAh. Her innocence and elegant beauty were qualities Markus couldn't help but find attractive.
After leaving Jinwoo's house, Markus decided to reward himself. He visited one of Seoul's most renowned nightclubs, known for its vibrant atmosphere and exceptional service. At the club, Markus's fame made it easy for him to secure a VIP table. Two young women approached him, both exuding charm and elegance. The first woman stood at approximately 1.70 meters tall, with a slender frame and long, flowing black hair, Seok Hyun she introduced herself intimately. Her sharp features and confident demeanor made her stand out in any crowd. The second woman was slightly shorter, around 1.55 meters, with a petite build and long, wavy brown hair. Sam Yon her name, her warm smile and engaging personality made her instantly likable.
They accompanied Markus to his hotel suite, where they spent the night enjoying each other's company. The night was filled with laughter and intimacy.Markus woke to a serene scene in his penthouse, the soft light of dawn illuminating his room. Beside him, the two women, each with satisfied, peaceful smiles, slumbered soundly, their presence a gentle reminder of the fleeting joys that punctuated his relentless pursuit of pleasure through the night till first rays of the sun. He allowed himself a brief moment of quiet contentment, patting himself mentally for a job well done.
After a hearty breakfast that refueled both body and mind, Markus reached for his phone and placed a call to the President of the Korean Hunter Association. His tone was measured but resolute as he requested an urgent meeting. He knew that with the recent upheavals and his own burgeoning influence, it was time to announce his next move to the highest echelons of the Hunter community.Soon enough, Markus arrived at the KHA headquarters, where he was promptly escorted through the labyrinthine corridors to the President's private office.
The atmosphere in the room was tense yet expectant, a gathering of top officials and strategists who were well aware of the seismic shifts occurring in the hunter world. Inside the office, Markus wasted no time. He explained that he was heading to Japan to offer his assistance. His voice was steady as he recounted the devastation wrought by the S-Rank gate break, cities in ruins, chaos in the streets, and emphasized that the civilians, though caught in the crossfire, were not to blame for the betrayal of JHA. Their suffering was collateral damage in a war of political proportions. Yet Markus's true objective lay hidden beneath his measured words. His mission was not solely about aiding Japan's faltering defenses, but rather about acquiring a critical ability: Portal Manipulation, a skill wielded by the Monarchs according to manga, novel and his experience with Jinwoo. This rare skill allowed its user to traverse between worlds, and Markus was determined to copy from each and every monarch he can find to ultimately evolve it, believing it would eventually enable travel between realities.
Listening intently, the KHA President absorbed Markus's arguments, nodding slowly as the strategist detailed how the current crisis was not a failure of the civilians, but rather a consequence of events beyond the tehir control. Markus stressed that his intervention in Japan would be focused on safeguarding innocent lives.Moved by Markus's conviction and his unwavering commitment to protecting the vulnerable, the KHA President made an official announcement: Markus Tenebris, with his formidable abilities and tactical brilliance, would be traveling to Japan to aid in their defense by his own will. The declaration emphasized that his mission was driven by a genuine desire to shield the innocent from the catastrophic fallout of the S-Rank gate break.As the announcement reverberated through the corridors of the KHA and eventually the globe, Markus left the meeting with a quiet satisfaction. His mind was already racing ahead to the hunt and gains he will get in Japan. He stepped out into the cool morning air, ready to shape the future of this world on his own uncompromising terms.