Ubermensch – Chapter 149

Chapter 149

Mason looked at Cú Chulainn.

Cú Chulainn, the prince of light. In Irish mythology, Cú Chulainn was a figure with fame and status similar to Heracles in Greek mythology.

‘The greatest warrior in this land.’

Judging from the skill he showed in catching the Ettin, those words seemed to hold true. Among ‘monsters’, the most physically powerful normal monster was the Ogre. An ordinary player would need a party to hunt it down.

The Ettin was even bigger than the Ogre.

The fact that he caught the Ettin without relying on the power of a core or the power of science meant he possessed superhuman capabilities.

“You’re quite skilled.”

“I am the son of Lugh, the god of light, and I was trained by Scáthach, the mistress of Shadow Fortress. There is no feat I cannot achieve in this world, and no monster I cannot slay in this land.”

He was displaying confidence all over his beautiful, shining, boyish face.

Was that why?

Why did his overly courageous words sound ridiculous?

“That might be true in this world…”

Mason said with a laugh, and Cú Chulainn frowned.

“Are you saying it wouldn’t be true in other worlds?”

“Well, the world is a vast place.”

Mason lightly dismissed Cú Chulainn’s words that contained an implicit challenge.

Mason looked at Edrid.

“That guy caught the Ettin, so what happens in this case?”

“The request I received was to eliminate the Ettin. You didn’t catch it, Oztalon, but you accepted my request and the Ettin is dead, so I have to reward you.”

Edrid looked at Mason and Cú Chulainn in turn.

She spoke in her unique, singing tone.

“However, since you didn’t kill the Ettin, you will receive the reward you desired but not the honor. Cú Chulainn, even though you didn’t receive the request, you killed the Ettin, so you will gain honor.”

Edrid looked at Mason and Cú Chulainn in turn.

“I wonder if this proposal satisfies those who walk in myths?”

Mason spoke casually.

“I don’t care as long as you tell me about Geas.”

Cú Chulainn said,

“If you spread the word of my feat, there’s no reason for me to refuse.”

Edrid nodded.

“Alright.”

She bowed her head to Cú Chulainn and said,

“I am Edrid, daughter of Merlin. Bard Edrid. From this day forward, I will serve Cú Chulainn, son of Lugh, and see, hear, and sing of your feats.”

“I accept.”

“Now then, Oztalon’s reward. The knowledge of Geas.”

She looked at Mason and said,

“Geas is a trade. You gain the ability to do something you couldn’t, in exchange for not doing something you could. This is the clearest definition of Geas.”

“Who do you trade with, and how?”

“With your future self.”

“Trade with your future self…?”

It was a contradiction. And it was difficult to accept.

Mason’s expression became complex.

He was a man of scientific thinking. Due to what he had seen and heard firsthand, he accepted the existence of faith and magical laws, but it was difficult to understand.

“Can I use it?”

“Probably not.”

“Is it because I lack talent?”

“No. Oztalon, you possess an immense amount of fate power. The power you will achieve will surpass even the gods. But Oztalon, you will never be able to use Geas.”

“Why?”

Edrid said with a calm expression,

“Because you cannot leave a mystery as a mystery.”

Mason said with his arms crossed,

“You mean the more I try to understand Geas, the less likely I am to use it?”

“Yes.”

Edrid nodded.

“Geas is a magic that only the pure and righteous can use. You are too wise and skeptical to be able to use it, Oztalon.”

“So I’m too worldly, huh…”

Mason gave a wry smile.

His scientific mindset must be the problem.

Mason did not trust what he could not understand.

He couldn’t use the power of faith until he understood the law of faith.

But Geas was the opposite. It was a power that could only be used by those who believed in the unclarifiable ‘fate.’

“If I can’t use or understand it, I need to change my approach.”

Mason said, crossing his arms.

“Who can use or is using Geas?”

“Not many.”

Edrid looked at Cú Chulainn.

“But this man, Cú Chulainn, son of Lugh, will be able to use Geas.”

Cú Chulainn said confidently,

“I am the one who will become the greatest warrior of Eriu. Of course, I will be able to use Geas.”

Mason’s eyebrows twitched.

‘This guy is a bit too confident.’

Cú Chulainn was not just confident, but arrogant.

The youthful vigor of not knowing how vast the world is. It wasn’t something he couldn’t understand.

But the Eriu he boasted about was just the narrow Earth. And among that, it was just the small island of Ireland.

From Mason’s perspective, who was fighting a war involving the entire dimensional system, the greatest warrior of Eriu was a position he didn’t care about at all.

If he had to compare it, it felt like the best boxer in Gangwon Province. It would be great in its own way, but on a global scale, it was not a particularly significant title.

However, Mason was a seasoned enough person to not reveal his true feelings.

He asked Cú Chulainn in a calm voice,

“Then can you use it now?”

“You can’t use Geas anytime.”

Edrid answered instead.

“Only when you think you need the power even at the cost of your own life can you acquire Geas.”

“You mean he has to feel his own limits?”

Mason frowned.

‘Should I beat him to near death?’

It seemed like the simplest method.

However, that wasn’t Mason’s way.

‘If I can’t use Geas, I just need to take someone who uses it.’

Mason looked at Cú Chulainn.

‘And Cú Chulainn’s legend also includes Geas.’

Cú Chulainn had numerous legends, and among them was a legend of his downfall related to Geas.

In other words…

‘He will use Geas someday. At least before he dies.’

Then, wouldn’t that mean if he observed Cú Chulainn, he could eventually obtain Geas?

“Alright.”

Mason put on the communicator.

Then Nodens’ avatar appeared before him.

“Oztalon.”

“Nodens.”

Cú Chulainn and Edrid were startled by the sudden appearance of someone, but Mason spoke with an indifferent expression.

“It seems impossible for me to use Geas.”

“Is that so?”

“But I’ve found someone who will definitely use Geas after some time.”

Nodens’ avatar looked at Cú Chulainn.

“Is it that man?”

“Yes. I’m going to observe him for a while.”

Mason crossed his arms.

“So, how much time can you give me?”

“I can give you as much as you want.”

“Then I’ll call you again when he uses Geas.”

“No. You’ll return for now.”

Mason tilted his head.

“You said you could give me time?”

“That’s a separate matter. There’s something I need you to do.”

“Alright. Then I’ll just say goodbye and go.”

As he took off the communicator, Nodens’ avatar disappeared.

Perhaps because he felt Nodens’ divinity, the arrogant Cú Chulainn seemed a bit discouraged. Edrid asked instead,

“Who was that person just now?”

“Nodens, the Magnificent. The main god of our pantheon.”

“Someone greater than all of Eriu…?”

“Strictly speaking, it’s just a fragment of him.”

Mason looked at Cú Chulainn.

“Anyway, I have something to do so I have to return to my world. See you next time.”

Cú Chulainn just nodded with an arrogant look, and Edrid waved with a bright smile.

“Please bring back many stories. For me and the songs I will sing.”

“I’ll try my best.”

As Mason turned on the communicator and tapped it, a dimensional gate opened. It was the gate Nodens had opened.

“See you later!”

Mason passed through the dimensional gate with a cheerful laugh.

“You’re really lucky, Bard.”

Cú Chulainn said to Edrid with a confident smile.

“Because you can witness the feats of this Cú Chulainn firsthand!”

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“Mason.”

“Nodens.”

Nodens stood on top of a hill with his hands behind his back.

“So, why did you call me?”

As Mason looked at him, the ground rose and moved him to Nodens’ side.

“Take a look at them.”

About six meters tall. There stood puppet weapons with a physique and impression similar to Soldiers.

“What are those?”

“Puppet weapons forged using my flesh and blood as materials. They’re called ‘Fighters.’ I created them using the knowledge that other Elder Gods have gathered. They’re completely autonomous biological weapons with no risk of hacking.”

Nodens said in a calm voice.

“So?”

“Since they’re living beings, it’s not easy to activate them. Especially since I have no experience in controlling organisms of that scale in detail.”

Mason crossed his arms.

“Is that why you called me?”

“Yes.”

Mason was the best Soldier pilot of the 28th century. Although the Champion’s specs were a notch above the Soldier, Mason had experience defeating Soldiers controlled by the Destroyer even under various adverse conditions.

“I want you to instill your piloting skills and combat experience into them.”

“Specifically, how?”

Nodens placed his hand on Mason’s head.

“I’m thinking of extracting data directly from your brain and transferring it. If you don’t find it unpleasant.”

“…Of course it’s unpleasant.”

Mason grumbled.

However, he didn’t push Nodens’ hand away.

“Does that mean you’ll allow it?”

“What else can I do even if it’s unpleasant?”

The Destroyer’s forces were composed of Soldiers, Knights, and Battlestars.

Even though the Battlestar was the main force, Soldiers and Knights possessed the mobility and firepower to intercept a Battlestar single-handedly.

Assuming Space Whales would take care of the Battlestars, they also needed mass-producible weapons of a class that could handle Soldiers and Knights.

Like it or not, they had to use the Fighters.

If so, he had no choice but to endure the unpleasantness.

“What exactly do I have to do?”

“Imagine. The movements of a Soldier.”

Mason closed his eyes.

Images of the Soldier he used to enjoy piloting came to mind. And he imagined piloting that Soldier.

The Soldier in his mind moved according to his control, just like a real Soldier. Mason recalled all the piloting skills he possessed.

How much time had passed?

After what felt like a considerable amount of time, Mason opened his eyes.

“I’ve inputted all the Soldier’s movements.”

“Close your eyes once more.”

At that moment, a Soldier appeared before Mason’s eyes.

It was the movement of the Soldier that Mason was riding.

“I’ll adjust the Fighter’s athletic ability. Just imagine yourself fighting a Soldier while riding it.”

“Alright.”

Inside Mason’s head. No, strictly speaking, inside Nodens’ head, thousands upon thousands of battles unfolded.

At the end of a fleeting moment that felt like an eternity, Mason’s Fighter subdued the Soldier.

Mason opened his eyes.

“Is it done?”

“It’s done. With this, I think they’ll be able to display quite sophisticated movements for unmanned weapons.”

Nodens removed his hand from Mason’s head.

“Now, I’ll mass-produce the Fighters based on this data.”

“Alright.”

Mason stretched.

Nodens asked,

“What will you do? Will you return to Eriu?”

“Since I’m already here, I might as well see the Murim people for a bit. There’s no rush.”

“You’ll have to go back in a hurry.”

“Why?”

“Time doesn’t flow at the same rate in all dimensions.”

“…How much time has passed in Eriu?”

“One hour here is equivalent to one year there.”

“How long did I run the simulation in my head?”

“Twenty hours.”

Mason made a sullen face.

It was a revisit after 20 years.