Chapter 18

Chapter 017

In this world, imae-mangnyang and yokai are not mere spirits.

They are the crystallization of imagination deeply rooted in human history.

Whether out of fear or curiosity, these are things that humans have thought of and created for various reasons.

And by making these imae-mangnyang, yokai, and gods their own, the ability users can become such beings.

- I am the God of Storms!

- I am the God of Storms!

Whether it's mythology or folklore, if it doesn't actually exist, the ability user can become a god through the power of mana.

- Ah, I have the power to manipulate electricity...?

For example, let's say there is an ability user who can manipulate lightning.

- Hey, Mr. Han! We invite you to our Greece! You will become our Greece's only god, Zeus!

- I will be Zeus? But Zeus is always seducing women, right?

- If you come to Greece, you can actually be like Zeus! You might be a criminal in Korea, but Greece is on your side! Greek women will be with you every night!

- ...What?

- You have the worth! If you seek asylum in our Greece, you will have an enormous salary and women lining up! First, we'll dye your hair blonde and get you plastic surgery!

If this man grew up with Greek mythology from a young age?

- I am Zeus, reborn in the present day!

In this way, by identifying himself with a god from the past, he can maximize his imagination.

- So Zeus throws lightning directly? Then I should practice javelin throwing.

The more specific the mythological data is,

The more media there are that have materialized human imagination related to myths,

- Bring me all the materials related to Greek and Roman mythology in this world! Books, games, comics, anime, movies! Everything!

The ability user's ability becomes even stronger.

- I am Zeus! The god of Olympus! Those who resist me will taste 1 million volts!

- What? A P*O*W*E*R*F*U*L* shock?

- Go! No, I mean, you impudent one!! I am Zeus, the Thunder God! If I win, I will take you!

- Crazy! He thinks he's Zeus!

Some might say he has been consumed by the concept.

- Zeus Thunder!

But in a good way, there's no need to think too complicatedly about how to use the ability; it's just a matter of synchronizing oneself with the combat styles and weapons from existing myths.

This is called [Synchronization] in the original work.

Whether it's mythology, legend, or folklore, it's about identifying oneself with the story or imaginary being.

While it might be difficult to completely transform into a completely new being, as it's like creating a new story, it's easy to make existing myths or legends one's own.

- Zeus! You are the pride of our Greece!

- No! Zeus should be Jupiter! The pride of our Rome!

- Take me, Zeus! I will be your Hera!

This is the general state of ability users in this world.

'That's all just national pride building.'

If I think objectively about entering this world, this is also a kind of gimmick to stir up national pride.

'If everyone stirs up national pride, then even if Korea does the same, it won't be considered national pride.'

If every country uses traditional and mythological elements to enhance the prestige of their ability users,

Especially if it's their own country's myths or legends, the state will use them as propaganda.

- This is the newly A-class ability user, 'Sea Messenger'!

- Hold on. Why is the armor like that? Are you insulting Admiral Yi?

- This person's ability can overlay a turtle ship made of waves onto existing ships! It creates an invincible ship that can protect the main body from attacks by other ships!

- Mr. Ha. That sounds interesting.

The act of bringing past beings into the future and rebirthing them as new entities, [Synchronization],

Is very different from simply dressing a physical enhancement-type ability user in a suit with a national flag and calling them 'Taeguk Captain' or dressing them in a chrysanthemum-themed suit and calling them 'Mugunghwa Guy'.

Making legendary beings one's own.

This applies equally to so-called yokai and spirits, like a gumiho.

"Can I call you student Lee? Student Lee, do you think it's more important to increase mana or to enhance the ability to use abilities... in other words, to have a rich imagination?"

"I think both are important. If I have to choose which is more important, it's obviously mana."

"Yes, mana. It's important. But sometimes, just by having imagination, one can possess tremendous power. It can be considered a technical aspect. And the source of that imagination is in human history."

"...It feels a bit complicated, like I'm hearing a new theory from the librarian."

"Is that so? I'm just reciting what is there."

I'm just explaining the original work's description in my own way.

"Based on the thoughts and concepts of mythological or legendary beings, one can make those beings their own. There's no need to follow the original exactly; one can make the existing media materials their own, like how students use the materials on the first and second floors to develop their abilities."

"It feels like you're giving an answer from a completely different world compared to my question."

"......Maybe, a little."

Oops.

I got carried away meeting the heroine from the original work and ended up talking about the original setting without realizing it.

"I'm sorry. I just tend to think about these things, so they just came out. A contract with demons or yokai. Hehe, forget about it."

"If..."

Huh?

If?

"If I were to make a contract with such a being... no, if I were to make such a being my own, as the librarian said, which god would suit me?"

"Gumiho."

Respect the original.

There's no need to say anything strange.

"I think a gumiho would suit you."

"But a gumiho is a monster that eats human livers."

"It depends on how you think about it. A gumiho is a being that encompasses all of East Asia, and in China and Japan, it is also considered a 'god' in a certain sense."

"I know that. The White-Faced Golden-Haired Fox. But that's a monster god."

"If you become a Korean-style, modern gumiho, it would be different."

Yoon Eun-seon's eyes widened in surprise at my words.

"A modern... gumiho?"

"Yes. For example, throwing a mana-made bead far and retrieving it, creating foxfire to intercept enemies, or transforming into a fox to create foxfire while running."

The most representative image of a gumiho I know is like that.

"Isn't the concept of eating livers a bit excessive in modern times?"

"Eating livers? That sounds too old-fashioned for a gumiho. And just because it's a yokai, it doesn't mean it has to be a villain. There can be heroes with animal forms, like a bat tycoon."

"An ancient yokai or monster doesn't have to be a villain in modern times."

"A yokai becoming a hero?"

"Being a hero. It sounds good, but just wanting to be a hero doesn't make one a hero."

I clenched my fist to my chest.

"Isn't the one who makes this heart beat a hero?"

"Is the one who thinks they are a hero, a hero?"

"No."

There are psychopathic villains who think that way, so I'll pass.

"Isn't a hero someone that many people believe is a hero, regardless of their appearance?"

"......Interesting."

Yoon Eun-seon smiled faintly and glanced at her Taeguk Watch.

"Um... I understand. I'll keep it in mind. It feels a bit strange to call it an interview, but thank you."

Yoon Eun-seon put all the books in her backpack and bowed deeply to me.

"Good luck."

"Thank you, be careful."

I waved to see Yoon Eun-seon off.

Afterward.

I thought other heroines might come, but no one did.

"Sweet."

Thanks to this, I could read the books I borrowed to my heart's content.

* * *

A strange sophist.

A man lost in his own world.

This was Yoon Eun-seon's conclusion about the man with the name tag 'Doh Ji-hwan'.

"Does he think he's an academy professor?"

Professors sometimes act like that.

Especially those deeply immersed in their field.

"Is he trying to become a professor after working as a librarian? He's a unique person."

She just wanted to hear opinions about mana, but the conversation felt like it was going beyond dimensions.

Is that how people usually are?

Or is it because he's buried underground and lacks social skills?

"...I feel a bit sorry for him."

It was a bit pitiful to see him working and manning the desk even on a Saturday.

But.

"......A contract with a demon."

What he said was definitely a unique and interesting perspective.

What is a hero?

"Regardless of appearance and origin, as long as one exerts a positive influence on others. Something like that...?"

It felt like she had heard a clear answer to why people attend the academy and what kind of hero they should become after graduating.

"He's an interesting person."

Swoosh.

"And...."

Yoon Eun-seon licked her lips as she looked at herself in the mirror.

"A gumiho."

In the mirror, Yoon Eun-seon had fox ears on her head and nine fox tails behind her, with an incredible figure.

But.

"...If I could become like that?"

Reality was just-

Thud.

Yoon Eun-seon stepped on two AAA batteries rolling on the ground.