The Modern Founding Chronicles of the Returned Demon King

The Modern Founding Chronicles of the Returned Demon King

Episode 43: Doppelganger (5)

The ‘Magic Presentation Conference’ is a gathering where wizards present their unique magic.

This event is not only popular in Korea but also attracts participants from nearby China and Japan, making it a significant occasion among Korean wizards.

Even though the tower wizards may conceal information, the event itself is not as closed off to hinder personal development. Naturally, they wouldn’t showcase important spells from their respective sects.

‘Even so, if I attend, I can see how other wizards construct new magic.’

The foundation of the Magic Presentation Conference lies in sharing information and enhancing skills through mutual collaboration. Using the magic witnessed during the event was not legally or morally problem.

‘Originally, that was the main reason for attending the Magic Presentation Conference…’

However, since the appearance of the Doppelgangers, there was another reason to attend, to spot them among the wizards.

There is a valid reason for me to search for Doppelgangers among them.

‘When I used [Lezie’s Insight] on the Beelzebub, he said that Lucifer could freely transform an arrogant person into a Doppelganger without any restrictions.’

So, what Lucifer can do now with the current limitations is to transform an arrogant person into a Doppelganger.

Of course, I don’t know the exact criteria for arrogance, but since it’s from the same Seven Deadly Sins, it should be accurate.

‘Ordinary wizards are considered arrogant because they claim to know more than other humans. The likelihood of turning into a Doppelganger is generally higher.’

That’s why skilled wizards gather at the Magic Presentation Conference. In reality, I’m not entirely certain, but just by attending, knowledge of magic will increase, so there’s no loss.

In any case, it’s just adding a clear justification to the already scheduled agenda.

‘And the results will be known tomorrow.’

The current number of existing Doppelgangers is still 72, and the remaining time is 14 days. It’s not a leisurely amount of time, but I was confident. I had the assurance that I could find the Doppelgangers spread worldwide within that period.

It might be insufficient if I were alone, but now, Shayen is here. I plan to wear this monocle until tomorrow and then hand it over to Shayen. The rest is up to him.

There was another method that came to mind immediately. Therefore, I just need to focus on the Magic Presentation Conference tomorrow.

However, there was someone I had to meet before that.

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I used the invitation to go meet Irina. She, as usual, didn’t greet me and was busy doing something, gazing into the air.

“What are you doing?”

“Oh, Seo-jun, you came just in time.”

When I asked, Irina shifted her gaze towards me.

“I mentioned before that I could use the Worldview Causality Points that Beelzebub used when he moved here to bestow an effect on the Canaan Floating Island, right?”

“That’s right.”

“The work on that has just been completed. Please check the status window once.”

Opening the status window, next to the [Solomon’s Window], there were now [Territory Magicgement] and [Territory Effects] that hadn’t been there before. I checked [Territory Magicgement] first.

[Territory Magicgement]

Currently Applied Effects: Physical Regeneration +10%, Magic Regeneration +10%

In simple terms, it seems to enhance the physical and Magic regeneration of those on Canaan Floating Island by 10%. I then proceeded to check [Territory Effects].

[Territory Effects Bestowal]

Current Territory Points: 0 T.P

Teleport Connection between Territories: 1000 T.P

Physical Regeneration +10%: 50 T.P

Magic Regeneration +10%: 50 T.P

This seems to use Territory Points (T.P) to bestow effects on the territory in [Territory Magicgement].

I roughly understand how to utilize it.

I closed the window and asked Irina.

“Can I bestow these effects on any territory without restrictions?”

“No, it’s only possible for territories brought by the Seven Deadly Sins. Those are created using the allocated Worldview Causality Points from your side.”

So, roughly using the power when they come over from that side to Earth.

“The lack of any significant reaction even after the appearance of the Demon Lord of Pride, was it because of this?”

“Yes, I don’t have multiple bodies. Ultimately, I can’t defy the laws of this world.”

Well, it took three days for [Solomon’s Window] to be prepared. Of course, even that alone seems sufficient to go beyond the usual scope.

With the monocle fixed, I gazed intently at Irina. When nothing significant was visible from the beginning until now, I narrowed my eyes.

“…What exactly is your identity?”

Originally, when I used this monocle to see humans, a blue light would flicker within its form. For Solomon’s demons, it was a black light.

However, with Irina now, there was nothing visible.

Just ‘nothing’. As if everything in front of me was an illusion, Irina didn’t appear, and only the scenery of the forest reflected.

In one side of the field of vision without the monocle, Irina smiled.

“Can’t you see anything?”

“…Can you read my thoughts?”

“I wish I could, but no, that’s not it. I just knew you might think that way.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Right now, my appearance isn’t real. My main body is elsewhere. And, Seo-jun, it’s the same for you too.”

I looked down at my hand, a gaze that didn’t pass through it to touch the grassy field. Indeed, here, we might be just clear illusions. That’s why [Lezie’s Insight] couldn’t be used.

I don’t know the principles behind this place, but judging by the functioning of the monocle, it seems like the ability is maintained.

“So, where is your main body right now?”

“…Why do you ask?”

“Isn’t it better to meet and talk directly rather than doing it like this?”

“While trying to see through my thoughts?”

Caught. It was too obvious. Irina sighed lightly and spoke.

“But even if you meet my main body, you won’t be able to talk to me.”

“Why not?”

“My main body is asleep. As a consequence of using a lot of Worldview Causality Points.”

“Is this Worldview Causality Points the power you use?”

Having seen the word ‘Worldview Causality Points’ several times, it wasn’t difficult to infer.

“Yes, that’s correct. The Worldview Causality Points is the power I need to influence this world.”

“So, considering that we’ve met here all along, does that mean you were asleep even before we first met, and there was a need to use power to that extent before that?”

“Curious?”

Irina didn’t answer immediately but counter-questioned.

“Is it information you don’t want to reveal to me like before?”

“Well, it’s true, but it’s a bit different. I’m hesitating because I’m not sure if sharing this information will be an advantage or a disadvantage to me.”

“We can find out by checking it now.”

Suddenly, the wind blew. Two virtual strands of hair gently swayed.

In a world where it’s impossible to discern what’s real and what’s fake, Irina’s faint lips opened.

“The reason I slept is because of you, Seo-jun.”

“…What?”

“I consumed a lot of Worldview Causality Points to bring you, Seo-jun, back to Earth.”

…This was an unexpected answer.

“Even when imposing restrictions and crossing to other worlds consumes a significant amount of Worldview Causality Points, how much Worldview Causality Points does it take for someone like Seo-jun, who possesses power, to return to Earth without any restrictions? I don’t need to explain separately.”

So, she fell asleep as a recoil from that.

While I think the restrictions of the Seven Deadly Sins are somewhat weak, I do know how challenging it is to transcend worlds. I didn’t spend 6666 years there for no reason.

“…Should I say thank you?”

“If you believes my words?”

It makes sense. In reality, during the summoning, there was a message stating, ‘Allocating Worldview Causality Points to transcend space’.

“But you know what’s funny?”

“…What is it?”

“Listening to you now, instead of dispelling doubts, it raises questions. To think that Adoniya sent me to the Solomon’s Demon Realm, assuming the cost of even handling variables. Back then, I might have been weak, but he had to bear the Worldview Causality Points related to ‘time’.”

I don’t know how much power it takes to transcend space and time, but going beyond ‘6666 years’ is no simple task.

“I see…”

Irina gently stroked one arm with her white hand. Then, she smiled lightly.

“I can’t quite describe this feeling… It’s like becoming a scolded puppy before the owner, even though the flowerpot isn’t broken….”

There she goes again. That overly realistic analogy. But isn’t that a confession?

I observed Irina, who looked a bit deflated, and couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Irina.”

“Yes?”

Irina raised her head to look at me.

“Still, it probably won’t become reality.”

“Oh… um, yes?”

“Let’s postpone the gratitude for later.”

“Ah, um… yes.”

Irina, who roughly understood what I meant, nodded.

I gradually revealed the reason I came to this place.

“But is the restriction imposed by that Demon Lord of Pride really a constraint? If Doppelgangers survive a lot, it seems more like an advantage to him.”

“Well, there’s a risk because you’re weakening yourself in proportion to finding Doppelgangers. However, even if that’s the case, it wouldn’t make sense. Since he is unchanging in his arrival here.”

“True.”

This time, unlike when it was Beelzebub, we couldn’t prevent the Earth from being invaded in advance. Once the time passes, the Demon Lord of Pride will undoubtedly set foot on Earth.

“There’s no rule saying you have to handle this Worldview Causality Points alone. By giving you a quest, I share the burden of the insufficient Worldview Causality Points for the manifestation of abilities, just like that.”

“…So, the Seven Deadly Sins entrusts the Worldview Causality Points to the Demon Lord of Pride, sharing the burden?”

“Your brain turns fast. Yes, that’s right. Therefore, the Demon Lord of Pride needs to handle it promptly. Even if the lack of power itself is not a concern.”

Come to think of it, the Seven Deadly Sins also lifted the constraints on ordinary gates. This was confirmed from the memories of the guy who suffered from Hyude’s ‘Memory Transmission’, talking about the collapse of an S-class gate.

“But come to think of it, can’t you tell me the location of the Demon Lord of Pride and the true identity of the Doppelgangers?”

“That’s impossible. No matter how much information I know that others don’t, I don’t have omniscience.”

“I see…”

Summoning Shayen first and then involving the Paisley siblings was indeed a wise choice. If there’s information Irina can’t provide, we can get it from them.

With the immediate questions somewhat resolved, there was no need to stay here any longer.

“Then, I’ll be going now.”

Time to go hunt down those Doppelgangers.

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[Defeat the Demon Lord of Pride] (In Progress)

Description: Remove Doppelgangers and defeat the Demon Lord of Pride.

Reward: Gain 20 Territory Points per Doppelganger removed, World Worldview Causality Points 100 upon defeating the Demon Lord of Pride, [Predation] 1 slot obtained.

Returning, I noticed a new quest. The description was as simple and clear as before, but the reward now included Territory Points.

The next day, I attended the magic presentation. The venue was a musical theater, spacious enough to accommodate about 150 magicians.

As I walked through the corridor leading to the musical theater, Ha Seong-woo, who was by my side, asked.

“But can Mr. Seo-jun really discern Doppelgangers?”

“Yeah, don’t believe it?”

“Oh, no! It’s not that. It’s just that, since the number of Doppelgangers hasn’t decreased at all, we were wondering if it’s okay for us to casually hold meetings like this…”

They must be anxious. With only 14 days left and no decrease in the number of Doppelgangers, they’re probably more nervous. And Ha Seong-woo, who participated in the Beelzebub strategy, would be even more aware of their threat.

My steps came to a sudden stop.

“…Why are you like this?”

Ignoring Ha Seong-woo’s question, I turned my head slightly to survey the corridor.

Korean magicians gathered, numbering about thirty-five.

“It seems we’ve already found one.”

Among them, there was a Doppelganger.

(To be continued in the next part)