Ensemble Leveling
Chapter 44: Victorious Degenerate
[58 days left until Alvorna’s Rite of Ascension]
Jihoon woke up. Despite the supposedly obvious aftereffects that pushing his own body to the utter brink supposed to bring. He felt absolutely nothing wrong with his body as though the trial before was just a scenic walk through the park. The lack of crippling injury felt unnerving although the presence of System with him was far more fantastical than his miraculous recovery.
Guessed that he couldn’t underestimate the medical magi-technology of Absence at all.
He glanced around the room he found himself in. The seamless blend of classical architecture and cutting-edge medical equipment gave him a sense of whiplash. Ornate columns and arches, carved with intricate patterns reminiscent of ancient temples, framed a room filled with glowing monitors and sleek, futuristic devices. The contrast was striking, like seeing a Renaissance chapel outfitted with spacecraft controls.
Jihoon swung his legs off the bed and looked to the window. Sunlight streamed in through crystalline panes, illuminating a breathtaking cityscape. Towers of impossible design spiraled upward, their surfaces shimmering with iridescent hues, reflecting an aesthetic preference that seemed indulgent in every sense of the word.
It was a society that had long since overcome scarcity, where people could choose beauty and aesthetics without compromising utility. The streets below were spotless, the people moving with calm purpose, their clothes as diverse as the architecture.
He couldn’t help but feel a pang of longing. It was a peace that was, in many ways, alien to him. The closest his world had come to anything like this was a brief, fleeting hope—one snuffed out when the Gates opened and turned everything upside down. 10 years living in turmoil, can’t just be cleansed away with euphoria and pleasure.
A paradox to him: the closest to utopia he had ever seen, yet it felt infinitely far from his grasp.
“Right… The System’s quest, I wonder what completing Lap 4 would give me”. Jihoon said as he remembered the displayed panel that the System gave him at the beginning of the race.
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Quest completed!
The Great Escape
Difficulty: C+
Description:
A trial of endurance and strategy. You are to complete
a single lap of the trial course through the city of Cicones and beyond.
The route will grow increasingly treacherous as sentinels are deployed
to hunt down participants.
Survival is key, but speed is also rewarded.
Take caution, but know when to push your limits. Time is of the essence.
Objective:
-Complete the race with at least 1 lap. (Completed)
Laps completed: 4
Final Evaluation: SSS
Reward:
-5,000 EXP
-Performance Bonus:
-20,000 EXP
-Achievement Unlocked: [Against All Odds] (+10 to all attributes).
{Accomplish a quest with SSS-ranked Evaluation.}
-Achievement Unlocked: [Sonic Reckoning]: (Unlock [High-Speed Mastery Lv. 1]).
{Reach Mach speed for the first time}
-Advanced Skill Upgrading Token. (Upgrading any chosen System skill from Advanced-class or below)
-Title: Reckless Pathfinder. (Reduce physical and mental exhaustion rate by 10%)
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
Jihoon only lets out a half-sigh and half-smile seeing the reward. He is certain the little goddess behind the screen who observing him doesn’t know how to give appropriate response to what he did. The certain thing for sure that it is at least more reassuring to know the thought behind the System isn’t malicious and he wouldn’t trade anything else for that.
It wasn’t the rewards that had driven him to take on Lap 4. It never had been. For Jihoon, this was about something far more personal—and infinitely more fragile.
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Absolute Absurdity
Classification: Song Magic
Rank: Intermediate
Effect (MAG 60):
-+[10*MAG/3]% to Innate Skill’s Effect (Currently: 200%)
(This effect can only be stacked once and is overlapped by stronger similar effect.)
Upon casting, receive 20 seconds of invulnerability. Can’t be extended or altered.
--------____{\\\\////}_____--------
“Figures… if [Deadly Obsession] didn’t already ruin me, this would. Who knew that throwing myself into madness would result in something that’s both incredible and absolutely terrifying?” Jihoon let out a dry chuckle as he read the description. Live by the sword, die by the sword. Since he composed it during activation of [Deadly Obsession], it is only natural that its effect would be attuned to it.
It was a Song Magic unlike any other in his arsenal too—suited perfectly for his most dangerous tendencies. Its very existence was a warning without a shadow of doubt. This wasn’t a tool. It was a double-edged sword, one that could just as easily save him just as it could destroy him."
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon
Title: Reckless Pathfinder
Level: 84
EXP: 713/1,631
Class: None
+Physical Attributes:
-STR: 24
-END: 25 (+9)
-AGI: 25
-DEX: 24
+Non-physical Attributes:
-INT: 20.2
-CHA: 14
-MAG: 40
Attribute Points: 52
+Weapons:
-Judgement of Light (Decayed) – Halberd [Heroic]
-Dual Adamantium Survival Knives [Mortal]
-Adamantium Spiked Handaxe [Mortal]
+Musical Prowess: Early-Expert
+Active Skill:
-Doppelganger (Master)
-Mana Attunement (Advanced)
-Light Magic (Advanced)
-Judgement of Light – Halberd (Novice)
+Passive Skill:
-Deadly Obsession [Inactive] (Innate Trait Skill)
-High-speed Mastery [Inactive] (Lv.1)
-Agony Resistance (Advanced)
+Song Magic:
-Forgotten Melody (Intermediate)
-Glint of Cold Steel (Intermediate)
-Belief (Intermediate)
-Exceed! (Intermediate)
-Smashing Through Mountain Path (Intermediate)
-Death That I Deserve Truly (Intermediate)
-Absolute Absurdity (Intermediate)
-RiET-949 (Intermediate)
-SPIKA (Intermediate)
-Alvorna (Expert)
-Restia. (Expert)
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
In hindsight, the race of Cicones was easily the most disadvantageous for him because of how his Linked Song Magic required a closeby caster which is easily circumvented with Doppelgangers. However, because Doppelgangers’ stats can’t be altered externally, and they can’t utilize System’s [Skills] thus if he has to leave them behind, they won’t be able to catch up with him.
A rather disastrous first trial it could have been. And a rather destructive and unhinged display of performance of his was shown to the wider Absence out there.
The chaotic performance he'd displayed wasn’t just dangerous for him, it had undoubtedly drawn the attention of every significant power in Absence. Karim’s warning to keep a low profile was ringing in his ears, but Jihoon couldn’t help but wonder if a more brazen approach would serve better. Hiding in plain sight, after all, might be the only effective method to evade the Harpies' reach. If even Ocypete’s reconstructed likeness had been unleashed as a boss sentinel, it was clear that no corner of Absence was free from their influence.
"The Harpies are the existence closest to the heaven, for their unfettered freedom over the sky"
The words heavy with a poetic truth that stung more deeply than he wanted to admit. The phrase reminded him of Alvorna, her struggles, and her glided chains.
Jihoon’s thoughts drifted to the original reason he had ventured into Absence: finding someone to complete his new ensemble and develop his Song Magic to Expert-class. Alvorna had been that person—a prodigy whose melodies intertwined with his in ways that transcended mere sound. She was the reason he had ascended to this level of proficiency in the first place.
But that simple purpose had since warped into something far greater, far more complex. To bring Alvorna with him to his world, he had found himself chasing the faint whispers of Absence's forgotten myths, piecing together fragments of history that no one seemed to recall—or perhaps dared to remember.
These Grand Mural Fragments, these pieces of Absence's primordial origin, had become the focal point of his personal odyssey. And at the center of it all were the Harpies, their history steeped in mystique and their matriarch holding secrets that could upend everything.
It was impossible to ignore the disturbing parallels between Absence and his world. The amalgamation of his world’s cultures, scattered like a kaleidoscope across this realm, was uncanny. Even the constellations above mirrored those of his home, further solidifying the eerie familiarity. The implications of such parallels clawed at his mind, pulling him toward an answer he dreaded uncovering.
And yet, Jihoon couldn’t turn back. Not now. Not after he had promised Alvorna that he would find a way to give her the freedom she deserved, a freedom that mirrored his own yearning for meaning and purpose. His choices were made, and each step forward felt like a spiritual echo of the heroes. Not the ones that he’d dismissed as shallow fiction but actual ideals which people pursue and follow.
Perhaps this was the cruel truth of heroism: not grand triumphs or noble ideals, but the relentless march forward in the face of impossibility, bound by promises no one else could understand.
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The sudden sound of the door sliding open startled Jihoon out of his contemplative haze. For a brief moment, his heartbeat quickened, expecting either a nurse or another doctor. Instead, his visitors caught him entirely off guard yet perhaps he should have foreseen ahead already.
Karim strode in first, his usual confident demeanor cracked by a mix of irritation and relief. Rosa followed closely, the harmonica that had played such a critical role in Jihoon’s final lap still tucked securely in her hand. But the real surprises came after—Mermaid Princess Aquarius entered the room with her characteristic poise, her aquamarine eyes shimmering with unreadable emotions. And last was Alvorna, her presence sending a jolt through Jihoon as their eyes met.
Karim’s sharp eyes scanned Jihoon’s form. For a rare moment, his typical snark was absent, replaced by something closer to genuine concern and frustration. “You’ve been out for two days, Jihoon. And that’s two days too long for someone who’s been pulling this kind of madness,” he said, gesturing vaguely but emphatically, like he couldn’t find words grand enough to match what Jihoon had done.
Rosa followed closely behind, her large twintails of rose-gold color, the harmonica of same color still in her hands. Her expression was a complex swirl of relief, lingering guilt, and amazement. “You scared the entire entertainment district, you idiot,” she said softly, her voice catching. “I’ve seen insanity in my business, Jihoon, but this… this was…” She trailed off, shaking her head, unable to complete her thought.
“Ignore him. We’ve all been worried sick. Your injuries—” She hesitated, glancing at him before continuing, “They were supposed to be… irreparable, even with Absence’s advanced medical capabilities. And yet, here you are. Walking. Talking.”
Aquarius studied him silently, her serene composure betraying little of what she felt. Jihoon had learned enough to know that her silence was often far more meaningful than words. It’s a surprising change considering just how emotional she was at their first encounter back then. Alvorna, however, stepped closer, her emerald gaze narrowing.
“You’re an idiot,” she said flatly. “Do you know how much trouble you’ve caused for yourself? For all of us?”
Jihoon chuckled weakly, leaning back against the headboard. “Good to see you too, Alvorna. And no, I don’t think I know.”
“So you don’t,” she snapped, crossing her arms. But Jihoon caught the briefest flicker of something softer in her expression. Concern, perhaps.
“Two days, huh?” Jihoon muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. His body felt unnervingly fine, as though his previous injuries were nothing but a distant memory. It was unnatural, he knew that much. The medical staff had been stunned by his recovery, and even he couldn’t entirely explain it.
Except, perhaps he could. Jihoon had a nagging suspicion that his miraculous healing wasn’t due to Absence’s advanced medical technology but the System’s intervention itself. It wasn’t unlike the progression fantasies he despised—protagonists never truly suffered crippling injuries or lasting consequences, no matter how absurd the battles they faced. They simply “slept it off” and woke up ready for the next ordeal. Jihoon’s recovery felt eerily similar, and though he loathed the thought, he chose not to mention it.
She stepped forward, her wings folding neatly behind her, her presence a whirlwind of emotions he couldn’t quite name. She looked at him with the intensity of someone who both understood and questioned the weight he bore. “
Jihoon,” Alvorna began, her voice steady yet tinged with an edge of vulnerability, as though a perfect storm is about to brew, “are you insane, or just stubborn?”
“Maybe, it’s a bit of both. Well, I’m still alive. That’s what counts, right?” Jihoon forced a smile, though he knew it didn’t reach her eyes.
Aquarius finally spoke, her voice calm but firm. “Alive is an understatement. Do you even comprehend what you did during that trial? The entire city is talking about it. You’re… a spectacle now, Jihoon. And not just in Cicones.”
“Great,” Jihoon muttered, his tone laced with sarcasm. “Exactly what I needed—more attention.”
“You don’t get to brush this off,” Alvorna interjected, her tone sharp but lacking its usual edge. “You destroyed a mountain path, unleashed something no one’s seen outside of legends, and pushed yourself to the brink of death. Twice. All for what? Over a trial you didn’t even need to win.”
Jihoon looked at them all, each of their expressions like mirrors reflecting the storm inside him. He didn’t have an immediate or perfect answer. Not for Karim’s exasperation, not for Rosa’s guilt, not for Aquarius’s bewilderment, and certainly not for Alvorna’s piercing question.
He took a breath, sitting straighter, and let a small, wry smile tug at his lips.
“Worth it?” he echoed, meeting Alvorna’s gaze. “You tell me. I promised to bring you liberty and freedom to do what you desired, right? And what’s the point of promises if they are intended to be broken so easily? How could I convince your mother, the Matriarch herself if I don’t stand my ground no matter the force that stands between us? Because of you, I found something worth fighting for more than life itself”.
Give her liberty, or give me death…
Alvorna’s eyes narrowed, but there was a glimmer of something in her emerald gaze—approval, perhaps? Or recognition?
“Reckless fool,” she said softly before turning away from him. Alone to herself as she ponders his response. His actions were reckless, certainly, but there was no denying the sincerity.
“That’s a good rebuttal right there. I see that you learned something from the great old me.” Karim said, his usual self-assured smirk creeping back into his expression. Yet beneath the humor, there was a flicker of deeper understanding. He had seen another layer and aspect to Jihoon’s resolve, one that worried him as much as it impressed him.
But still… from what it has been observed of Jihoon. One can easily tell just how much mental baggage he has been carrying since his arrival in Absence. Cicones would be just another one of long list of instances where that self-destructive obsession arise if they don’t address it immediately.
They all recognized the cracks in his psyche, even if Jihoon himself was too stubborn—or too focused—to acknowledge them.
“You know what, since there is still a little more time until the next trial commences. We are going to have that mind of yours relaxed whether you like it or not. The doctors and nurses said that your condition has miraculously stabilized to the point they could discharge you now although hesitate to do so because this is too much miracle for them even.” Karim said what has to be done. His concerns aren’t out of nowhere either.
“We’re going to Lotus-Eater Island,” Rosa chimed in as she pulled a colorful pamphlet seemingly out of nowhere. The glossy print displayed images of serene beaches, lush tropical forests, and luxurious hot springs that practically radiated relaxation.
Jihoon blinked, the sheer contrast between the idea of a peaceful island retreat and the chaos he had just survived catching him off guard. “Lotus-Eater Island?” he repeated skeptically. “Is that seriously what it’s called?”
“It’s a resort,” Rosa explained with a teasing grin. “Known for its restorative properties and unparalleled ability to help people let go of their worries. Just what you need.”
“Restorative?” Jihoon asked, his skepticism persisting. “Sounds like you’re planning to drug me into submission.”
“Don’t tempt me,” Rosa shot back, her tone light but her meaning clear. “Seriously, Jihoon, we’ve watched you push yourself to the brink. You’re not invincible, no matter how much that obsession of yours might say otherwise. Take the time. Recover. Let your body—and your mind—catch up.”
Alvorna didn’t comment further, though she didn’t object either. Her silence was its own form of agreement. Jihoon, for all his reluctance, couldn’t entirely argue with them.
Few hours later, on a rented boat in which Karim did just to keep their profile a bit lower. Although from what Jihoon read on the recent news on the ether phone, it seems that his recent feat was still being debated and analyzed endlessly. People seemingly extract hours of contents just to reiterate and theorize on the footage of Lap 4 and his Mach speed to complete it in 3 minutes despite clear limitation. It’s like he just gives the people endless homework to theorize about it for years or perhaps any visible long term.
Of course, no one could possibly know about the System and Song Magic as he kept that to himself although Alvorna has a hunch because they were melodically attuned to one another. And thus invoked its power even if she thought it was just extension of her own magic. He didn’t feel the need to correct that of course until he safely brought her back to his world.
Setting the phone aside, he leaned against the railing, letting the cool sea breeze sweep over him. The question that had been lingering in his mind finally found its way out. “So… what exactly is Lotus-Eater Island? The name feels a little too on the nose.”
Rosa, reclining nearby with her rose-gold harmonica close at hand, smirked at his curiosity. “You really don’t know? I thought you were the bookworm type,” she teased.
Jihoon’s brow furrowed as he mentally reviewed his recently upgraded INT 20. “I know the name. It’s from the Odyssey—the myth, I mean. An island where Odysseus and his crew got stranded. The people there ate these lotus fruits that were so delicious—and, well, narcotic—they didn’t want to leave. So why would you name a resort after something like that?”
Rosa’s smirk widened as she leaned forward. “You’re sharper than I thought. That’s exactly where the name comes from. But here’s the twist. The origin isn’t from your homeland’s mythology, as you might expect—it’s from Atria, the eastern part of Absence which you know as Land of Shadow.”
Jihoon tilted his head. “Atria? That’s… the land of the Youkai people, isn’t it? The ones with all the Shadow Magic and—”
“And a deep philosophical obsession with harmony and balance, yes,” Rosa cut in. “The lotus flower you’re thinking of—the one with the narcotic properties—it was brought to this island by ancient Youkai settlers. They cultivated it and refined its uses, turning it into incense, oils, and yes, even fruits and brewed wine and tea. Over time, they developed methods to use the lotus for therapeutic purposes. Carefully controlled, of course.”
Jihoon’s skepticism didn’t waver. “Therapeutic purposes?”
“To help people relax, recover, and relive their most beautiful memories,” Rosa explained, her tone growing more serious. “They even have therapy chambers operated by descendants of the original Youkai settlers. In those chambers, they use the lotus to help visitors reconnect with the best parts of their pasts. Of course, they’re very careful with dosages to prevent addiction. The Atrians don’t take their ideals of harmony lightly. Being an addict ruins body’s balance which needs no further words to describe”
Jihoon crossed his arms, leaning further into the railing. “It still sounds dangerously abusable. How do they stop people from, you know, losing themselves?”
Rosa shrugged. “That’s the beauty of Atria’s philosophy, Jihoon. They emphasize balance above all else. If someone does lose themselves, it’s usually because they themselves refuse to return to the real world—not because of the lotus itself.” She paused, glancing at him with a raised brow. “You’re not planning on resisting the therapy, are you?”
Jihoon sighed, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “I’m not one to run away from reality, Rosa. But I’m not exactly in the habit of reliving the past, either.”
“It’s not some mind-warping illusion,” Rosa reassured him. “It’s a controlled environment. Think guided meditation but amplified with subtle sensory cues—the lotus’s aroma, controlled lighting, and soundscapes. They create an atmosphere that helps people connect to their memories, feel at peace with them, and let go of lingering burdens.”
The thought made Jihoon pause. A place where people could face their pasts, find solace in it, and perhaps even move forward… It was ironic how fitting that sounded for someone like him, who had spent so much time running from—or fighting against—his own memories.
“Sounds like it has its uses,” he admitted quietly, leaning against the boat’s edge as the distant silhouette of the island began to appear on the horizon.
“Trust me,” Rosa said with a grin. “You’ll need this more than you realize. Just don’t fight it, okay?”
Her grin then softened into something more understanding. “Sometimes, the past isn’t about running away. It’s about understanding why you keep moving forward.”
By looking at one’s past with undaunted clarity and embracing it, one gains the strength to build the future to their own image.
Her words lingered in the air as the boat approached the island. Jihoon didn’t respond, but he couldn’t help feeling like he was about to learn something he hadn’t yet been ready to face. He stared at her, skeptical but nonetheless intrigued.
“So you’re telling me I’m about to step into a narcotic paradise where I’ll get to relive my happiest moments without overdosing?” Jihoon said.
Rosa smirked. “More like a carefully curated mental retreat. Trust me, it’s exactly what you need after nearly turning your body into paste at Cicones.”
Karim chuckled. “It’s a chance to stop being so stubborn and let yourself rest, even if it’s only for a little while. Consider it part of your recovery plan.”
Jihoon leaned back, his gaze drifting toward the horizon and their destination farther away.
“Reliving the past, huh…?” he murmured. He wasn’t sure if that sounded like a dream or a nightmare.
Karim smirked from his seat nearby, where he was sorting through his merchant’s ledger. “Trust or not, you’ll go. If not for you, then for us. Someone has to keep that beautiful wreck of a mind from spiraling again, Jihoon.”
Jihoon sighed but didn’t argue further, the silhouette of Lotus-Eater Island growing larger on the horizon.