Seun-mi Ho observed the hooded man sitting before him in the dim tavern room. The NPC's eyes gleamed with a strange light, as if animated by a constant stream of data. But what surprised Seun-mi Ho the most was the man’s first words upon his entrance.

"I was expecting you. You’re looking for the Source Fragment, aren’t you?" he stated in a calm, monotone voice.

Seun-mi Ho frowned and asked immediately:

"How do you know I’m looking for the Source Fragment? Who told you about that?"

To his surprise, the man repeated the exact same phrase, with the same tone and words:

"I was expecting you. You’re looking for the Source Fragment, aren’t you?"

Seun-mi Ho quickly realized it was a script. The NPC was programmed to say this line repeatedly until he received the correct response. He sighed internally, realizing he wouldn’t learn anything more through further questions.

"Yes," he answered simply, accepting the scripted flow.

The NPC nodded, then slowly stood up from his chair. He looked far older and frailer than Seun-mi Ho had initially perceived. His movements were slow and cautious, like those of an old man. He moved toward a corner of the room where several crates were piled up.

"Your mission is simple," he said in a raspy voice, "help me transport these goods to the village market. They’re heavy, and my old bones can no longer bear such a burden."

Seun-mi Ho nodded, slightly surprised at the task’s simplicity. He had expected a more complex challenge for obtaining information on the Source Fragment, but he knew that in Heaven Realm, even basic missions could hide unexpected rewards.

The old NPC pointed out the crates to Seun-mi Ho, who began lifting them immediately. They were indeed much heavier than they looked. Fortunately, thanks to his enhanced abilities in this reality, Seun-mi Ho was more than capable of handling the task. He loaded the crates onto a cart and followed the NPC through the town streets toward the market.

The journey was silent, punctuated only by the ambient noises of the town. Residents moved back and forth, always under the watchful eye of the Dark Mage's soldiers. The atmosphere remained tense, as if a shadow hung constantly over the citizens' shoulders.

When Seun-mi Ho and the old man finally reached the market, the latter stopped and turned to him.

"Thank you for your help," he said in a softer voice. "My old bones are grateful. You’re perhaps more useful than I thought."

Seun-mi Ho was about to respond, but something suddenly shifted in the NPC’s demeanor. His eyes began to shine with a more intense light, and he stood up a bit straighter. His script had activated.

"The Dark Mage," the old man began without preamble, "is a malevolent being who controls this town and the entire kingdom. He rules by fear, manipulating dark magic to maintain his power. His practices are vile, and he uses his sorcerers to spy on and corrupt the minds of the people. Few dare to oppose him, and those who try mysteriously disappear."

Seun-mi Ho listened attentively, noting every detail. He already knew that his mission was to infiltrate the Dark Mage’s army, but this additional information could prove invaluable.

"However," the NPC continued, "I have something that could help you on your quest."

The old man reached into his pocket and pulled out a small wooden box adorned with intricate carvings. He extended it to Seun-mi Ho.

"This is the Source Fragment. It contains part of the primordial code lines of this world. Use it wisely."

Seun-mi Ho carefully took the box. He knew this artifact was of utmost importance. He slowly opened the box and found inside a small glowing cube, with a QR code floating in the air above it.

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"Scan it," the NPC added. "It will grant you abilities that few in this world possess."

Without hesitation, Seun-mi Ho activated his interface and scanned the QR Code. Instantly, a series of notifications appeared before his eyes.

[Notification Interface: Artifact Acquired]

Congratulations! You have acquired the artifact: the Source Fragment.

[Resistances and Immunities Gained]

•Gravity

•Corruption

•Fire

•Ice

•Wind

•Water

•Darkness

•Light

•Madness

•Death

•Espionage

•Mind Control

•Earth

•Heat

•Perception

[Description of the Fragment of the Source]

The Fragment of the Source is a unique artifact containing a primordial code of unimaginable complexity. By possessing it, all temporal and spatial coordinates associated with the user are erased, rendering them invisible to detection, tracking, and remote observation spells. This fragment acts as a barrier against any power attempting to analyze or locate its wielder, granting them an existence outside the normal patterns of perception and reality.

Effects:

•Immunity to Magical Detection

•Erasure of Temporal and Spatial Coordinates

•Protection Against Espionage and Information Manipulation

________________________________

•Immunity to Magical Detection

With the Fragment of the Source, Seun-mi Ho becomes imperceptible to spells and artifacts that track individuals using magical or divine means. Any attempt to locate him magically fails, as if his presence is concealed by an invisible barrier. This gives him a significant advantage in moving incognito, even in heavily monitored areas.

•Erasure of Spatial and Temporal Coordinates

By possessing the Fragment of the Source, Seun-mi Ho reaches a level of existence that erases all traces of his being in the past and future. He becomes an entity unaffected by the laws of time and space, having no causal link to these dimensions. As such, he cannot be influenced by past events nor be bound to future predictions or outcomes.

•Protection Against Espionage and Information Manipulation

Any attempt to gather information about Seun-mi Ho or his actions becomes impossible. The Fragment of the Source disrupts and alters information flows concerning him, rendering any data that could betray him inaccessible. Spells or devices aimed at extracting information fail, granting Seun-mi Ho total resistance to psychic intrusions and subtle manipulations.

___________________________________

[New Skill Unlocked: Summon Sagitarrus]

Description: You can summon Sagitarrus, a mystical creature.

Effect: A no-damage and damage-transfer law will activate upon summoning. All received damage will be transferred to Sagitarrus, and it cannot suffer any direct damage.

Seun-mi Ho felt a wave of power surge through him as all these new abilities integrated into his being. He was no longer the same as before. The Source Fragment had granted him near-absolute resistance to numerous threats, as well as a powerful new summoning skill.

"Now, you’re ready," said the NPC, his script complete. "Use these powers to accomplish your mission and overthrow the Dark Mage."

Seun-mi Ho nodded, grateful. He knew that the true test awaited him, but with these new skills, he felt more confident than ever.

After leaving the town, Seun-mi Ho headed to a nearby village, as he had planned after obtaining the Source Fragment. The village was less oppressed by the Dark Mage's presence, but the shadow of his tyranny still loomed over the inhabitants. They spoke in hushed tones, constantly glanced over their shoulders, and avoided mentioning the dictator’s name.

Seun-mi Ho easily found a modest inn where he could rest and consider his next move. He settled into a simple but comfortable room and began planning how he could infiltrate the Dark Mage’s army.

Seun-mi Ho knew he had to be discreet and strategic to infiltrate the Dark Mage’s army. He couldn’t simply present himself as a new recruit without arousing suspicion. He would need to prove his loyalty or perform an act that showed he could be an asset to the regime.

By discreetly questioning some villagers at the inn, Seun-mi Ho managed to gather crucial information.

"If you want to join the Dark Mage’s ranks," murmured one villager, "you’ll need to pass a loyalty test. They only accept those willing to sacrifice everything for the Dark Mage. If you fail, you’ll be executed on the spot."

"What kind of test?" asked Seun-mi Ho.

"No one really knows," the man replied, casting a nervous glance around. "But it’s rumored they’ll ask you to commit an act of cruelty or betrayal to prove you’re trustworthy. They want to ensure you’re not a spy."

Seun-mi Ho nodded, thinking quickly. He knew he’d need to be cautious and cunning to pass this test without compromising his own values.

"The Dark Mage’s army headquarters is in a fortress to the east of the kingdom," the villager added. "That’s where you’ll need to go if you want to try your luck."

With this new information, Seun-mi Ho knew his next destination: the Dark Mage’s fortress, located east of the kingdom. He had to infiltrate it, pass the loyalty test, and find a way to get close enough to the dictator to complete his mission.

He left the inn, his mind focused on the task ahead. With the Source Fragment and his new abilities, he felt more powerful than ever. But he also knew that the Dark Mage was a formidable foe, and this mission would likely be one of the greatest challenges he’d face in Heaven Realm.

"Time to take action," he murmured as he left the inn.

End of Chapter 30.