Reincarnated Hero System

[Artemisia, sorry about swiping your crystal from your office, but I needed something that’d definitely attract your attention.

While you’re here, I’d need you to do me a favour and tamper with the censoring for a bit. A lot of things I’m gonna say here are from the game, so…you get.]

He left the sentence unfinished and didn’t bother explaining what ‘the game’ referred to, leaving everyone puzzled. Artemisia, however, understood perfectly and gave a silent nod, activating her authority immediately.

[Oh, you need to leave as well, Peggy. I don’t wanna involve you with the Demonic Hand’s stuff yet.]

The Pegasus’s brows furrowed in irritation at the nickname, but with the real Evan absent, he could only swallow his grievances and exit through the gate Artemisia created.

[Alright, I’m assuming by now that Artemisia has taken care of the censoring, so you won’t be bombarded with static when I mention something restricted.

Let’s test it with a titbit that the laws of time would absolutely not want me to reveal. For instance, the Ancient Demonic Dragon that the Demonic Hand plans to use to wipe out the Dark Continent is actually *SNAP! G—]

The hologram abruptly cut off, and all eyes turned to the person who had snapped their fingers just before it did.

Artemisia ignored their questioning gazes, using magic to fast-forward the video by a minute. When it resumed, Evan’s next words made her brows twitch.

[I’m guessing Artemisia probably stopped the recording and fast-forwarded it, right? It’d be pretty hilarious if she did.

But if she didn’t, then this part’s going to be awkward. Anyway, it’s not like I’m crazy enough to actually say that.]

Evan chuckled, leaning back in his seat before continuing with a more serious tone.

[Okay, on a serious note. This is me revealing part of my plans for Aidos, so I really need that censoring removed.

My plans have multiple phases, Phase 1 was the Descent and Beginnings, Phase 2 was Dungeons and Headless Knights, Phase 3 was Wars and Giant Lizards, and as of the time I’m recording this, we’re in Phase 4, False gods and Rifts in Space.]

Everyone who heard his words instantly began drawing parallels to events that had happened over the past few years.

From exploring the ‘Mansion of the Damned’ in Kasteblum to the ‘Dullahan Attack,’ the ‘Lizard Lord Outbreak,’ the ‘GEE-Wolfen War,’ and now, the ‘Fallen Celestial Deities.’

When he mentioned ‘Rifts in Space,’ Evan was referring to something different, unaware that a rift in space was what would take him off Aidos and trigger the playback of this video.

[Oh, and a little early teaser. Phase 5 is Sea Chronicles and Stone Festivals. How’d you like that name? Cool, right?]

Evan’s eyes gleamed with light as asked this, but realizing he wouldn’t receive any immediate responses, he cleared his throat and moved on to serious business.

[You should have figured this out by now, but ‘Rifts in Space’ refers to the Demonic Hand’s plan for Tarse. Just as they need years of planning to pull this off, I need years of planning to fuck them up.

In other words, my plans must proceed even if I’m not around. It will actually be easier since causality won’t have anyone to fault.]

He retrieved a folder from his inventory and began rifling through it, muttering to himself.

[Regarding the Fallen Celestial Deities, there are a few you should avoid killing. Although I don’t know when this would be played, I’ll assume it’s after we’ve dealt with them, and I’ve already informed you about who’s exempt from death.]

Glancing back at the camera, he addressed Hydran directly.

[When Liz and I visited your place last year, I dropped something in your lake—a box.]

Hydran’s brow arched in mild surprise, having not noticed this happen. But Evan’s next statements intensified his shock and spread it throughout the room.

[I need you to accompany Emperor Lloris and deliver that box to a Black Dragon named ‘Ciarrucrorth’.

Inform her that the box contains the item she’s been searching for over the past 50 years. Before handing it over, however, make sure she enters a contract binding her to assist us with some… internal cleaning.

Additionally, inside that box is enough evidence to indict the Elder Dragons Xaghenth, Erranun, Jaigintirth, and Buldrory as traitors to the Dragondune and spies for the Demonic Hand.]

“Wait, what?!”

Lloris exclaimed in shock but before he could even voice out another word, Evan continued.

[I can imagine Emperor Lloris is stunned, especially since Xaghenth and Erranun are among the dragons tasked with guarding his eldest daughter. But it’s true—they are traitors.

I need you two to ensure Ciarrucrorth places them on her watchlist and eliminates them at the time I appoint.]

The recording abruptly paused, and Artemisia turned to Hydran.

“Bring that box to me before you proceed. I need to add something to it.”

Without allowing anyone a moment to ask what she intended to add or why, she resumed the recording and Hologram Evan continued speaking, each statement delivering vital information that left them stunned.

It made them wonder when he had the time to concoct these plans given how busy he always was.

Seemingly random actions he’d taken months and years ago now revealed themselves as carefully laid foundations, suddenly making sense in the context of his grand plan.

They were reminded of the fact that Evan’s usual playful demeanour that made him seem like he rarely took anything seriously concealed a depth of seriousness and strategic foresight that only showed itself in situations like this.

The more used to his playful side they were, the greater the impact when he suddenly turned serious on them, revealing the calculated side to him. It didn’t mean his usual attitude was an act or façade though.

[I’ve mentioned this to some of you already, but for those who weren’t present, let me clarify it again. The Demonic Hand intends to assassinate the ‘Master of Dragondune,’ which is the first phase of their plan to destabilize Tarse.]

“?!”

Lloris and Isobel couldn’t believe their ears. The Master of Dragondune was a Semi-Transcendental being, not quite at full Transcendence but close—around 50% of the way.

This was well-known, so the Demonic Hand’s audacious targeting of such a powerful being filled them with dread about what they planned.

[Taking out Rizass would fuck up Tarse’s strongest battle power, the Dragons. It’d even cause rifts between the Sandfire Palace and Dragondune, and the number of dragons and Tarse Citizens who’d end up as collateral damage is not a number I want to even think about.

As for what they plan, afterwards…let’s focus more on stopping that from happening.]

Evan tapped the TV beside him, zooming in on the Zhosa Region of Tarse’s map before continuing.

[Plico City here, is the home to a hidden underground dungeon called the ‘Sanctum of Sovereign Relics’. On the 100th floor of this dungeon are 50 ‘Astral Modulators’— relics that enhance World Law Manipulation, offering both control and damage buffs.

I need King Kolvar to run this dungeon and get these relics. They’re in the hidden compartment on the ceiling of the Last Boss Room, right above the door.]

Evan explained how to get to the dungeon, which was located atop an energy hotspot where thirteen energy veins intersected.

[Firstly, I call dibs on 10 of them. The remaining 40 should be distributed by King Kolvar to 39 Living Legends recruited to bolster Tarse’s defences against the Demonic Hand.

The 40th relic goes to Sir Luke; he’ll need it to shield his soul from becoming ‘Stained by the Ink.’.]

“…”

Luke, stunned by the casual revelation of one of his greatest secrets, was momentarily speechless

The Ink Series skills, while powerful, were double-edged swords. Frequent use ‘Stained’ the user’s soul. No one knew the consequences of a soul becoming fully stained and none of the current wielders wanted to find out.

This was why Luke needed numerous soul-protection artifacts. Evan’s allocation of a relic was intended to help him safeguard his soul with Law energy.

[Oh, keep two for Laurene and David, and another for the Hero from Tarse. So that’s 14.

Distribute the remaining 36 to attract Living Legends to Tarse. More Legends in Tarse would slow the Demonic Hand’s plans as they need to avoid getting caught on the radars of these Legends, and this would provide a distraction for my party members to sneak in.]

After nonchalantly revealing the location of the fourth Alpha Continental Hero, Evan mentioned the second reason for recruiting Living Legends, to divert the Demonic Hand’s focus.

[What I want you guys to do is conceal and destroy some of the Planet’s energy hotspots.]

Before anyone could even question his decision to destroy such important things, Evan continued, revealing he’d ‘obtained permission’ to do so.

[Artemisia, I discussed it with {‘Aidos’ and ‘she’ gave the go-ahead}. I’m allowed to destroy a maximum of 6 Hotspots without causing any issues.]

Some of Evan’s words were slightly garbled by static, but the meaning was clear enough to hear. The notion of ‘discussing with Aidos’ puzzled many, but those like Hydran and Artemisia were taken aback by the permission Evan had secured.

Destroying an energy hotspot was wounding the planet—like driving a nail into its veins—an action that would inevitably cause lasting damage. Their astonishment that ‘Aidos’ agreed was thus understandable.

[I need these hotspots concealed from two specific groups. The first group includes the Fifth Finger of the Demonic Hand, {Deram Hester}, and his contractor, {Xolgren Agriker}.]

The mention of these names elicited varied reactions from the room. For the Aidosians, the name Deram Hester, a well-known Living Legend from the Beast Kingdom, came as a shock. For the Gozonians, the name Xolgren Agriker brought frowns of concern.

“If the Fifth Finger’s contractor is really an Agriker, then things would be troublesome. The Agrikers are summoners. Summoning magic flows in their bloodline.

For an Agriker to be snooping around a hotspot—something we’ve confirmed to have enough energy to make someone become a ‘Deity’, then it can only mean he’s trying to summon something from outside this world.”

Nadarus spoke up after Artemisia paused the recording, and Leviah nodded in agreement, adding clarity to the situation.

“The ‘Wildcard Protocol’. He most likely intends to summon demons from other Battlefront worlds, or conquered worlds.”

Those present here were all aware that the ‘Invaders’ of 1000 years ago were demons, and hearing Leviah’s description of this ‘Wildcard Protocol’, their expressions turned dark.

“If there’s anyone who can bring more demons into this world while that dimensional rift is sealed, then it’s definitely an Agriker. Their techniques can bypass World Repulsion forces and bring outsiders into at will.”

[I’m guessing this is where Nadarus and Leviah will provide some trivia on Agriker demons. Roselia probably wouldn’t bother saying a word.]

The three demons turned towards the hologram which was played a moment after Leviah spoke, and narrowed their eyes as they wondered if Evan had seen the future or something.