The Martial God who Regressed Back to Level 2

Chapter 667:

'Data installation...'

The 'humanity' data from Server 2101 where Jiang Shang lived.

If they installed this in the current server as the Red Administrator suggested, would all of Jiang Shang's empire subjects be resurrected?

"Let me see that for a moment."

As Seong Jihan reached out his hand,

Whoosh...

The light cluster summoned by the Red Administrator flew to him.

When he touched it, he could see a massive amount of compressed code contained within.

At first, he wondered how Urd, who could only use time reversal, had compressed it so intricately, but,

Seong Jihan could figure out how the data backup was done by looking at the machines in the center of the Ark.

And,

'I can analyze the data here.'

When he put the light cluster received from the Red Administrator into the analysis device,

[Analyzing compressed data...]

[Sorting players by level...]

Along with the message,

Ziiing...

Above the analysis device, holograms of high-level players started to appear.

The first person to appear was a woman with short black hair.

'Not the Emperor, but this person is the level 1 of Server 2101...? Ah, Jiang Shang isn't in the data because he was stored in the Ark in the Infinite Sword form.'

So was this woman the second strongest in Server 2101?

As Seong Jihan was observing the cold-looking woman,

"...It really seems to be backup data. To think Seol-young would appear..."

"Do you know her?"

"That child is your match."

Ah, could it be.

"Is this your youngest daughter? The one you said wasn't 100 years apart...?"

"That's right. Kang Seol-young. My youngest daughter."

Jiang Shang stroked his beard as he looked at the woman who appeared in the hologram.

"Looking at her like this, she really suits you. There's a bit of an age difference, but outwardly, you look about the same age, don't you?"

As Jiang Shang said, the woman looked to be about the same age as Seong Jihan.

He could understand why he tried to match them.

'If we revive them through this data, he might push for the marriage even more...'

Well, he could think about that when the time came.

Seong Jihan looked for how to install the data, but,

"...No matter how much I look, I can only analyze the data through the device?"

"Hmm. Installation... is it impossible?"

They couldn't find a process to 'install' the backup data.

'It seems like we can do everything here, but there are clear limitations.'

It was possible to change the current BattleNet system and modify the data processing method, but was it impossible to newly install old data?

As Seong Jihan was looking for any possible method,

[If there's no answer here, how about looking for an answer elsewhere?]

"...What do you mean?"

[Well... Don't you think there might be a solution in Mitra's authority?]

The Red Administrator said in a meaningful tone.

"In Mitra's authority...?"

[That's right. Think carefully... You must have a way.]

The Red Administrator seemed to know something.

Seong Jihan hardened his expression as he watched him.

This guy's attitude was too different compared to when he was trapped in the Blue and Red sword...?

Moreover,

'...Installing data through Mitra's authority is ultimately entering the realm of creation.'

Seong Jihan was consciously trying not to assimilate with Mitra.

But if he 'creates' through data restoration here, those efforts could be in vain.

Especially if instead of restoring through that machine device, he copied the code with his light authority to create the same beings, this would truly be reaching the realm of gods.

'...I might quickly become like Mitra that way.'

Even just seeing the code was already making him feel alienated.

And now to create on top of that?

That would accelerate his dehumanization.

Recognizing this, Seong Jihan looked at the Red Administrator again.

He took out the humanity data of Server 2101 and kept urging Seong Jihan to restore the data.

'His behavior seems to have changed compared to when he was in the Blue and Red sword. Especially after entering Hephaestus's body...'

Seong Jihan lowered his eyes.

"Red Administrator. You seem a bit strange."

[Strange? What do you mean?]

"Suddenly taking out the Server 2101 data, and urging me to use Mitra's authority... The timing feels very suspicious."

[Hm? Are you doubting me? That's unfair. I just found the data in Hephaestus and brought it out.]

The red giant shrugged his shoulders, expressing his grievance at Seong Jihan's question.

[And... Haven't you been receiving help from him all this time? Couldn't you do that much for him?]

"I'm not sure. For now, in the light authority I possess..."

Swoosh.

Seong Jihan looked at the light authority he possessed.

The light authority with numerous items listed.

Still, there didn't seem to be anything among them that could actually 'create' by writing code.

'Hmm...?'

As Seong Jihan was scanning through the items to see if there was anything,

One ability caught his eye.

It was,

['Manifestation' - Success rate 99%]

An ability that hadn't been visible before in the expandable ability items.

It was 'Manifestation'.

* * *

'It was 5% success rate before, when did it become 99%...?'

Could it be since he started recognizing code?

Seong Jihan instinctively realized that Manifestation was an ability that could create through code.

'If I master this and manifest that data... Can I revive Jiang Shang's people?'

If he could install that data in this server through 'Manifestation', wouldn't he be able to resurrect Jiang Shang's empire subjects?

As Seong Jihan was quietly observing the Manifestation item,

[Did you find it?]

The Red Administrator questioned him.

"I'm not sure. It doesn't seem to be applicable."

[Huh... Is that so? Strange. Seeing in code surely means there must be a way to write it. Why don't you look more carefully?]

Despite his denial, the Red Administrator once again showed a strange confidence that there must be a way.

Seong Jihan quietly watched him, then,

Swoosh...

He summoned the Blue and Red sword.

The Blue and Red sword with only a blue outline formed, the red energy inside gone.

He pointed that sword at the Red Administrator.

"Hey. You, come back in here for now."

[...You want me to go back in there? You'll need my help to handle these devices, won't you?]

"I can do it without you. It'll just be slower than planned."

Then Seong Jihan slowly continued speaking.

"Your behavior has been strange ever since you entered Hephaestus... Come back into the Blue and Red sword for now."

The Red Administrator had been giving him an uneasy feeling for a while.

Still, Seong Jihan was going to give him one chance if he just came back into the Blue and Red sword.

For now, it was just a stage of suspicion without definite evidence.

However,

[Huh. I was just giving you advice... Aren't you being unreasonably suspicious? Jiang Shang, don't you find this strange too?]

Instead of obediently entering the Blue and Red sword, the Red Administrator was rather trying to provoke Jiang Shang.

[He clearly seems to have a way. He made a promise to you, but when it's time to actually fulfill it, he's not doing so.]

"...A promise."

[That's right. Even though he can revive your empire's subjects... He's avoiding the solution and trying to put me in the sword for no reason. Are you going to just watch this? If I'm trapped in the Blue and Red sword, your world will be gone forever.]

"..."

[Protect me, Jiang Shang. And let's negotiate with him... That's the way to resurrect your family.]

The Red Administrator, who until just now was telling Jiang Shang to keep his mouth shut, was now actively trying to persuade him.

He really doesn't want to go back into the Blue and Red sword, huh.

'It seems my suspicion is turning into certainty...'

As Seong Jihan's expression turned cold, Jiang Shang slowly moved his hand from behind Hephaestus.

Then,

Slash!

Hephaestus's head was cut off in an instant and fell to the ground.

[...Is this your choice?]

Swoosh.

The giant's fallen head spun around to look at Jiang Shang.

[Are you giving up on the revival of your family and empire?]

"What I promised to do with him was revenge. Not the revival of my empire's subjects."

[...You. You were so happy just a moment ago...]

"Of course I was glad to see my child. However."

Whoosh!

As Jiang Shang swung his sword once more, Hephaestus's entire body crumpled and began to vanish instantly.

"If my son-in-law becomes assimilated with Mitra while trying to revive the empire's subjects... It would ruin everything in the end."

[No... Ruin everything? What he would do is creation. It's a miracle of creating substance from those bits of data. Are you going to miss the chance to witness this with your own eyes?]

Hephaestus was getting more heated even though only his head remained from the giant's body.

Jiang Shang looked down at the giant's head, then said to Seong Jihan.

"He's clearly shown his true colors. Will you handle the last part?"

"...Understood."

Swoosh.

As Seong Jihan approached Hephaestus's head, the giant turned his gaze to him.

[Blue Administrator... We've had quite a long relationship, haven't we?]

"So? Don't tell me you're going to ask to be spared?"

When Seong Jihan said this, the giant's head shook.

[No. Just... before I die... show me one thing. Finally, 'Manifestation'... show me the process of code being Manifested.]

"You're clearly aware of Manifestation."

The Red Administrator specifically mentioning Manifestation while asking to see the method of creation.

Seeing him speak so certainly, he must have definitely received information about this ability from Mitra.

'...He surely didn't know when he was in the Blue and Red sword.'

Even when he entered Hephaestus and revealed the nature of the code, he was definitely a reliable collaborator.

At what point did he go wrong and become obsessed with creation?

'Was it from when he started handling those devices...?'

Hephaestus, who had been doing a great job assisting Seong Jihan in operating the devices.

He thought it would be fine since he handled the machines from above the mixed defiled world, but at some point, did he start being influenced by it?

[Manifestation...!]

Seong Jihan looked at the head crying out to see Manifestation one last time, then,

Whoosh...!

He ignited blue flames, annihilating his head.

Swoosh...

Hephaestus's head vanished without even leaving ashes behind.

"I thought he might become a problem later... This is how it ends."

"We received quite a lot of help from him... I didn't expect us to part ways like this."

"Then, what do you plan to do now?"

"Well..."

Seong Jihan looked at the device installations with a somewhat deflated expression.

Now that the one who was assisting him is gone, it would be more difficult to achieve their original goal of exceeding the data limit.

'It would be nice if there was another way besides overturning the BattleNet settings.'

As he was examining the data capacity, he twitched his eyebrows while closely inspecting the numbers.

'...Hmm? Was Hephaestus taking up this much capacity?'

Server 4212, where empty space in the database had increased after the Red Administrator's annihilation.

Seong Jihan was carefully observing this change in data when,

Whoosh.

He quickly opened his mouth towards Jiang Shang.

"Your Majesty. May I make one urgent request?"

"A request...? Tell me anything."

"Yes."

Seong Jihan looked at the formless sword Jiang Shang was holding.

The Infinite Sword.

"I would like you to teach me about the Infinite Sword."