Chapter 1461

<Chapter 1461> 1461. Dark Moon

“Only transcendence is our ultimate goal.”

Ziiiiing.

The door opened.

I boldly stepped into the opened door, and Bell was startled, chasing after me closely.

The corridor lit up as soon as we entered. A stark white passage stretched straight ahead. Given the door’s location, it was clearly heading underground, yet the hallway remained perfectly horizontal, giving no such impression.

“Transcendentalists? I’ve never heard of that before.”

“The higher-ups judged the ideology of the transcendentalists dangerous and began controlling information. As the info got buried, interest faded, and eventually, even the higher-ups forgot about them.”

“Info control isn’t uncommon. But how could people who own a building like this just sit there and get controlled?”

“The number of transcendentalists was small. Controlling information? It didn’t matter much to them since they don’t force their beliefs on others. What mattered to them was ultimately their own transcendence.”

“So what’s transcendence? Like the thing where you go past Level 7 and become some kind of monster… something like that?”

In this world, people often call Level 7 the superhuman realm.

However, many misunderstand this. The ranking system in this world is closer to a measure of power than an indication of mastery.

“The transcendence of the transcendentalists isn’t like that. They define transcendence as shedding everything and reaching one’s own ideal.”

“That sounds vague. Why would that be dangerous? Anyway, those guys always suppress and try to erase anything they don’t like…”

“It was dangerous. Among the transcendentalist factions were truly those who had achieved transcendence.”

“That sounds intriguing.”

As we walked down the corridor, a wall appeared. Naturally, I moved my hand toward the pad attached beside it. The pad turned on, prompting for a password.

I paused momentarily, racking my memory. What was the code again?

“Originally, you’re supposed to complete a transcendentalist-related quest to find clues and deduce the password… but I didn’t want to think too hard, so I just searched online.”

And within 10 seconds of searching online, I figured it out.

“Wasn’t it definitely 697852?”

I typed it in.

The barrier opens, revealing another long corridor.

“But if someone achieved transcendence, doesn’t that mean they became some sort of overwhelmingly powerful being? Why haven’t I heard of them?”

“Don’t overestimate transcendence. Achieving transcendence doesn’t grant you the power to destroy the world. Some transcendentalists sought that kind of transcendence… but all of them failed.”

“Tell me about the successful transcendents. I’m curious.”

“The type of transcendence you might understand easily… ah, mechanical transcendence.”

“Mechanical transcendence? Those guys who argue that humans should discard their frail flesh and replace it with superior machines?”

“Cybernetic souls, you know?”

“How could I not? It’s the idea of digitizing the soul and placing it into cyberspace. There are probably a few related projects if you look around… Mechanical transcendence…”


“No way.”

“That’s right. That’s what transcending the machine means. However, transcendentalists added a few conditions to it. One is that you must not be influenced by external interference, and another is that you must maintain your self completely.”

“You’re talking about successful transcendents? So you mean… cyber spirits exist?”

“It’s different from a cyber god. Just because you become a cyber spirit doesn’t mean you can do everything related to cyberspace.”

“I’ve been wondering since earlier… why do you know so much about this?”

Because I saw it in a game. But he couldn’t say that.

“Because I’m interested in ancient things. If I hadn’t learned magic, I might have become an archaeologist. Transcendence, void, humanity…”

“Huh?”

“Ancient idealists. They’re kind of like a religion. You know the voidists, right?”

“The ones who claim the Dark Moon is caused by the void? Man, those guys give me chills just thinking about them. Damn. Because of them, I nearly died twice. So what’s this ‘humanity’ thing?”

“……The Dark Moon is merely a means of transcendence.”

“Huh?”

“Worship the Dark Moon. The door to the void lies within the Dark Moon.”

“……”

“One day, we will dominate even the Dark Moon.”

This was the slogan used by the game developers when introducing transcendentalists, voidists, and humanists. By now, you probably get it, but in the game, players could choose an ideology. Of course, not choosing was fine too. If you did choose, you’d unlock new abilities or quests, though naturally, there were downsides as well.

“Hmm. Well, I kinda get it. But did you memorize all that?”

“I just happened to learn it. It left an impression, so I naturally remembered it. And nothing describes them better than that.”

I could feel his gaze, as if questioning how absurd it all sounded.

“Anyway, speaking of cyber spirits… wouldn’t they be able to control Hamburg Innovation?”

“The city’s cyberspace is too vast, so I think it’s impossible, but if you’re interested, you can ask directly.”

We arrived.

This time, the door opened automatically without needing a password.

A wide-open space appeared. The inside was clean and tidy, with a futuristic design that made it hard to believe it was an ancient ruin.

Poof.

A holographic human appeared before us.

“Welcome, young transcendentalists. I am Barkase, the 72nd Transcendence Guide.”

He was a blonde man in a white gown, his bangs swept entirely back in an all-back hairstyle, wearing glasses. He looked like a doctor or researcher at first glance, exuding that kind of vibe.

“An AI…? No, it doesn’t feel like an AI. There’s none of that stiff, mechanical feeling typical of AIs.”

“Haha. Didn’t you already know about me?”

“…A cyber spirit.”

“Time flies, doesn’t it? I remember hearing the term ‘parasites of the network’ just the other day.”

I glanced around the room while asking Barkase.

“Did you hear our conversation?”

“I didn’t intend to eavesdrop. Since this building itself is my hardware, I naturally overheard.”

The space was exactly the same as in the original work. Barkase appearing was also the same. If we dismantle the machinery parts inside the space, we might get some money, but it would turn Barkase into an enemy. Long-term, that’d be more of a loss.

“So you already know then. We’re not transcendentalists.”

“I wasn’t a transcendentalist from the start either.”

“I have no desire to become one.”

“Reminds me of old times, doesn’t it? Back when I knew nothing about transcendence. I thought it was nonsense—common sense, you know. But look. In the end, I achieved transcendence.”

“I don’t plan on becoming a parasite of the network, though.”

“Haha. Sharp words. The direction of transcendence isn’t just one, as you should know too, right?”

“Why are you being friendly to us? I don’t understand…”


“I don’t really come here often.”

“Is it because you’re happy to meet a human after so long?”

Bell interjected. She was already wandering around, looking for anything valuable. Of course, since she found nothing, her expression soured.

“It’s because you two are qualified.”

“I’ve never gotten any kind of certification aside from my driver’s license though.”

After checking everything out, Bell grumbled as she came over to me.

“The qualification for transcendence. You two possess it.”

“…Mr. Barkase? Could you explain that more simply? Unlike the wizard next to me, all this talk about transcendence and transcendentalists is completely new to me.”

“To put it simply, it’s about the talent to achieve transcendence. In your case, your body is special, and your partner there has been blessed with mana. Neither are things one sees every day.”

“…….”

“…….”

Bell and I shut our mouths. While I did so simply because I had nothing to say, in Bell’s case, it was likely due to shock.

“Don’t take it too seriously. I have no intention of harming you. In fact, I plan to help you, if you agree, that is.”

The moment he said that, I inwardly rejoiced. The troublesome task of persuading him had disappeared.

“What kind of help are you talking about?”

Bell asked.

Barkase extended his hands wide.

“I’ll assist using those capsules and this capsule. Though, what I can do here and now is limited to that.”

“What exactly are those capsules?”

“They’re mana showers. They remove toxins accumulated in the body and stabilize your internal state. Besides that, they can also bring your physical condition to its peak or make some adjustments. All transcendentalists want a mana shower. Once you try it, the refreshing feeling is unbeatable.”

“Hah. Like I’d ever get into something so suspicious?”

Bell said, clearly disbelieving.

“You need it though.”

“I’m doing just fine without it.”

“They can also optimize the integration of flesh and machine. I’ll enhance the mechanical parts attached to your body. I promise it’ll be far better than adjustments by an average mechanic. Especially since your heart seems problematic, doesn’t it?”

“…You know something about this heart of mine?”

“I’ll have to confirm the details once we start.”

“…….”

Bell falls into deep thought.

While I might know more about her heart, I didn’t bother saying anything. Even if I told her, she wouldn’t blindly believe me. And anyway, it wasn’t particularly critical. Knowing more wouldn’t change anything.

“What about you?”

Barkase asked me. Without even a second of hesitation, I replied.

“I’m in.”

In the original story, receiving a mana shower permanently boosts some of your stats on the first try. It’s akin to consuming top-tier elixirs, so there was no reason to refuse.

“I originally planned to come after fully restoring my mana pathways, but…”

Given how things turned out, there’s nothing else to be done.

“…I’ll do it too. Give me detailed information about my body, especially regarding my heart.”

“That was my intention from the start.”

Pfft.

The capsule opened.

“So, strip and step inside. I’ll handle the rest.”

“Strip? Are you seriously asking me to be naked here?”

“Is there a problem with that?”

“Well, that…”

Bell glances at me. She seems embarrassed to be naked in front of me.

“So, there *is* some maidenly modesty after all. Wait outside. I’ll go first, then it’s your turn.”

“Who’s the maiden?! Hah, I was just surprised for a moment. What’s the big deal about being naked?”

She flared up and began taking off her clothes. I stripped completely first and entered the capsule. The capsule door closed. Since the door was transparent, I could see her from inside. Naturally, she could see me too.

‘Not bad curves.’