[Well done.]

Gula spoke in a rare, upbeat voice.

[Not only did you stop the Parasites’ plan, but you also dealt their forces a considerable blow. Even the Parasite Queen should have no choice but to falter because of that.]

It sounded like she was praising him. To confirm this, Seol Jihu bowed down and immediately felt a gentle touch stroking his hair. Was it because it was the hand of a goddess? He liked how warm it was.

[Well done. You earned us a lot of time.]

‘Time?’

[Yes, this event will serve as a sturdy breakwater for when you fully jump into the flow of fate in the future.]

He was happy to be praised but not so much with her riddles.

‘Goddess Gula, I may sound impertinent, but can you be a bit more straightforward?’

[What do you mean?]

‘Straightforward. You always seem to say things in a roundabout way.’

[….]

‘For example, the five Ws — who, what, when, where, why. If you could at least explain things this way, won’t it be easier for both of us?’

His bold question stopped Gula’s hand, and Seol Jihu felt a tapping on his head; almost as if Gula was contemplating, ‘What should I do with this child?’

[Didn’t I tell you before? Revealing profound secrets would greatly affect the law of causality.]

‘Is it that important to not affect the law of causality?’

[Of course, it is. You can bring about a desired effect by interfering with the cause. But the law of causality is always impartial.]

The gentle and consoling voice continued.

[Even if you can make the scale tip on one side, the law of causality will always balance it back.]

‘Do you mean to say if you affect the cause to bring about a favorable effect, the other side will be given a similar cause and effect?’

[That’s right. And if we are not careful, it might nullify everything we have done until now.]

‘Then I guess, I can’t pester you about that….’

Seol Jihu acquiesced quietly. Gula must have felt bad seeing his dejected look. Her voice rang out.

[It’s not that I don’t have things I want to say. Thankfully there are some possibilities ahead of us, so for the time being, be patient and focus on your growth. Worrying too much about this now would be the same as putting the cart before the horse.]

Seol Jihu’s ears perked up after hearing that there was a method to avoid the balancing effect of the law of causality. However, he didn’t press for an explanation any further than he needed.

Gula’s serious tone made him feel that he shouldn’t investigate the matter any further. Although his curiosity hadn’t been satisfied, he decided to move along and finish what he came to do.

The situation with his level was exactly as he expected it to be. By participating in the rescue mission, he had amassed quite a bit of experience and merit. His indirect involvement in the destruction of the laboratory and his subsequent survival against all odds gave him a large amount of contribution points.

It was so much that….

[In the name of Gula, I shall henceforth bestow Seol Jihu the title of Level 3 Mana Lancer! I expect great feats befitting the one-of-a-kind class from you!...