#246
246. Devil (1)
When I dispatched Jinho-chan, it seems that Amkena was continuing preparations to attack the 50th floor and beyond.
Upon returning to the waiting room, the maintenance of the unit was being finalized. The damaged airships were completely repaired, and the empty seats of the heroes who died on the 50th floor were also filled.
Now, even without me, Taoni language could work to some extent.
Especially when I heard that the members of the 1st party, including Jenna and Belquist, had been promoted to 5 stars, I felt quite unfamiliar.
The 5-star promotion level is 55.
The 1st party members seem to have gained the necessary experience points by repeatedly clearing the 51st floor. Because the 51st floor was purely a level-up stage where only monsters appeared. I was also able to meet the conditions for a 5-star promotion by slaughtering monsters on the 51st floor following Amkena’s instructions.
Even if it is promoted to 5 stars, it does not become stronger rapidly.
Only the limits of stats, skills, and imprints increased.
Therefore, even if you went through a promotion, if you did not raise your power to the limit, there was not much difference between 4 stars.
‘I saw a funny scene at the 4-star promotion ceremony.’
However, in this 5-star promotion ceremony, I didn’t get any clue.
The video that came to my mind this time was neither Taoni before the destruction, nor the past of ‘Han Israt’ who was supposed to come here instead of me. Rather, when I was abandoned by my parents, I jumped out. I thought I forgot everything
The fact that my past memories came out as a video during the promotion ceremony must be proof that I and that guy are gradually getting mixed up.
Ten years later, it was a memory that didn’t have much inspiration, but it didn’t feel very good. I indifferently passed the scene unfolding before my eyes.
[Bara night!]
[Congratulations, Master!]
[The hero’s forgotten memories awaken.]
[‘Han (★★★★★)’, promotion complete! 5 stars.]
[The illustration is updated.]
[The limit of level and skill increases.]
[The second imprint of the hero is unlocked.]
That’s how I succeeded in upgrading to 5 stars.
Most notably, the second imprint has been opened.
After I broke the 50th floor, GOOGOOCON used to pamper me several times a day, telling me to get 5 stars quickly. It is said that at least 5 stars are needed to properly draw out the power of the Black Dragon Blood.
“Gu, coo, coo!”
Private practice room on the 4th floor of the training center.
Gugukon was pecking at the feeder.
<Are you ready?>
Goo-Goo-Kon spoke to me as he frantically pecked at Moi with his beak.
“What resolution?”
<The determination to give up on humanity.>
Pak! Fak Fak!
Corn kernels flew out of the feeder with a sharp beak.
Gugukon, which was pecking at food, spread its wings and looked at me.
‘Resolution?’
Come to think of it, this guy said it.
This ability I am using is not something a normal human can handle. Gugukon said that if I hadn’t had a special constitution, I would have been contaminated long ago. Belquist could only use his powers after receiving a special treatment from the Assinis family.
<Certainly, your talent is excellent. To think that a mere human subject could handle the power of a transcendental being. If I showed even the slightest gap, I would try to take it right away, but I didn’t know it would be to this extent.>
Gugu-Kon twitched his fat ass and approached me.
<But it’s not enough. be chin-tight Every time I fight, I have to go to the brink of death. Can such an ability be called strength?>
Gugukon folded his beak.
‘Are you talking about Exceed?’
No, I shook my head.
Exceed, which increased output while destroying the body, was of course, and the derived skill, Swordsman Spirit, was also a skill that gnawed at the body. And Black Dragon Blood also increases the level of pollution in the body as soon as it is activated. As this guy said, I was taking a considerable risk every time I fought.
‘I was thinking about it.’
You have to take risks to become stronger than others under the same conditions.
High return high risk. It was a natural thing in Pick Me Up, but the risk became too much for me. To the extent that the probability of self-destruction from a penalty is higher than the probability of being killed by an enemy.
‘Should I lower the strength of the skill?’
There is no way.
The power would have to drop a little, but the safety would increase several times.
There would be no need to use skills with the determination to die all the time.
<Are you going to lower the power? Ten times stronger isn’t enough, but what are you thinking?>
Gugukon opened his beak.
There are times when I take out words like this like reading my intentions.
“Then what do you mean?”
<You just need to build a body that can handle your strength.>
“Are you already doing it?”
The work to increase the durability of the body has been steadily being done since the time I obtained Exceed. It’s just that the speed is slow and I can’t keep up with my strength.
“I know that my condition is not normal. I need at least a month to improve. As I progress through the 50th floor, I try to mix skills…”
<You’re going to kill the prince like that?>
I frowned.
You’re poking at the annoying part.
‘It’s true, but.’
According to my calculations, the prince will appear as the boss on the 80th floor.
However, the guy I saw on the 50th floor was level 354.
It went far beyond the normal boss level.
‘shit.’
Amkena will steadily climb the tower.
the problem is… … Before I get to the 80th floor, can I become strong enough to face him?
Even if the difficulty level is lowered, it is only temporary.
One day he will appear in front of me as the biggest obstacle in conquering the tower.
‘Does it mean that I have to become stronger?’
“You mean you have a way?”
“Goo, Goo Goo!”
Gugukon twitched his fat ass.
I made it like this, but I wish I could tweak the visuals a bit.
‘I’m determined to give up on humanity… … . I just need to make a body that can handle the power?’
I looked down at Gugu-Kon.
I think I know what you’re trying to say.
‘You’re trying to change the race.’
Very rarely in Pick Me Up, an event that can change a hero’s racial value appeared.
An example of this was Belquist receiving treatment from the Assinis family in the Exploration Dungeon. Of course, the probability was much lower than skill awakening or limit breaking.
‘Be prepared to give up on humans.’
I laughed.
There are so many variables in these events, and each case is so unique that I couldn’t research it either.
“How can I do it. Can I enter the exploration dungeon?”
<There is no need for that. Just sit there with your eyes closed.>
Gugukon pointed to a steel chair in the corner of the practice room.
“Can I sit over there?”
<Yes.>
… … It smells like quack.
I walked over to the chair.
I knew for a long time that this guy had some ulterior motives for me.
If it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t have even tried to take my body away.
‘Because I don’t want to be locked up?’
That’s not it.
I mean, you’re too attached to me to see that.
I’ve taken some measures, but I can’t be vigilant.
I took a deep breath and leaned back in my chair.
<Close your eyes.>
I pretended to be deceived and closed my eyes.
My eyes darkened. It’s only natural that the eyelids are closed.
“What’s going on here…”
out of the blue
The world covered in darkness has changed.
I opened my eyes.
Where does the scenery of the training room where the training tools and scarecrow were placed go, and a dreary field spreads out in front. The parched air smelled of fallen leaves, and the twilight sun was beating down on the fields.
<Thousands of years ago, we made a pact with the Emperor. One day, when a crisis comes to Taoneer, we will join forces to save this place. Stop worrying unnecessarily, Han. You have met the qualifications.>
A man is standing in front of you.
Three pairs of wings fluttered behind the man clad in black flames.
Jet-black long spear and jet-black armor. I had seen this figure before in Advent Dungeon.
“…”
Halgion Siraos.
It was the main body of the Gugukon, and an ancient transcendence species that only existed in Taoni.
<This is a gap between dimensions. It is also your mental world. As the proficiency of the four Black Dragons increased, this became possible. You’ll be coming here often, so keep an eye out for it.>
“……under.”
I thought I’d been through a lot since I fell in Taonier, but a situation I couldn’t even imagine happened.
“So, are you saying you want to make me stronger?”
<Don’t you think it’s time to renew the contract?>
The man grinned.
I sighed.
“What are the conditions?”
<You have to complete Taoneer’s mission to the end.>
“Speaking of Taoni… it means you can’t get out of here.”
<If you change your mind and change your affiliation… … .>
A black light flashed in Halgion’s eyes.
<I don’t think it will look good.>
“…”
<If you accept the contract, I will put the dragon factor into your body. I think you can accept it now. Of course, once you accept my power, you cannot return to your previous state.>
‘Is it that the imprint cannot be undone?’
Even if the right imprint comes out, I can’t change it.
In addition, conditions will be attached to the use of imprints.
‘It will be like a memorial service.’
Just as a memorial spirit bound by the oath of a master cannot properly use its power outside of martial arts, if I accept this contract, I will be bound by the Taoni language.
<You choose, Han. It is your freedom unless you accept it.>
The flames that enveloped Halgion’s body raged.
This guy’s strength far exceeds that of a typical Advent Dungeon boss.
I knew that from the beginning. Even if he mobilized all the weapons in Niflheim, he couldn’t even make a scratch. Perhaps even compared to the imprints of Niflheim’s 1st party members, it would never fall behind.
‘… … It could be more than that.’
As I used the engraving, I gradually felt it.
The potential of my Black Dragon Blood is beyond imagination.
Then, why did Halgion wait for my 5-star promotion… … .
‘It’s a two-slot engraving.’
I was thinking of getting a moderately usable imprint, but it seems that the result came out unexpectedly.
I shrugged and replied.
“Then let’s get started. We’ll have to go back and test it.”
<I thought you would answer like that.>
Halgion’s mouth twisted up.
<Don’t ask me one last time. Are you sure you won’t regret it? From now on, you can’t run away from Taonier. You can’t get out until you see the end.>
“I originally intended to do that. Don’t nag me.”
I clenched my fists.
If he had tried to escape, he would have gone to Niflheim long ago.
However, it has already crossed the 50th floor.
I also killed countless heroes including Iolka and Edith due to my mistake.
Having crossed the river, you must take responsibility for it.
‘Don’t run away.’
Just as El Cid finally conquered Dorado, so will I.
and will return
<I will bet on your heart>
Halgion held out the point of his spear at me.
Dismissed! Dark red lightning bolted and pierced my left breast.
I didn’t feel any pain.
<Until you see the end of your destiny, you cannot leave Taonier. Can you swear?>
“What’s the price?”
<Power.>
It’s not about high return high risk.
In exchange for making you inexhaustibly stronger, it’s not that you can’t get out of here.
<If you break your oath, the tip of my spear will pierce your heart. But if you keep your oath, we will give you the power of eons.>
I narrowed my eyes.
Huge shadows were rising behind Halgion, outside the endless plain.
I could only guess the outline, but I couldn’t properly recognize the figure.
Are they other transcendental species?
They were staring at me from beyond the shadows.
“Aren’t you selling drugs too hard? It’s like I can be invincible if I just listen to you?”
<That’s not exactly wrong. If you can make a full contract with us.>
Are you going to make a contract with everyone later?
With 2 slots per imprint, 3 imprints require at least 6 slots.
Even if you upgrade to 6 stars, you can use 3 slots. Then, in order to draw all the power, it meant that it had to be 7 stars with no restrictions on the imprint slot.
‘… … Words spoken are true.’
I clicked my tongue.
Halgion was looking at me with clear eyes.
If I accept that guy’s offer, I’ll become a monster. The real monster who received power from none other than the head of the 4th family. It must be many times more pure than the procedure Belquist received.
Is this the promise?
The determination to give up on humanity.
The only consolation is that if I go back to Earth, all my skills and imprints will be gone.
This was confirmed directly by Isel.
what if you stay
I don’t know about that.
I smiled and opened my mouth.
