#247
247. Devil (2)
I opened my eyes.
An inorganic metal wall came into view.
Various training tools placed randomly. I sat hunched over on an iron chair in the corner.
‘Is it over?’
I remembered that Halgion held out his hand to me, and the dark red flames engulfed me. However, I couldn’t remember anything after that. As if the film had been cut.
“Gu-gu-gu-gu…”
Beneath our feet, pigeons were leisurely pecking at their feed.
I closed and opened my eyes once more. No notable changes were seen.
If I had to look for it, there was a system message floating on the right side of my field of vision. I slowly read the letters in the hologram.
[Master, the soul of ‘Han (★★★★★)’ is turbulent!]
This… … It was the log when the limit break started.
I’ve only seen it once on the 35th floor.
Messages popped up nonstop.
[Teeling!]
[Master, ‘Han (★★★★★)”s body is undergoing a cataclysmic change!]
[Is this a sign of change?!]
[Tips/ There is a very rare chance that a hero may undergo an awakening event.]
[Imprint evolution!]
[The imprint of the hero ‘Han (★★★★★)’ and the grade of ‘True Black Dragon Blood (S)’ have been raised.]
[Added new traits and abilities. Take a look at the hero’s status window!]
[Skill awakening!]
[‘True Black Dragon Blood’ starts responding to the skill of the hero ‘Han (★★★★)’!]
[The hero ‘Han(★★★★★)”s ‘Exceed’ and ‘Strengthening’ combine to create a new skill… … .]
[The hero ‘Han (★★★★★)”s ‘Sword Soul’… … .]
The window to announce skill awakening continued continuously.
A change that is difficult to see at a glance. As the level of Black Dragon Blood increased, most of the skills I possessed were combined or evolved. There were minor changes while learning Black Dragon Blood, but it was the first time that everything was completely reversed in this way.
‘I’d be surprised to see Amkena.’
It was not currently connected.
And thinking of a way to trick him made me sick.
Well, this has not happened once or twice.
There is no chance that it will go unnoticed.
Let’s take a look.
I got up from my chair.
I went through a huge change on the log, but I haven’t felt it yet.
‘Stat window.’
As I muttered lightly, a hologram window came to mind.
[Han Israt (★★★★★) Lv. 55 (Exp 031/550)]
[Class: Dragonian]
[Strength: 125/125]
[Intelligence: 10/10]
[Health: 118/118]
[Agility: 113/113]
[Possessed Skills: Intermediate Swordsmanship (Lv.10), Mind’s Eye (Lv.10), Fire Resistance (Lv.3), Disappearance (Lv.5)]
‘… … .’
A lot has changed.
I have never chosen the profession of a dragon fighter.
Rats and birds were forced to change jobs.
Also, the skill window, which should have been full, has been cleared.
[Imprint slot: 2/2]
[1, 2: Dragon Soul (SS-, Lv.1)]
[The demonic soul that trampled on and ruled over a world in the distant past. Its power can change the source of existence.]
[Unique Skill: 1. Magicalization]
[Unique Skill: 2. Black Sword (黑覇劍)]
[Remarks – It is bound by the ‘Black Dragon Contract’. The imprint cannot be canceled in any way, and the moment the affiliation of the territory is changed, the owner disappears permanently.]
I narrowed my brows.
It has trampled on and ruled over a world, and can change the source of existence.
It was a bloody explanation just to read.
‘It’s a black dragon contract.’
It must be the price of power that Halgion mentioned.
From now on, I cannot change my affiliation to a waiting room other than Taoni. If you do, you will die immediately as a penalty for breach of contract. It was like the back was gone.
Overall, the skill and imprint windows have been simplified.
It seems that Exseed and the Phaegle Sword Spirit, which have been my companions until now, have been integrated into the newly created Dragon Spirit’s unique skills, Majinhwa and Black Phaegle Sword.
‘I don’t feel well.’
It is certain that the race value has changed.
But right now, I couldn’t tell much of a difference from when I was human.
<Can you feel the power?>
Gugukon, who was constantly pecking at the feeder, looked up at me.
I scratched my head.
“Okay.”
It seemed like I had to go through a pilot test.
I pulled the bifrost from the scabbard attached to my waist.
There was a heavy feeling in my hand.
‘Did Exseed merge with Black Dragon Rin?’
In addition, to hardening.
Rigid body was a skill that I intensively learned to strengthen my body in order to withstand the recoil of Exceed.
In this way, the three skills merged to become the higher skill, Myinization, and it seemed that the Black Sword, the Black Sword, was combined with the Blade Sword Soul, Dragon Blade Island, and several other skills.
I turned on the switch in my head while gripping the hilt of my sword.
It was that feeling when activating Exceed.
Kwajik.
I heard the sound of bones and joints shifting in my ears.
A customary event felt every time Exceed was used.
But I didn’t feel any pain.
There was no pressure that seemed to set my whole body on fire.
It was just that one side of his chest sank coldly.
‘… … ?’
I looked away.
At that moment, my image was reflected in the pulled Bifrost blade.
The first thing I saw was a black pupil with a sharply curved vertical line.
[‘한(★★★★★)’이 마인화 상태에 돌입했습니다!]
촤르륵.
연한 살갗을 찢으며 칠흑 빛깔의 비늘이 솟아 나오기 시작했다.
파직! 파지지직!
비늘로부터 검붉은 번개가 튀어 올랐다.
‘인간이…… 아니다.’
전신을 감싼 비늘과 섬뜩하게 빛나는 붉은 눈.
검날에 비치는 나의 형상은, 괴물과도 같았다.
나는 비프로스트를 칼집에 꽂아 넣었다.
[‘한(★★★★★)’의 마인화가 해제되었습니다.]
언제 그랬냐는 듯 나는 다시 인간의 모습으로 돌아왔다.
구구콘이 내게 다가왔다.
<이제는 실감할 수 있겠구나.>
“조금은.”
<경고했었지. 시작한 이상 되돌릴 수 없다. 순도로만 따지면 벨키스트라는 놈은 네 십 분의 일도 되지 못해. 너는 명백히 다른 인간들과 동떨어진 존재가 된 것이야. 앞으로 너는 힘을 억누르는 방법도 배워야 한다. 네 동료를 실수로 죽이고 싶지 않다면.>
“격차가 그 정도냐.”
<백룡의 힘을 빌려 쓰는 애송이와 활을 쏘는 계집, 수인 꼬마, 이렇게 셋은 네 발끝 정도는 따라갈 수 있을 것이다.>
나는 한숨을 내쉬었다.
<강자는 본래 고독한 법이야.>
“혼자만 세지는 건 별로인데. 팀플레이가 효율이 높단 말이지.”
내가 알고 있는 한 그렇다.
따라서 나는 니플헤임의 1파티를 고루 성장시켜왔었다.
<어중간한 효율 따위는 무시할 정도로 강해지면 되는 거 아니냐?>
“…….”
<미련 갖지 말거라. 여기의 인간들은 널 따라잡을 수 없어. 네가 나를 깨웠을 때부터 균형은 무너졌느니라. 힘을 원한다기에 도움을 줬건만, 뭐 이리 불만이 많은 것인지, 쯧쯧.>
Goo-Goo-Kon circled around me and continued.
<In the future, you must be reborn as a perfect being who doesn’t need anyone’s help. If that’s not enough, you can’t defeat the prince.>
“You are a complete being.”
<Do I need to explain? You should know that.>
I crossed my arms.
I could guess what it meant.
‘A hero capable of performing missions alone.’
Reconnaissance and analysis, combat, assassination, attack, defense, and short-range, long-range, small-scale, and large-scale battles, etc.
A being that can do anything alone.
‘… … Is it a one-man army?’
As far as I know, there are only two heroes who can do that.
First, El Cid, who was ranked #1.
And Niflheim’s submaster, Siris.
The other members of the 1st party had vulnerabilities in one or two areas.
To take the example of Lidigion, he was close to invincible in anti-personnel warfare, but was ineffective in large-scale firefights. And Nihaku did the opposite. Yurnet and Muden also had their own points to target.
‘Siris doesn’t have that.’
It’s close to perfect in every way.
Because I designed it that way.
In any environment, she can exert her power.
‘Is this for me to be like that.’
The completion of that guy was close to heavenly luck for me as well.
I don’t know if I can repeat it a hundred times.
<No way, are you thinking of coming all the way here to get rid of the tail?>
“I was thinking a little bit.”
I smiled bitterly.
According to Halgion, there will be an irreparable gap between me and the other party 1 members. Of course, they would catch up to me someday, if they had enough time, but I just couldn’t afford it.
‘doesn’t care.’
No matter what, all you have to do is climb to the 100th floor.
Then it was goodbye to this disgusting place.
<You only need to think about becoming stronger.>
Halgion snorted and looked at me.
The pigeon’s brown eyes narrowed, and a momentary vertigo overtook me.
A strange yet familiar feeling.
I opened my eyes.
The desolate plain from before was spread out again.
<Since you signed a contract with me, I will make you the strongest of Taoniers.>
Halgion’s spear was pointed at me.
According to that guy’s explanation, this place is an image space created by mixing the images of Halgion and me.
Therefore, it is not bound by the laws of physics.
‘I told you to know because I’ll come often.’
I planted my feet firmly on the ground.
Halgion was smiling lightly as he pointed his spear at me.
<Time here passes dozens of times slower than in Mobius.>
“…”
<You don’t have to pay attention to your surroundings. It’s all just happening in your consciousness. Even if you die here, you can come back to life again and again. Do you understand what I mean?>
no need to turn around
I immediately drew the sword from the scabbard.
<My strength is an invincible shield, and also an infinite spear. It can deflect anything, it can pierce anything. I will teach you the true use of Black Dragon Blood.>
“Nothing…”
<Hmm?>
“I don’t want to rely on that power.”
I laughed and turned my sword.
“It’s because I’ve only seen people who only believed in the imprint and then lost it once or twice.”
Obviously, the power of this imprint is enormous, but we cannot rely on it alone.
The meaning of this power is to help my sword better suffocate the opponent.
The host should never change.
‘Advanced weapon technology is right in front of you.’
There is only one step left to reach the stage called master.
<That’s interesting. Will you reject my power?>
“I’m not denying it. I’ll use it when I need it. A decent tool.”
<Is it a tool? I don’t know how long I can keep thinking like that.>
Kwajik!
I stumbled under the pressure that came over me.
A feeling of being pressed down by a large rebar.
My footprints were going deep into the ground.
<Let’s start with 10x.>
“Do whatever you feel like.”
This wasn’t even that difficult.
It was a daily routine to train with dozens of kilograms of sandbags.
‘How many times will I have to fight.’
a hundred times? a thousand times?
It may be more than that.
I’ll be able to feel a little bit of Aaron’s feelings.
‘An important thing is… … .’
To be the master of power, not its slave.
I decide how to use that power.
No matter how high-end skills and imprints were, in the end it was the hero himself who would use them.
I’ve watched dozens of times of those who fall out after being drunk with all kinds of powerful abilities.
‘It’s an invincible ability.’
There is no such thing.
I stared at Halgion in front of me, ready to wield my sword at any moment.
