Harvesting Hidden Talents

Generous of me.

'Whoa, look at this guy...'

I knew he was a talent freak, but... I never dreamed he'd have this many.

'The unlocked ones are insane.'

Swordsman's Pride and Boneless Frame were talents that any close-combat or martial awakener would kill for. Pride boosted sword handling and let you interfere with things you couldn't normally cut, like spirits or magic. Boneless Frame strengthened bones and improved joint durability, making the body tougher yet lighter.

'And on top of that, Mana Circuits too.'

Impressive enough already, but his potentials took it to another level. A 17-year-old with that many talents? Rare even worldwide.

That's why rage boiled up.

'This bastard... with talents like these, and he only grew that much?'

And even worse—he held back out of fear of his own power?

'Next time I see him, I'm beating his ass harder. I've been too nice.'

▶...Master. He'll actually die if you do that.

'He won't die, it's fine. You think I, who's taken over 800 demon heads, can't gauge that? Besides, the kid needs more beatings.'

I didn't know back in the first timeline since he hadn't awakened yet. But now, I could fully gauge Song Junho's growth potential.

So I was certain.

'This kid can't stop at the level he showed in my previous life.'

Not just anyone—he had that much potential. Yet the Song Junho in my memories hadn't even unlocked half of it.

'Various reasons, probably...'

That idiotically honest personality and lack of effort. Something like that.

'Anyway, time to pick.'

Tempted by all, but the standout was Celestial Strong Bones.

'...To think this guy had this.'

A total cheat physique that turned something like Boneless Frame into a joke. It granted bones infused with pure heavenly energy, boosting overall physical toughness. And it imbued all attacks with the Light attribute.

'The signature talent demons fear.'

Exaggerating a bit, with this physique, you wouldn't get pushed around even by demons two ranks higher.

It was also the most needed talent for me right now.

'If I had that, I could overcome the flaws of Swordsman's Zenith.'

Swordsman's Zenith—my strongest attack right now. An SSS-grade trait, but not overwhelmingly superior to similar sword traits.

'No raw stat boosts or ultimate skills like finisher moves.'

No decisive blow like Song Junho's Black Child.

But it had one stellar option.

'It lets you wield swordsmanship at peak condition, no matter the state.'

Guts flying out, limbs crushed, body decrepit on the verge of death from age. As long as you could swing the sword, it unleashed your best power.

Versatile and useful, but one unforeseen flaw emerged.

'Didn't expect it to include the realm I reached before regression.'

That's why sword control was tricky when drawing it out. My current swordplay unintentionally matched the power of my prime self from back then.

It ignored stat matchups, attributes, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠divine laws, and authorities with overwhelming cutting force...

'Fuck, but my body can't handle it.'

Swing too hard, and my wrist snaps. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠What more to say?

If it was just physical damage, I'd inject stimulants into my veins to cope. But overuse shattered my mind due to realm disparity, limiting duration.

'...Celestial Strong Bones could cover that to some extent.'

I wanted it bad. Really bad. Fucking insanely bad.

With that, my future would be smooth sailing.

'But...'

One thing bothered me.

Red Thorn's Snare.

An S-grade talent like Celestial Strong Bones, but closer to a curse in reality.

'Grants special abilities, but... reduces resistance to demonic or evil attributes.'

It was the power that tormented Song Junho so much in my previous life. It clashed horribly with his Seven Demon Sword.

Using Frenzy Demon or Malignant Demon worsened the mania symptoms. Especially after Demon God Descent, constant demon fights accelerated the side effects.

In the end, it played a big role in claiming his final moments.

'......'

Awakened abilities couldn't be removed by any means. That was the world's ironclad rule.

The sole exception was my Arhat's Contract Document plundering power.

'...I can take multiples, so no rush... but...'

If he awakened it in the meantime, I'd be screwed.

"...Fuck it. No choice."

This big bro's showing major favor.

'Count yourself lucky. I'm lightening your load.'

▶...Even after stealing his talents, saying that...

'Hey, quiet down.'

A hot, sticky power seeped into my body. Sharp thorny vines crawled up the back of my hand before fading away.

'No details ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠even in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the description.'

It just planted the physique there—no in-depth info. A seriously ominous ability.

Still, fine. I could always sell it if needed.

'Good. Next, Hwangbo Han.'

This fucker didn't matter if he ended up crippled, so I'd take the best.

'This guy's no slouch either.'

Didn't realize since he passed out pathetically from one kick... Solid overall.

Especially the unlocked talents stood out.

'All prime cuts, high levels too...'

Come to think of it, his dad was that War King, right?

Definitely different from Song Junho. Self-taught growth without a proper master versus elite course from the start.

Reaffirmed how huge having a master was.

'Well, I was a total fuckup before meeting Cecilia too...'

Anyway. Impressive, sure—but that made it tricky.

'Fuck, he's already unlocked most goodies, nothing tasty left.'

Arhat's Contract Document only allowed potentials. Unlocked ones were off-limits... and he'd awakened most essentials.

'...Tch, that War King. Leave some scraps.'

I scrolled through the ETC list.

Still a young punk, so surely something edible left.

Then—

"...Hm?"

One talent caught my eye.

Behemoth's Pupil (Skill)

"This is it."

I pressed the button, suppressing a grin.

'Nice.'

In fights, intent to kill sometimes surges—commonly called killing intent. Usually just a technique, but some elevate it to a unique skill.

'Prime example: dragon whelps' Dragon Fear...'

Typically draws aggro via eye contact, but at higher realms, versatile uses.

'Strips will to fight, freezes foes long-term—handy in battles where tiny variables matter.'

For me, where talent theft depended on mental state, perfect synergy.

'With skill, could use offensively too.'

Satisfied with my haul, my phone buzzed right on cue.

'What flowery bullshit.'

TL;DR: You're top dog, claim your golden apple. And we're swamped with overtime meetings, so wait on teams.

Checked the time.

'6:35 PM...'

Perfect to grab the apple and train.

'Let's go.'

I stood, changed into gym clothes, and headed out.

I stepped into the building ahead.

Top-tier facilities and luxurious interior screamed money.

"Private room. Unlimited time."

I nodded and headed for the private room—then paused.

'...This is...'

Drawn by a familiar mana signature, I followed it to see a familiar girl.

She deftly slashed approaching targets, breathing heavily.

'Ohana.'

Second encounter since the exam.