Chapter 14
Translator: uly
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Erhil (2)
11:00 PM.
I had been focused on circulating my Reverse Heaven energy to further temper my Black Vigor, and the night had deepened into a silent, heavy dark before I even realized it.
-How does the flow feel, Master?
“It’s truly amazing.”
Reverse Heaven's Qi performs a role similar to mana to some extent, but its fundamental nature is entirely different. It is a force of rejection rather than creation. Yet, the moment the Black Vigor technique is applied to it, its utility and versatility begin to closely resemble the mana I once knew.
I can't say for certain, of course, since I am biologically barred from actually using mana.
Ding.
As I was lost in those theoretical thoughts, a familiar blue window unfolded before my eyes.
[The special stat Nian and your Reverse Heaven's Qi have successfully merged.]
[They have been replaced by the Conceptual Stat: Reverse Heaven , effectively amplifying all related abilities and growth potential.]
“Oh.”
I let out a low exclamation of genuine admiration and gazed at the new stat, only to freeze in place. The more I read the system description of Reverse Heaven, the more a sense of bewilderment filled my eyes.
A conceptual stat is not something I should have been able to obtain at this early stage of the game. It was a tier of power reserved for the legends.
Quickly composing myself, I circulated my Black Vigor once more. The energy near my heart moved with a newfound, startling smoothness. It no longer felt like a foreign substance I was manipulating; it moved as naturally and instinctively as my own hands or feet.
-This... this is impossible...
Disbelief swirled in the telepathic voice of the Black Heaven Demon Sword spirit.
I ignored her shock and quietly manifested my power to test the change.
Black Scale.
Shaaaaaa!
Dense, pitch-black energy writhed like a living shadow and enveloped my hands, completely and flawlessly covering both of them up to the wrists.
-......Absolutely impossible.
“Right? I'm as surprised as you are.”
Reverse Heaven. The newly evolved conceptual stat was a game-changer. Perhaps because it was 'conceptual,' it felt markedly different from the special stats I had before—it was a true extension of my soul.
Conceptual stats govern the power of fundamental concepts themselves. In the game's optimal route, this was something a player wouldn't obtain until at least their second year, even if they sacrificed almost every other growth option to rush it.
Conceptual stats are worth that much, but since you can normally acquire one by the middle of the second year without such drastic sacrifices, there was never a need to go this far this early.
Suddenly, a startling thought crossed my mind.
Maybe choosing the Reverse Heaven Body was, for me, the true 'optimal route' after all—one that the developers had hidden behind an impossible difficulty wall.
-At this level of mastery... even my previous owner needed over five years of dedicated training in the Black God Martial Art to achieve this. And she was the one who created the martial art herself. This speed is...
“So, what do you think of my current state?” I asked, cutting through her rambling.
The Black Heaven Demon Sword spirit fell into a contemplative silence.
“Can I finally learn either Black Wing or Black Vigor?”
-Of course. At your current conceptual level, you could master either Black Wing or Black Vigor right away without any issues.
I sat down on the training floor for a moment to weigh my options. Both were top-tier abilities that defined the mid-game power creep.
-If I were to suggest a path, I recommend Black Wing.
The sword spirit spoke up with a tone of tactical certainty.
-While Black Scale offers you an absolute, unbreakable defense, Black Wing provides you with total mobility and the ability to create unpredictable variables on the battlefield. Black Vigor possesses absolute penetration power, but... for your specific style, Master, creating chaos with the Black Wing would be far more effective.
-No matter how powerful your Reverse Heaven energy becomes, piercing through the superhuman abilities of a foe who has condensed immense Nian, the laws of the world itself, or high-tier layered magic will always be difficult.
It would be difficult, yes. But with the right setup, not impossible.
-Your combat prowess is already extraordinary. You learn at a terrifying rate, adapt swiftly to any threat, and apply new knowledge to your vessel instantly. What is even more astonishing is how you change your entire approach based on the specific opponent you face.
Honestly, that wasn't a talent of this body; that was just the result of my life as a hardcore gaming addict. I had been forged in the fires of the world's most difficult boss raids, after all. But people like me were apparently rare even in this real world.
-That is why I judge the Black Wing to be superior for you. The Black Vigor aims for a single, decisive blow, but the Wing allows for endless possibilities.
The Black Wing was exactly what it sounded like—wings made from pure, condensed Reverse Heaven energy. They moved freely according to the user's will, granting the massive tactical advantage of aerial combat and high-speed maneuvers.
I pondered between the two for several minutes. Honestly, being able to choose felt like a massive indulgence. Normally, it would take a genius student at least three months of meditation to master either one.
“Then, I’ve decided. I’ll learn...”
I looked at the spirit of the Black Heaven Demon Sword and quietly opened my mouth to state my choice.
5:00 AM.
It was time for the morning physical training. I carefully regulated my breathing and plopped down on the cold grass of the field.
I really felt like I was dying. Up until Saturday, the routine had been somewhat bearable, but today, Instructor Seo Woo-ju had added a massive sandbag to my gear because I "looked too fine."
Thanks to his "generosity," Erhil Merhen and Hong Yu-hwa were currently sprawled out in total exhaustion right beside me.
“Ha... I really, truly hate physical training with a passion,” Erhil groaned.
“It's not... that bad... huff...” Hong Yu-hwa tried to maintain her pride, but her voice was trembling.
“Whoa, look at that! Hong Yu-hwa’s midriff is crazy!” one of the nearby male students whispered.
At those words, I couldn't help but glance over. Her sweat-soaked workout shirt clung tightly to her body, accentuating her figure. I had to admit, she was at least a D-cup.
‘......This is just a reflexive, biological observation,’ I told myself, quickly turning my head away before I got caught.
“You perverts. You’re absolutely disgusting,” Kim Seo-hyun said, glaring at the students who had spoken with a look of pure contempt.
Fortunately, she hadn't noticed me looking. I gave a casual, supportive nod in her direction to stay on her good side.
“Huff... heave... I'm seriously... going to kill you one day, Instructor,” Erhil muttered into the grass.
The two girls were slowly catching their breath. Kim Seo-hyun handed them each a cold water bottle, telling them they had done well. This was the burden of being the naturally popular one.
“Everyone did a great job today. Dawn training might feel like a nightmare now, but some of you are already showing significant physical changes,” Instructor Seo Woo-ju said, beaming proudly at the class—and specifically at me.
“And today, we have a very special class on the schedule.”
Seo Woo-ju grinned at us. It was a chilling, predatory smile that made the hair on my neck stand up.
“So, make sure you are all thoroughly prepared for what's coming.”
With those ominous words, he turned and left the field.
“......Did we really just train at dawn for nothing?” someone muttered. I almost nodded instinctively in agreement, even though I knew we’d lose serious attitude points for skipping.
The Korea Hero Academy was constructed as a massive artificial island over the East Sea.
Korea's landmass is narrow, but powerful spirit veins flow beneath the soil. Building large-scale facilities in rural areas cost absurd amounts due to land value, so it was determined more practical to create an island in the deep sea—a proposal the legendary great hero endorsed fifty years ago.
The island's surface area rivals that of Yeouido, with diverse, simulated environments crafted within its borders. Our class was currently heading to one of them: a vast, wild grassy field overgrown with tall weeds and hidden ravines.
“Today's class is a special practical exam: Monster Hunting,” Seo Woo-ju announced, gazing over the vast plain.
The hunting ground was 4 km by 4 km—an absurdly large size for a school facility. It was a sight that only the Korea Hero Academy could provide.
“In this grassland field, you are free to form teams as you see fit and cooperate. However, be aware that everything is being monitored by hundreds of high-def cameras and drones. If your teamwork is sloppy or you act cowardly, you will not score well. This exam proceeds with absolute 'fairness.'”
He emphasized that last word with a sharp look.
“And remember, everyone must wear these emergency bracelets. If you find yourself in a life-threatening situation, shatter the gem in the center. Instructors and assistants will be dispatched to your location immediately.”
Instructor Seo Woo-ju had brought a large group of assistants today—over 20 seasoned combatants.
“You have 20 minutes to finalize your groups. Then, the hunt begins.”
At his shout, the students immediately began a frantic recruitment phase. Monsters in the wild are ferocious and vicious. Unless a student was overflowing with arrogant confidence, they knew they needed a team to survive.
As soon as we arrived at the field, I already knew my primary target: a unique monster that hid in the shadows to avoid the eyes of the other hunters. Normally, I wouldn't touch it this early, but the new technique I had learned from the Black Heaven Demon Sword yesterday gave me a massive edge.
‘To take it down, I’ll need a specific team composition...’
My ideal group: Kim Ara first, then either Hong Yu-hwa or Erhil Merhen for magical support.
I scanned the crowd for Kim Ara. Fortunately, because of her quiet nature, no one had recognized her true, monstrous nature yet.
“Ara. Want to team up for this one?”
“......With me?”
Kim Ara tilted her head in confusion but soon gave a slow nod of agreement.
“......Sure. If that is what you want.”
“Of course it is.”
With Kim Ara secured, I looked around at the other heavy hitters. Hong Yu-hwa already had a flock of followers trying to get her attention. Kim Seo-hyun was currently locked in a tense staring contest with Park Un-hyuk. I knew Seo-hyun would likely choose to go solo to test his limits, so I ignored him.
That left the final slot for...
“Oh my, Lee Seo-ha. You’re looking at me with such passionate eyes.”
I turned to see Erhil Merhen smiling playfully at me.
“......Do you want to team up with us?”
“Hmm, the 1st and 3rd rankers together? The instructors might be stingy with our scores if we make it look too easy,” Erhil mused with a grin.
“But let's do it. If the top student wants me that badly... it must be a very fun monster hunt you have planned.”
Erhil Merhen gave a sharp nod of approval.
“Of course. Even if we have to split the points, I guarantee we’ll take 1st place in efficiency.”
“Gasp. Then I’ll be relying on you, Mr. Top Student,” she teased.
“......Me too,” Kim Ara chimed in quietly as we finalized the group.
Me, Kim Ara, and now Erhil Merhen. It was a truly terrifying team lineup.