Chapter 128
Chapter 128
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: The Greatest Feast (3)
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‘There was some extra income, too.’
The gains Kang Hyun-soo achieved from battling Baron Talliman weren’t limited to boosting his public reputation.
[You’ve accomplished the unbelievable feat of defeating a top-tier demon doppelganger.]
[Title: Demon Devourer B-Rank has grown to A-Rank.]
[You’ve accomplished the unbelievable feat of defeating a top-tier demon doppelganger.]
[Title: Demon Slayer D-Rank has been granted.]
Thanks to hunting down the top-tier doppelgangers that arrived with Baron Talliman.
‘The Demon Devourer rank rose, and I gained Demon Slayer.’
The title upgrade and new title acquisition happened simultaneously.
And on top of that.
[You’ve eliminated a demon and permanently absorbed its demonic energy.]
[Goddess’s Tear EX-Rank purifies the permanently absorbed demonic energy and converts it into the special stat Divinity.]
[Divinity stat has increased.]
The hidden option of the Goddess’s Tear activated.
‘No wonder it’s called a weapon dedicated to great demons.’
Absorbing demonic energy and converting it to mana?
That was impressive in itself.
But it wasn’t permanent, merely a supplementary option that aided in battle.
‘Vampiric Aura actually has a similar option, though less efficient.’
The lower efficiency was just due to its lower rank.
If Vampiric Aura reached EX-Rank?
It would show efficiency comparable to the Goddess’s Tear.
Moreover, unlike the Goddess’s Tear, which simply absorbed demonic energy to restore mana.
‘Vampiric Aura nullifies the skill itself, composed of mana and demonic energy.’
Their versatility wasn’t even comparable.
Yet the reason the Goddess’s Tear was known as a weapon dedicated to great demons was.
‘This hidden option.’
Normally, when players defeated monsters or demons.
‘They absorbed residual mana or demonic energy to gain experience.’
But it wasn’t 100% absorption of all the mana or demonic energy the dead monster or demon possessed.
If lossless absorption were possible?
‘They’d grow as strong as the power of the monster or demon defeated on the spot.’
But that was impossible.
‘It’s just converting a portion of naturally dispersing residual mana into experience via the Gaia System’s power.’
Thus, more residual mana or demonic energy was lost than absorbed by players.
However, for owners of the Goddess’s Tear.
‘The situation was different.’
When the Goddess’s Tear owner eliminated a demon?
‘It converts a portion of the naturally dispersing residual demonic energy into the special stat Divinity.’
Since it didn’t absorb the residual demonic energy used for experience gain.
‘Eliminating a demon didn’t prevent experience gain or skill rank increases.’
The special stat Divinity granted by the Goddess’s Tear was.
‘A kind of bonus.’
Special Stat: [Divinity 47]
A special stat appeared in the status window.
‘Special stats are different from regular stats.’
The usual way to raise stats?
Investing undistributed stats obtained from level-ups.
‘Or acquiring achievements to raise them.’
However.
‘Special stats can’t be raised that way.’
Undistributed stats couldn’t be invested in them.
Nor were special stats included in all stat increases from achievements.
The special stat Divinity rose only when hunting demons and permanently absorbing their demonic energy.
And conversely.
‘Even if Skill Enhancement is used,
special stats don’t decrease.’
The pre-regression owner of the Goddess’s Tear was Hwang So-uk.
He was the original owner of the Skill Enhancement skill that Kang Hyun-soo was currently using via Replica.
‘Hwang So-uk profited handsomely from the special stat Divinity.’
The special stat Divinity provided corrections to all of a player’s actions.
Melee attack skills and ranged attack skills grew more powerful.
Defense skills gained higher defense and defense rate.
It boosted physical resistance and skill resistance.
And reduced mental power and stamina consumption.
On top of that.
‘It also increases the power and speed of healing and self-recovery skills.’
It was practically an all-purpose stat.
But.
‘That’s not the end.’
All effects of the Divinity stat.
‘Are amplified further against demons.’
It was truly the majesty of a weapon dedicated to great demons.
Moreover, even when Skill Enhancement was used.
‘The special stat Divinity doesn’t decrease.’
It synergized perfectly with Skill Enhancement.
‘One concern, though.’
Whether it would decrease when using the One-Man Legion job skill.
‘Since it’s outside the scope of regular stats, it probably won’t decrease.’
But the only way to know for sure was to test it.
‘Conveniently, there are suitable targets.’
The top-tier doppelgangers that had just perished.
‘But first.’
He needed to send off the people present.
“Any injuries?”
Song Ha-na approached Kang Hyun-soo and asked.
“Even if there were, it’d heal right away. Why are you so worried?”
The Fist Emperor grumbled at Song Ha-na but quickly scanned Kang Hyun-soo’s body himself to check for injuries.
“No injuries, so don’t worry.”
“That’s a relief.”
“It has to be.”
Once Kang Hyun-soo finished talking with Song Ha-na and the Fist Emperor.
“You’ve arrived.”
The King of Benevolence and Righteousness Shin Chang-hu slightly bowed his head in greeting to Kang Hyun-soo.
“Such skill in overwhelming a demon noble! Truly admirable! Our Balhae Guild feels so secure having Dark Knight as an ally and friend!”
Sword King Jang Seok-won flattered while emphasizing to the others that Balhae Guild and Dark Knight were allies and friends.
“Thank you for bringing your guild’s elites. It was a great help.”
Since elites from Balhae Guild and Goryeo Guild were present, Kang Hyun-soo responded politely to his subordinate commanders, the King of Benevolence and Righteousness Shin Chang-hu and Sword King Jang Seok-won.
“Since it was demon extermination, cooperation was only natural. Sorry we were late instead.”
“If we’d arrived just a bit sooner, we could’ve blocked that demon’s escape route. What a shame.”
Though the King of Benevolence and Righteousness Shin Chang-hu and Sword King Jang Seok-won had moved according to Kang Hyun-soo’s orders, they played it off as if they hadn’t.
“For now, it’d be best to withdraw with the Roccto Empire’s subjugation force.”
After some casual conversation, Kang Hyun-soo issued the order to withdraw.
“Understood. We’ll do that.”
“Then we’ll head out first. Alright, withdraw!”
Once the King of Benevolence and Righteousness Shin Chang-hu and Sword King Jang Seok-won left, taking their guild members and even the Roccto Empire’s subjugation force with them.
‘Legion Formation.’
Kang Hyun-soo used the One-Man Legion job skill on the top-tier doppelgangers that had just perished.
Saaaaah!
Pitch-black mana rose as the dead doppelgangers were reborn as summons.
But that wasn’t what mattered to Kang Hyun-soo.
‘I wonder how it went?’
Kang Hyun-soo opened his status window to check the info on his special stat Divinity.
Special Stat: [Divinity 47]
‘As expected, unchanged.’
True to being a special stat unaffected even by level drops.
The special stat Divinity showed no change despite using Legion Formation.
‘That’s how it should be.’
The special stat Divinity had the major drawback of being unraisable with undistributed stats or achievements.
So?
‘It naturally shares the advantage of being unaffected by job skills.’
To gain one thing, you must give another—that’s the way of the world, right?
If using Legion Formation caused Divinity to drop?
It’d be fair if it could be raised with undistributed stats.
“Let’s head back for now.”
Kang Hyun-soo said to Song Ha-na and the Fist Emperor.
“Got it. But will it go according to plan?”
“Yeah, failure would be a problem.”
Song Ha-na and the Fist Emperor asked Kang Hyun-soo with concern.
“It’ll work out.”
Dragon King Lee Ji-yong and Baron Talliman were bound to clash.
If the plan deviated slightly and no physical conflict arose?
‘I can just spark it myself.’
Mobilizing the doppelgangers already planted in Dragon Tiger Guild and the newly made summons?
‘Pitting Dragon Tiger Guild against Baron Talliman would be child’s play.’
Kang Hyun-soo smiled and used Legion Commander’s Gaze on Doppelganger No. 1.
* * *
‘Damn it all.’
Baron Talliman ground his teeth.
He’d fallen right into the enemies’ trap.
At least the enemies’ coordination was off, which was fortunate.
Otherwise?
‘I’d have died right there.’
He’d luckily survived.
But the losses were massive.
He’d lost capable subordinates.
His doppelganger clone, made by separating part of his body, had been destroyed.
‘And 20% of my demonic energy source vanished.’
Baron Talliman had come to the Atlantis dimension to increase his demonic energy for promotion.
Yet instead.
‘My demonic energy decreased.’
The total demonic energy Baron Talliman currently held?
It was barely enough to be called a demon noble.
If he returned to the demon world like this?
‘He might lose his barony title.’
His teeth ground involuntarily.
‘Dragon Tiger Guild bastards!’
If those guys had properly informed him of the Roccto Empire’s subjugation force?
This wouldn’t have happened.
‘I’ll hold them accountable for this.’
But.
Realistically, if they claimed ignorance, he had no retort.
At that moment.
-My lord.
Contact came from the subordinate doppelganger assigned to monitor Dragon Tiger Guild.
-What is it?
-Dragon Tiger Guild executives leaked information about your movements to the Roccto Empire’s subjugation force.
-What?
-The humans betrayed us.
The moment he heard the report from his subordinate doppelganger.
Snap!
Something snapped in Baron Talliman’s mind.
-Is that true?
-I’ve secured evidence.
With those words.
Baron Talliman’s patience hit rock bottom.
Meanwhile, at that time.
Dragon Tiger Guild’s Guild Master, Dragon King Lee Ji-yong, had his patience crash to the floor as well.
* * *
“Doppelgangers monitoring us?”
Dragon King Lee Ji-yong’s eyebrow twitched.
“Yes, and beyond that, we discovered ones that killed and impersonated our guild executives. What should we do?”
At the report from Doppelganger No. 1, disguised as executive Park Ji-hoon.
“Bring them here now.”
Dragon King Lee Ji-yong issued the command.
“Understood.”
Doppelganger No. 1, disguised as executive Park Ji-hoon, summoned his subordinates disguised as Dragon Tiger Guild executives.
“What’s this sudden call, Guild Master?”
“Did something happen?”
“Why call me too?”
The summons based on doppelgangers asked with puzzled expressions.
But instead of an answer.
“Why are you doppelgangers pretending to be my subordinates?”
Came Dragon King Lee Ji-yong’s interrogation.
“How did you know?”
“We were just following Baron Talliman’s orders.”
“So don’t worry about us, human.”
“Pretend you don’t know.”
The summons based on doppelgangers replied with blank faces, as if it were no big deal.
Dragon King Lee Ji-yong’s face twisted like a furious ghost upon hearing that.
“Did you kill my subordinates?”
“Killing a few human vermin—what’s the big deal?”
“They became nourishment for us demons—quite an honor for lowly humans, no?”
“If you don’t want to die and become our nourishment too, grovel flat.”
At the mockery from the summons based on doppelgangers.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!
Viscous killing intent and explosive mana erupted from Dragon King Lee Ji-yong’s body.
“You bastards! Have you gone mad!”
“How dare a mere human emit killing intent at us!”
“Act like the demon slave you are!”
With the roars from the summons based on doppelgangers.
The pent-up rage Dragon King Lee Ji-yong had suppressed exploded.
Fwaaah!
Amid a bright glow, top-tier dragonkin monsters Drakan and Dragonian were summoned.
“Kill them!”
The moment Dragon King Lee Ji-yong’s order dropped.
-Kraaaang!
The top-tier dragonkin monsters charged at the summons based on doppelgangers.
“Keuk!”
“How dare a human!”
As expected, the battle overwhelmingly favored the top-tier dragonkin monsters.
Doppelgangers, except for special cases, couldn’t match top-tier dragonkin monsters.
Plus, as summons, their combat power was lower than the original doppelgangers.
But they didn’t die cleanly.
Kwaaaaaang!
The summons based on doppelgangers self-destructed.
The reason the summons based on doppelgangers self-destructed rather than die cleanly was.
To avoid revealing their true nature to Dragon King Lee Ji-yong.
Summons didn’t bleed when injured.
Nor could residual mana be absorbed upon death.
But from Dragon King Lee Ji-yong’s perspective.
“You vile bastards!”
It only looked like they self-destructed to inflict more damage on him.
The summons based on doppelgangers were wiped out in an instant.
“Guild Master, why provoke this? Baron Talliman won’t stay quiet.”
Doppelganger No. 1, disguised as executive Park Ji-hoon, spoke in a naturally worried tone.
“Should I have just endured this insult? I allied with demons for power, not to become their slave! Sweep out all the doppelgangers monitoring us right now!”
“What if Baron Talliman gets angry?”
“He’s the one who should be angry! Killing my subordinates and impersonating them! Is that how you treat allies!”
Doppelganger No. 1, disguised as executive Park Ji-hoon, subtly scratched at Dragon King Lee Ji-yong’s pride.
Falling for it, Dragon King Lee Ji-yong flew into a rage and ordered the extermination of the doppelgangers.
“Understood.”
Doppelganger No. 1, disguised as executive Park Ji-hoon, withdrew with a somber expression and left the guild master’s office where Dragon King Lee Ji-yong resided.
At the same time.
Heh!
A bright smile bloomed on Kang Hyun-soo’s lips as he controlled Doppelganger No. 1, disguised as executive Park Ji-hoon, from afar.
‘It ended easily.’
With such strong pride and short patience, it fell for every prod.
However, Kang Hyun-soo had no intention of stopping here.
-Using Lee Ji-yong’s orders as pretext, attack the doppelgangers’ hideouts.
Dragon King Lee Ji-yong’s order was to sweep out the doppelgangers monitoring Dragon Tiger Guild.
But that could be covered sufficiently by the machinations of Doppelganger No. 1, disguised as executive Park Ji-hoon.
-Yes, my lord.
After Doppelganger No. 1, disguised as executive Park Ji-hoon, replied, Kang Hyun-soo released Legion Commander’s Gaze and stood up.
‘A fun show like this is best viewed in person, not through a skill.’
And direct viewing allowed.
Cleanly finishing off whichever side survived to prevent any nonsense.
‘My summons will multiply like crazy.’
Dragon King Lee Ji-yong and War King Lee Geun-taek, along with Dragon Tiger Guild’s named and ranker players.
Plus demon noble Baron Talliman and his demon doppelgangers.
From Kang Hyun-soo’s perspective?
‘It’ll be a feast to bursting.’
A lavish one, enough to dispel worries about lacking summon-creation stats.
The greatest feast.