Chapter 136
Chapter 136
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Hidden Trait
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...From the Tower of Arrogance.
Park Chan-woo had acquired two 'hidden traits' thanks to the heart of the great warrior Kankun and the 'Wish' held by the Witch of Life and Death, Adora.
One was 'Eternal Sword'.
It was a function that allowed him to ignore Abyss traits that couldn't be transferred, limited to 'swords'.
That was how he had been able to borrow the 'Greatsword of the Immortal King' from Lee Hyuk-soo.
The Greatsword of the Immortal King, which should have vanished and disintegrated, had been wielded at Park Chan-woo's fingertips purely because of the hidden trait 'Eternal Sword'.
And what about 'Annihilation Magic'?
'It destroyed the root magic.'
Magic was divided into several categories.
The broadest classification had three.
Magic, Wishes, Absolute Magic.
'Root magic isn't really magic.'
However, what was commonly called 'racial magic'—the 'root magic' unique to a specific race—was closer to an innate trait of that race than actual magic.
'Innate traits can't normally be destroyed.'
Annihilation Magic destroyed even that.
For example, if the unique 'talents' possessed only by certain races—like a doppelganger's replication, a fox tribe's seduction, a vampire's bloodsucking, or a werewolf's transformation—tried to harm him, it would shatter them.
For races born with magic woven into their very being, 'Annihilation Magic' was their worst nightmare.
And Park Chan-woo was their natural predator.
'...A power that transcends common sense and shatters conventions.'
That was how he defined 'hidden traits'.
In a word, abilities that 'upended the board'!
At the very least, the Eternal Sword and Annihilation Magic he had experienced were more than enough to be hailed as opening new horizons.
'I've never heard of anyone acquiring a hidden trait in the past.'
Of course, even if someone had stumbled upon one by chance, they probably wouldn't have gone around advertising it.
He would have kept it a closely guarded secret himself.
Revealing a secret weapon and final bastion to the world would be idiotic.
Because if enemies knew, they could counter it.
So, he was curious.
'Sanctuary. A hidden trait with the Rift King's name stamped right into it.'
The third hidden trait.
Absolute One, Sanctuary.
To be precise, it existed as a 'class hidden trait'.
He still didn't know if it was linked to his 'Magic Swordsman' class...
...As expected.
Since it was a shared trait, it seemed that as long as one side knew the relevant information, it would be revealed.
'I almost wasted effort figuring it out myself.'
He had personally run around to uncover the functions of the previous two hidden traits.
Learning them without trial and error was a tremendous privilege.
It saved pointless time.
Park Chan-woo quickly checked his status window.
What did this mean?
Thrones.
Did it mean forcibly claiming the seat of those who held power, like a king's throne?
'Succession rights. Qualification to ascend that seat. The ability to usurp thrones by force.'
As the name implied, he had become a 'usurper'.
To understand more precisely, he asked Cygnus.
"What does 'succession to all thrones' mean in the Absolute One, Sanctuary trait?"
「It means you can stand at the pinnacle of a species, Father.」
The pinnacle of a species?
So, he could become the lord of a race?
"Regardless of the species?"
「According to my mother's will... yes, it seems so. But since it can only be used once, I must become the 'King of Divine Beasts'.」
Enter the rift, step into the sanctuary, and usurp Sanctuary's throne.
That was what Cygnus had clearly stated.
However, it was only acquiring the 'right'.
In other words...
"There must be competitors."
「You are correct, Father. I can sense it. My siblings were born at the same time as me, within countless Abysses. After 100 days, we must enter the rift and compete in a trial of growth.」
This was news to him.
It seemed Sanctuary's offspring weren't limited to just Cygnus.
But the most astonishing part was something else.
"...Sanctuary's children were all born at the same time?"
「Yes. I don't know the exact number. However, only one among me and my siblings can usurp the throne.」
Hold on.
This completely unexpected development made his head spin.
Borrowing Cygnus's words, in 100 days, he would have to cross into the 'rift'.
He could send Cygnus alone, but who knew what might happen.
"In 100 days, should I enter the rift with you too?"
He asked just in case.
Cygnus replied as if it was obvious.
「Yes! As my guardian and father, you must attend. We display our growth to each other, compete, and are ranked. Siblings without guardians or parents are disqualified from participating.」
...It was a done deal.
If they weren't just checking growth but assigning 'ranks', it was an enormously important event.
Losing the divine beast parents who birthed them at just 100 days would clearly limit future growth, so it seemed they wouldn't even allow participation without at least a 'guardian'.
Connecting all these circumstances led to one clear conclusion.
'Sanctuary is weakened. It desires a powerful successor.'
The reason the Destroyer Cygnus had desperately protected the egg.
As Sanctuary's child and heir, continuing the Rift King's will was far more important than his own life or eliminating him.
...No wonder.
He had accepted becoming the 'sacrifice' far too easily.
「And Father can also select one of a specific species' 'thrones' and usurp it.」
"...!"
The traits didn't overlap?
Park Chan-woo fell silent for a moment.
'Only the abilities of hidden traits are shared; their manifestation applies individually.'
His mind raced.
If possible, he could even become the lord of the dragon race!
Not that the mad transcendent dragon would yield its seat, but just gaining the possibility sent endorphins surging through his body.
Excitement was building.
If Cygnus became the King of Divine Beasts and he claimed lordship over one of the twelve races?
"Mm..."
That was the moment.
Han Min-oh regained consciousness.
"Wh-where... Ah!"
Once he grasped the situation, Han Min-oh's eyes widened as he hurriedly scanned his surroundings.
Spotting Park Chan-woo, he quickly bowed his head.
"Th-thank you. You saved me again!"
"Think nothing of it."
Park Chan-woo gave Han Min-oh a once-over.
Thud.
Then he placed a hand on his shoulder.
Cygnus had chosen him as a nest and brought everything along, so he wouldn't die.
But...
'It seems there are some effects after all.'
His mana wavelength had changed.
More intensely.
More brilliantly proclaiming his presence.
It seemed he had been influenced by the brief connection when Cygnus hatched.
Or perhaps the assimilation with Park Chan-woo had triggered a change.
Either way, it hadn't brought negative results.
If anything, his 'potential' seemed to be surging even stronger.
His eyes and aura had changed dramatically.
'Even if his potential increased, his core personality shouldn't change.'
Was it because he had died and come back?
There were clear changes both externally and internally.
But this was only natural.
'...Maybe because you've saved me three times? Why do I feel this close?'
Han Min-oh stared blankly at Park Chan-woo.
The inexplicable sense of intimacy grew the more he looked.
It was thanks to the 'soul assimilation' exceeding 100%, which had profoundly shaken his worldview.
Park Chan-woo's soul—charging forward without fear or hesitation—had deeply impacted him.
Originally, Han Min-oh had been a coward.
From childhood, overshadowed by his domineering brother, filled with envy and jealousy, crushed by pressures from all sides, he had chosen to hide away.
But now, Han Min-oh had overcome all those 'traumas'.
'I feel like I can do anything.'
Confidence overflowed.
He no longer cowered.
No regrets either.
He had despaired ruminating on past memories, but that despair itself had become 'nourishment for the soul'.
'The only thing that can stop me is myself.'
It was something Han Shin often said.
Now, he felt he could finally understand it.
Until now, Han Min-oh had been sabotaging his own potential.
Even though he could leap high and soar.
He had always crawled on the ground.
"They say the first time is coincidence, the second is inevitability, and the third is fate."
"...?"
Park Chan-woo inwardly showed his bewilderment at the sudden remark.
Han Min-oh's eyes sparkled as he continued.
"Also, even brushing cloak hems is fate, and fate is tied by the heavens. Being revived three times means it's a bond of three lifetimes—I absolutely cannot let this connection slip away."
"...You can let it slip."
Listening quietly, it was talk that made his ears itch.
Han Min-oh's reaction was more burdensome than expected.
What on earth was he building up to with this preamble?
"Death is life, life is death! My life has always been like this—repeatedly trying to live only to die. This time, I tried to die. But I lived. It's all thanks to you, Park Chan-woo."
Honestly, he was satisfied.
For the first time, he felt victorious in his cursed battle against fate.
The moment he accepted and embraced death, Park Chan-woo appeared and saved him.
If this wasn't heaven-ordained fate and bond, what was?
No, no.
Heaven was Park Chan-woo.
Park Chan-woo had saved him, commanded him to live—so he must never miss this chance.
"...What are you trying to say?"
His brow furrowed involuntarily.
The excessive reaction felt like it might break him out in hives.
And the instant Park Chan-woo's words ended...
Slam!
Han Min-oh prostrated himself on the ground.
"Please take me as your disciple! I pledge my life to it!"