Chapter 259
Chapter 259
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 259
Chapter Title: Hide and Seek (1)
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An indoor training facility built solely for me.
Screeech— screeech—
Unusual metallic screeches beyond the norm echoed through it, accompanied by rising waves of intense heat.
Clunk— boom!
"Huff... haa—!"
With the heavy thud of something massive hitting the floor, I finished another routine. Soaked in sweat, I gazed down at my steaming body and let out a low murmur of admiration.
"This is impressive. And this is just a tiny fraction compared to the total output..."
As I marveled, I glanced at the exercise equipment I'd just been using and frowned slightly.
My control over my strength was still lacking; the handgrips were slightly dented and twisted.
"Hmm, looks like I need something sturdier after all."
Off-the-shelf equipment wasn't suited for superhuman physical training.
Of course, they were plenty durable by normal standards, but that only held up against ordinary people.
'Might as well replace them all with custom pieces from Howard. I've been experimenting with the new materials I acquired anyway—this works out perfectly.'
This sudden surge in my main body's capabilities stemmed from the Inherent Skill Enhancement (1,300,000) I'd performed right before sending Hugo to the Hunter Realm.
Truth be told, I hadn't initially planned to send him there.
He was incredibly versatile with his Jack-of-All-Trades skill, making him a huge help by my side. Plus, venturing into a new dimension called for a fresh avatar to keep things exciting.
'If the 1.3 million and subsequent 1.4 million enhancements hadn't both failed to increase my avatar count...'
Those expected gains fell through one after another, forcing me to send Hugo off as the price for two unexpected abilities.
The first was this derivative of Entity Projection, now bolstering his body.
Unlike Entity Projection, which fully overlaid one entity's data, this borrowed a portion of an avatar's power. It had no fixed cooldown, and on normal days with low energy drain, it could be maintained all day.
'It's like adding a permanent enhancement passive. The real kicker? It isn't limited to one avatar at a time, unlike full Entity Projection.'
It was borderline cheat-level, but the catch was the pitifully low total power it could borrow compared to the real thing.
'Still, abilities can always evolve. With more enhancements and higher proficiency... maybe.'
Maybe.
I could wield Hans's black magic power and Heinrich's holy power alongside Harley's physical prowess, blood magic, and spirit arts—all at once. A monstrous hybrid.
Of course, that would take considerable time.
'And the other ability is plenty useful too.'
The issue was his karma balance, which I'd never dreamed would dry up so fast.
I'd had about two million left after crafting the gold dragon hatchling Horus.
It spiked once during the Zephia Republic incident, then swelled past three million thanks to straws plugged everywhere...
'Back to square one.'
The next enhancement needed 1.5 million.
Even with karma straws everywhere like a pension fund, the steady drain from Growth Potions meant it would take ages without a major event.
"Heh, since when have I worried about that?"
While others struggled for a million, I'd amassed over ten million.
To me, karma was just something that piled up naturally from doing what needed doing.
'Let's see. The Hunter Realm is wrapping up, so time to catch my breath there...'
My focus shifted back to Outerica, my home turf.
***
While I'd been distracted with the Hunter Realm, time in Outerica marched steadily onward.
My avatars trained and handled duties from their posts, solidifying their foundations.
And among them, one had been particularly aggressive lately.
"Ughhh..."
"Gah— ha, I surrender! I surrender!"
"Kuhahaha—! Where'd that initial spirit go? Think this proves anything? Come on, the rest of you—don't hold back, rush me all at once! Kahahat!"
Dozens of people groaned on the ground, and in their midst stood a massive man gripping a certain someone's head, laughing triumphantly.
Those surrounding them with weapons in hand swallowed dryly without realizing it.
And who could blame them?
Scattered like drunken homeless were the village's finest warriors. The one crying surrender in the giant's grasp was their chief—the region's strongest great warrior.
"Hm? What's this, no more? Don't be shy, come at me! You're the most fun bunch so far. Let's see if this 'Robot Tribe' really claims top spot in Kalkos!"
"It's Lubat, Sir Harley."
"Eh? Robot sounds tougher. Anyway, no more challengers?"
Misty, observing quietly from a distance, cautiously corrected his pronunciation, but Harley—already buzzing with excitement—paid her no mind.
Mad battle-lust poured from the arrogant barbarian warrior, forcing those nearby to step back instinctively.
"Um, Sir Harley? Isn't that enough now? Everyone else seems convinced."
Misty finally stepped forward with a wry smile.
This commotion had started when the Lubat tribe's chief and warriors challenged Harley—escorted by Misty—to test if he was worthy of kingship.
Nestled along the southeast tropical rainforests, the Lubat tribe boasted prime territory, strong forces across generations, and towering pride. Thrust into serving an outsider, they'd gone all out.
But as Harley had said, this wasn't their first rodeo.
They'd likely planned to flex just enough to deter mistreatment, like other tribes...
"...Kuh! You're spoiling my fun."
Thud—
"Krrk!"
The chief, gripped in Harley's massive hand, sprawled on the ground and swallowed a pained groan.
Battered senseless, his body barely moved, but this hardy man forced himself to writhe and crane his neck up at Harley.
A 2.3-meter musclebound frame. Gaudy tattoos etched across his bare torso.
Shadowed red and green eyes gleaming fiercely from light-backed features.
Even standing still, he exuded domineering pressure like a conqueror of the world...
'...The new Battle King... Truly lives up to the name.'
The chief nodded faintly, inwardly awed.
Despite the thrashing, his eyes held no resentment or rage—only deep reverence and respect.
A warrior's pride wouldn't let him yield blindly, but feeling the vast gap firsthand, he now accepted his place.
And it wasn't just him. The elite warriors groaning on the ground, the fighters encircling and watching—all felt the same.
To southern warriors valuing strength above all, his armored-less form batting aside aura-infused heavy weapons barehanded, subduing warriors like children unarmed—this was a martial god descended to earth.
"...To the new Battle King, Lubat Chief Umperante pledges loyalty."
"We pledge our loyalty!"
"Loyalty...!"
As the recovering chief and warriors swore fealty before Harley, matters here concluded.
"Miss, that wraps up the southeast, right? So about half done?"
"Jeez, just call me Misty already. Oh, yeah, it does. Wow! Skipping tiny villages and hitting only spots with chiefs, and we've covered half in this short time. You're amazing, Sir Harley!"
"Uhaha—! The shaman arts helped plenty too. They suit me perfectly!"
"C-Compatibility...? Oh, come on, Sir Harley. Ehehe—."
As Misty's mind raced with fantasies of how many kids they'd have, Harley—oblivious—scratched his chin, pondering the next leg.
'If it were just about ascending as Battle King, summoning chiefs to the center would've sufficed.'
The problem lay in the south's dire state post-Valteon's rebellion.
Not just cleanup—remnants still caused chaos in places. To expedite, his personal tours were best.
"Alright—! Let's hustle then? Hop on again, miss."
"Eek, three's the charm... Hm? Y-Yes? Yes! Sir Harley!"
With the grand shaman's aid boosting his speed, Harley blitzed the south.
He toured the tribal federation far quicker than expected, earning recognition as Kalkos's true Battle King from all tribes.
And at last.
The scattered southern powers began rapidly realigning around him.
***
A blond youth in work clothes bustled about, cleaning every corner of the house.
Dusting, sweeping, mopping—his crisp motions screamed pro, utterly efficient.
Enrapt in the trance of cleaning.
Wiping the floor diligently, he froze, frowning at a discovery.
'Oh no! A stain here. Master will scold me if she sees.'
Judgment met instant action.
From his apron, he pulled a small bottle and brush, carefully applying solution to the stain and scrubbing fiercely.
Scritch-scritch-scritch—
"Heh heh heh, you insolent stain. Daring to invade my domain? No matter how you squirm, you're no match for me."
With a cruel smirk, he mercilessly assaulted it without pity.
And finally, it vanished without a trace.
"Heh heh heh..."
Just like—back then.
"......"
His prone body stiffened blankly for a moment.
Normally, he'd spring up for the next task.
But now, his mind swirled too chaotically to move.
How much time passed?
"Simon~? Still cleaning?"
A woman's voice—his master's—jolted him rigid.
But only briefly. Countless trainings kicked in on survival instinct.
"Hyup! Y-Yes! Master! You called? Coming now!"
"Jeez. So slow—what good are you?"
He scrambled over, prostrating flat.
Even so, unsatisfied, Siana clicked her tongue and glared.
Then, she ground her sharp heel into the back of Simon Carte Azerion—the former crown prince of the Azerion Empire—with a silky voice.
"Simon, getting slack without punishment lately? Or do you crave this? Hm?"
"Eek! N-No, Master! I-I... Euuugh!"
"Mmm~ Knew it. Taking punishment as reward. Have you ever seen such a wicked slave? Pfft."
Flushed face, ragged breaths.
Simon buried his half-lidded face in the floor, trembling.
Unimaginable as the empire's crown prince now.
Rumble—
As the pair enjoyed their twisted fun.
"...Hm?"
A faint tremor shook the Immortal Citadel ever so slightly.
Imperceptible to most, but as an undead army executive, she felt it clearly.
"The King... is pleased?"
She couldn't grasp why, though.
Siana tilted her head, whip taut in hand.
"Ugh... M-Master..."
"Oh."
A pained whimper leaked from underfoot.
'Not bad vibes, so whatever.'
The King would inform her if needed.
Until then, fretting was pointless. She refocused.
A sadistic smile curled her lips.
The resting whip lashed the air once more.
***
Deep in the Immortal Citadel.
The Immortal King's private workshop.
[Kuhuhuhu— finally.]
Enveloped in darkness at the center, Hans let out a low chuckle.
The citadel quivered in response to his elation, but he was too thrilled for trivialities.
More like, he didn't care.
[Got you... you bastard.]
At last.
The end of this long game of hide-and-seek was in sight.
Vmmm—
The small metal fragment in Hans's hand vibrated faintly.