Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Heavy Rain (9)
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“Haaah.”
I took a moment to catch my breath in the pouring rain.
“……”
Looking down at Jang Seok-ho’s corpse, I released the transformation.
My arm, which had shrunk to the size of a small child’s hand, returned to its original form.
A faint tremor.
Was it because of the accumulated internal injuries?
My right arm trembled like a leaf.
“…I can barely even make a fist.”
Even though the wounds had regenerated, a dizzying pain remained.
‘So it’s not an all-powerful skill.’
Still, to have recovered this much in a situation where it wouldn't have been strange to die on the spot was something.
Water Affinity.
The skill I’d thought was useless possessed a potential that far surpassed my imagination.
‘Another reason to collect Stigmas.’
Seeing the effects of a synthesized skill firsthand made me feel I needed to absorb Stigmas more aggressively.
‘Besides, synthesized skills start with max proficiency.’
It was a shame they had no potential for further growth, but the upside was that I didn't have to worry about proficiency.
“Well then, it’s about time… Keuk!”
A sudden, searing pain wracked my body once more.
This time, the pain wasn't in my arm but in the left side of my chest.
‘The left side of my chest.’
No way.
“…Hah.”
I lifted my tattered clothes and examined the left side of my chest.
Next to the Lyra Stigma, five lines were burning brightly.
“Our dear goddess is going to faint again when she sees this.”
It had been just over two months since I reached the 4th Star during my spar with Riak.
A lot had happened in that time, sure.
But even considering that, reaching the 5th Star in just two months was an unbelievable growth rate.
‘The 5th Star.’
At the 5th Star, you're considered a mid-tier Awakened.
You could get decent treatment anywhere you went.
‘But that’s for run-of-the-mill Stigmas.’
The more powerful the Stigma, the harder it is to raise its ‘Star.’
In the case of the Zodiacs, reaching the 5th Star was enough to land a high-ranking position in most guilds.
‘And with the Polaris Stigma…’
Well.
Wouldn't they just hand over the guild master position on a silver platter?
“Well… I still have a long way to go.”
Normally, you could live a comfortable life just by reaching the 5th Star.
But considering the path I have to walk, the 5th Star is nowhere near enough.
“……”
I looked down at Jang Seok-ho’s corpse, clenching and unclenching my fist.
‘I have to get stronger.’
So strong that no one can covet what's mine.
So I can live speaking only the truth, not lies.
To do that.
“I have to devour everything.”
I reached out toward Ashad Khan’s corpse.
‘Black Heaven.’
The dark cloud swallowed the Noctua constellation.
“Haaah.”
A dizzying amount of mana flowed into me through the dark cloud emanating from my fingertips.
‘A 7th Star Awakened, was he?’
Counting the lines etched on Ashad Khan’s left chest, I let a slight smirk form.
They said the gap between each Star grows exponentially higher up, and now I think I understand why.
‘The very quality of the mana is different.’
If this is the 7th Star, what in the world is the 8th Star like?
And what about the 9th Star and above, when you start being called a 'high-ranking' Awakened?
‘It must be incredible.’
Just imagining it made my mouth water.
I even felt a pang of hunger.
‘Not something to think about right now.’
Didn't I just barely beat a single 7th Star Awakened, my body breaking down in the process?
Thinking about the 8th or 9th Star now is absurd.
“Well… he did seem to be one of the stronger 7th Stars.”
He'd even received a Constellation's blessing.
Frankly, I could probably say I fought and won against a decent 8th Star Awakened, not just a 7th Star.
‘A 4th Star beating an 8th Star, huh.’
Pfft.
A dry laugh escaped me.
“I can't even brag about this anywhere.”
People would probably curse me out for spouting bullshit.
-Gurgle, gurgle.
The energy of Black Heaven, which had stretched from my fingertips, writhed as if satisfied with its meal and flowed back into my body.
And then.
“Keuk!”
Zzzzt.
A pain like something searing hot was branding the inside of my head.
Visions flashed before my eyes.
-Hmm. Are you saying Lightning Wolf is in a cooperative relationship with the Valhalla Guild?
-Yes. Lee Woo-hyeok will probably ask Lightning Wolf for help.
A memory of him talking to someone on the phone.
‘This is…?’
My brow furrowed.
The memory flowing into my head wasn't Lee Shin-hyeok's.
‘Ashad Khan.’
It was his memory.
-Just when I thought we'd crushed the Chairman's faction, that guy suddenly interfered. Han Jun-man has been running around a lot lately too… I was going to watch him a bit longer since he's the Polaris's Apostle, but it seems it would be best to take care of him around now.
The Chairman's faction?
Han Jun-man?
‘What is this.’
I frowned.
‘Are there factions within the Association?’
If so.
Does that mean the Black Star Society was one of those factions?
‘So that's how they found out about my relationship with the Valhalla Guild.’
It felt like the puzzle pieces were finally falling into place.
“Keuk!”
Before I could ponder it further, more memories flooded in.
-Understood, Agent of the King. I will dispose of him as you command.
-Hahaha! There really aren't many people as reliable as you, Mr. Ashad. You're completely different from Yujin.
-Do not compare me to that imbecile.
Ashad Khan continued, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
-By the way… what's happening on the Italian side?
-Ah, you mean the 'Leech Queen'?
A fed-up voice came through the smartphone.
-Don't even ask. That crazy bitch is running wild so much that word has even reached the 'Demon Realm'.
-Is there no way to handle her?
-No matter how crazy she is, the Leech Queen is still the third-ranked Executor. It's difficult to deal with her directly.
-Then.
-Well… I have prepared a countermeasure.
-A countermeasure?
-Huhu. You have to fight fire with fire, as they say.
A clear voice rang out.
It felt like listening to the chatter of a naive child, and then—
“Kuaaaargh!”
My distorted vision returned to normal.
-Ting!
[Inheriting a portion of Awakened Ashad Khan's records.]
[Acquired skill 《Black Wing Armor Lv3》.]
[Acquired skill 《Black Wing Explosion Lv5》.]
A series of blue message windows appeared before my eyes.
[Due to the influence of the Lyra Stigma, the acquired skills will be altered.]
[Skill 《Black Wing Armor Lv3》 has been changed to 《Lightning Wing Armor Lv3》.]
[Skill 《Black Wing Explosion Lv5》 has been changed to 《Lightning Wing Explosion Lv5》.]
“…So it automatically changes to match my Stigma.”
I scanned the blue message windows, my eyes narrowing slightly.
‘Come to think of it, it was never said that Transmission only happens with Lee Shin-hyeok's memories.’
What I got this time were Ashad Khan's memories.
“…There's quite a lot of information here.”
Putting aside the matter of Italy and the third-ranked Executor, the Leech Queen, for now.
The fact that the Black Star Society had infiltrated the Association was something I couldn't ignore.
‘I should talk to Mr. Jun-man about this first.’
Since he was mentioned in the memory, there's a high chance he knows something.
“Now, is that it—.”
Gurgle!!
A dark cloud erupted from the left side of my chest.
The cloud, spreading wide like a blossoming flower, slowly seeped back into my body.
“Guess not.”
A dry laugh escaped my lips.
[All conditions for 'Black Heaven's' fourth blooming have been met!]
[The fourth blooming of 'Black Heaven' will now begin!]
The fourth blooming, right after reaching the 5th Star.
‘It was tough, but I gained a lot.’
Not that I'd ever want to go through it again.
[A quest has been activated due to the fourth blooming!]
“…Hm?”
A quest?
[Quest – The Sky Devil That Swallows Stars ①]
Description: Absorb a Sacred Stone to open the Black Heaven. (Current progress: 0%)
Reward: Randomly acquire one of the 'Ancient Constellations'.
“What's this now?”
I tilted my head, looking at the quest window that had appeared.
‘Ancient Constellations?’
A name I've never heard before in my life.
‘Hmm… I'll have to ask Vega about this.’
Anyway.
There was no way to know right now.
“The fourth blooming.”
Crackle! Sizzle!!
I lightly summoned my mana to create lightning.
The lightning blazed with a deeper blue than usual.
‘As expected.’
Just like before, as Black Heaven's blooming stage advanced, the power of the Lyra Stigma grew stronger.
‘If it keeps getting stronger like this… I can't even imagine how powerful it will become.’
A deep smile formed on my lips.
“By the way….”
I narrowed my eyes and looked around.
I stood still and waited for a moment, but nothing happened.
‘Why isn't it coming?’
Perhaps the most important reward for me.
Lee Shin-hyeok's memories weren't flowing into my head.
As I looked around with questioning eyes.
[The records of Awakened Ashad Khan and Awakened Lee Shin-hyeok have clashed, resulting in a partial loss of Awakened Lee Shin-hyeok's records.]
[Black Heaven will automatically restore the records required for Transmission.]
[The 'Transmission' will proceed in parts according to the restoration's progress.]
“Ah.”
So because two or more 'Transmissions' happened at the same time, the memories clashed.
‘Well… since it says it'll be restored automatically.’
If they were gone for good, that'd be one thing.
But since it'll be restored on its own, there's no reason to worry.
“Well then, I guess I'll head back.”
After dismissing all the messages before me.
I started to walk.
-Thud!
“Keuk!”
I couldn't even take a single proper step before slipping and falling to the ground.
‘Dammit.’
Was my body in such bad shape that I couldn't even walk properly?
‘Right. The Water Affinity skill only heals external injuries.’
I can't see it, but.
The inside of my body must be a complete, battered mess.
I gave a bitter smile and forced strength into my trembling legs.
“…Let's go.”
Before turning away.
I turned my head and looked down at Jang Seok-ho's corpse one last time.
“……”
Shaaaaaa.
I walked away through the pouring rain.
***
Creeak.
I barely managed to open the front door and step inside.
“Hey! Kwon Oh-jin!”
A welcome voice called out.
The corners of my fatigue-ridden mouth lifted slightly.
“Where did you go without a word….”
Ha-eun's expression hardened as she walked out of her room.
“Y-You, what happened to you?”
“…Nunna.”
Stumble, stumble.
With no time to even dry my rain-soaked body.
I approached her.
I raised my hand and touched her cheek.
It's warm.
Unlike Jang Seok-ho's cold hand.
It's full of warmth.
“Oh-jin-ah…?”
Her reddish-brown eyes looked up at me.
An indescribable sense of relief spread through my entire body.
-Thump!
“Kyaaah! W-What?!”
Hugging her body.
I collapsed right there at the entrance.
“…Just a little.”
I don't ask for much.
I don't want anything grand.
Just.
For the warmth in my arms.
“Stay like this for just a little longer.”
I hope it doesn't get washed away by the rain.