Chapter 61
Chapter 61
Chapter 61 Heterogeneous Trial
Eve's growth rate was fierce, but naturally she hadn't become strong enough to beat me.
Certainly, as she trained in martial arts, her energy control had become more natural compared to when we first met, and her understanding of martial arts had deepened to the point where she had become incomparably stronger than before.
However, since her physical abilities and the amount of mana she possessed had been overwhelmingly greater than mine from birth, her growth rate in these areas was very minimal.
It wasn't that she hadn't grown at all, but there was a stark difference when compared to my growth.
I first met Eve on the 3rd floor, and just listing what I've gained since then would be enough to tell the whole story.
Primordial Blood, Black Dragon Heart, legendary-grade title, qualification for the second Transcendence, World Tree's Fruit, and the traits obtained from legendary-grade elixirs.
Just listing the major ones amounts to this much, and if I were to combine all the minor ones, it would be difficult to count them all.
'Hell difficulty... no, Hell difficulty is definitely a good environment for growth.'
The fact that I've already consumed two legendary-grade elixirs that even Yoo So-eun, who was a ranker in the first round, had never tasted, already makes this a finished game.
Moreover, all of this was accumulated without receiving any Tower rewards at all. The rewards are still accumulating even now, and I can't predict what kind of reward I'll receive on the 10th floor.
Anyway, because of this insane growth rate, even though Eve's growth was quite fast, she was no match for me.
"You really worked hard, didn't you? I didn't expect you to be capable of this already. Let me tell you what needs to be fixed - you're focusing too much on solidity and have lost your softness."
It's true that Shaolin martial arts emphasize the solid and heavy aspects of strength and weight, but they don't pursue only these elements.
"If you're only stiff, you're bound to break. That's why you need some flexibility to actually endure better and become more solid. Think about how to handle this once."
This is why I taught her Taijiquan, the basic martial art of the Wudang Sect, which is synonymous with softness.
Even if she learns martial arts that suit her disposition, I hoped she wouldn't be buried in only that, but would blend in other subtleties and possess flexibility.
"...I think I understand what you mean. I'll think about it more."
"Good. We have plenty of time, so take it slowly."
Eve seemed to have grasped my advice and began training the Great Strength Vajra Hand and Hundred-Step Divine Fist again.
It was similar to before, but very subtle changes that were difficult to express in words were being added bit by bit.
It wasn't changing the essence of the martial art itself, but by adding new enlightenment, it was giving a completely different feeling from before.
Change isn't unconditionally good, so I'd have to see the results to know, but I was already feeling that the end of that change could only be positive.
Since she was doing well on her own, I left her alone and planned to handle Spirit Arts during the remaining time.
Although my realm would rise just by breathing, if I made direct efforts as well, I would grow faster, and I needed to utilize the fact that contracts with spirits of all attributes were possible and there was no limit to their number.
Spirit attributes basically consist of the four major elements: fire, water, wind, and earth.
The grades are Lower-Grade, Intermediate, Superior, Highest, and Spirit King, and naturally, the higher the grade, the more difficult the contract, and the stronger spirit magic you can use.
Usually, you can only contract with spirits of one attribute, and depending on aptitude, there are those who can contract with spirits of two different attributes, and they were called Dual Core.
Having aptitude for two attributes is already rare, talent for three attributes is extremely rare, and from four onwards, it's safe to say they don't exist.
'Then am I Quad Core?'
Being able to contract with spirits of all attributes conversely meant that I had gained aptitude for all corresponding attributes.
Until I ate the World Tree's Fruit, the only spirit I could contract with was fire attribute, but now all other attribute spirits would be possible too.
There are also limits to the number of spirits each person can contract with, so when you fill up the limit, you have to part with existing spirits when making contracts with new ones, but I didn't need to do that.
Since there are no limits for me, it's possible to create a spirit legion as long as my mana allows.
'If I tank with an undead legion and bombard with a spirit legion, that would be quite a sight.'
Then the opponent would have to simultaneously devise ways to block Spirit Arts and black magic like the dwarves did, and even if that succeeded, they would need a way to block my main body.
It became possible to become a truly uncounterable one-man army.
As the first step toward that, I summoned Lower-Grade spirits of water, wind, and earth that I hadn't contracted with before.
Since spirits don't have vocal organs, they can't speak, but instead it's possible to exchange thoughts.
"I'm called Han Yeong-min, anyone here want to contract with me?"
Originally, to contract with spirits, you need to build their favorable impression of you, but I tried it once just in case.
With my current self, it might be possible.
-Me! I want to! -I want to do it too. -Me too, contract.
It was ‘as expected’ rather than ‘just in case,’ and even though I hadn't done any work to build favorable impressions, they all really wanted to contract with me.
The titles of Friend of the High Elves and Child of the World Tree seemed to act as practically a free pass for spirits.
When I first contracted with a fire spirit, I had to put in considerable effort, but now I had become the alpha male of the spirit world.
I made a cut on my finger and dropped blood onto the heads of the three spirits, completing the contracts, and I became one of the few Spirit Mages who had contracted with all four major spirits.
When I also summoned the fire Lower-Grade spirit I had contracted with before, the playful expression of that fellow quickly turned to shock.
-What on earth happened? Why have you become so familiar? It's like an old friend.
Seeing how someone I had contracted with less than a day ago felt like an old friend, I could indirectly feel how amazing the trait's effect was.
Spirit magic can either be used directly by me or let the spirits use it on their own - the former is good because direct control is possible, and the latter is good because they do it automatically.
Since spirits use magic automatically in ways that would be helpful to me, I didn't need to pay separate attention. It was practically no different from auto-hunting in mobile games.
It was like drought-ending rain for me, who always worried about which ability to use first because there were too many available.
I could just summon spirits and turn off my attention to focus only on what I needed to do.
"A lot has happened. Then everyone, please use magic without rest until my mana runs out."
This was to immediately raise my Spirit Arts proficiency. It was already rising anyway, but actively using spirit magic would make it rise faster.
[Lower-Grade Spirit Arts level increases.]
After raising the Spirit Arts level several more times like that, a new red portal opened in front.
[Time remaining until next floor opens: 0 hours 0 minutes]
After absorbing the legendary-grade elixir, teaching Eve martial arts, and adapting to new traits and abilities, it was already time to leave for the next floor.
"Eve. We need to go soon."
Last time, Eve had gauged the time on her own, but this time she seemed to have forgotten even time because she was too absorbed in martial arts. She was in a half-trance state.
"Ah, has the time already come to that? I was so focused I didn't notice time passing! See you later!"
"Yeah. See you later."
Whether she wanted to focus on martial arts again as quickly as possible, she quickly entered subspace.
Seeing that sight, I also threw my body into the red portal with a pleased smile.
The next trial was waiting for me.
'Where is this...?'
The place I arrived at after crossing the red portal was exactly my house that exists on Earth.
No, more precisely, the Tower must have constructed this space based on my memories.
I became curious about what they were trying to make me do by implementing this place.
[Testing Floor Hell Difficulty 8th Floor Trial.]
[Spend as much time as you want here.]
[During the Testing Floor progression, the use of Limit-Breaking stats, divine authority, and manifestation is restricted.]
[Due to penalties, the trial's reward is further enhanced.]
[Time remaining: 23 hours 59 minutes]
[Remaining time can be extended as much as desired.]
[All abilities are restricted during the trial.]
Suddenly all abilities were restricted and my physical abilities were downgraded to roughly UFC fighter level.
Since my enlightenment about martial arts remained, I could easily defeat even peak masters with this body, but considering such restrictions were in place from the start, there was a high probability this wasn't a trial to clear with force.
"What kind of trial could this be?"
There was no explanation other than the phrase telling me to spend as much time as I wanted.
Unlike other trials, no crisis occurred in particular, and no clear instructions existed either.
Then I felt a presence outside the door and heard someone knocking.
Finally, something seemed to be starting. I raised my tension to be able to respond to whatever happened.
Since my abilities were restricted, I had to be even more careful. I could be done for in a moment of carelessness.
The person who appeared when I opened the door like that was... truly an unpredictable person.
"I thought you were sleeping since there was no response, but you were awake...? Then hurry up and come eat. It's all ready."
The opponent was wearing a plain short-sleeved shirt and shorts, with an apron over them, yet couldn't hide her curved body, and her face boasted an unrealistic beauty as if sculpted by a god.
The person I always want to see.
'Estelle...?'
"Uh..? Uh..."
I couldn't understand it momentarily.
"Why do you look confused? Did something get on my face?"
Of course I had to be confused. It would be strange not to be surprised when none other than Estelle, in different attire than usual, at my house, was preparing food for me.
"It's not that, just... because you're pretty?"
For now, I casually threw out a light comment like I usually did with Estelle, and she showed a small smile at the corner of her mouth.
"Really, Han Yeong-min, you too... there's not a day you don't say that. Then I'll be waiting, so come quickly. Before all the food gets cold."
PECK.
Estelle, who lightly kissed my cheek, left the room door again and headed to the living room. And I sat there blankly for a long time in the spot she had left.
'What just happened...?'
The sensation of lips that had just touched my cheek remained vividly.
I knew it wasn't reality, but I couldn't help my heart from pounding wildly.
"What kind of trial is this supposed to be..?"
It seemed I would need to find out from now on.
This heterogeneous trial, different from all the previous ones.