Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Gigantification
Rank: C
Effect: Enlarges the body. All stats except mana increase by 50, and physical abilities like reflexes and tracking vision are greatly enhanced. However, using gigantification significantly reduces brain function.
━
Lee Jeon-seok skimmed through the effects of Gigantification.
As expected, every stat increased by 50.
Physical abilities were also enhanced.
At first glance, it seemed almost like a near B-rank effect.
However.
‘The drop in brain function is the real problem.’
A serious demerit.
It cost more than it offered.
Thinking back to the villain who rampaged in Yeongdeungpo using Gigantification...
‘This is useless.’
No matter how strong, if intelligence drops to animal levels, it’s meaningless.
It would’ve been nice if partial use could reduce the drawback.
‘...But that’s probably impossible.’
Lee Jeon-seok was certain.
If partial use were possible, the villain in Yeongdeungpo would’ve already used it that way.
‘Hmm...’
Gigantification.
What should he do with this trait?
━
“You could borrow roughly 3,000 Seon-eop.”
Lee Jeon-seok recalled Toyoto’s words.
Using a trait as collateral to receive Seon-eop.
Gigantification was a C-rank trait, so he could get 3,000 Seon-eop as a loan.
But was that the best choice?
He thought of the Skeleton Warrior.
What if he gave it Gigantification?
With already low intelligence, the drawback would disappear, leaving only the benefits of increased stats.
Trait transfer.
Not impossible.
After all.
‘Cheonsalseong’s ability is basically a form of “transfer” anyway.’
The only difference was that it “steals” instead.
In that sense, Cheonsalseong was similar to what Jeon-seok had in mind.
That thought led him to one conclusion.
If it can be taken away—
Could it also be given?
More precisely:
‘There must be a trait that grants another trait.’
Jeon-seok searched his past memories.
Unfortunately, he didn’t recall anyone who had such a trait.
At least, none he remembered.
But.
“Toyoto.”
He used the Merchant Shop.
Perhaps Toyoto had been on standby.
“Did you call, customer?”
Like splitting the air with a hand, the rabbit wearing a gentleman’s hat hopped out.
“I want to check out some traits.”
Jeon-seok looked down at Toyoto.
The last time he’d shown the shop, many traits had been available.
He wondered if something related to “trait transfer” might exist.
After all, Toyoto had picked up and sold even the lowest-tiered relics from Samdocheon.
When it came to traits, he likely had countless options.
“Anything is possible.”
Just as expected.
After Toyoto nodded, a shop window appeared in front of him.
[Merchant Shop – Traits]
Only traits were listed.
Jeon-seok scrolled with his finger.
Then.
━
Path of Wind (C) – 40,000 Seon-eop
Soul of the Bold (A) – 100,000 Seon-eop
Soul Flower (B) – 70,000 Seon-eop
Dragon Piercer (A+) – 130,000 Seon-eop
Divine Descent (SSS) – 5,000,000 Seon-eop
━
‘Ridiculously expensive.’
Even the cheapest C-rank was 40,000.
The SSS-rank cost 5 million.
Considering one person’s life only raised Seon-eop by 10, the prices were insane.
Better to just capture an SSS-class villain and finish it.
Scroll after scroll passed.
‘...Nothing?’
No “transfer” traits were visible.
It didn’t matter much; he could just use Gigantification as collateral for a loan.
Still, it was a slight disappointment.
After scrolling for a while,
“Hm?”
He noticed a particularly unusual trait name.
No.
Not unusual, but familiar.
[Broken Cheonsalseong (E)]
Cheonsalseong.
A name he’d heard countless times.
But what caught Jeon-seok’s attention more was the word “Broken.”
It resembled his own, yet was different.
The grade alone made it stand out.
It was as if the original Cheonsalseong had been flipped inside out.
He checked its effect.
━
Broken Cheonsalseong
Rank: E
Effect: A distorted star in the northern sky. Unlike the original Cheonsalseong, it lacks a killing impulse, but as a result, its owner’s trait can be stolen by others.
━
The effect was completely opposite to the original Cheonsalseong.
No murder impulse, and instead of stealing, one’s trait could be taken.
‘Why would this even exist?’
Jeon-seok couldn’t help but feel absurd.
Completely useless, practically a trap.
Like Gigantification, some traits were worse than having none at all.
Why such things exist was beyond his understanding.
‘...Too bad.’
He licked his lips at the sight of Broken Cheonsalseong.
Giving traits versus taking traits.
The difference was tantalizingly close to what he wanted.
“Are you looking for something in particular?”
Toyoto asked.
Jeon-seok sighed.
“I’m looking for a trait that can grant another trait.”
He didn’t expect much.
“Then, it’s not impossible.”
Toyoto replied.
Immediately, a window popped up.
━
Trait Transfer
Rank: SSS
Effect: Grants one’s trait to another. In exchange, a new trait is randomly acquired.
━
“This... is it.”
“Exactly what you’re looking for. Not only do you transfer a trait, but the system also grants a new random trait afterward.”
A nice effect.
Not only transferring a trait, but also gaining a new one—like a mobile game reroll.
However.
“1.2 million?”
Jeon-seok laughed dryly.
The price.
Compared to borrowing 3,000 Seon-eop with a C-rank as collateral, this was ridiculously inefficient.
Toyoto must have sensed his thoughts.
“Expensive, right? Honestly, even if you put up most of what you have as collateral, you couldn’t buy this trait.”
“Are you mocking me?”
“Of course not.”
Toyoto laughed oddly, tilting his head.
“Just saying, there may be a better way.”
“What do you mean?”
Jeon-seok asked quietly.
Toyoto’s tone was cryptic.
“When Cheonsalseong and Broken Cheonsalseong exist together, who knows what might happen.”
Toyoto smiled meaningfully.
Knowing Cheonsalseong existed, the effect must have come from his glasses.
“A clever fellow.”
“Many say that.”
“You won’t tell me what happens?”
“Beyond this point, there’s a fee... but I promise nothing bad will happen to you.”
Jeon-seok stared at Broken Cheonsalseong in the blue system window.
Honestly, it was a gamble.
Two Cheonsalseong traits together.
What would happen, no one could tell.
‘His intentions are suspicious.’
Jeon-seok glared at Toyoto.
Whatever special event occurs, it’s not purely benevolent.
Normally, he’d ignore it.
‘Even if something goes wrong, there are plenty of escape routes.’
Above all, Toyoto was a merchant.
Merchants valued trust.
Every customer’s belief was a treasure, a base to increase profit.
Thus.
‘If he’s smart, he won’t pull a stupid trick now.’
Still, hasty decisions were impossible.
This was a rare opportunity in life; he couldn’t waste it.
After much deliberation, he finally decided.
“I’ll borrow Seon-eop. Collateral: Gigantification.”
He already had enough Seon-eop, but decided to take the loan anyway.
In the status window, he had 12,050 Seon-eop.
He didn’t want to spend it all at once.
Surprisingly, he was stingy with money.
“Thank you for using our service, customer.”
Toyoto bowed, holding his hat with one hand.
Weird for a rabbit to act so gentlemanly.
The system window appeared.
[Borrow 3,000 Seon-eop from Merchant Toyoto, using Gigantification as collateral.]
[If not repaid within one month, Gigantification will be confiscated.]
One month.
‘If I’d borrowed in tens of thousands, it would’ve been confiscated for sure.’
Jeon-seok glanced at Toyoto.
He realized the “loan” was practically a high-interest private loan.
No matter; even if Gigantification was lost, it didn’t matter.
[Broken Cheonsalseong purchased.]
He manipulated the system to buy the trait.
2,400 of the 3,000 Seon-eop were spent, leaving 600.
“I’ll be off now.”
Toyoto disappeared through the torn space.
Jeon-seok checked his status window.
Broken Cheonsalseong.
To see its effect again.
Then.
[Cheonsalseong detected.]
[Cheonsalseong reacts to Broken Cheonsalseong.]
A strange window appeared.
“This...”
He placed a hand on his chest.
His heart pounded.
The murderous instinct within stirred.
Thanks to Eternal Mark, it didn’t erupt outward, but the restrained bloodlust glared like a starving predator.
Then.
[Bloodlust devours the broken fragment.]
[The two stars begin to merge.]
Something peculiar happened.
Fusion.
The two traits combined into one.
He could feel a bright star within devouring the faint star.
[Broken Cheonsalseong disappears.]
Simultaneously, the original Cheonsalseong underwent change.
[Congratulations!]
[Cheonsalseong rank has increased to EX+!]
Rank up.
A common occurrence.
But.
‘The highest rank should be EX...’
Rank increase beyond that was new even for Jeon-seok.
Not just the rank, but the effect changed.
He checked the status window immediately.
━
Cheonsalseong
Rank: EX+
Effect: Steal a random trait from any entity you kill. In exchange, you feel a strong murderous impulse with every drop of blood. The more you kill, the stronger the impulse, eventually overriding reason.
Additionally, once a week, you can transfer your trait to another.
━
Everything else remained the same.
Only the last line was added.
[Once a week, you can transfer your trait to another.]
‘So that’s what he meant.’
Jeon-seok’s expression was a mixture of surprise and intrigue.
Toyoto’s words made sense.
━“When both traits exist, something special might happen.”
The effect of Broken Cheonsalseong—losing traits—had now become “transfer” in his Cheonsalseong.
A week cooldown, but understandable given the powerful effect.
Jeon-seok wanted to test this new ability.
He summoned the Skeleton Warrior to give it Gigantification.
Low intelligence didn’t matter.
If the Skeleton Warrior had Gigantification, it could serve as a tank or damage dealer, not just bait.
Just as he prepared the summon.
“Who’s there?”
Snap—
Jeon-seok sprang up.
He grabbed the Jeokdando he had placed down.
“...”
The room was silent.
Was it his imagination?
‘No, I definitely felt a gaze.’
A hunter.
A strong one.
He slid the blade of the Jeokdando across his hand.
Flames flickered in one hand.
The Skeleton Warrior appeared, raising its blade defensively.
‘Danger.’
Instinct screamed.
He had been ready to summon, yet the threat was immediate.
Then.
“You needn’t be so tense.”
A voice.
Soft, clear, feminine.
“I didn’t expect you to notice this—.”
Someone sat opposite him, across the bed.
A woman.
Her hair flowed like waves in deep blue.
Pale as a ghost, dressed in black hanbok, a large flower-shaped binyeo in her hair.
An aura impossible to conceal.
“Baek-dong wasn’t exaggerating. You have remarkable talent.”
She smiled gently.