Unique Authority (2)
Transcendence. Regression. And even Salvation, which was practically the domain of gods.
These were abilities anyone would call off-spec, beyond standard limits. But that wasn't the end of it.
Inheritance — Perfectly inherit three skills from a designated target. No consent required from the target. The authority is permanently consumed upon use.
Evil Extermination — Declare an area. Those deemed evil take damage proportional to your magic power. If they remain in the area for 5 minutes or more, they are annihilated.
Compared to the first three, these paled a bit. Still, they were far from ordinary.
Inheritance could be used on non-challengers, unlike Predation. And Evil Extermination had prerequisites, but fulfilling them granted outright annihilation.
"Five unique authorities, huh? That guy's no joke."
It was the man's mutter, just as Choi Yun-seok was regretting that he could only pick one.
"Unique authorities?"
"Ah, didn't I explain? Move to the next list. You'll see naturally."
Following the man's words, Yun-seok noticed markers at the bottom. He followed the advice and switched to the next list.
The floating list changed.
You can select 2 authorities from this list.
So that's how it works...
Yun-seok quickly assessed them one by one.
Learning — Register knowledge above a certain level as a general skill. Usable up to 3 times.
The first one that caught his eye: Learning. It seemed to convert techniques like Heavenly Demon Overlord, World Eye Black Strike, or Gray Sword Energy into skills. He wondered what traits it'd gain if the rank increased, but he couldn't waste a slot on curiosity.
The next, Skill Sale, wasn't much different.
Skill Sale — Sell owned skills and receive 100% of their value in AP. Synergizes well with Predation.
Great before Skill Synthesis, but not now.
Maybe because I saw the earlier ones first...?
Yun-seok smacked his lips unconsciously. Star Guardian usable only in invader battles. Sword of Judgment with bonuses against evil. Mind's Eye to read the true hearts of those with inferior magic.
Ten decent ones, but nothing screaming "must-have."
You can select 4 authorities from this list.
You can select 8 authorities from this list.
He checked them all anyway. Later pages drifted further from what he wanted, but it helped narrow things down.
Elle's Future Sight was page 1 material. Shaman's Law, Evolution, Skill Synthesis, Heart of Freedom for page 2. Things like High-Speed Short-Range Spatial Movement that general skills could replace filled pages 3 and 4.
You can select 1 authority from this list.
Back to the first list. Quality over quantity. Better to pick one here, win or lose.
Back to square one, huh.
His head hurt more than before, but no time for regrets now.
As always, Yun-seok used elimination, focusing on flaws over merits.
First out: Evil Extermination.
Honestly, when would I even use this?
Simple pro: Kill unkillable foes. But conditions too harsh—must be "evil," and pinned for 5 minutes. Would he ever get meaningful use?
Inheritance's similar.
Like Predation, but three skills, no duel win needed. Use on Cheonma at floor 20+, massive short-term gain. But still trading a unique authority for three skills.
So... Salvation?
His brow furrowed, unlike the others. Pure off-spec: lion resurrection? God's domain. But he looked past the flash to utility.
No comrades. Family barely counts. Picking for a one-in-a-million chance? Bigger regrets later.
Out.
Two left: Transcendence and Regression.
Tough...
Even for decisive Yun-seok, this was hard. Transcendence perfect for the road ahead. Regression tempting—reset everything once, no matter the end.
...But drop Regression.
After thinking it over for a long time, he made his decision. The reason was simple: he would climb the Tower without relying on any authorities. In exchange for memories of the future, he had been given a reset chance and a single authority. That authority would only be needed after a disastrous defeat. It was better to go all out from the start and avoid ever having to use it.
Transcendence authority is engraved upon your soul.
Choice made, radiant light poured from the four statues, swirling into Yun-seok's body.
"Afraid of failure, so you chose this? Contradictory, yet human. I respect your choice."
The man's tone irked—like an AI—but no energy to retort.
Clutching his impossible heart, Yun-seok gasped.
"Is it... always this painful?"
He dropped to his knees. Middle dantian opening? Nothing compared. In an empty waiting room, he'd be rolling and screaming.
The man, expecting it, replied calmly.
"Well. Avatar syncing to real body—if painless, that would be weird. Don't feel hard done by. Your authority's just that special."
"Avatar...?"
Yun-seok looked down instinctively. Skin melted like snow, new skin emerging like a beast shedding.
Real body now?
"Wait, sync means what—"
He barely mustered the question.
"Hah. Only one question allowed. Off you go—suffer in peace."
Snap.
The man smirked down, satisfied. Vision blacked out as Yun-seok caught it.
Moving to 15th floor waiting room.
* * *
"......"
How long? Struggling up, Yun-seok checked time and laughed hollowly.
Eons of pain, yet only a day? No.
"Just 10 minutes...?"
Self-loathing at his fragility, but facts unchanged.
Zombie-like, he shuffled to the tablet, opening challenger info.
Authority added, but content same.
Effort and talent, huh...
Transcendence description had puzzled him: Why talent with effort?
Valid question. Game-like skills had no "talent" factor.
So, test "effort" first.
Chanting Force Shield command inside it.
Force Shield proficiency increases by 0.00001%.
A translucent sphere formed around him. And...
As expected.
He'd guessed: Repeat skills, build proficiency, fill to rank up.
Stats via exercise?
Experiments confirmed: Matching movements raised proficiency. Efficiency abysmal, though.
Yeah, forget stat growth via effort...
Microscopic gains, but AP-free system growth possible.
Not disappointed, he shifted to the other puzzle: What was "talent" in Transcendence?
Tablet open, bought F-rank skill.
Acquired new skill.
Triple Slash. 500 AP. Zigzag upper, middle, lower cuts. Simple.
Test swing: Proficiency up.
Triple Slash proficiency increases by 0.1%.
Faster than Force Shield due to low rank. Still meaningless pace.
3-second cooldown over, repeat.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Overwhelming stats created massive wind pressure even in basics.
But to Yun-seok: Pathetic. Trajectory, motion, intent—all child's play.
F-rank for a reason...
Stiff body frustrating, but he persisted. Maybe proficiency would change it.
No big difference. Just unconsciously spotting flaws, tweaking.
Shorter intervals over upper-middle-lower...
Triple Slash proficiency increases by 98.2%.
Triple Slash rank increases.
Focus flow and speed over rigid strength...
Triple Slash proficiency increases by 100%.
Triple Slash rank increases.
Why move like that?
Triple Slash proficiency increases by 100%.
Triple Slash (E) trait selection available.
How many more swings? Yun-seok snapped back to messages flooding his vision.
Whooong! Whooong!
The whoosh of Triple Slash had changed.
...Ah, so that's it.
Now he understood. What "talent" meant.