S-Rank (2)
Yun-seok wondered if this was what happened when a unique skill reached S-rank. Or was it something special about Heaven Breaking Divine Art? He wasn't sure, but unlike before, options had appeared—like the trait selections for regular skills.
"……."
Yun-seok carefully read the description from the top.
Paradox - Once, return to any desired point in the past for 30 minutes and alter history.
The first was similar to the regression authority. The difference was that he could go back to any time, but it wasn't permanent. If he understood correctly, the future upon return would change based on the altered past.
But…….
No need to pick this one.
Yun-seok could say that with certainty. Even with many regrets in life, there was no past he desperately wanted to change enough to use such an opportunity. Well, who knew what the future might bring.
Yun-seok quickly shifted his gaze to the next option.
Truth - Once, receive answers to three questions.
As concise as the description was, it was easy to understand. What was the final trial? What was the purpose of this tower, and who made it? Choosing this would give answers to questions he'd pondered for so long.
It was undeniably tempting, but Yun-seok checked the next option first.
Heaven Breaker - Can kill the 'undying one'.
The phrasing gave the impression of a follow-up to the B-rank 'Shatters the Unbreakable.' Unlike the first two, it wasn't immediately clear. But the tone suggested that while the B-rank targeted the system, this seemed aimed at a specific someone.
Yun-seok unconsciously stroked his chin. It wasn't combat-related, as he'd half-expected. But…….
Heaven Breaker…….
Shattering the heavens. A name fitting for an ability to kill the unkillable.
This can't be a coincidence.
The 'undying one' was probably an existence the Tower's system described as heaven-like. Like the tower's creator, or some colossal being on that level.
Me, killing something like that?
Yun-seok recalled the being he'd met in Heaven during the exploration trial. A dimensional god with omnipotent power. Even with his superhuman abilities far beyond humans, Yun-seok had barely sensed its might faintly.
Yet…… even that existence had been reproduced by the tower. That's when Yun-seok had to admit it anew. No matter how strong he'd become…… he was just a mere challenger. In the tower's standards, infinitesimally small.
"……."
Honestly, Truth tempted him most. He could learn the final trial's contents first, then use the remaining two in crises.
However…….
Who knows what the future holds.
Paradoxically, to prepare for an uncertain future, he needed a weapon, not information.
A new ability has been granted to the unique skill Heaven Breaking Divine Art.
The absolute being who made the tower? He didn't even know who—or if they existed. And any desire to confront them? Not in the slightest.
On the contrary, Yun-seok was grateful. This tower had given him power, broken his chains, and let him dream.
But… insurance is necessary.
If that being ever turned its blade on him, he didn't want to die helplessly. He was sick of injustice due to lack of power.
He knew it bordered on obsession. But he never wanted to feel that way again.
So, when the decisive moment came, he'd need a weapon to protect himself.
Heaven Breaking Divine Art
Rank S - Can kill the 'undying one'.
Yun-seok read the phrase once more before turning away without regret. Though he'd invested massive points, honestly, he hoped he'd never need it.
That would be best.
"……."
Afterward, Yun-seok opened his challenger info screen to check his training results.
After gaining the Transcendence authority and focusing solely on strength training, it had caught up to mana. Of course, these were just surface values from the info screen. With all bonuses, they weren't comparable.
Come to think of it, no skills boost only strength.
Stamina was negligible, Immortality gave durability +2, Executioner's Eye gave agility +4. Mana got a whopping +9 from Heaven Breaking Divine Art and the Draconian Ring.
That kept his hard-earned strength in the mid-tier…… but more effort would solve it eventually.
Maybe time for some synthesis.
Predation, Heaven Breaking Divine Art, Shadowless Chant, Demon Transformation, Immortality, Executioner's Eye, Alchemy. Beyond these untouchable uniques, he'd somehow gathered five more.
Before synthesizing, Yun-seok reviewed them briefly, starting with Knightly Virtue from the steadfast Sand Bekyria.
The description sounds decent…….
Knightly Virtue stacked on honorable actions, boosting efficiency. He'd considered keeping it. But after dueling the beastkin assassin, the stack—starting at 0—went negative, changing his mind.
Just scrap it.
Blind synthesis rarely yielded gems. Synergy mattered.
What paired best with Knightly Virtue?
Not Grand Archmage or Revenge.
Grand Archmage was magic-based, and Revenge from the beastkin assassin was similar. For 'knight,' maybe Quick Wit or Leader.
Please select skills to synthesize.
Up to 3 possible, all must be same rank.
He'd handle the rest later when better materials appeared. Yun-seok proceeded with synthesis.
As always, placing skills on the synthesis platform thrilled him—like seeing strength rise. No, this time it was real.
Skills have been synthesized.
Acquire Holy Knight.
The moment the skill completed, he shuddered like struck by lightning. Mana surged through his veins like thorns, tearing him apart. And…….
Crack-!
A flesh-rending sound from his upper left chest. It felt like his heart bursting…….
"Keurgh!"
Witnessing the blood fountain from his throat confirmed it wasn't imagination.
Heaven Breaking Qi rushed to heal, but his body decayed faster—dozens of times over.
"……."
Damn, the waiting room's 10-minute healing cycle was still far off. He needed to act, but Torture Technician's 20x pain amplification froze his mind.
Yun-seok desperately reached out and clicked the new Holy Knight info.
You have taken near-death damage.
Stunned for 10 seconds; ignores all damage.
Immortality activated, freezing his body. If he could move, he'd laugh. Facing hordes, he'd never triggered it—yet it debuts alone in his waiting room?
Goddamn…….
This wasn't a bad joke. He'd die here, forced to use the pocket watch for a 5-minute rewind.
Yun-seok hurriedly checked the tablet. Whatever caused this, the answer lay in Holy Knight.
Holy Knight Rank A - Holy attribute power increases 25x.
Rank B – On hit, 1/4 chance for perfect defense.
Rank C - All holy healing receives 15x additional correction.
Rank D - All equipped gear gains holy attribute.
Rank E - Mana +2.
Rank F - Mana gains holy attribute and constantly heals the body. Healing proportional to challenger's mana.
Impressively strong. The 1/4 perfect defense was great, and a rare mana boost…… if not for the damn holy attribute.
This is what happens……?
F-rank: Mana gains holy attribute and constantly heals body, proportional to mana.
If that healing clashed with Immortality as penalty, amplified dozens-fold by C-rank……?
Wild speculation? Yun-seok was certain. His guess was right.
This insane…….
What kind of glitch was this? No time to complain—Immortality's ignore ended.
Stun state released.
Pain resumed. Heaven Breaking Qi had healed during 10 seconds, averting instant death…… but delay meant pocket watch next.
Another choice…….
Simple: Discard Holy Knight or Immortality.
Please select skills to synthesize.
Up to 3 possible, all must be same rank.
Awkward—using synthesis not for gains, but losses. But decide fast.
"Keurgh!"
Vomiting blood, Yun-seok weighed pros/cons swiftly.
Can't risk Immortality on unknowns.
He loaded Holy Knight with two others. Why two for just removing holy? One wouldn't shift its stubborn concept.
So Revenge and Grand Archmage—polar opposites.
The result…….
Skills have been synthesized.
Acquire Dark Knight.
He could only laugh.
* * *
The instant Holy Knight vanished as synthesis fodder, pain evaporated. Yun-seok sighed in relief, regaining composure.
His biggest crisis lately, from this? Absurd in retrospect.
"Hoo……."
Breath steady, he checked the accidental Dark Knight.
Dark Knight. Extreme concepts, but fortunately decent. No, excellent.
Dark Knight Rank A - Opens the gate to the underworld, binding all souls you've slain as subordinates for 10 minutes.
Rank B - If mana rank differs by 1+ from holy attribute damage, ignore it.
Rank C - On magic damage, recover half as mana.
Rank D - On direct kill, revive as subordinate for 30 minutes. Abilities fixed at 30% of lifetime peak; no reason.
Rank E - Enemies exposed to mana feel extreme fear; severe cases induce 'mental derangement,' unable to distinguish friend/foe.
Rank F - Mana gains demonic attribute; all mana-based attacks 4x power.
F-rank boosted Judgment of the Destruction Lord. Immunity to holy weakness. Outrageous A-rank. All good.
But…….
Shwaaaaa-!
What were these ominous black wisps rising from his body?
Yun-seok looked down glumly. Bitter taste.
Demon Transformation, Immortality…… pure mana blackened recently. He'd hoped Holy Knight balanced it…….
Why always this?
Did the tower think he wanted to be a 'Demon King'?