Ch.121EP.29 – King Kong and the Hybrid Clash (9)

Mystery (神祕) refers to the “unknown power” spread throughout the continent.

Some call it the blessing of demons, or the blessing bestowed by gods or fairies…

However, according to the hypothesis of the famous sage Merlin:

– Mystery is nature’s blessing, merely a part of the infinite energy generated in nature’s cycle that seeps into us.

This was currently the leading theory in academic circles.

Indeed, looking at the dormant volcano Vulcan containing mystery, or the perpetual snow of the north that is cold yet not cold—aren’t these mysteries created by nature itself?

Thus, people believed the great sage’s hypothesis as if it were established fact.

However, this same great sage also mentioned:

– Mystery is not a power given freely. Rather, it’s a power that demands payment, almost cruelly so.

Mystery is not a power given without cost.

One can see this just by looking at those called mystery races.

Just as Barbarians have innate superhuman strength and talent as warriors but lack intellectual ability.

Just as Beastkin have innate courage and rapid growth but lack the ability to assimilate.

Just as Dwarves have innate craftsmanship and long lifespans but lose their hair roots in their teens.

Whether born with mystery or having acquired it, all mystery comes with a price.

There is no power given without payment.

Therefore…

“Kuheoeoek!”

This meant that controlling a massive magical beast like the Mother Worm required an enormous price.

A price so great that a mere human could never pay it…

Splatter…!

Number 4’s mouth erupted with blood, and he shed tears of blood.

He looked exactly like a vengeful ghost.

He was no different from a blood person (血人) who had already given up on life.

But what could he do?

‘Death! Death to our enemies…!’

Number 4 no longer had the mental capacity to maintain his reason.

All that remained was killing intent (殺心) toward his enemy!

‘Twelve long years! For twelve years I endured in this filthy tunnel, catering to that disgusting priest’s whims…! And they ruined it all!’

For twelve whole years, he had lived in this accursed tunnel.

All to devote himself to the organization, no, to the Black Moon.

With the sole determination to fulfill their “long-cherished wish.”

‘This wish is not something a mere knight can ruin!’

Number 4 gritted his teeth.

– Fourth Apostle. You need to fix that hot-tempered personality of yours. If you could just fix that, you might have been able to aim for the Second Apostle position long ago.

This was something Number 4, or rather the one bearing the name Fourth Apostle, often heard from the First Apostle.

The actual leader of the Black Moon and the person closest to becoming the [Great Apostle].

Such advice from the First Apostle was not something even a fellow apostle like himself could easily ignore.

– I’ll try.

– Effort alone won’t be enough. Your innate temperament is hot-blooded, and since you’ve had ogre tendons implanted, you’re unconsciously influenced by the magical beast. Changing your temperament is probably impossible.

– …Are you mocking me now?

– I’m not mocking you, I’m making you face reality. At the same time, let me give you this advice.

– Advice?

– Yes, if you ever encounter someone rightfully superior to you in skill, run away without hesitation. I’m concerned that even if you meet a skilled opponent, your temperament will make you rush in like a moth to flame.

– Ah, no matter what, running away! There are things you should and shouldn’t say…

– Remember. We have a long-cherished wish that must be fulfilled, even if we have to swallow our pride.

– !!

– Currently, the Black Moon’s position within the Blood Crusaders is extremely low. Probably because we foolishly messed things up in the past. There are many who resent us even using the name of apostles. So, Fourth Apostle, no, Drak…

– ……

– We need as many apostles as possible to fulfill our wish. So when you meet a dangerous enemy, flee, and save as many subordinates as possible. We still need many personnel.

– …I understand.

The First Apostle rarely called them by their real names, and Drak nodded, saying he understood.

He would save as many personnel as possible, and survive himself…

But now.

‘First Apostle! I’m sorry. I can’t keep your words!!’

Drak gritted his teeth, realizing the First Apostle had seen through his temperament perfectly.

Yes, he was hot-tempered.

The kind that couldn’t calm down unless he vented the rage in his heart!

‘I’ll kill him! I’ll kill him somehow!’

Because of one man, the foundation built over 12 years was ruined, and the soldiers he had trained were dying.

Some were already being buried alive in the collapsing tunnels.

Anyone who could remain calm after seeing this would truly be a saint, but unfortunately, Drak was no saint.

That’s why.

[[Keeeeee!!!]]

He had unleashed the reins of this monster.

Drak had placed a needle on top of the Mother Worm’s head.

It was a massive needle about the length of a human kidney, and this needle was the organization’s secret technique for controlling the Mother Worm—the “Mystery of Magical Beast Control.”

A mystery that took the user’s lifespan as “payment.”

At the same time, the magical beast under this mystery grew larger and stronger the more “sacrifices” it consumed, and one can only imagine how many trials and errors it took to reach this point.

Originally, their plan was to grow the Mother Worm twice as large as it was now, collapse the tunnels, and then invade the kingdom.

If they had not only the Mother Worm but also armed prisoners charging in, the kingdom would have suffered a massive blow.

This was part of a plan they had invested in for over 12 years, but now half of it was already ruined because of one slippery individual.

Therefore…

‘I will definitely kill the knight who ruined our wish!!’

With murderous intent to kill him even at the cost of giving his entire lifespan to the magical beast, Drak was rushing toward death along with the Mother Worm.

As if he no longer cared whether the tunnels collapsed or not.

Whoosh!!

…That was certainly the case.

Puhwaaaak!!!

[[!!!?]]

“??”

Drak, the magical beast racer who had been consumed by rage, momentarily forgot his anger and became dumbfounded.

Because the Mother Worm’s neck had been precisely pierced through.

“What technique was that?”

“Gwanilchang.”

“Hoo, that’s a technique I’d like to experience.”

“I’m willing to let you experience it right now.”

“Haha, I won’t decline.”

The spear kicked by the hateful knight had precisely pierced the Mother Worm’s neck, and the worm’s body stopped its charge as it lost its head.

Drak couldn’t follow the sequence of events, but he couldn’t just stand there dumbfounded.

Whoosh!

“As long as you don’t die, that’s all that matters.”

“!!!?”

A giant man who had approached without notice.

The man had already grabbed Drak’s shoulder, and Drak instinctively swung his knife to shake him off.

Kwajik!

“Not bad skill, but you relied too much on talent and neglected training. A pity.”

The man, Maximus, lightly deflected the blade, shattering it like glass, and further crushed Drak’s shoulder.

“Kuaaaak!!”

Drak had prided himself on not losing to anyone in physical ability, but unfortunately, his opponent was not just someone with decent strength like Drak.

“This is how you use strength.”

Kwaaang!!

He was someone with the strength to shake mountains.

– Power that can uproot mountains and spirit that covers the world.

Maximus’s strength literally contained the power to overturn mountains, and it wasn’t something a mere hybrid of Barbarian and Ogre parasitizing on a mountain could handle.

Crack!

With Maximus’s single strike, Drak’s limbs turned to powder, and he lost consciousness.

For someone bearing the name of an apostle, it was an incredibly anticlimactic end.

“Now, the nuisance is gone. Let’s continue our fight.”

“…If he had taken that guy and run away, I wouldn’t have been able to chase him, right?”

“Haha, what knight in the world would do such a cowardly thing?”

“Wouldn’t there be many?”

Ihan and Maximus showed little excitement despite having defeated a massive magical beast and a skilled individual.

They were as calm as people who had just swatted an annoying mosquito buzzing in their ears.

As if they could now fight without any interference.

And watching these two…

“Wait, isn’t there no reason to fight anymore?”

Derrick expressed a very reasonable doubt, but he couldn’t bring himself to voice his opinion to them.

…Because he didn’t want to get caught between them and suffer some terrible fate.

A wise choice for someone of the thief class.

* * *

Was it coincidence?

Or was it fate?

<‘Status Analysis’ skill is now available.>

Like a heavenly revelation, the skill cooldown ended and an alarm sounded, and Derrick instinctively used [Status Analysis].

Ding.

━

Name: [Maximus Iron de Lionel]

Race: [??]

Traits: [Great Warrior of the North(Lv.8), Power to Uproot Mountains(Lv.8), Heavenly Body(Lv.7), Tactician(Lv.6), Magical Beast Hunter(Lv.5), Descendant of the Dark King(Lv.3).]

Great Warrior of the North: A trait obtained only by those who have won a thousand life-and-death battles. Grows through struggle and receives additional physical ability bonuses when meeting strong opponents. When meeting dishonorable villains or respectable warriors, [Berserker] activates, doubling physical abilities.

Power to Uproot Mountains: A trait given to one who has moved a mountain alone. Literally a trait that can be obtained by overturning a mountain alone, granting tireless stamina and strength on land. However, overusing this power risks bodily collapse.

Heavenly Body: An innate trait given to only one in ten million. Grants strength, stamina, and recovery that transcend racial limitations, providing the most perfect and ideal extreme body among existing humans. Guarantees permanent physical enhancement.

Tactician: A trait given to commanders who have provided excellent leadership in a thousand battlefields. Allows one to have a beast’s heart and a sage’s judgment. Additional bonuses apply in combat situations.

Magical Beast Hunter: A trait given to those who have hunted ten thousand magical beasts alone. Gains advantage against magical beasts and amplifies strength and recovery.

Descendant of the Dark King: A trait possessed by descendants of the Dark King, guardian deity and earth god of the north. Grants longevity but poor relationships with bloodlines due to innate belligerence. However, if the trait level is extremely low, it’s possible to get along with all bloodlines.

━

Crack……!

Derrick was shocked.

He already knew through his detection skill that this was a Lv.8 hero class, but he was left speechless after seeing the contents of these traits.

The race name showing as a question mark again was one thing, but he couldn’t even care about that right now.

What are these traits that are not just flashy but majestic and downright cheating!?

‘G-Great Warrior of the North? Isn’t that a trait only the strongest champion of the North can have? The one with a 0.000003% chance of obtaining…!’

The fact that it’s not just [Great Warrior] but has the modifier [of the North] means he’s a champion representing an entire nation.

So it’s essentially a top-tier trait that can only be obtained by those who fight with their lives on the line.

And this trait is at level 8….

But what’s even more surprising are “Power to Uproot Mountains” and “Heavenly Body.”

‘I’ve never even heard of such traits….’

The condition to obtain Power to Uproot Mountains is one thing, but the fact that someone actually achieved it is mind-boggling.

And the benefits it provides can only be described as insane.

He already gets permanent physical stat bonuses through Heavenly Body, and on top of that, additional bonuses!

And it’s not just one trait related to physical abilities.

Out of six traits, five are related to physical stats!!

…Is this man Xiang Yu born in a fantasy world, no, Hercules?

‘I’ve never heard of them, but I understand, these traits are definitely top-tier…’

‘Strength bonus? This is like putting a jet engine on a truck?’

‘The ability amplification value isn’t properly displayed, but the average amplification value for top-tier traits is 45%… And Great Warrior of the North has a basic 50% amplification, and if the other two traits excluding Descendant of the Dark King each have a 35% amplification…’

A total of 210% bonus.

This man truly has a jet engine attached to an already cheat-like body.

…It’s dizzying.

Where did such a monster come from?

A true irregular character.

If he appeared as a boss, it would be like saying “don’t even try to defeat him.”

Clearly, he must be a bug character born from a system error.

Feeling dizzy, Derrick looked at Ihan with concern.

No matter how strong the instructor is, fighting such a “bug monster” would surely be dangerous…

─Kwaaaaaang!!

“—–.”

Ziiing, suddenly the surrounding area became a vacuum.

When the two knights clashed, a huge concentric circle covered a radius of tens of meters, distorting the atmosphere.

Derrick couldn’t withstand the shockwave and was thrown against the wall.

“…Cough.”

Drip.

The impact even caused Derrick’s nose to bleed, but he didn’t even think about wiping the blood away. He just wore a dumbfounded expression and toward Ihan…

“…Status.”

He activated the skill, and he saw.

Literally-.

━

Name: [Ihan Turtle]

Race: [??]

Traits: [Vajra Monk(Lv.8), Strong Regeneration(Lv.6), New-Hyper Sense(Lv.7), New-Extreme Poison Resistance(Lv.5), Master’s Qualification(Lv.8), Spell Slayer(Lv.6), New-Indomitable(Lv.5).]

Vajra Monk: A trait that can only be possessed by monks who have survived ordeals by breaking their bodies and risking their lives. Increases physical abilities, and the more one views women as stones, the more lust is converted into endurance.

+Gains advantage against those with ‘Evil’ alignment, and physical endurance ‘greatly’ increases when a designated enemy is present.

Strong Regeneration: A trait that can only be possessed by those who have successfully refined their bodies. Increases regeneration of skin, bones, muscles, nerves, organs, and the entire body, and the body becomes tougher as one repeatedly undergoes physical training accompanied by pain.

+Partially deflects large impacts.

(New)Hyper Sense: A trait combining a beast’s sixth sense and veteran intuition. A sense close to mystery, exhibiting miraculous sensory abilities. Movements become more precise during combat, and instinctively penetrates the opponent’s weaknesses.

(New)Extreme Poison Resistance: A trait evolved from basic poison resistance after encountering the Demon King’s poison. Not only provides resistance to poison but also allows absorption of poison like food, and even digestion of substances like stones and iron.

Master’s Qualification: A trait given to those who spread and create new martial arts. Greatly helps in creating unique martial arts. Compensates for lacking technical talent.

+Enhances technical precision, amplifies abilities in combat situations.

Spell Slayer: A trait given to those who have completed the quest of being the natural enemy of mages. Provides magic resistance and instills psychological fear in mages.

+The trait <Berserker> activates according to the level of mage hatred.

(New)Indomitable: A trait given to warriors who never give up and continue to fight even against overwhelmingly stronger opponents. Provides physical ability enhancement and amplification effects, and allows one to continue fighting without dying even with fatal injuries as long as one’s fighting spirit remains unbroken. Can be linked with Berserker.

━

…These were abilities that made one wonder if he was even human.

“…………”

Derrick was so shocked he felt like he might faint.

He knew that Ihan had faced life-threatening crises during the trials to reach Lv.8, including the Demon King’s elixir.

So he expected additional traits, but this is…!

‘C-Crazy! Indomitable? The trait that only appears when [Patient One], [Madman], and [Pain Enjoyer] traits all appear…!?’

Originally, it would be fortunate to get even one of these traits after surviving the pain of the elixir…

Does this mean all three traits were generated on the day he consumed the elixir?

This alone is shocking, but Derrick nearly passed out when he confirmed the [Hyper Sense] and [Extreme Poison Resistance] traits.

Because all of these are traits generated with probabilities comparable to Great Warrior of the North.

Thrilling traits.

And realizing the abilities possessed by Lv.8 traits, Derrick realized how foolish his worries had been.

‘Wow…. He’s like a Demon King disguised as a human.’

Derrick had a sudden realization.

Perhaps their race names are displayed as question marks because they can no longer be classified as humans…

So.

‘…I’m not going to die, right?’

Feeling like a shrimp caught in a whale fight, Derrick quickly looked for a place to escape.

If he stayed between these King Kong or Godzilla-like beings, he wouldn’t even leave bone fragments behind.