Luna 4

+++

After the procession, many high-ranking figures flocked to Doyun at the celebratory banquet.

“It has been too long, Apostle Han Doyun. Allow me to introduce myself.”

“Ah, greetings!”

“This one here is my disciple, a spearmaster from the Roxburgh branch family…”

Countless individuals brought forth their disciples, acquaintances, juniors, and presented them before him.

For an Apostle, being part of a ‘Hero’s team’ was the next greatest honor after becoming a Hero themselves.

The fastest-growing Boss Monster Killer in history. The Warlord Slayer. The One-Man Siege Weapon, and more –

Doyun had long been adorned with epithets rivaling Heroic status while being strongly touted as the next hero candidate.

Moreover, the procession’s disruption served as a powerful reinforcement for those who had been observing him.

‘An 8-month Apostle defeated the Hero Elizabeth.’

To reiterate, for ordinary Apostles, joining a ‘Hero’s team’ was an unparalleled honor.

And the man before them had undoubtedly secured his path to becoming the next Hero through this incident.

This fact alone was enough to make many ambitious high-ranking Apostles salivate at the prospect of advancement and glory.

“Apostle Han, you must have heard of the famed Poison Sword Master of the East. This one beside me is…”

“I hail from the Holy Kingdom. I understand your team lacks a healer – the top-ranking saint from this convent happens to be departing on a pilgrimage…”

“Greetings. I am known as the Soul Demon in the South…”

These were no mere market vendors desperately hawking their wares. They were prominent figures whose names would be recognized anywhere on the continent.

Yet with blood boiling in excitement, they vied raucously like beggars for Doyun’s attention, shouting over one another without letting the other finish.

‘Once today’s events spread across the continent, there may be no further opportunity.’

‘I must seize results here, no matter what…!’

Beyond recruitment petitions, there were even simple socialite requests from nobles and prominent merchant lords.

However, Doyun politely brushed them all aside – to him, they were merely mediocre talents.

Certainly, cultivating connections could yield benefits, but Doyun did not pursue them.

‘Those who follow me for profit rather than purpose cannot aid me in crucial moments.’

This was Doyun’s principle when dealing with people.

Ultimately, only comrades united by shared purpose remained by his side during the final war’s cataclysmic moments.

These sorts would inevitably prioritize their own safety and interests once the conflict intensified, proving utterly useless.

However, Doyun’s only regret was the Lion King’s absence from this gathering.

“Apostle Doyun. My family estate has an adorable daughter and exquisite wines. Perhaps you could visit sometime for conversation and…”

“I apologize, but I will be indisposed for the foreseeable future.”

Doyun’s blunt refusal prompted the dejected noble’s incredulous inquiry.

“Hmm, hmm! Having amassed sufficient fame and fortune, pray tell, what could possibly keep one as esteemed as yourself so preoccupied?”

As a duke of a small nation, feeling his status disregarded provoked displeasure as he spoke those words.

His mindset reflected the current era’s reality of idly indulging oneself with sufficient money and renown, prioritizing accumulating wealth over all else.

‘I had not expected otherwise.’

Doyun had witnessed the unbecoming conduct of countless nobles over his 200-year struggle.

Never having expected better, he responded with a polite smile.

“War.”

“Ah.”

“I am an Apostle, good sir.”

The accolades he had amassed were not to enable such indolence.

As a true ‘Apostle,’ war alone occupied his vision.

Only then did the duke realize his unsightly behavior from Doyun’s reply and the surrounding stares, his face flushing red.

“Ah, hmm! Th, That’s right, indeed. With the frontlines set to intensify once more… Ke, Keep up the good work! I shall take my leave!”

He hurriedly departed like a man desperate to relieve himself.

After that, Doyun received no further importunate social overtures – all were aware of the ominous shifts in the recent war situation.

‘The Dark Lord’s forces are resurgent.’

The frontlines had remained relatively quiet for decades.

Having been pushed back to Muspelheim’s Heaven-Rending Celestial Bulwark, the Dark Lord’s forces had stagnated, unable to breach that final defensive line.

However, the One-Man Siege Weapon Doyun had substantially advanced the frontline positions, reaching the edges of the Celestial Bulwark’s barrier formations.

The Dark Lord’s response was the Metapolis Offensive, drawing Baird and Heineken into the fray, resulting in Baird’s demise.

Though the Warlord’s death and considerable losses had temporarily stalled the Dark Lord’s forces, they remained formidable.

Rather, they would likely intensify their onslaught moving forward, with recent indicators of their movements resurfacing.

‘There may be no need for the Warlords to deploy for now… but with the frontlines having advanced significantly, the Dark Lord’s forces will surely respond in force.’

The Warlords would likely avoid appearing, as their ability to be slain within the Celestial Bulwark’s barrier had been revealed – they would seek to draw the battles outside instead.

Above all, the Warlords incurred immense costs just to manifest within the barrier, as Heineken had previously experienced.

Unless a clear opportunity to intercept Doyun presented itself, they would probably lie low for the time being.

‘Eventually, the Alliance too will have to advance beyond the Celestial Bulwark.’

At that juncture, they would face even mightier Dark Lord’s forces and Warlords.

‘I must grow stronger before then.’

Doyun had reached a level where training could no longer substantially improve his abilities.

To elevate further, he would have to distinguish himself on the actual battlefields of this coming war.

War clouds were once again gathering over the continent.

+++

Doyun visited Vinny’s workshop with Dokkogamuyong to receive growth consultation.

“Your growth has stagnated, you say?”

“Yes.”

Hearing this, Vinny furrowed her brow quizzically.

“Aren’t you only 8 months in?”

“That’s correct.”

“And you even defeated Elizabeth during that recent procession, didn’t you?”

“While there was an element of fortune… I suppose so.”

“Yet you claim stagnation?”

Vinny contorted her expression in apparent disbelief.

“You overcame a mid-tier Hero within 8 months of your transition, and you claim stunted growth? Heh. You’ve been advancing at an unprecedented pace among all Boss Monster Killers to date.”

Dokkogamuyong concurred,

“Moreover, the war is likely to intensify soon. You will swiftly grow further through actual combat experience, will you not?”

“That may be true, however…”

Doyun trailed off – their points were all valid.

Yet he felt an inexplicable sense of urgency.

‘I have an ominous premonition.’

A feeling that something truly monumental would occur in the near future, necessitating his rapid empowerment without delay. Such was the prescient sense he harbored.

However, being unaware of this, Dokkogamuyong and Vinny could only find his restlessness perplexing.

“You greedy thing. Why not take a break?”

“…Is the Dragon Heart still unavailable?”

Doyun had entrusted the Dragon Heart obtained from the Ancient Dragon to Vinny, using a Wish Token.

As it had become tainted by the Warlord’s mana corruption, he could not immediately consume it.

“That? It’s nearly complete.”

“Completed? Then with that, I could…”

“But you can’t consume it yet.”

“Pardon?”

“What’s your current Endurance level?”

Inquiring about one’s status window information was considered highly discourteous.

However, given the context of discussing Doyun’s growth, he and Dokkogamuyong understood this was a necessary question.

Doyun readily answered,

“Level 6.”

“You’ll need to raise it at least one more level. The energy contained within the Dragon Heart is so potent, the backlash would be severe.”

Level 7.

Just one level, yet even reaching Level 6 Endurance was already considerably high-tier. For Doyun to elevate from his current Level 6 would undoubtedly require substantial time and effort.

“…Is it absolutely necessary?”

“The mana contamination was far too severe. While I’ve completed the purification process, it’s not perfect. Your body wouldn’t be able to withstand the backlash – for anyone else, I would recommend Level 8 Endurance minimum. But your innate Dragon Heart absorption and potent anti-demonic constitution enabled me to lower the requirement significantly.”

It was back to square one – to grow via the Dragon Heart, he first had to raise his intrinsic Endurance.

Then, as if struck by a thought, Dokkogamuyong spoke up,

“Ah, do you happen to have any remaining points?”

“I do have some left.”

Overhearing their exchange, Vinny interjected skeptically,

“Ah, you likely have points remaining. But it’s not a method I would recommend…”

While points could raise stats, it was an exceedingly inefficient approach.

Instantly elevating his Endurance to Level 7 would likely consume all the points Doyun had obtained from the Warlord subjugation. Raising stats was that difficult and valuable an undertaking.

Not that it mattered, as he had already expended roughly two-thirds on the Name Seeker, rendering it impossible regardless.

However, Dokkogamuyong’s suggestion did not end there.

“The point store offers a special boon – the ‘Point Conversion Supplement.'”

“Conversion Supplement?”

“Matriarch, that item is hardly ideal… Hmm?”

As Vinny began to object, she seemed to reconsider, falling silent.

Then she exclaimed in realization,

“Ah…! You’re right! For you, that might just work!”

“What is it, exactly?”

Dokkogamuyong and Vinny began explaining,

“The Point Conversion Supplement temporarily converts all points obtained into growth essence for a set duration.”

“But nobody uses it – the conversion efficiency is abysmal, you see.”

Due to the extremely low conversion rate, accumulating any meaningful growth essence required constantly fighting on the actual frontlines. Naturally, at minimum, one would need top-tier Apostle combat prowess for that to be feasible.

Yet by the time an Apostle reached such exalted ranks, they would have long since maximized their growth potential.

As one progressed, growth became exponentially more arduous – by the highest Apostle tiers, such meager growth essence amounts would prove utterly ineffectual.

“But you are different.”

“Doyun, you are technically an overspeck case. Your innate martial power is already Heroic, yet your physical body is merely 8 months developed.”

Certainly, even his bodily specs vastly outpaced ordinary 8-month counterparts, but compared to the potential of his transcendent physiology, he was still a novice.

“With your prowess, you could accrue substantial points during the supplement’s duration on the frontlines. Unlike elite Apostles, even modest points could catalyze significant growth for you.”

Doyun nodded – it did seem perfectly suited for his circumstances.

However, Vinny spoke with a resigned tone, as if dissatisfied,

“…So you intend to plunge into this war as well?”

“I have no choice.”

“…”

Doyun disregarded her complicated gaze.

He was well aware of the affection Vinny harbored for him, her concerns stemming from previous lifetimes and this one’s events thus far.

Yet as before, he would simply pursue his calling, nothing more.

“…Then with our conclusion reached, let us end our discussion here.”

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Dokkogamuyong brought the conversation to a close.

After Doyun arranged with him to introduce the upcoming battlefronts, the two men exited Vinny’s workshop.

Alone, Doyun broached a sensitive topic with Dokkogamuyong.

“Matriarch. Is there perhaps someone who could tutor Luna?”

This had been a recent concern for Doyun.

While Luna’s physiology was rapidly maturing on its own, there was no one to properly guide her training.

Tiamat could teach her shadow magic, but she lacked instruction in the vital assassin disciplines most crucial for her.

“For Luna… you intend to nurture her as an assassin, I presume?”

“Yes. It is the path suited to the blood she bears.”

“Assassins are an exceedingly rare specialization. Hmm…”

Dokkogamuyong stroked his chin contemplatively.

However, Doyun could sense he was merely feigning deliberation to gauge his reaction, not genuinely considering the matter.

After a moment, Dokkogamuyong spoke cautiously,

“…What about Elizabeth?”

“Pardon?”

Doyun repeated quizzically, as if mishearing him.