# 246
246. Demon (1)
When I dispatched Jinho-chan, Amkena seems to have been preparing to attack the 50th floor and beyond.
When I returned to the waiting room, the maintenance of the unit was being finalized. The damaged airships were completely repaired, and the empty seats of the heroes who died on the 50th floor were also filled.
Now, even without me, Taoni language could work to some extent.
Especially when I heard the news that Jenna and Belquist and other 1st party members had been promoted to 5 stars, I felt quite unfamiliar.
The 5-star promotion level is 55.
The 1st party members seem to have obtained the necessary experience points by repeatedly clearing the 51st floor. Because the 51st floor was purely a level-up stage where only monsters appeared. I was also able to meet the conditions for a 5-star promotion by slaughtering monsters on the 51st floor following Amkena’s instructions.
Even if it is promoted to 5 stars, it does not become stronger rapidly.
Only the limits of stats and skill imprints increased.
Therefore, even if you went through a promotion, there was not much difference in 4 stars if you did not raise your power to the limit.
‘I saw a funny scene at the 4-star promotion ceremony.’
However, in this 5-star promotion ceremony, I didn’t get any clue.
The video that came to my mind this time was not Taoni before the destruction, nor was it the past of ‘Han Israt’ who was supposed to come here instead of me. Rather, when I was abandoned by my parents, I jumped out. I thought I forgot everything
The fact that my past memories came out as a video during the promotion ceremony must be proof that me and that guy are gradually mixing.
Ten years later, it was a memory that didn’t inspire much, but it didn’t feel very good. I indifferently passed the scene unfolding before my eyes.
[Bara Bam!]
[Congratulations, Master!]
[The hero’s forgotten memory is awakened.]
[‘Han (★★★★★)’ promotion complete! It has reached 5 stars.]
[Illustration is updated.]
[Level and skill thresholds are increased.]
[The hero’s second imprint is opened.]
That’s how I succeeded in being promoted to 5 stars.
Most notably, the second imprint has been opened.
After I broke the 50th floor, GOOGOOCON used to pamper me several times a day, telling me to get 5 stars quickly. It is said that at least 5 stars are needed to properly draw out the power of the Black Dragon Blood.
“Gu, coo, coo!”
Private practice room on the 4th floor of the training center.
Gugukon was pecking at the feeder.
[Are you ready?]
Gugu-Kon spoke to me while frantically picking at the food with his beak.
“What resolution?”
[Determination to give up on humans.]
Pak! Fak Fak!
Corn kernels flew out of the feeder with a sharp beak.
Gugukon, which was pecking at food, spread its wings and looked at me.
‘Resolution?’
Come to think of it, this guy said it.
This ability I am using is not something a normal human can handle. Gugukon said that if I hadn’t had a special constitution, I would have been contaminated long ago. Belquist could only use his powers after receiving a special treatment from the Assinis family.
[Certainly, your talent is great. To think that a mere human subject could handle the power of a transcendental being. If I showed even the slightest gap, I tried to snatch my body, but I didn’t know it would be this much.]
Gugu-Kon approached me with his fat ass twitching.
[But it’s not enough. be chin-tight Every time I fight, I have to go to the brink of death. Can such an ability be called strength?]
Gugukon folded his beak.
‘Are you talking about Exceed?’
No, I shook my head.
Not only Exceed, which increases output while destroying the body, but also the derived skill, Swordsman Spirit, is a skill that gnaws at the body. And Black Dragon Blood also increases the level of pollution in the body as soon as it is activated. As this guy said, I was taking a considerable risk every time I fought.
‘I was thinking about it.’
You have to take risks to become stronger than others under the same conditions.
High return high risk. It was obvious in Pick Me Up, but the risk became too much for me. To the extent that the probability of self-destruction from a penalty is higher than the probability of being killed by an enemy.
‘Should I lower the strength of the skill?’
There is no way.
The power should drop a little, but the safety will jump many times.
There would be no need to use skills with the determination to die all the time.
[Are you going to lower the power? If ten times stronger isn’t enough, what are you thinking?]
Gugu-Kon opened his beak.
There are times when I take out words like this like reading my intentions.
“Then what do you mean?”
[You just need to build a body that can handle your strength.]
“You’re already doing it.”
The work to increase the durability of the body has been steadily being done since the time I obtained Exceed. It’s just that the speed is slow and I can’t keep up with my strength.
“I know that my condition is not normal. It will take at least a month to improve. Skill combinations while progressing through the 50th floor section…” [You’re going to kill the prince like that?] I
frowned
.
You’re poking at the annoying part.
‘It’s true, but.’
According to my calculations, the prince will appear as the boss on the 80th floor.
However, the guy I saw on the 50th floor was level 354.
It was far beyond the normal boss level.
‘shit.’
Amkena will steadily climb the tower.
The question is… can I be strong enough to face him before I get to the 80th floor?
Even if the difficulty level is lowered, it is only temporary.
One day he will appear in front of me as the biggest obstacle in conquering the tower.
‘Does it mean that I have to become stronger?’
“You mean you have a way?”
“Goo, Goo Goo!”
Gugukon twitched his fat ass.
I made it like this, but I wish I could tweak the visuals a bit.
‘I’m determined to give up on being human… I just need to build a body that can handle strength?’
I looked down at Gugu-Kon.
I think I know what you’re trying to say.
‘You’re trying to change the race.’
In Pick Me Up, an event that can change the racial value of a hero appeared very rarely.
An example of this was Belquist receiving treatment from the Assinis family in the Exploration Dungeon. Of course, the probability was much lower than skill awakening or limit breaking.
‘Be prepared to give up on humans.’
I laughed.
These events have so many variables and each case is so unique that I couldn’t do a study.
“How can I do it. Can I enter the exploration dungeon?”
[There is no need for that. All you have to do is close your eyes and sit there.]
Gugu-Kon pointed to a steel chair in the corner of the practice room.
“Can I sit over there?”
[Yes.]
…It smells like a quack.
I walked over to the chair.
I knew for a long time that this guy had some ulterior motives for me.
If it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t have even tried to take my body away.
‘Because I don’t want to be locked up?’
That’s not it.
I mean, you’re too attached to me to see that.
I’ve taken some measures, but I can’t be vigilant.
I took a deep breath and leaned back in my chair.
[Close your eyes.]
I pretended to be deceived and closed my eyes.
My eyes darkened. It’s only natural that the eyelids are closed.
“What’s going on here…” The world that had been covered in darkness
suddenly
changed.
I opened my eyes.
The scenery of the practice room where training tools and scarecrows were placed goes somewhere, and a dreary field spreads out in front. The parched air smelled of fallen leaves and the twilight sun was beating down on the fields.
[Thousands of years ago, we made a pact with the Emperor. One day, when a crisis comes to Taoneer, we will join forces to save this place. Say no to unnecessary worries. You have met the qualifications.]
A man is standing in front of you.
Three pairs of wings fluttered behind the man clad in black flames.
Jet-black long spear and jet-black armor. I had seen this figure before in Advent Dungeon.
“…”
Halgion Siraos.
It was the main body of Gugukon and an ancient transcendence species that only existed in Taoni.
[This is a gap between dimensions. It is also your mental world. As the proficiency of the four black dragons increased, this became possible. You will be coming here often, so keep an eye on it.]
“… Ha.”
I thought I’d been through a lot since I fell in Taoneer, but a situation I couldn’t even imagine happened.
“So, are you saying you want to make me stronger?”
[Don’t you think it’s time to renew the contract?]
The man grinned.
I sighed.
“What are the conditions?”
[All you have to do is complete the Taone language mission.]
“Taoni language… means you can’t get out of here.”
[If you change your mind and change your affiliation…]
A black light flashed in Halgion’s eyes.
[You won’t look very good.]
“…”
[If you accept the contract, I will put the dragon factor into your body. I think you can accept it now. Of course, once you accept my power, you can’t go back to the previous state.
]
Even if the right imprint comes out, I can’t change it.
Also, the use of the imprint will be subject to conditions.
‘It will be like a memorial service.’
Just as the spirits bound by the oath of the master cannot use their power properly outside of martial arts, if I accept this contract, I will be bound by the Taoni language.
[You said you would choose. It is your freedom unless you accept it.]
The flames surrounding Halgion’s body overflowed.
This guy’s strength far exceeds that of a typical Advent Dungeon boss.
I knew that from the beginning. Even if he mobilized all the weapons in Niflheim, he couldn’t even make a scratch. Perhaps even compared to the imprints of Niflheim’s 1st party members, it would never fall behind.
‘…It could be more than that.’
As I used the engraving, I gradually felt it.
The potential of my Black Dragon Blood is beyond imagination.
Then the reason Halgion waited for my 5-star promotion was…
‘It’s a 2-slot imprint.’
I was thinking of getting a moderately usable imprint, but it seems that the result came out unexpectedly.
I shrugged and replied.
“Then let’s get started. We’ll have to go back and test it.”
[I thought you would answer like that.]
Halgion twisted his lips up.
[Don’t ask me one last time. Are you sure you won’t regret it? From now on, you can’t run away from Taonier. You can’t go out until you see the end.]
“I originally intended to do that. Don’t nag me.”
I clenched my fists.
If he had tried to escape, he would have gone to Niflheim long ago.
However, it has already crossed the 50th floor.
I also killed many heroes including Iolka and Edith due to my mistake.
Having crossed the river, I must take responsibility for it.
‘Don’t run away.’
Just as El Cid finally conquered Dorado, so will I.
and will return
[I will bet on your heart.]
Halgion held out the tip of his spear at me.
Dismissed! Dark red lightning bolted and pierced my left breast.
I didn’t feel any pain.
[You cannot leave Taoni until you see the end of your destiny. Can you swear?]
“What is the cost?”
[Strength.]
This is not about high return high risk.
It’s not that I can’t get out of here instead of making you inexhaustibly stronger.
[If you break your oath, the tip of my spear will pierce your heart. However, if you keep your oath, we will give you the power of eons.]
I narrowed my eyes.
Huge shadows were rising from outside the endless plain behind Halgion.
I could only guess the outline, but I couldn’t properly recognize the figure.
Are they other transcendental species?
They were staring at me from beyond the shadows.
“Aren’t you selling drugs too hard? It’s like I can be invincible if I just listen to you?”
[This is not exactly wrong. If you can make a complete contract with us.]
You mean to make a contract with everyone later.
With 2 slots per imprint, 3 imprints require at least 6 slots.
Even if you upgrade to 6 stars, you can use 3 slots. Then, in order to draw all the power, it meant that it had to be 7 stars with no restrictions on the imprint slot.
‘…the words spoken are true.’
I clicked my tongue.
Halgion was looking at me with clear eyes.
If I accept that guy’s offer, I’ll become a monster. The real monster who received power from none other than the head of the 4th family. It must be many times more pure than the procedure Belquist received.
Is this the promise?
The determination to give up on humanity.
The only consolation is that if I go back to Earth, all my skills and imprints will be gone.
This was confirmed directly by Isel.
what if you stay
I don’t know about that.
I smiled and opened my mouth.