“Sungshik, you're safe.”
“Of course. But Subin, how did you get here?”
Yes, the person who welcomed Sungshik as soon as he exited the gate was Kim Subin.
“I'm so glad. Really glad.”
Kim Subin looked at Sungshik’s body, covered in wounds, and after confirming there weren’t any serious injuries, let out a relieved sigh.
“I suddenly heard that the gate you entered might have mutated.”
“Oh, really? The gate mutated, but how did you know?”
“It definitely mutated. Suddenly, the energy from the gate went out of control, and it was surrounded by black energy. They said it looked like the dungeon had mutated.”
“Oh, so even the exterior of the gate mutated?”
This was a curious phenomenon. Mutated gates, which Sungshik sometimes encountered, couldn’t be known until you entered them. In other words, from the outside, they looked the same as the original gates.
However, according to Kim Subin, the red portal suddenly absorbed black energy and turned into a dark red portal. They tried to investigate the interior immediately, but Sungshik had already entered, so they couldn’t enter themselves.
“Sorry, but Sungshik, would you mind following us?”
“What’s going on?”
“We need to ask you a few questions regarding this incident.”
“Hey, you guys! How can you say that after seeing his condition? He needs treatment and rest first!”
When the gatekeepers asked Sungshik to come along, Kim Subin immediately snapped at them.
“I’m fine, Subin. Thanks for worrying. I’ll be back soon.”
“But...”
“I’m fine.”
Sungshik smiled and patted Kim Subin’s head, who was still worried.
“Keeper, it’ll be over soon, right? I’m a little tired.”
“Of course. We apologize for the inconvenience. We’ll make sure you can rest on your way.”
So Sungshik followed the gatekeepers to the disaster management headquarters, one of the government agencies, and explained everything that happened during the incident.
Kim Subin. Her transcendent being was the Moon Goddess Luna. Luna’s other title was ‘Priestess of the Heavens’.
Originally, Subin had been restricted for a while due to using a lot of energy to help Sungshik awaken his characteristics, but now she had recovered some of her power. However, her fortune reading on Sungshik today seemed extremely unstable. This was why Kim Subin came to find Sungshik.
“Subin, Sungshik’s fortune reading today is ominous. There’s a high chance something will happen to him.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Where is he right now?”
“If it’s Sungshik, he should be going through an F-grade gate right now.”
“Hurry, let’s go there. Quickly.”
Kim Subin quickly checked the F-grade gate that Sungshik had entered and arrived in front of it. Not long after Kim Subin arrived, the gate Sungshik entered began to be engulfed by a dusty brown energy.
“This energy…”
“Ugh… this is such an ominous feeling.”
Because Kim Subin and Luna had attributes opposite to that of the dusty brown, they reacted more sensitively to the energy surrounding the gate.
“Sungshik’s fortune reading was ominous because of this energy. We have to help.”
“But how…? The gate is already closed, so we can’t enter.”
“We don’t need to enter. We can still help from here. Subin, you have ‘Moonlight Powder,’ right? You need to use it.”
“Oh, I still have plenty of that. What should I do? Should I sprinkle it directly on the gate?”
“Not yet. Wait. A little longer. Now!”
At Luna’s signal, Kim Subin quickly threw the ‘Moonlight Powder’ into the blackened energy that surrounded the gate. The moment she did, the brownish energy around the gate started to dissipate.
At that moment, Sungshik was able to throw an explosive orb at the black full moon.
The ominous black energy surrounding the gate subsided a little.
Not long after, Sungshik entered the gate, and the gatekeeper, who had briefly stepped away, returned. After hearing the circumstances, the gatekeeper contacted the higher-ups, and with Sungshik’s safe return, the incident was resolved for the time being.
“I’ve never seen such a phenomenon. Luna, do you know what this is?”
“I’ve never seen it either. But it’s definitely not a normal occurrence. And this ominous dark energy… Yes, it’s very similar to the energy of the Lords of the Night.”
“You’re talking about the Seven Lords of the Night?”
“Yes. That’s right. If my suspicions are correct, this isn’t a good sign. Even though there’s still time, how could they have already started interfering with the mortal world…”
That day, Kim Subin and Luna had a serious discussion about the strange phenomenon. If it was related to the Lords of the Night, as Luna worried, it was a situation that required great vigilance. Earth wasn’t prepared to face them yet, so if the Lords of the Night began to interfere, it would be a big problem.
Then they received shocking news through the ‘Noah’s Ark.’ The Moon’s owner, Kim Subin, was part of the ‘Noah’s Ark,’ a piece of information that was almost unknown in the future.
In fact, it was only natural that Luna, who held the title of the ‘Priestess of the Heavens,’ would also be involved in the Noah’s Ark, which was home to many transcendents with the power of prophecy.
“I heard that the dungeon Sungshik entered was a mutated dungeon.”
“Mutated dungeons, you mean there are other mutated dungeons as well?”
“Yes. I’ve been informed that over ten mutated dungeons have already been reported.”
“What? How is that possible…”
This was truly surprising. The fact that more than ten mutated dungeons had been reported meant that similar events could continue to occur. And the concerning part was that the Revolution Knights were considered the most likely culprits behind these incidents, but the reason behind their actions remained unknown.
Even the ‘Noah’s Ark’s’ prophecies or readings couldn’t provide clear guidance on the future of these events, which was frightening. Furthermore, as news of this incident began to spread, public anxiety started to grow.
After sincerely cooperating with the disaster management headquarters, Sungshik returned to his nearby lodging and checked the status window after his recent level-up.
Stat Window
Name: Heo Sungshik
Title: Hero of Adversity (New)
Grade: 2-Star (★★)(↑)
Combat Power: E(↑)
Stats: Strength E(↑) Agility E(↑) Health E(↑) Mana F+
Traits:
- [EX] Consumption - LV 1
- [EX Rank] One More Time (Unavailable)
- [SS Rank] Pocket Watch - LV 1
- [S Rank] Hyper Sense - LV 1
- [A Rank] Sword Demon - LV 1 (Growth Type)
Skills:
- [S Rank] Insight (Limited)
- [A+ Rank] Explosive Strike (Rank Limited)
The stat upgrade after defeating the mutated Lycanthrope was even better than expected.
It increased to a 2-Star rank. Combat power also rose to E rank. Strength, Agility, and Health all increased to E rank.
Usually, only two stats would break through the rank limits, but in this case, three stats—Strength, Agility, and Health—broke through. Although reaching 2-Star meant the stats would rise to E rank eventually, the speed of this increase was very positive.
This proved that the hidden potential value was that high.
‘And I also got a title.’
[Title]
Hero of Adversity: A title obtained when defeating an opponent two or more ranks higher than oneself.
―Effect: All stats increase by +10% when fighting opponents of higher rank.
This title would have a tremendous effect in the distant future. As growth values increased, the percentage boost would be massive. It was an all-stat increase.
This title would shine when facing top-level dungeon bosses or the Lords of the Night. Titles were hard to earn, so each one was precious.
In fact, this stat upgrade was beyond what Sungshik had expected. It seemed to be due to the [SS Rank] Pocket Watch trait. This was an incredibly positive result, indicating that Sungshik’s growth potential could increase exponentially like compound interest.
“This is really beyond what I imagined. The Pocket Watch really is an overpowered trait.”
Having first acquired the Pocket Watch trait, Sungshik was filled with pride for his judgment. He then reflected on the battle.
“This battle was lucky.”
In fact, had the opportunity to destroy the black full moon not come suddenly, his life would have been in danger. Sungshik thought he had been very lucky this time.
“But there’s no guarantee it’ll be like this next time.”
Relying on luck would eventually hit a limit. Sungshik needed to focus on improving his own combat strength.
“The mutated Lycanthrope. It was formidable. I couldn’t even think of counterattacking.”
At first, Sungshik was just focused on dodging the Lycanthrope’ attacks. He was vaguely aware of the attacks thanks to Hyper Sense, but avoiding them was his best option.
However, being able to recognize and dodge the attacks meant he could have counterattacked.
So, what was lacking for Sungshik?
First, the difference in physical specs was huge. There was a glaring stat difference.
If his stats had supported it, Sungshik would have been able to counterattack. But again, even with his current stats, he was able to perceive and dodge the attacks.
So, what did Sungshik need?
Stat upgrades? Powerful attack skills?
No. More than anything else, what Sungshik needed now was…
“Martial Arts.”
Yes. Stat upgrades and attack skills weren’t wrong, but they weren’t the fundamental solution. For Sungshik, aiming for a late-blooming comeback, what he truly needed now was a martial arts trait to become the source of his power.
So Sungshik reviewed his memories.
‘Muguk Sin Gong, God of Death’s Martial Arts, Thunderstrike Gong, North Star Martial Arts.’
These were martial arts so famous that anyone who knew about them would be in awe. Aside from those, there were many other divine martial arts considered to be masterpieces.
Those who obtained such martial arts in their past lives had at least grown close to the 11 Thrones. These martial arts were incredibly powerful.
Sungshik also knew numerous routes to obtain such martial arts.
“But it’s still not enough.”
That’s right. Even the many 11-Thrones who had such talents and martial arts knelt before the Lords of the Night.
So, something beyond that. Something more was needed.
‘Then, it’s just one thing.’
Sungshik recalled the martial art that Mu Huang, one of the 11-Thrones, had mentioned in the past.
“Heaven-Splitting Martial Arts.”
The martial art with the grandiose name, “Heaven-Splitting Martial Arts.” In the past, Mu Huang had lamented.
“If I had chosen Heaven-Splitting Martial Arts back then, would the situation have changed?”
Mu Huang, who possessed Muguk Sin Gong, had once accidentally entered a hidden tomb where Heaven-Splitting Martial Arts was slumbering and had the chance to choose it. However, to choose Heaven-Splitting Martial Arts, he would have had to abandon the Muguk Sin Gong he had.
Moreover, Heaven-Splitting Martial Arts was initially listed as a [?] rank, with information limited. It was not an easy decision to abandon the absolute martial art, Muguk Sin Gong, for an unknown martial art.
In the end, it was a choice that seemed obvious, but Mu Huang had abandoned Heaven-Splitting Martial Arts, and the tomb where Heaven-Splitting Martial Arts lay hidden vanished forever.
But looking back, Mu Huang could never shake the thought that Heaven-Splitting Martial Arts might have been an [EX] rank martial art.
“This time, I will take Heaven-Splitting Martial Arts.”
With that resolve, obtaining Heaven-Splitting Martial Arts, a martial art with the grandiose name of tearing the sky, became inevitable. And even if Heaven-Splitting Martial Arts wasn’t [EX] rank, it didn’t matter.
Since Sungshik had the Consumption trait, he could acquire various traits, so he could learn Heaven-Splitting Martial Arts and, if it wasn’t suitable, learn another divine martial art.
“They say strike while the iron is hot. I should prepare right away.”
Sungshik began to prepare to move to the place where the Heaven-Splitting Martial Arts tomb was located, recalling the location he had once heard from Mu Huang.