Pick me Up – Chapter 247 – Demonic Persona (2)
I opened my eyes.
Inorganic metallic walls came into view.
Various training equipment was scattered haphazardly. I was seated in an iron chair placed in a corner, hunched over.
‘Is it over?’
I remembered Halgion reaching out to me, and crimson flames enveloping me. However, I couldn’t recall anything after that. It was as if the film had been cut.
“Goo, Gugugu…”
Below me, a pigeon was calmly pecking at its food.
I closed my eyes and opened them again. There were no noticeable changes at first glance.
If I had to find something, it would be a system message that appeared on the right side of my vision. I slowly read the words on the hologram.
[Master, Han's soul (★★★★★) is agitated.]
That... was the record that appeared when a limit breakthrough began.
I had seen it only once on the 35th floor.
The messages kept popping up.
[Ding!]
[Master, Han's body (★★★★★) is undergoing a drastic change.]
[Is this a sign of change?!]
[Tips/ On rare occasions, a hero may experience an awakening event.]
[Engraving Evolution!]
[Han's Engraving (★★★★★), True Black Dragon's Blood (S), has leveled up.]
[New traits and abilities have been added. Check the hero’s status window!]
[Skill Awakening!]
[True Black Dragon's Blood has started to resonate with Han's (★★★★★) abilities.]
[Han's 'Exceed' and 'Body Fortification' abilities (★★★★★) have merged into a new ability...]
[Han's Sword Spirit ability (★★★★★) …]
The skill awakening messages continued to appear incessantly.
It was difficult to grasp all the changes at a glance. With the enhancement of Dragon Blood, most of my abilities had merged or evolved. I had experienced minor changes while mastering Dragon Blood, but this was the first time everything had transformed in this way.
‘Anything would be surprised if he saw this.’
I wasn’t connected at that moment.
Thinking about how to deceive that guy gave me a headache.
Well, it’s not the first time something like this has happened.
It’s not impossible to overcome it just like that.
Let’s give it a try.
I stood up from the chair.
Although the record indicated drastic changes, I still didn’t feel them physically.
‘Status window.’
I muttered lightly and the holographic window appeared.
[Han Israt (★★★★★) Lv. 55 (Exp 031/550)]
[Class: Dragon Warrior (Dragonian)]
[Strength: 125/125]
[Intelligence: 10/10]
[Endurance: 118/118]
[Agility: 113/113]
[Possessed Skills: Intermediate Swordsmanship (Lv.10), Mental Eye (Lv.10), Fire Resistance (Lv.3), Dragon Slayer (Lv.5)]
‘…’
It had changed a lot.
I didn’t remember choosing the Dragon Warrior class.
I had been promoted to a new class without my knowledge.
Moreover, the skill window that should have been filled was clean.
[Engraving Slots: 2/2]
[1, 2: Demon Dragon Soul (SS-, Lv.1)]
[In a distant past, a demon who mastered and ruled a world. Its power can change the essence of existence.]
[Unique Skill: 1. Demonic Transformation (Demonization)]
[Unique Skill: 2. Supreme Black Sword]
[Note – Bound by the 'Black Dragon Contract'. The engraving cannot be undone by any means, and changing affiliations in the region will result in the permanent extinction of the owner.]
I frowned.
A demon that mastered a world and can change the essence of existence.
The descriptions are chilling.
‘The Black Dragon Contract.’
That must be the price of power Halgion mentioned.
From now on, I can’t change my affiliation to any Lobby other than Taonier. If I did, I would die immediately as punishment for breaking the contract. I was trapped with no escape.
The skill and engraving windows had been simplified.
It seems that my usual companions, Exceed and Conquering Sword Spirit, have been integrated into the new unique skills of the Demon Dragon Soul, Demonic Transformation, and Supreme Black Sword.
‘I still don’t really feel it.’
It’s clear that my race has changed.
However, at this moment, I couldn’t discern any difference from my human form.
<Can you feel the power now?>
Gugukon, who had been pecking at the food bowl without rest, looked up at me.
I scratched my head.
“I’m not sure.”
It seems I’ll need a field test.
I drew Bifröst from its sheath at my waist.
I felt the solid weight in my hand.
‘Exceed has fused with True Black Dragon’s Blood?’
And also Body Fortification.
Fortification was a body strengthening skill I had mastered specifically to withstand the reaction of Exceed.
Thus, these three abilities merged into the superior new skill, Demonic Transformation, and Sword Spirit and several other skills combined into Supreme Black Sword.
I gripped the sword hilt firmly while mentally activating the switch.
It was the sensation I had when activating Exceed.
Crack.
Sounds of bones and joints misaligning resonated in my ears.
It was a customary ritual every time I used Exceed.
But I didn’t feel pain.
There wasn’t the sensation of burning my entire body.
Just a cold descent on one side of my chest.
‘…?’
I turned my head.
At that moment, the reflection in Bifröst’s blade showed my image.
The first thing I saw were my sharp black vertical pupils.
[Han (★★★★★) has entered the state of Demonic Transformation.]
Chrrk.
The pale skin began to tear, and black scales emerged.
Crack! Crackling!
Crimson lightning bolts sprang from the scales.
‘I’m no longer human.’
Scales covering my entire body and glowing red eyes.
The reflection in the sword showed that my figure was indeed that of a monster.
I sheathed Bifröst.
[Han (★★★★★) has exited the state of Demonic Transformation.]
As if it had never happened, I returned to my human form.
Gugukon approached me.
<Now you can feel it, right?>
“A bit.”
<I warned that once started, there is no turning back. Even in terms of purity, that boy Belkist isn’t even a tenth of you. You are clearly a being apart from other humans. You will also need to learn to control your power. Unless you want to accidentally kill your companions.>
“Is the difference that great?”
<The three: the one using white dragon power, the girl with the bow, and the beast girl, could follow you to a certain extent.>
I sighed.
<It’s natural for the powerful to be alone.>
“I don’t like the idea of being strong alone. Teamwork is more efficient.”
That’s what I’ve always known.
That’s why I had been balancing the growth of Group 1 in Niflheim.
<If you become strong enough, what does half-hearted efficiency matter?>
“…”
<Don’t cling to trivialities. The humans here can’t reach you. Since you awakened me, the balance has broken. Although I helped you because you wanted power, why do you have so many complaints? Hmm?>
Gugukon circled around me while talking.
<Eventually, you must be reborn as a complete being who needs no one's help. If you don’t reach that level, you won’t be able to defeat the prince.>
“A complete being, huh.”
<Do I really need to explain it? You should know.>
I crossed my arms.
The meaning was clear.
‘A hero capable of carrying out missions alone.’
Recognition and analysis, combat, assassination, attack, defense, close and long-range combat, small and large-scale engagements…
A being who could handle everything alone.
‘…A one-man army.’
As far as I knew, there were only two heroes capable of such a feat.
First, El Cid, who was first in the ranking.
And Siris, the sub-master of Niflheim.
The other members of Group 1 had weaknesses in one or two aspects.
For example, Lidygion was nearly invincible in one-on-one combat, but his efficiency in large-scale engagements with heavy fire was low. Nihaku was the opposite. Yurneth and Muden also had their strengths for attacking.
‘Siris doesn’t have those problems.’
She was almost perfect in every aspect.
I designed her that way.
In any environment, she could exert her strength.
‘Are you saying I should become that?’
That she turned out so well was almost a stroke of luck for me.
I’m not sure I could do it a hundred times more.
<Are you planning to retire now that you’ve come this far?>
“I was just thinking a bit.”
I smiled bitterly.
According to what Halgion said, eventually, an insurmountable gap would be created between me and the other members of Group 1. Sure, they could catch up if given enough time, but I didn’t have that luxury.
‘It doesn’t matter.’
All I need to do is reach the 100th floor.
Then I could say goodbye to this cursed place.
<Just focus on getting stronger.>
Halgion looked at me disdainfully.
The brown glow in the pigeon’s eyes narrowed momentarily before a wave of dizziness hit me.
A strange but familiar sensation.
I opened my eyes.
The desolate plain I had seen before extended before me once again.
<Now that you have made a pact with me, I will make you the strongest in Taonier.>
Halgion’s spear was pointed at me.
According to his explanation, this place was a mental space mixed between Halgion and me.
Therefore, it was not subject to physical laws.
<Remember to come here often.>
I firmly planted my feet on the ground.
Halgion pointed his spear at me while smiling slightly.
<Time here flows dozens of times slower than in Mobius.>
“…”
<You don’t need to worry about the surroundings. Everything that happens here is only in your mind. Here you can die and revive as many times as necessary. Do you understand what I’m saying?>
I don’t need you to tell me indirectly.
I quickly drew the sword from its sheath.
<My power is both an invincible shield and an infinite spear. It can repel anything and pierce anything. I will teach you how to truly use True Black Dragon’s Blood.>
“It’s not that…”
<Hmm?>
“I don’t want to rely solely on that power.”
I smiled as I spun my sword.
“I’ve seen too many times people who rely too much on their engravings and end up badly.”
Though the engraving power is incredible, I can’t depend solely on it.
The purpose of this power is simply to help my sword cut better through the opponent's breath.
It shouldn’t be the other way around.
‘Advanced Swordsmanship is just ahead.’
Just one more step to reach the level known as Master.
<Will you reject my power?>
“I’m not rejecting it. I’ll use it when necessary. As a useful tool.”
<A tool? I wonder how long you can maintain that attitude.>
Crack!
The pressure falling on me made me stagger.
It was as if a huge steel beam was pressing down on my head.
My footprints sank deeply into the ground.
<Let’s start with ten times the intensity.>
“Do what you want.”
That wasn’t particularly difficult.
Practicing with dozens of kilograms of sandbags was part of my daily routine.
‘How many times will we have to fight?’
A hundred times? A thousand?
Maybe even more.
Somehow, I might come to understand how Aaron feels.
‘What’s important is…’
Not being a slave to power, but its master.
I will decide how to use that power.
No matter how advanced the skills and engravings, in the end, the one who uses them is the hero.
I’ve seen too many powerful men fall intoxicated by their abilities.
‘There’s no such thing as invincible power.’
I positioned myself ready to swing my sword at any moment while fixing my gaze on Halgion in front of me.
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