NOVEL NEXT Chapter 45
45 – New Traits (2).
Traits.
It is still an unknown power to me.
Bestowing some power upon the user.
It can be a mythical figure.
Or it can be monsters.
It can allow humans to transform naturally.
Or turn them into giants.
It can simply teleport through space.
Or enable the use of unknown materials.
A representative example is Wigungak.
He handles the unknown power called the Impossible.
The school principal also wielded some power related to space.
Or bestowed the power to alter the laws of physics.
Honestly, I’ve been quite arrogant all this time.
Magic and martial arts.
I’ve glimpsed the ends of these two paths. Or the closest being to it was me.
Although I combined magic and martial arts, I couldn’t complete it in my past life.
So, in this life, I’ve mastered the Taehomushin결 to complete it.
Yeah, I didn’t really think about my characteristics properly.
The biggest turning point that changed that thinking.
Nam Gung Gaju.
Originally, he wasn’t supposed to be someone I had to struggle with so much.
“I should’ve finished it without needing to resort to such extreme measures.”
But for some unknown reason, he tenaciously continued to grow stronger.
Demonification.
Perhaps part of the reason he could persist was that.
But more than that, his characteristics were even more significant.
His unique trait.
Even the name “Jopalgye” was more dangerous than I thought.
Despite looking like a pig, his perceived physical abilities seemed to be twice as much.
So, I’m researching about characteristics.
First and foremost, Eternal.
“A new ability in my innate nature.”
Eternal.
Whenever I employ any power, it minimizes the power consumption close to zero.
Once activated, there should be some consumption depending on the mana, but it inexplicably reduces it to almost zero.
“It’s an unbelievable ability.”
Perhaps.
I speculate that Eternal’s true ability is interference with time.
And then,
I glanced at Yoo Eun-chae.
“Why are you looking at me? Oh, did you… fall for me? …No, why is your expression changing like that?!”
“S-sorry. I should treat you better too.”
“No, who on earth is forcing you to treat people oddly!”
While teasing Yoo Eun-chae, I asked her.
“Do you know anything about abilities?”
“Oh, when it comes to abilities, I know the most.”
Saying so, she approached me and whispered.
“The best in this world.”
“Is that so?”
“But to recommend an ability, you must know about the master well.”
“Roughly know, right?”
“Well, it’s better to be precise though.”
Yoo Eunchae said, displaying a hologram and speaking to me.
“First, there are three aspects to what I think the master’s tree is.”
“Three?”
“Yes. Firstly, it’s the power that can be used universally, whether it’s martial arts or magic. This allows the master to easily do various things in their current state, with increased basic stats.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“Then the second is specialization in one aspect.”
“Specialization?”
“Maximizing ice magic, fire, or extremely specializing in swordsmanship.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Or, it might be okay for the master to focus on nullifying abilities.”
“Nullifying abilities.”
It would probably be an ability specialized in nullifying characteristics just by looking at it.
But it doesn’t seem appealing.
If I learn it, I should be able to easily defeat most things.
However.
“Do demons or demons kings have this?”
Thinking about that, nullifying abilities are not a good choice.
According to Yoo Eunchae, some demon kings will descend upon this place.
And.
“I want to master it.”
I remember the principal barging into the stadium and putting everyone there on ‘pause’.
“That doesn’t sound very impressive.”
“Then it’s better to sharpen your unique traits.”
“Unique traits?”
“Yes, for example, Geomhu, Nam Hye-rin specializes in swordsmanship, focusing on the essence of Heavenly Sword (B), Resolution in Battle (B), Noble Swordsmanship (A), Swordsmanship (A), Apocalypse Sword (S), and Infinite Swordsmanship (S) to become a specialized swordsman.”
“My unique trait, huh.”
“It seems like a different form of eternity, something I’ve never seen before.”
“Is that so?”
“Becoming the Eternal Demon King… that’s what they call it.”
The Eternal Demon King.
“Leading the immortal army of the undying, forever remembered as the terrifying demon to all.”
The Hahn Seo-jin from the time when I wasn’t around was a necromancer who dealt with corpses.
“It suits you.”
If there’s a downside to being a necromancer, it’s that there’s nowhere to store the corpses or that there’s a duration for summoning.
But just like I have the ability of eternity, it wouldn’t be strange if Hahn Seo-jin commanded soldiers who move eternally.
“There’s also a more convenient way to focus on utility, dealing with others.”
“Utility?”
“Yes, for instance, there are those with unique traits like Tantalos’s Hound. Unlike Abel, it’s a real tracking dog. It’s a genius in pursuit, no matter the country.”
Oh ho.
Is it possible to evolve in that direction as well?
“Or maybe the modern weaponry isn’t bad either. In the US, there are heroes specialized in sniper rifles, capable of shooting and killing from 40km away.”
“There’s that side too?”
That’s quite interesting.
“But it’s not really great. Just because you can kill from a distance doesn’t mean it’s honorable, and just being a hero doesn’t make it right. Of course, it might be a different story for a master.”
“Hmm…”
I’m not particularly drawn to strengthening guns as Yu Eunchae mentioned, but…
“There are many interesting things, aren’t there?”
It seemed like there were many possibilities with the power called “characteristics” than I had thought.
“It will probably change depending on what I want to pursue.”
I suddenly had that thought.
What do I want to do?
First life.
I was a professional gamer.
I was revered by many and celebrated as an irreplaceable professional gamer.
Second life.
I wanted to see the end of magic as a wizard.
Third life.
I wanted to see the end of martial arts as a martial artist, and at the same time, intertwine magic and martial arts.
And now.
The fourth life.
I.
“I don’t know.”
The fourth life is different from the second and the third.
The power called “attribute” is difficult even for me to manifest.
“The best way is to experience various attributes.”
It’s also good to study the unique attribute, eternity.
Eternity is a power related to time.
I once wanted to handle the power of time and space.
Time and space.
And creation.
These three are fields that become endlessly daunting even for me.
“I have some ideas in mind, though.”
I closed my eyes for a moment.
Eternity.
Time and ice.
Space and fire.
And creation and lightning.
It felt like lightning striking in my mind.
Inspiration doesn’t come around often.
“Space-time.”
“…Wait, did you say space-time? Those are all at least Grade A!! And Grade A items are extremely hard to come by in Korea…”
“It’s okay. We have a lot of budget.”
“W-We’re using the budget for this?”
“Well, it’s also necessary for the kids’ education.”
I had to examine the abilities.
But before that, there was something I needed.
“H-How many are you planning to buy?”
“2… No. One will do. Get me a ability related to space.”
If Yoo Eun-chae was right about the cost, I didn’t want to waste a lot of budget.
“After all, time is eternity to study.”
What’s left then…is an ability related to space.
And.
I needed two more.
From Noble mtl dot com
“Moonlight.”
My own ability, created using the Moon’s Frost.
So, this time, I needed an ability that would complement the Moonlight’s Frost.
“…A blade that’s the same as before?”
“Well, then, you’ll just get the same Moonlight’s Frost plate.”
That’s not a good way to do it.
It would be better to do something else.
“What kind of characteristics would you like for the fusion flame? It’s fine to make it a holy flame that purifies everything, or a black flame that swallows all other flames. It’s not available now, but it would also be good to combine it with the characteristic of a dragon’s heart.”
“A dragon’s heart?”
“It’s called a dragon heart, but it’s not really that. It’s about creating an organ called the mana core, not a real dragon heart….”
“No, is there such a thing?”
I was genuinely surprised.
No, a dragon’s heart isn’t necessary.
If we make something similar with a lower grade, we can just change the structure right away.
I’ve researched dragon hearts many times in the second phase.
“Get one with a lower grade.”
“With a lower grade?”
“Yeah. And get one type of physical enhancement of the same grade.”
“Really? Can I use the budget as I want?”
“…With a lower grade. And buy one below B grade.”
“Got it!”
Yoo Eun-chae left while using incomprehensible Japanese.
“…Is it really okay?”
I was a little worried.
She’ll probably buy the characteristics well, and she has her own principles, so she probably won’t spend the budget too much.
“It’s strangely unsettling.”
The pile of incidents in Yoo Eun-chae’s possession.
I don’t know what this will lead to.
*
“Pr-Professor, something terrible has happened?!”
It was one day.
Abel came running to me, flustered.
“What’s wrong?”
“Th-the budget!!”
…What could it be?
Why do I suddenly feel so uneasy?
“How much is missing?”
“About 30% has disappeared!!”
“…Huh?”
I didn’t use as much as I thought?
Even though it’s 30%, it’s still a part of the budget worth hundreds of billions.
I asked Yoo Eun-chae for something related to spatial properties.
When I mentioned that, Abel’s expression became strange.
Like the look of annihilation wielders when they saw me, the creator of the hyper-chlorination, after seeing the world tree of chlorination.
“So, Professor, you didn’t know what the property was, so you asked me to buy the property bead?”
“Exactly.”
“…And is it written by the professor?”
“You got it right.”
“No…”
Abel felt disappointed.
“Well, this one might turn out okay somehow.”
“How so?”
“Because the professor is involved.”
“Why would that matter?”
“It’s related to the headmaster….”
Just as Abel was about to say more, he sensed someone quickly approaching.
“Ta-da! Teacher, I’ve brought everything as top-notch… Huh!? Abel, why are you here?!”
“I came for the budget matter. Naturally. But more importantly, are you in your right mind? If the professor said so, you should have stopped him!”
“Oh, it’s okay. We can use this for the students’ textbooks.”
“You’re using it for textbooks?”
“Yeah, want to see?”
“Sure.”
As I nodded, Yoo Eun-chae made a peculiar expression.
“But can you understand it by looking at that?”
“You didn’t understand?”
—
“I can’t do it. It seems manageable if it’s just one level.”
“Really?”
Although the eyes seemed quite good.
Is it not allowed to give good eyes to Dunjae?…
“What?! Those faint eyes just now!?”
“What about them.”
“Did you know that was the gaze of someone with an incredibly sharp mind looking at someone with a terribly bad one?!”
“If you know, that’s enough.”
I opened the pouch brought by Yoo Eunchae.
“Black is related to spatial properties. It’s A-Space (B), and blue is magic core (B), solid (C).”
“Okay, okay. This time, open your eyes wide and look straight.”
“Right now?”
“Yeah, yeah. Abel, you too, open your eyes wide and look carefully.”
“What on earth is this?”
I took out a bead called a magic core.
Snap.
And I crushed it.
《Acquired property, magic core (B).》
On the opposite side of the heart.
Mana began to gather around the left chest area.
I calmly observed them.
“How interesting.”
Mana gathers.
They are the mana of the sky attribute and the mana of eternity that I possess.
And the purest mana, Taeho.
Mana close to it created something like a heart.
“It’s more like the energy orbs created by spirits or creatures, rather than a heart.”
So if I die, am I going to drop something like this?
With foolish thoughts, I examine my body.
“It’s basic to create energy orbs.”
“…Yes. But the energy of the orb is incredibly pure. I’ve never seen such pure mana before.”
“Because it’s me.”
“…Unlucky.”
An amusing thought occurred to me.
I might be able to make this more interesting.
“I might regret this.”
My circle magic is different from others.
Creating a huge ring and filling it from within.
It’s like a dragon’s heart in a way.
So I regretted it.
Instead of engraving the essence of the new work inside.
It seems better to put it in something like a newly formed spiritual pill on the left.
‘No, it doesn’t matter.’
Just create another ring around the left heart.