Halo Quest (1)

Spine Rose’s body was split in half without any resistance by the power of the Godslayer sword that was reinforced to the S-rank (SS-rank with the addition of the Great Heavenly Spirit). Soon after, the gate began to vibrate and collapse as messages displayed across Kang Shin-hyuk’s eyes.

-You have subdued a monster that is harmful to the order of things! Bonus based on membership level! You received 1,200,000HP! As a VIP bonus, you gain additional HP equivalent to 50% of the reward, for a total of 1,800,000HP!

-The gate [Rose Garden (A+)] has been cleared. The gate will go into a state of reconstruction. Everything inside the gate will be discharged to the outside.

This time, the gate wouldn’t fully disappear. Kang Shin-hyuk was looking at the message blankly as Eleanor came to his side.

“How did it go…? I thought I felt my strength growing, but then the next moment…”

“Ah…yes, I bet it did look weird.” He had strengthened the people around him, but then with the reward for doing so, he had killed the boss alone. That was because he had evolved his trait after meeting the conditions, but Eleanor had no idea that had happened.

“It’s related to my trait.”

“Did you experience a trait evolution?” Eleanor had reached the truth in an instant. Her eyes opened wide as Shin-hyuk nodded.

“Your trait has evolved twice?” Kang Shin-hyuk let out a bloody laugh, and Eleanor tilted her head in puzzlement. This evolution was his third, not his second. He had started as a serpent, then became a dragon, and now he was a golden dragon. What would come next? All that was certain is that there would be a next. He could feel the new power flowing through his body as he imagined the next one, then began to cough as he noticed Eleanor’s gaze stuck on him.

“Anyway, the gate was cleared safely. That boss was stronger than I thought… I’m glad we both made it through alright.”

“Oh, I see… I tried to show my skills, but I made a lot of mistakes and my lance was destroyed…” Eleanor was clearly disheartened.

“I saw your skills clearly, so cheer up.” Eleanor had really just been unlucky. That power she showed against Spine Rose wasn’t something Kang Shin-hyuk could imitate. If it hadn’t been for her blood, Eleanor could have overwhelmed Spine Rose by herself. However, Shin-hyuk wouldn’t have evolved if that had happened.

“We should head out.” The collapse of the gate was accelerating from its reconstruction, and the pressure bearing down on them was increasing. He nodded at Eleanor, noticing that the wyverns were flocking around them.

‘What about these guys? Will they move to the reconstructed gate?’ The wyverns looked as if they were waiting for him. They all had golden stripes on their bodies now. He hoped it was just a temporary phenomenon, but if not…

-Escape from the gate.

The landscape in front of him changed as he thought about it. Kang Shin-hyuk was still riding on the flame wyvern’s back as the landscape in front of them changed to the view of the city they had seen before entering.

“The other wyverns… they’re gone.”

“It would’ve caused a major accident if they were here.”

“But if it’s you… maybe…” Eleanor seemed to have been thinking the same as Kang Shin-hyuk. However, the only ones to leave the gate was Kang Shin-hyuk, Eleanor, Meloy, and the flame wyvern.

-Guo… Kuaaaah!

The flame wyvern was turning its head back and forth to check the strange new scenery but soon let out a vigorous cry to show it had no fear.

-It’s okay, member. The wyverns aren’t dead.

‘That’s good.’

-Can’t you ask for more details?

‘Well, won’t I figure it all out with the third liberation?’

-You’ll know when the synchronization is complete.

He knew that the occurrence of the gates had something to do with the Hero Universe, so he wasn’t too surprised.

“Then let’s go back.”

“What should I do with this guy? Maybe I could give it to Douglas Payne.”

“You just need to manage it as the next leader.”

“I’m going to quit.” Kang Shin-hyuk and Eleanor exchanged meaningless conversations as they flew through the sky. Of course, the news that the Wyvern Knights had a new mount became known to all of the students in short order despite it being summer vacation.

***

Kang Shin-hyuk: S Rank] (25.5% synchronization rate)

[Trait]

Golden Dragon (SS): The guardian and leader. It refines the body and unlocks its potential. The body has grown stronger and heavier, increasing its proficiency with all forms of fighting with the power of a dragon. Strengthens the self and allies while weakening enemies.

[Physical ability]

Power: S

Agility: S

Health: S+

[Special ability]

Spiritual Power: S

Golden Dragon Fighter: S

[Skill]

Dragon’s Fan Dance (SS+): A

Wind Mastery (S): A-

Metallurgy: A-

Emotion: A

[Resistance]

Resist Poison (SS+): A

Resist Fire (S): A

Kang Shin-hyuk measured his own abilities in his room. There hadn’t been too much of a change, fortunately, in his physical state. He was just a bit taller. His trait had evolved to the SS-rank, and all of his physical stats had grown by two stages. As a bonus, his Dragon’s Fan Dance had changed to a skill called Golden Dragon Fighter with a rank of SS+.

“What to do…” He muttered blankly while looking at his status. In terms of sheer numbers, it might not be as significant of a change as compared to his previous two evolutions. The problem was that he broke through the S-rank wall that had been in front of him. Moreover, his trait had a rank that even high-ranking superhumans might not have. Plus, it not only strengthened him and his allies, but even went so far as to weaken his enemies.

“I’m probably stronger than Douglas Payne now.”

-From the start, if you used your spiritual power and regeneration, you could have beaten him.

“Then what about now?”

-You can make him into a rice cake within five seconds. Three if you use your spiritual power.

“Don’t overestimate me!” The problem was that he agreed with the administrator’s assessment. He had become too strong for him to hide it, yet Shin Eunah still looked so far away. A sigh came out of him.

-She was already in the top ranks of the Hero Universe the moment she joined. It is a bit different than reaching the Hero Universe as a blacksmith.

“Is that so…” It was evident he hadn’t fully matured that such words made him feel a little resentful.

-But…your potential hasn’t been fully realized yet. A trait that has evolved three times is extremely rare, and now you have this special ability called Golden Dragon Fighter.

“In other words?”

-Depending on the evolution of your trait, you might’ve already been able to acquire membership rights even if you didn’t have the ability of a blacksmith.

The moment he heard that, Kang Shin-hyuk began to feel a little better. He coughed and covered his face to hide his child-like inner feelings.

-5,000HP bonus!

No, he was caught right away. Kang Shin-hyuk shook his head and realized he still had something left to check. His sword had evolved as well. The Godslayer sword now maintained the S-rank even without the Great Heavenly Spirit. It had also physically changed, with a golden engraving running down the pitch-black blade.

[Godslayer]

[S rank]

[Special Abilities: Blade Predation, Regression, Flesh Control, Protection]

[Special ability open: Weighted]

[Core: None]

* Weighted: Increase the weight of the sword. By injecting spiritual power, this can be further strengthened. The wielder of the sword can ignore its weight.

As it had evolved to S-rank, he had acquired a new ability. Weight meant power, and heavier weapons produced more destruction. But now it could increase its weight and let Shin-hyuk ignore it at the same time? If he could swing a heavy weapon without any sense of resistance, it would be an overwhelmingly effective weapon.

-At this level, it might be okay now.

Kang Shin-hyuk’s head rose at the message.

“Pardon?”

-It is possible to perform a dimensional quest. There is a request from Halo, who is registered as your friend. It is also recommended to carry out the work of recovering the armaments you made in the past.

“It’s possible to request such a thing?!”

Only

-It is if you are a VIP member. There are four other cases, but the rest are on hold because they are currently impossible with your ability.

“Is it urgent?”

-It arrived eighteen years ago, but Halo has informed me that he could afford to wait for the next 100 years.

“…” Kang Shin-hyuk was struck silent for a moment before he quietly nodded.

“I’ll take it… I’ll start in three days.”

-1,000 HP bonus!

Kang Shin-hyuk let out a sigh. He felt like he had gone through so much, but it was only the end of the second week of summer vacation. From now on, he would have no more time to rest.

Exactly three days later, he entered his My Room to receive the quest.