Third Liberation (8)

The shadow source has recognized the existence of the ideal energy and is attempting to evolve.

-The source of the shadow is absorbing the shadow predators!

It would’ve been nice if the story had been simple, and it had just made a shadow golem with the source as its core. Instead, it had created a force field to protect itself and block Kang Shin-hyuk from approaching while it began to absorb the shadow predators it had created. Then… it began to shrink gradually.

“It doesn’t seem hostile…”

-It’s a great opportunity, so allow me to explain.

The fact that the administrator entered explanation mode meant that the situation really wasn’t dangerous. The source of the shadows was taking its time to evolve right in front of its enemy.

-All monsters are hostile to humans, but some of them suppress their instincts to place survival as their top priority.

“Survival…”

-That’s right. This is especially the case for non-living monsters born under the influence of humans or legends and myths rather than creature-type monsters born with instincts.

It was a bit difficult for him to understand. A monster that prioritized survival but was also non-living?

-Non-living monsters are inorganic monsters that cannot be defined in the form of an animal or plant. Living Armor is one example.

“I see.”

-These monsters don’t have a living body, so they aren’t swept away by their instincts. However, they have a strong desire to survive as they weren’t originally alive.

It sounded a bit ironic to him, but Kang Shin-hyuk thought he could understand the feeling. Something that had come to life, as if by a miracle, no doubt would have an obsession with the life they had been granted.

“How does that relate to the current situation? So this source is a non-living monster with a strong desire for life…?”

-Since it has no way to defeat you, that means it has decided to change into a form that cannot harm you. It’s an option a creature-type monster couldn’t think of.

“Uh…?” Was that because he used soul poison to overwhelm the shadow predators?

-That is correct. Your soul poison is a dangerous attack for these creatures, so the source of the shadows is adapting accordingly.

Monsters being killed by superhumans was a scene playing out at countless gates at this moment; however, no matter how large the gap between opponents, there was usually a slight chance to surpass it. The problem was that the soul poison, at least from the view of the source of the shadows, was an impenetrable wall. It was a case of a bad match-up.

“Is this also a mirror like what I’ve been hearing?”

-The member Halo may not have considered this sort of unusual situation.

Well, that was fair. Kang Shin-hyuk shook his head as he observed the black sphere before him. Now it was small enough that he could hug it with both of his hands as it continued to compress itself smaller and smaller. The sight felt similar to when Kang Shin-hyuk had united the benadelite particles in Gromas before.

“I guess this is because I showed up with the Shinfeng orb and the Great Heavenly Spirit in the first place.”

-This is a case that this administrator never expected. You can do whatever you want.

Kang Shin-hyuk nodded and sheathed Godslayer as he stepped towards the source of the shadows.

-…

It seemed to pulse in time with his steps, revealing its intention to Kang Shin-hyuk. It frightened him.

“Isn’t this bad?”

-If we’re talking only about this dungeon, the scariest thing is you.

The administrator responded honestly, revealing why he had given him all those bonuses.

-At least from the enemy’s perspective. 10,000HP bonus!

Now the bonus just felt pointless. Kang Shin-hyuk let out a laugh as he reached out to the source. It didn’t resist him; it had already surrendered. His spiritual power covered it.

‘Are you ready?’ The situation now was much better than when he had made the Great Heavenly Spirit. His metallurgy and spiritual power had increased, and now he had the power of the Golden Dragon. Kang Shin-hyuk raised his hand, imagining the hammer in his hand that radiated a golden brilliance as spiritual power gently covered it. He used it to strike the source.

-Klang!

The source was nervous at first, fearing that Kang Shin-hyuk was attempting to destroy it, but it soon calmed after the hammer blow rang out. It began to realize that Shin-hyuk was helping its evolution as they connected through his spiritual power.

-Klang! Klang! Klang!

He was doing metallurgy even though he had arrived for battle. It was fortunate no one else had followed him into the forest.

-Klang! Klang! Klang!

The source wasn’t that different from the Great Heavenly Spirit, as both were collections of enormous energy (although the similarities ended there). Just like when he had done it in Gromas, however, the work was still difficult. Shin-hyuk’s mind was focused as he continued to shape the source.

“I’ll need a finishing material.” That would be, of course, the by-products from the shadow predators that had been killed earlier. He produced them and processed them with spiritual power into the source that was now about the same size as the Shinfeng orb. He imbued it with the spiritual thread of his soul connector.

-What great workmanship. 15,000HP bonus!

“…It’s looking good.” He didn’t know what sort of properties the orb would have, but it had a smooth luster to it that resembled the Shinfeng orb and the Great Heavenly Spirit.

-Klang! Klang! Klang!

The work wasn’t over yet. He kept tapping at the orb, injecting his spiritual power and Golden Dragon to stabilize and strengthen it. It began to show its traits as he honed it. Perhaps, once he reached the ultimate form of what he was doing now, it could be called All-craft.

-Klang! Klang! Klang!

The work felt like it took an eternity, but in reality, it had taken less than five minutes. When Kang Shin-hyuk stayed his hand, an orb that glowed black in response to his spiritual power floated before him. It was an artifact with an ego, a gem born from Kang Shin-hyuk’s skill.

-After performing a miraculous work by overwhelming the material, a treasure [Dark Spirit Pearl (SS)] that contains the power of shadows was born.

-Metallurgy skill proficiency has increased significantly by forging a living object!

-Synchronization has accelerated- current rate of 51.4%.

Some results had been expected, and some had been unexpected.

-The third liberation of VIP is in progress. 2 billion HP has been unlocked!

-You have awakened one of your previous life’s skills. You have learned the skill [Repair]. Under the influence of synchronization rate and metallurgy, your repair skill proficiency will grow to A+.

Kang Shin-hyuk’s eyes bulged out of his head. The fact that he had unlocked a new skill was a surprise, but a most welcome one. It was a skill that went hand-in-hand with metallurgy. Rather, he had already been using metallurgy to do something similar when he made the Great Heavenly Spirit and the Dark Spirit Pearl.

‘Maybe it’s not just repairing, but it will affect my overall metallurgy.’ He could tell in a second that he had acquired a great skill, and for it to be A+ was something that couldn’t be ignored.

-Congratulations on your third liberation with a 150,000HP bonus! Now you can purchase advanced status amplification potions that increase each status by three levels for an hour at the price of 1,000,000HP each! In addition, more products have been added to the store, including spirit adhesives!

“The price suddenly rose again.” It was pricy, but he had just unlocked 2 billion HP, so even that price looked a bit cheap.

-That’s because it’s an advanced level. Of course, you can receive an additional VIP discount for purchasing one for 700,000HP!

Kang Shin-hyuk was beginning to doubt the structure of the Hero Universe store, handing out such discounts after the fact, but he knew there was nothing good awaiting him if he asked the administrator, so he kept quiet.

-Also, keep in mind that the limit of the advanced potions is the SSS-rank.

“Could I beat Halo with SSS-rank?”

-You cannot win.

Kang Shin-hyuk nodded, needing no further explanation.

“It feels like I’ve grown considerably in a short time, but I still can’t see the end.”

-You are growing at an alarming rate. It may seem like a long way, but in reality, the distance is rapidly narrowing, so don’t worry about it.

“Thank you, administrator.”

-150,000HP bonus!

Kang Shin-hyuk hoped that the administrator wouldn’t keep sending in these types of bonuses; his heart wouldn’t be able to take it. Besides, at this rate, it might start causing inflation.

-The login bonus has also been improved due to the third liberation. An enhanced roulette that can be turned with 20 roulette coins has appeared!

“Ah.”

-The Enhanced Roulette includes equipment slots and many hidden systems of the Hero Universe, so don’t miss it!

“I already pulled out the equipment slot.”

-That’s proof of your luck! In addition, the maximum available time per day of My Room has been increased to ten hours, and the time ratio with Earth has been adjusted to three times, so please use it appropriately!

Wasn’t that the best news? It was better to stay in his My Room to go off on a quest.

-The number of dimensional quests that can be taken has also increased significantly. Returning to a world where you have previously completed a quest will now require half the amount of HP!

Only

“Oh, is it time to fill my days with quests?” It was time to set aside Mirotoz and explore the other dimensional quests!

-We’ve gotten too excited, so I had forgotten.

“What is it?”

-The gate has not been cleared even though you secured the source of the shadows, which was the clearing condition.

“Ah…?” Come to think of it, he was still in the gate.

-Another irregular phenomenon is occurring!

“Oh, really…” He wouldn’t be given that much time to enjoy his spoils.

Kang Shin-hyuk hit the ground running with the Dark Spirit Pearl in hand.