Episode 211 Berserk Charm (5)
Judging by the condition "without losing warmth," it seemed to refer to the moment of death.
In other words, it meant there was now a way to instantly recover HP when killing monsters on the battlefield.
Since the more enemies killed, the more HP could be recovered, it was a skill that was advantageous when there were many enemies.
“It’s just that I didn’t openly suck blood, but at this rate, I could really call myself a Vampire Swordsman……”
A reliable means of HP recovery had been acquired. As expected of a Legendary Artifact! The first skill is already efficient.
There are still two more skills left.
『Radiance』
■ Skill Level: Stage 1 (0.0%)
■ Skill Introduction: While maintaining 100% HP, you become completely immune to all mental attacks.
Passive Skill.
“Oh!” I couldn’t
help but exclaim in admiration.
Mental attacks are tricky, no matter what skill it is.
Mental interference that prevents me from functioning as myself. It goes without saying how terrifying that is. It might
not be efficient during combat, but it seemed it would be incredibly useful outside of combat.
This is because mind-disrupting monsters usually target players stealthily rather than during combat. Players
often let their guard down and get caught off guard, but the Radiance skill allows for primary defense.
『Berserk』
■ Skill Level: Stage 1 (0.0%)
■ Skill Description: Allows instant teleportation to a space within 100m.
The first teleport consumes 100 mana, and the mana cost doubles with each subsequent use within 10 seconds.
“Even teleportation.”
The composition is really good.
Considering Sanghyeon’s current mana reserves, it calculates that he can cast it up to four times in a row.
In other words, he can target an enemy in an instant and close the 400m distance, or conversely, widen it.
“Lifesteal. Immunity. Teleportation. He’s got it all. Now, do I just need to quickly add the Agility stat?”
The title of Versatile is within his sights.
First, Sanghyeon integrated all the talismans he was previously wearing into the Berserk Charm.
At that moment, I felt a refreshing sensation in my head, as if a chronic headache had vanished.
I hadn't noticed it when I had multiple talismans because I was too accustomed to it, but it seems they were
quite effective at inducing headaches. The effect was palpable.
I promised to meet Han Hyun-jung again and parted ways. This was because
the purpose of meeting her—purchasing the Berserk Charm—had been successfully completed,
and she also had a schedule in the U.S. Sang-hyun also had to go to the Gate with Sophia in the afternoon.
After parting ways with Han Hyun-jung,
Sang-hyun stopped by a nearby market and bought a small talisman that increased Agility by 15.
It was a Bronze-grade talisman that he wouldn't normally even glance at, but he needed it now.
Raising it by just this amount would allow him to acquire the "Multifaceted" title, so he didn't need any more stats.
Soon, the moment he equipped the talisman, his Agility stat finally crossed the 1,000 mark.
[You have acquired the SSS-class title, 【Multitalented】.]
[From now on, your name will be automatically added to the Dimensional Order's recommended player list.]
[The Lion King is deeply impressed by your achievement. He marvels at his own discernment in recognizing you long ago.]
[The Dark Hunter warns that you are indeed unfit for this world and is tracking down the secret of your birth.]
[The Owner of the Beautiful Beard sheds tears of gratitude.]
[A passerby takes a deep interest upon seeing your newly registered name.]
[The Queen of Blood immediately adds you to her list of interested players and intends to keep a close watch on you.]
“Wow… this is chaotic.”
Constellation messages poured in.
[The God of Storms encourages you not to be satisfied with your current achievements but to push forward further.]
Along with this, advice from the Divine Throne followed.
“Of course. I will.”
Sanghyeon nodded.
For quite some time, Constellation messages flooded in at such a rapid pace that Sanghyeon could not even read them all.
Although the title itself did not grant any stat boosts or abilities, Sanghyeon actually preferred this outcome.
Receiving the attention of more constellations meant a higher probability of top-tier constellations or divine thrones approaching him.
On the other hand, he also felt as though he had passed the first stage of becoming a renowned player.
Achieving 1,000 in all stats is by no means an easy feat.
Anyone who has played as a player knows just how difficult it is to achieve balanced growth.
For instance, a mage might specialize in mana growth but experience slow growth in strength and agility. Similarly,
a swordsman might specialize in strength and stamina but frequently encounter setbacks in mana growth.
However, Sanghyeon had come this far by overcoming such handicaps through artifact absorption.
It amounts to proving his ability to grow in many different ways. So that he wouldn't be judged by just one profession.
Press.
Sanghyun clutched the Berserk Charm tightly.
Money doesn't lie, and useful artifacts bring benefits to the player.
He was grateful for the existence of the talisman, which had provided the impetus for the direction he was pursuing.
And he set a goal.
Once again! He wanted to purchase and equip another Legendary Artifact. When it comes to spec upgrades, the more the merrier.
* * *
Rugugugu. Whoosh.
Inside a grand mansion where wind and rain raged amidst thunder and lightning.
It was a massive estate where one couldn't even fathom where the end was, yet there were few people living inside.
In the largest room were two men: an old man and a young man.
The well-dressed old man looked to anyone as the master of the house, while the young man in ordinary attire appeared to be his attendant.
However, the reality was different.
The two men, who had just entered the room, were upside down compared to how they appeared from the outside.
The young man carelessly tossed his coat aside and slumped onto the sofa, while the old man gathered it up.
He maintained a slight bow toward the young man, clearly indicating a hierarchical relationship.
The young man muttered,
“Nietzsche, Tori, Kay, Jay, Roel. So these five died one after another. And by the same guy.”
“That is correct.”
“I told you to report any special issues in the predator network, Brandon. Why didn’t you report it?”
“I thought those five predators weren’t all that great players to begin with. I apologize.” “
I mean, why are you making that judgment? If I’m going to do it, I’m the one; if I’m not going to do it, I’m the one who won’t. Do you understand?”
“I will correct it. I apologize.”
“If your brain isn’t working because you’re old, shouldn’t you at least behave yourself properly? Anyway, old geezers…”
A man who spewed bitter words at the old man named Brandon without the slightest hint of guilt, depending on his mood.
His name was Luca Violet.
Luca continued to furrow his brow, as if he could not comprehend the deaths of the predators who had targeted the Upper Moon.
“A beast hunts its prey because it is confident it can succeed in the hunt.”
“That is correct.”
“It is the same for predators. You mean they sought him out because they calculated they could eat him?”
“Probably.”
“I’ll let Nietzsche and Tori do that. But since the two of them didn’t join forces and acted separately, they deserved to die.”
“…….”
“But I don’t understand why Kay, Jay, and Roel went and all died. It means their calculations were wrong.”
Although the Constellation Predators had a hot-tempered streak, they were the type to target their prey cautiously.
This was because failing the hunt meant being devoured in return.
That meant death, and everything they had built up would come to nothing.
Yet, to think that not just one, but three of them attacked and they all died. It was incomprehensible.
Luca continued speaking.
“The fact that the calculations were wrong means that Shin Sang-hyun was stronger than imagined. Right?”
“That is correct.”
Brandon simply nodded at Luca’s words throughout.
His opinion did not matter. Only unconditional empathy for Luca mattered.
Countless attendants who failed to do this before him had gone to the afterlife. Brandon did not want to be like them.
“You have to properly investigate guys like this, no matter the reason. You have to at least get a taste of them.”
“Who should I contact?”
“Is Alain in Korea?”
“Yes, he is probably staying on Jeju Island right now. He is on vacation, though.”
“Tell Alain. Tell him to investigate all of Shin Sang-hyun’s abilities. And see if he has a reliable backer.”
“Understood.”
The administrator of the Predator Network and the player at the pinnacle.
Luca Violet’s attention was thus turning toward Sang-hyun.
* * *
After meeting Sophia at the appointed location in the afternoon, Sang-hyun immediately entered the Gate with her. Perhaps
because the place was kept secret from the outside world, he asked Sanghyeon for permission and put a blindfold on him.
The same went for Ashuneri, who had been sitting on his shoulder. For a brief moment, they had to wrap their entire bodies tightly in a small handkerchief.
Sanghyeon thought the Nobility Guild's caution was only natural. After all ,
kindness and being a pushover were clearly different things.
It was only right that information regarding the secretly managed gates should not be shared with anyone other than insiders.
As they entered the gate, Ashuneri shivered at the biting, icy wind.
<Ugh.>
'It's really cold, isn't it? The front is probably dangerous, so come to the back of my neck. You'll feel some body heat there.'
"Thank you. It's so cold and spooky in here. It feels like I've come to the world of the dead."
"You saw it right."
Sanghyun gripped the Nameless Sword again after confirming that Ashneri had fallen behind him.
Sophia, standing beside him, had been looking at Ashneri with a curious expression, but soon turned her gaze away.
While it was true that spirits were rare, they weren't beings he had never seen before.
He assumed Sanghyun must have acquired one somewhere in the dungeon.
However, it was generally common for mage players to carry magical spirits around.
It was indeed unique that Sanghyun, despite being a swordsman, commanded a spirit.
Well, if we were to discuss Sanghyun's peculiarities, the issue wouldn't really end with just the spirit.
Just then,
with a shiver running down their spines, a debuff was applied to both Sanghyun and Sophia simultaneously.
It was a debuff caused by the Gate itself, a detail that had been shared during the briefing.
[Intermittent Blindness – A phenomenon occurs where you suddenly lose all vision in front of you for 1 second.]
[Abnormal Seizure – The body suffers a seizure for unknown reasons, causing a significant loss of stamina.]
“Those are two debuffs that are perfect for getting startled or panicked.”
Sanghyun gave a wry smile.
There are no warning signs before going blind, nor is there anything you can notice before a seizure occurs.
In other words, even he himself cannot know when blindness and seizures might suddenly strike.
While it might be manageable in normal times, if such phenomena occur during combat, it could lead directly to death.
“For now, I can cover the blindness.”
Just then, Sophia stretched out her hand toward Sanghyun and enveloped his entire body in a pale pink aura.
At that, a special buff that Sanghyun had never seen before activated.
[Darkness Block – Thoroughly ignores one debuff. Completely controls it so that it does not manifest in any form.]
“Oh.”
Complete debuff ignorance.
Sophia also possessed the 'complete' option, which could be considered the symbol of a named character.
As expected, she was no ordinary person either.
