Part 62.
‘Yeah, why didn’t I think of this?’
Was this how Archimedes felt when he shouted ‘Eureka!’?
It felt like a highway had opened up in my clogged brain.
Why were the traits with black stars so ridiculously powerful and had such strict conditions?
‘If I think of them as Transcended Traits, everything makes sense.’
It’s only natural that a Transcended Trait is stronger than a normal trait.
And that’s not all.
The statement that I can’t use them yet because my ‘Tier’ is too low also makes sense.
It would be stranger if someone who hasn’t Transcended their own traits could just take someone else’s Transcended Trait and use it.
‘Does that mean I can raise my Tier through Transcendence?’
It seemed likely.
The Forgotten King must have Transcended as well, so according to that theory, it’s easy to explain why his traits are so high-grade.
Even Rundo’s trait is ★-grade, which is proof of that.
‘The idea that having a high Race stat means a high Tier probably isn’t wrong either.’
In fact, Jihad is treated as having a high Tier, and raid bosses have fundamentally different powers from ordinary bosses from birth.
My questions were answered, and I felt refreshed, so I smiled.
There was a faint sense of anticipation within it.
‘If I Transcend, I can use them, right?’
With that thought, Do-hyun’s eyes turned to the Call of Destiny list.
Specifically, to one trait written there.
-Supreme Authority [Forgotten King] ★★★★
‘The Supreme Authority that the King used.’
Sword Emperor, Forgotten King, and Lion King.
The Supreme Authority, which I’ve only seen three people use so far.
Probably the end point for those walking the path of the knight, and an inviolable realm presumed to be the beginning of a new path.
I can get a taste of it.
‘I need to go to Acrana quickly.’
Coincidentally, the Transcendence NPC [Non-Player Character] is also in Acrana.
Another reason to move as soon as possible has arisen.
The feeling of impatience and excitement to Transcend as soon as possible was a thrill I hadn’t felt in a long time.
‘I’m more excited than I’ve been since I first got a Legendary skill.’
Transcendence, main quests, and information about the Abyss and ‘that day’.
In many ways, I had the expectation that many things would happen if I went to Acrana.
Well, that’s something to think about once I arrive…
‘Wait a minute, does that mean I can’t use Gae Bolg?’
Do-hyun frowned at the sudden realization.
‘Ah, it would have been perfect to use with Astra’s Arrow…’
I had been coveting Gae Bolg’s ability from the moment I saw it, and I felt like a child who had a gift snatched away from them.
Since it’s a Transcended Trait, its power will be stronger, but it wasn’t a trait that Do-hyun particularly coveted.
‘It would have been perfect to mix it with something like Surge or Astra’s Arrow…’
Moreover, it’s ★-grade, so I can’t even use it right now, which is even more disappointing.
Thinking about it, this is also a question.
‘Since only one can be saved, it seems like only one trait is saved if there are multiple… Why did only this one come out as a Transcended Trait?’
There must be plenty of fighters in the District 2 of the Outlaw Zone who have Transcended their traits.
But I’ve taken down dozens of them, and only normal traits have been brought over. Is it a coincidence that only Rundo’s Transcended Trait came out?
‘There must be some kind of mechanism…’
There’s definitely a condition or principle that Do-hyun doesn’t know.
The same goes for the traits of the named bosses I’ve caught so far.
‘There must be a reason why I got those traits saved in the list out of so many traits.’
It seems like I’ll need to research it later.
Of course, this is literally a matter for later.
The skills aren’t going anywhere, so I can take my time to figure it out.
Right now, there’s something more troublesome.
[The number of currently saved ★-grade traits is 7.]
[There are no remaining save slots.]
[Please delete or use a trait.]
‘Tsk, this is annoying…’
Perhaps because the level of the bosses Do-hyun had caught was so bizarre, all 7 slots were already filled.
Since I can’t use ★-grade traits right now, I have to delete one.
Each one was like a drop of blood, so Do-hyun struggled for a long time before finally choosing one.
[‘Dream Room [Dream Witch Ruidra] ★’ will be deleted.]
[There is 1 remaining save slot.]
[Would you like to save the trait ‘Destroying Inner Magic Spear [Rundo] ★’?]
[The trait ‘Destroying Inner Magic Spear [Rundo] ★’ has been saved.]
[The maximum number of savable traits has been reached. After this, ★-grade traits can only be saved after deleting or using a ★-grade trait.]
Deleting the Dream Witch Ruidra’s trait, whom I met in Fratel, and adopting Rundo’s trait.
‘This is the best.’
The effect of the Dream Room, which opens a forced one-on-one duel, was definitely outstanding, but Do-hyun has the Guardian’s Blessing and the Veil.
I judged that a powerful one-shot that I could use in case of an emergency would be more useful.
Being able to aim for a critical hit with a trait that doesn’t consume mana is a very important factor for me, who is destined to face balance-breaking bosses often.
The resulting list was as follows.
[The number of currently saved ★-grade traits is 7.]
-Destroying Inner Magic Spear [Rundo] ★
-Corrupted Holy Knight [Destroyer Gaiman] ★
-Agony [King of Outlaws Agony] ★★
-The One Who Devours Existence [Great Disaster] ★★
-Authority of Destruction [4th Commander of Destruction] ★★★
-Authority of Darkness [Black Knight Garion (Dark Magic Dragon Species) (Fusion)] ★★★
-Supreme Authority [Forgotten King] ★★★★
‘I feel secure.’
Names that make me feel good just by looking at them.
Among them was Agony’s welcome trait, and the fact that it had two black stars attached to it meant that Agony wasn’t an ordinary boss monster.
‘Well, he is the king of a race, after all…’
To think that Agony is now doing duck walks under Jihad… I feel a bit sorry for him in this sad reality.
Anyway, with this, the traits of the Call of Destiny have all been organized.
Swish.
Do-hyun’s gaze turned to the messages that had appeared on one side, and he smiled.
[Would you like to loot the items?]
[Would you like to loot the items?]
…
[Would you like to loot the items?]
‘A bonanza.’
The item orbs dropped by the dozens of Outlaw Zone District 2 fighters who died.
It was time to harvest them.
* * *
After an unexpected clash with the Outlaw Zone.
Do-hyun and his party hurried on their way.
Now that there were even more reasons to stop by Acrana, they were eager to arrive as soon as possible.
However, the Windswept Stronghold was in the territory of the Outlaw Zone.
‘It’s Kaiser! Kill him!’
‘Who dares to come here!’
‘What bastard is causing trouble in our area without fear… What, Kaiser?’
‘Did this bastard bring his comrades to attack?’
Wherever they went, it was the territory of the Outlaw Zone, so they couldn’t help but have a few more clashes.
‘Ugh, those bastards are annoying. Are you going to do it this time too?’
‘No, I don’t want to waste time. Let’s just take them down quickly.’
‘Okay.’
Each time, Do-hyun and his party quickly wiped them out.
But no matter how quickly they dealt with them, it was inevitable that time would be delayed because of the numbers.
[Your connection time has ended and you will be forcibly disconnected.]
In the middle of it, Do-hyun’s time ran out first, and he was forcibly disconnected.
And that wasn’t much different for the rest of the party, and so the four of them had to experience one disconnection each.
‘Ugh, why do these bastards keep showing up wherever we go? It would be nice if they dropped good items, but they all drop duds.’
Do-hyun couldn’t be happy with those guys.
When I first caught Vice-Captain Rundo and looted the items, I was filled with anticipation, wondering if the Exploding Spear would drop.
[You have acquired a Red Pearl Necklace.]
But the item I harvested was an ordinary-grade ornamental decoration that had no ability and was just pretty.
It wasn’t much different for the other guys.
Whether they were all prepared for this situation or Do-hyun was just unlucky, he only harvested ordinary to rare-grade items.
‘Huh? You only got ordinary-grade items? I picked up five hero-grade items.’
‘…’
…Judging from the old man’s words, I guess it’s probably closer to the latter.
Still, Do-hyun didn’t give up and continued to loot every time he fought the Outlaw Zone.
[You have acquired the hero-grade weapon ‘Grand Spear’.]
[You have acquired the hero-grade armor ‘Elanis Artisan’s Handmade Plate Mail’.]
[You have acquired the hero-grade weapon ‘Ladrian Staff’.]
…
As a result of Do-hyun taking down over 100 enemies alone.
I was still able to get three hero-grade equipment and five more usable rare-grade equipment.
‘Oh, Hero+떴네 [Hero+ popped up]. What, this guy is also Hero+? Did we catch those guys before they started farming drops?’
‘…I want to be alone, so can you go away, old man.’
Ast poured cold water on Do-hyun, who was happy, but still, this wasn’t the only harvest.
‘No, let’s think positively. I still picked up a lot of traits, so that’s something.’
Because I was able to replace some of the traits that were ambiguous compared to their grade with usable traits by taking down those guys.
As a result, I even erased the two ☆☆-grade traits that I had left behind, but I had no regrets.
However, if there was one thing that was disappointing, it was that there were some ★-grade traits among them, but they were less efficient than Rundo’s trait, so I had to delete them with tears in my eyes.
‘The 7-slot limit is tougher than I thought. Can’t they give me 10 slots?’
Considering the balance, being able to possess 7 Transcended Traits is already excessive.
Do-hyun was saying something that lacked conscience, but it was even more disappointing because it felt like he had been given something and then taken away.
‘I need to Transcend as soon as possible. It’s a waste to death.’
If I had Transcended, I could have used them right away without saving them on the spot.
Anyway, perhaps because of these reasons.
At some point, meeting the Outlaw Zone became more than just annoying, it became bothersome, and Do-hyun started grumbling like this.
But Ast just let out a dumbfounded laugh at Do-hyun’s complaints.
‘…Wouldn’t they feel that way about us? We keep poking around in their area when they’re just minding their own business.’
‘We’re just passing through, just passing through.’
‘I’d believe that if the guys who beat up their comrades in their area and broke through all the secret routes came in and said, “We’re just passing through!”‘
‘…Hmm. That’s true.’
Do-hyun couldn’t argue with Ast’s words.
In fact, not all of the area near Acrana is the territory of the Outlaw Zone, so they could avoid it as much as they wanted.
The guys have been badly beaten a few times, and they must have heard rumors, because now they don’t rush in right away when they meet, but flinch and look around.
Despite that, the reason why they keep getting into fights is because Do-hyun and his party are invading their area… Do-hyun was wronged.
‘Why does the path always lead to places like this? Can’t we go on a normal road?’
All of this was because of Barion, who was guiding them to only the Outlaw Zone areas like a ghost.
In response to Ast’s question, which seemed to represent Do-hyun’s feelings, Barion replied nonchalantly.
‘I didn’t guide you there knowingly. I just went on new routes, but strangely, their secret hideouts often appear. It seems they’ve recently expanded their area.’
‘? Then you don’t have to go on new routes.’
‘A mundane adventure goes against my creed.’
‘Creed my ass… How did you get through it when we weren’t around? Even if you have Foot Eater, neither of you are fundamentally combat-oriented.’
‘Haha, it somehow worked out. We’re confident in our escape skills. That guy is good at taking care of himself, even if he’s not good at anything else.’
Barion didn’t care about Ast, who was about to die of frustration.
Seeing Rak next to Barion smiling and answering, Do-hyun couldn’t help but ask why they were going through so much trouble… and the answer was quite a sight.
‘Isn’t that the charm of adventure? And if you think about it, we’re actually going on a faster path as a result.’
‘Then what’s the point? We meet Outlaw Zone guys and it’s the same thing.’
‘But isn’t it more enjoyable?’
‘Oh my god…’
Ast frowned at the truly eccentric answer, and Rak grinned and chimed in.
It was also from that point that Do-hyun’s expression changed.
‘Well, it’s thrilling. That thrill when you find a great spot after wandering around like that. Once you experience it, you won’t forget it, member.’
‘I see. It sounds tempting.’
‘In that sense, shall we look for a great spot this time too?’
‘I’m in.’
Now even Do-hyun was captivated by the great spot and joined forces.
‘Why… why is there no one normal around me?’
-Lizariza…
In the end, Ast gave up, shaking his head with a hollow face, and Eliza comforted Ast with her small hand.
How many incidents did they experience as a group of people who were not normal?
Two days after leaving the elf village.
‘No, I’m telling you, that Kaiser guy rushed into the guild territory alone and caused a ruckus back then? If you look at him, he’s just as crazy as Kuku. If you mess with him, he doesn’t just bite, he just crashes into you like a runaway colt.’
‘Oh? Are you talking about the Empress when you say Kuku? He doesn’t seem like a madman as much as that Empress… It’s amazing.’
‘Ah, she’s crazier. That girl bites even if you don’t mess with her.’
‘Haha, that’s true. Ah, I heard that you were famous for your bad luck, member. Did you have any interesting episodes?’
‘Episodes… There are so many. He failed all the card draws even after sprinkling golden starlight powder, and then he said he was getting rid of bad luck and strengthened his weapon, but he blew up 12 weapons in a row. He also caught 20 raid bosses, but he only got 20 bricks, so he got the title of Legendary Brick Collector…’
Ast, who was initially getting a headache, had become very close to the two, as if nothing had happened.
But for some reason, the main topic of conversation was about his Dem Locke days.
‘…If you’re going to do it, do it behind my back?’
‘What’s the point of talking behind your back between us? Talking in front of you is enough.’
‘Is that right?’
How long had they been walking, talking about trivial things like that today?
Barion, who was climbing a cliff again, suddenly stopped, looking down at the scenery below the cliff.
It was an unlike action for him, who would usually say let’s jump down without hesitation, but the reason was simple.
‘…We’ve arrived.’
At Barion’s quiet voice, Do-hyun and his party also looked down at the bottom of the cliff and marveled slightly.
The scenery under the cliff, illuminated by the sunset, was a very beautiful forest, and in the center of that forest was a huge village.
An atmosphere clearly different from the elf village.
It was like a human village in a fantasy setting, but the upside-down waterfalls and sacred sculptures that were visible here and there created a mysterious atmosphere.
‘Welcome.’
At that, Barion smiled as he kept his eyes on the village.
‘That is the home of the nymphs, Acrana.’
After a long two-day journey.
It was the moment they finally arrived at the home of the nymphs, Acrana.