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nChapter 42

n{Bloodseeker’s Ultimatum}

nRank D — The Bloodseeker’s Energy increases by three times.

nRank E — All stats increased by two, and auto-activation is available.

nRank F — Absorb magic permanently from the outside. The magic within the body is converted to Bloodseeker’s Energy.

nIt was searing hot. It felt like his body temperature was rising higher than it should. Yoon-seok focused on the spread of Bloodseeker’s Internal Force throughout his body. It was different from vigor.

nThen, what was this Bloodseeker’s Energy?

n“…”

nAfter experimenting several times, Yoon-seok had a rough idea. Bloodseeker’s Energy was a combination of energy between b Blood Pact} and b Heavenly Body}.

nWhir!

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nHis sword turned crimson, and his wounds heal automatically with the Bloodseeker’s Energy coursing through his veins. However, unlike b Blood Pact}, there was no Core. His only weakness disappeared.

n“…”

nYoon-seok slowly tried to move the Bloodseeker’s Energy under his will. it was extremely similar to the energy of b Heavenly Body}. He could feel his hands strengthening when he focused it in his hands, and concentrating on his legs allowed him to run faster.

n‘What about vigor?’

nYoon-seok remembered the path correctly, although he had only done it twice. Yoon-seok circulated Bloodseeker’s energy from the center of the body nine times in an anti-clockwise direction. However, there was no notification message saying that the quality had increased as before. But…

n“…”

nHe wanted to fight. He can’t wait to face someone and smash them. As the thirst for competition flowed in his blood, it became harder to resist. His heart pounded to the point where it strongly felt like an active volcano was raging inside him. Yoon-seok tried hard to control his emotions calmly.

nIt was clear that this emotional change originated from energy. He was sure of it. So, did it mean this condition only made him lose his cool? With nothing to gain? Holding that thought, Yoon-seok tried to find something useful out of it while using the energy flow.

n“…”

nThis time it didn’t end in nine cycles. Yoon-seok repeatedly circulated the energy in an anti-clockwise direction. As the cycle increased, the circulation speed of the energy accelerated. Anger…no, something more like madness was dominating his whole body. Yoon-seok continued to check on himself while leaving his body to this sense of madness.

nEven at that moment, the circulation of the Bloodseeker’s energy was accelerating in an agitated state. At some point, red fog colored Yoon-seok’s skin like a haze as if he were covered in red smoke.

nYoon-seok hit his arm with his sword. The blade couldn’t pierce through his skin, much like the King of Steel, Kerixis. It was just one part of his body, but it seemed like his whole body was strengthened with this Bloodseeker’s energy. It was increasingly difficult for Yoon-seok to maintain his reason. He punched the wall of the waiting room to blow off steam.

nBoom!

nJust as the waiting room was protected by something unknown, there wasn’t even a tiny scratch on the wall. Through the impact, Yoon-seok could roughly guess how much power was put in his fist just now. But the Bloodseeker’s energy didn’t calm down at all. Rather, an unknown source of anger arose as he increased its speed. Not only toward Kang Hyung-woo and Lee Chang-hoon, but also bystanders such as classmates, teachers, and even his parents who couldn’t help him when he was bullied…

n“You parasites…”

nAfter realizing that he muttered the words to himself, the energy stopped. His rationality quickly returned as if it had all been a dream. As soon as the intense strength subsided, an opposing sense of lethargy washed over him. Yoon-seok took a deep breath.

n‘I shouldn’t use this carelessly.’

nIt was one thing to alert himself, but he did take the time to discover the potential of b Bloodseeker’s Ultimatum}. Next, Yoon-seok entered the store. He spent a total of 150,000 APs to raise its ranking.

nRank C — Extract blood from others to create Bloodseeker’s Energy.

nHe didn’t know how to activate it. Besides, he wasn’t short of magic right now. His magic recovered quickly just by breathing. However, Yoon-seok thought it was a very good effect. Absorbing magic meant that he could take away his opponent’s magic powers. It was obvious, but without magic, one couldn’t fight properly.

n“It’s not as bad as I expected.”

nAs he circulates the energy around his body, Yoon-seok checked his remaining AP. Although Bloodseeker’s Energy varied slightly from vigor in nature, they shared no functional differences in how they worked. It meant that there was no need to waste time to adapt to the new ability.

n‘I spent so much…’

n257,000 AP left. He’d already used up half of the AP he received as a reward. Yoon-seok re-purchased Magic Resistance and Sword Mastery with 48,000 AP and upgraded them to their original ranks. Then, since Bloodseeker’s Energy was influenced by his magic stats, he spent the remaining 168,000 AP upgrading from D to C-rank. He spent another 30,000 AP on combining b Weapon Enhancement} with b Flash}, leaving him with 11,000 AP.

n「Skill has been synthesized.」

n「Trajectory Enhancement has been acquired.」

n{Trajectory Enhancement}

nRank D — Additional random attributes (Poison, Lightning, Fire, Ice, Steel) are granted during the attack.

nRank E — The sword’s energy can be released at a long distance during the attack.

nRank F — Power increases by two times during the attack.

nHis active skills were combined, so it was a little surprising that a passive skill was revealed. The long-distance attack feature remained the same, but the preconditioning feature of using Flash changed during the attack. Yoon-seok cut through the air with vigor on the tip of his sword. Then, the crimson-colored energy shot in a crescent, exploding as soon as it touched the waiting room wall.

nBoommm!

n‘That’s a lot better.’

nYoon-seok looked around with a satisfied smile. The energy exploded with poison, and he could see the targeted area bubbling with a ‘Chikkkkkk!‘ sound. Looking at it, he was reminded of Giant Hydra’s heart.

nBa-dump! Ba-dump!

nThe heart wriggled as if it was still alive. How the hell was he supposed to use this object? As he was thinking about it, Yoon-seok immediately used 6,000 AP and purchased a Rank E technique to check the information.

n*Giant Hydra’s Heart {Rank B} — Increases magic stats below A-Rank by one after usage.

nIt increased, just as he wanted. However, since it could be used up to an A rank, he decided to save it later. Lastly, Yoon Seok bought a mask with 5,000AP and finished his preparations by putting it on.

n‘It’s comfortable, even though it’s expensive.’

nThe long organizing time had finally ended. Looking at the timer pointing to zero, Yoon-seok used Dimensional Movement: Plaza, which he received as he came up to the waiting room on the sixth floor.

n「Moving to the Plaza on the 6th floor.」

nIt was time to step into a new world. Ragna said this before in her ancestor’s story that there was a place where he could meet other challenges on the upper floors. It was there that Yoon-seok opened his eyes now.

nAdventure, Exploration, Mission, Duel. A place where challengers could meet and interact with people on the same floor regardless of their trial field.

n“…”

nElle clearly said that he would acquire information from challengers that she couldn’t give due to restrictions if he went there. But why on earth were dozens of people staring at him as soon as he arrived at the spacious plaza? And aiming at him with weapons.

n「Due to the influence of authorities, it is impossible to move around dimensions.」

nThis place was ready for him so that he couldn’t escape.

n“Wearing a mask, I guess this guy has a lot to hide.”

nIt was the words of a man who appeared to be the representative. Yoon-seok quietly pulled out his swords. He didn’t know what the hell was going on. But, it was clear that they were his enemies.

n“You probably don’t know what’s going on, and yet you pull out your sword, as expected from an Arena fighter.”

nLooking at Yoon-seok, the man laughed arrogantly. He seriously couldn’t understand. It seemed like he already thought that he was no threat…

nBut they were already in Yoon-seok’s range.

n‘Is it because he’s that confident?’

nEven though they were on the same floor, they belittled him as a newcomer just because they arrived first.

nSo careless. Just by looking at their posture and the way they held their weapons, he knew. One glance, and he could spot their weaknesses. Well, this was a place with skills and powers, so it was better to wait and see, but still. Didn’t they know the basics?

n“Wow, what a bloody look…hey! What are you doing?”

nThe man said something to a robed woman. Then the woman put magic in her cane and recited something. The magic in the crystal spread like a spider’s web.

n「The power of silence makes it impossible to use magic.」

nOh, was this the source of their confidence? If he couldn’t use his powers, of course, they would think the majority wins. Only then did Yoon-seok relax. An inability to use magic may work for other challengers, but it didn’t affect Yoon-seok.

nHe didn’t use magic but synthesized energy. They were the ones put at a loss.

n“Looking at how you’re staring at us with those eyes seems like you’re counting on your coins, but this isn’t a place for trials. If you die here, coins will be useless.”

nThey were going to kill him? Yoon-seok was learning this for the first time. However, the man approached more condescendingly and handed over a piece of paper, seeing Yoon-seok said nothing.

n“It’s a contract. Just write your name at the bottom.”

nYoon-seok read the contract for now. It was written in a language he saw for the first time, but he had no trouble reading it. The clause was extremely simple.

n{Subsidiary Contract}

n-This Agreement shall be effective for the next 100 years.

n-The contractor shall not inflict any harm on Challengers from Adventure, Exploration, or Mission.

n-The contractor must comply with the needs of Challengers from Adventure, Exploration, and Mission.

n-If the clause is violated, the contractor will receive death as a penalty.

nIt was safe to say that it was a slave agreement. When Yoon-seok frowned, the man threatened him.

n“This is a place where challengers who are threatened with their right to life can rest. If you want to have that right, go ahead and sign the contract.”

nRight to life? A place to rest? Right? Yoon-seok laughed lightly. It sounded noble on the surface, but it meant that this was a place for those who couldn’t go up a floor and were left behind.

n“The right, what if I don’t want to have it and go back?”

nDespite Yoon-seok’s quick question, the man relaxed.

n“Then we’ll have to stop you. We’ll be troubled if you guys go back to the waiting room and stick together.”

nDid something happen here? The contents of the contract and the atmosphere around here that ostracized those who went through Duels…

n“If you don’t abandon your duty to the public’s interest, I promise there will not be any unfair treatment.”

n“For the public’s interest? You have signed the contract then, haven’t you?”

n“This is a coalition action for the people of Arena, who have great power and are full of themselves. We do not apply.”

nWhat kind of bull** was this? He stood up straight and spoke confidently. If he was going to do that, he might also write such a clause or contract about it and talk after.

n“I’m in trouble.”

nElle asked Yoon-seok for her desire. She wanted him to live freely without any obligations. Therefore, it violated her desire. Well, even if it didn’t, he wouldn’t sign a contract like that.

n“There’s nothing to be troubled about. Once you sign it…”

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n“…”

nThere seemed to be another misunderstanding. Yoon-seok wasn’t troubled by them forcing the contract on him. It was the other side.

nScreech. Screech!

nYoon-seok tore the contract in front of the man. When the man tried to yell something with an angry look on his face, his face suddenly turned white. A bloody haze began to bloom around his body.

n“Y-you don’t have magic, how can you…w-wait!”

nNo need for words. He didn’t need to talk to them anyway.

n「You have encountered evil.」

n「Increases all stats by one until the trial is completed.」

nHe didn’t think he would let it slide from the moment he was notified.

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