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[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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Chapter 87
Christian’s specialty was that he was a genius.
It wasn’t simply a matter of achieving things quickly.
Christian had a different level of adaptability in using the same abilities. He could produce results several times more efficient than an average person and lead battles to victory.
Even with far inferior stamina, strength, agility, and magi, he moved efficiently and defeated those stronger than him.
But there was a drawback.
Compared to the realm he had reached, his basic stats were somewhat lacking.
It was inevitable.
Building those basic stats required time.
Of course, he had a natural talent even in that aspect and could raise his stats overwhelmingly faster than others with far less time, but it was still a shortcoming he couldn’t completely avoid.
However, the way Christian looked now showed no trace of that weakness.
No, he even looked far superior.
Even though he was a 3-star, his movements didn’t fall behind those of a 4-star.
Simon soon realized the reason.
‘He’s using magi to enhance his physical stats. But pushing that kind of amplification will quickly reach a limit. Why is he doing something so reckless?’
Chris also knew well that excessive physical amplification was dangerous.
But he didn’t hesitate.
It was thanks to the power of the Vampiric Ring.
‘This relic’s other name is the Ring of Conversion.’
Because of the name, one might think it was a relic with a vampiric function, but it was nothing like that.
The performance of this relic was to absorb external energies and convert them into a form suited for the wearer.
‘The more the relic is unlocked, the more types of energy it can absorb, and the more efficient it becomes.’
Currently, it was still at stage one.
Ridiculously, the only type of energy it could absorb was the energy from “inside the body.”
Unless he consumed some elixir or the like, it would be useless.
The Archmage Raina only began using this relic in actual combat after unlocking it to stage three, but Chris was different.
Chris had internal energy that could be absorbed.
Namely, the radiant mana of the Alliance hidden in his dual cores.
Vmmm.
The Vampiric Ring vibrated invisibly.
The radiant mana stored in Chris’s inner core flowed into the Vampiric Ring, and that radiant mana was converted into dark magi and transmitted to Chris’s outer core.
‘At this level, it’s magi that surpasses the limits of the core.’
Chris felt the core filling endlessly with magi.
Just as Simon had thought, Chris’s basic stats were lacking.
Especially his basic physical stats like stamina and strength.
But was that the case for magi and mana as well?
If you looked at magi and mana separately, then yes.
His magi as a mage was slightly lacking for a 3-star upper level, and his Alliance mana was far below what would be expected of a 5-star true rank.
But if the two could be combined?
The deficiency would disappear.
It actually exceeds the standard.
‘Of course, this too has its limits.’
First, efficiency.
Only 30% of the energy absorbed through the Vampiric Ring is converted.
This percentage increases as the relic is further unlocked.
And then, time.
Since it forcefully draws in external energy, it temporarily overloads the core. Therefore, this state couldn’t be maintained for long.
In the future, as his accomplishments rise and the durability of his core increases, he would be able to gradually overcome this limitation.
‘Right now, one to two minutes is probably the limit.’
That was enough.
Paat!
Christian’s sword cut down the baby spiders.
The ones he didn’t take care of were handled by Jupien and Marisa, who followed behind.
In an instant, they reached beneath the spider queen, and Christian shouted.
“Now, please!”
Simon activated his WillCraft.
Blood Capture.
Just like before, a fountain of blood erupted from Simon’s arm, and the blood vaporized into particles, binding the spider queen’s movements.
The spider queen froze completely, her mouth wide open.
It wasn’t paralysis or entrapment.
It was a perfect halt, transcending all rules.
An astonishing feat.
But with such power came its limits.
“It won’t last long. Finish it in one blow.”
He had only a few seconds.
If he didn’t kill the spider queen within that time, it would be over. Christian would be the one to die instead.
But he could do it.
Paat!
The black sword surged upward.
And into the black sword, he poured his will.
The will-infused black sword struck at the spider queen’s neck.
Chuhk!
Amazingly, the spider queen’s neck was merely lined with a crack—it remained intact.
Considering Christian’s black sword, infused with will, held about half the power of a Blacksteel Technique, it was an unbelievable level of durability.
Simon frowned.
“Damn it, I knew it! Fall back now while you still can!”
There was still a chance to retreat.
But Christian didn’t pull back.
‘I can do it.’
Vmmm.
The Vampiric Ring resonated again.
The radiant mana dwelling in his inner core was converted into dark magi and filled the outer core.
‘More, more.’
Christian clenched his teeth.
With the excessive conversion, it felt like the outer core holding the magi was about to burst.
But he didn’t stop.
Until the outer core reached its limit—until the moment just before the dam broke—he continued to fill it with magi.
And then, in the instant before the outer core, unable to endure any longer, began to crack—
He moved the black sword again.
Paaaahhhhh!
The magi, packed into the core as if it were about to explode, burst forth in the form of a black sword.
Those who saw it, including Simon, opened their eyes wide in shock, as if they might tear.
‘That’s black sword transformation?!’
The level of a 4-star.
Not just manifesting the black sword, but transforming it into various forms and applying it.
‘He already reached the 4-star level? It hasn’t even been a few months since he became upper 3-star!’
No, that wasn’t it.
Christian’s level was still upper 3-star.
This was merely the manifestation of will.
‘If one can embed will into the black sword, then infusing it with magi beyond its limit is entirely possible.’
Will is an infinite power without a defined limit.
So, by using that will as a support, he loads the black sword with magi beyond its limit.
That was what Christian had just accomplished.
Of course, if anyone else heard it, they’d scoff and say that was nonsense.
‘I don’t know. It just works—what am I supposed to say?’
Christian clenched his fist tightly.
He let out a powerful shout.
His will to cut was imbued into his sword.
Magi beyond the limit.
An immense will, akin to a sword force.
And as a result, a miraculous event occurred.
Chuuukk
The spider queen’s neck split open and flew into the air.
Christian collapsed to the ground.
“Khak, kuh!”
As a cost of forcing magi and will into the attack, the black sword shattered into pieces and disappeared, and Christian suffered internal injuries, vomiting blood.
But it was fine.
‘It’s over.’
The spider queen’s body, now missing its head, trembled, then disintegrated into dust and scattered.
Not only the spider queen—her baby spiders also disappeared the same way.
The floor had been cleared!
Meanwhile, Simon watched the scene Christian had just accomplished with a stunned expression.
‘That—just now. What was that?’
Marisa, Jupien, and Kashmir, being of lower rank, seemed to believe Christian had simply pulled off something resembling a black sword transformation, but Simon knew otherwise.
He clearly understood what Christian had done.
That wasn’t something as simple as black sword transformation.
‘He imbued his will into the black sword, and then infused that will with magi to amplify it. But is something like that even possible? How?’
For those who wield sword force, it's a possible feat.
But that's because it is sword force. Sword force is the power that embodies will.
How could something like that be done with a black sword that’s merely a mass of magi?
There was only one reason Christian could pull it off.
Because he possessed insane talent.
‘No—can that even be described as mere talent?’
Simon swallowed hard.
He had known Christian was a genius.
But this went beyond that level.
A shiver ran through him.
It felt as if Christian’s talent had no limits.
‘If Lord Nordian saw this scene, what kind of face would he have made?’
Simon was certain.
His decision this time hadn’t been a mistake.
As long as Christian was around, boredom would never be a concern.
And now, curiosity surged within him.
Just what kind of miracles would this madly gifted genius achieve in the future?
Simon walked toward Christian as if drawn in.
“Are you alright, Young Master?”
“Ah, yes.”
“There’s something I’d like to ask you.”
Christian gave him a puzzled look.
“Would you like to learn Bloodline Arts from me?”
“!!”
Christian's face filled with shock.
‘Why would Simon—?’
Bloodline Arts were a secret technique passed down solely among vampires.
It was rarely ever taught to outsiders.
Even within the Dark Demonic House, the only person Simon had ever taught Bloodline Arts to was First Young Master Sherad.
“Why?”
“No special reason… just a whim.”
Simon smiled faintly.
“I think it’ll be more fun if you become stronger, Young Master.”
“……”
“And with your talent, I think you’ll be a fine rival for Young Master Sherad.”
Christian’s face went cold.
If he learned Bloodline Arts from Simon, it was inevitable that he’d become entangled with Sherad.
But Christian nodded.
‘I’m not in a position to be picky. I need to get stronger.’
He was a wielder of dark magi.
And not just any—pure dark magi at 100%.
The more types of magi he mastered, the stronger he could become.
‘More than anything, Bloodline Arts was a power I had always coveted.’
Unlike other secret arts such as curses, illusions, destruction, and preparation, which were somewhat publicly known through external leaks, Bloodline Arts was something one could never access without a chance like this.
“I will follow your instructions.”
“Good. I’ll be looking forward to what comes next.”
The moment Simon curled his lips in satisfaction—
A voice rang out in the air, belonging to a non-elemental spirit of the ruin.
[You have cleared the 17th floor!]
[This is not a first achievement!]
[No clear reward will be given!]
It was just as expected.
Clear rewards were originally only given to the first pioneer.
But then—
[A challenger has achieved an extraordinary feat!]
[It is confirmed that the challenger has surpassed their own limits!]
[The challenger’s name, achievement, and title will be recorded in the Hall of Honor!]
‘Hm?’ An unexpected message.
A message crafted by the non-elemental spirit appeared midair.
Christian von Barren Khazar
Achievement: Surpassing the expected floor by 8 levels
Title: The One Who Cracked Stone with an Egg
Christian’s original expected challenge level was around the 9th floor.
But he had slain a boss eight floors above that—naturally, his name was inscribed in the Hall of Honor.
‘It wasn’t entirely my own doing… but hey, nothing bad about it.’
The more fame, the better.
Especially since it would be difficult to openly explain the circumstances behind the 27th-floor demon’s annihilation, it’d be better to raise his reputation through the decapitation of the Spider Queen.
‘Still, I really just want to rest now. Booze! Booze! Booze! Just one drink, please?’
He was just beginning to entertain the idea that, being outside the dull Dark Demonic House’s territory, he might be able to get his hands on some alcohol—
Another spirit voice rang out.
Totally unexpected.
[The secret realm acknowledges the achievements of the challenger who has accomplished two impossible miracles!]
[The challenger’s feats will be transmitted to the ‘Glass Lake’!]
“……??”
Simon and the others tilted their heads in confusion.
It was a place name they had never heard before.
But there was one person who understood.
Christian.
‘Wait—why is the Glass Lake coming up here?’
His face turned stiff with shock.
He knew exactly what kind of place the Glass Lake was.
‘It’s the hiding place of the “Prophet” of the Alliance.’
The seven 9-star superhumans who supported the Alliance—the Seven Lords.
The Prophet was one of them.
But more importantly—
‘…That’s the secret location of a swordsmanship family.’
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[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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