158 – The Returner Becomes Stronger (3)
In the martial arts magazines I often read, the concept of ‘Seonggakhutong’ appears. To explain this simply, you can think of it as the concept of awakening to understanding of the state first, and the state itself follows later. Anyone who has read the web novel will easily understand what this means.
“… “
However, on the other hand, in my case, it was closer to precuneus than precuneus. I should say that I felt strangely comfortable as I continued to circulate the cold magic power within my body. Should I say that it feels like my body is adapting little by little? I don’t know why, but something was getting better. If nothing had changed, I would have just left it at that, but I felt like it was constantly improving, so I couldn’t stop.
“… Is your body adapting? Or the nature of magic in the first place? “Can’t I get involved?”
That annoying feeling of being close to reaching something. I can’t tell if I’m reaching the right answer, or if I’m wandering on the wrong path. I’m getting better, perhaps thanks to the elixir or my talent, but I have no idea how.
“Hmm… “
In the end, we have to do more. If you focus a little more, something might come out. I once again focused on the magic power within my body and slowly fell inside.
No, just when I was about to fall in love. I kept feeling a warm energy coming from somewhere. Not my body. It is an energy felt from the outside.
At first, I tried to ignore it and focus on the magic power inside my body, but the hot energy kept growing. No matter how much I think about it, something feels strange.
Only then did I slowly open my eyes. My eyes had been closed for a very long time, and the temperature in the room had dropped significantly, so my eyelids were slightly sticking together.
“… ?”
However, the sight I see as soon as I open my eyes is very strange. Near the door, three players had stopped in a comical pose and were looking at me, and a woman with short hair was spewing fire and burning her hostility.
What is it? Why are you doing that? Something… Is there something you want to say? Then you can just say it with words. Why are you just watching?
“Ah. This.”
Only then did I understand what had happened. They must have been exposed to my ‘cold magic’ and hardened. Probably because of the coldness I gave off while training, I froze the moment I entered the room… Since the short-haired woman deals with fire, she must have resisted at least.
No, so does that mean it’s already been 11 days? I knew in my head that I could survive for a long time without eating or drinking as my stats increased, but when I experienced it myself, I was a little embarrassed.
“… “
Shake it off. Dump.
When I stopped using magic, other players fell to the ground, as if their bodies had become free again. Originally, I didn’t want to show it like this, but I wanted to show a more organized and clean look, but my sense of time became dull, so I wasn’t able to prepare enough.
Will there be a regression? My handling of cold magic isn’t perfect yet. I didn’t want to tackle the 12th floor unprepared.
The moment I finished making a rough decision and was about to bite my cheek, the list of rewards for the last test quickly passed by.
[20] Book of Possibilities (Unique)
[30] Flask of Choice (Unique)
[40] Class A Attribute Option (Unique)
‘… ‘The Book of Possibilities?’
Apparently, it was said that the potential of the person who used the book was quantified and shown. Wouldn’t this help me decide on the direction in which I should deal with magical power? Yeah, it will definitely help. Even if it doesn’t help, it will be a milestone that will help me see how strong I am now.
“Hmm, hmm.”
After making my decision, I relaxed my neck, slowly got up from the bed, and greeted her in a ladylike manner.
“Hello?”
I have to beat the 12th floor once.
**
“I’m sorry. It wasn’t intentional. My magical power is a power called cold magic with special properties… “
Kim Jun-ho sits down with four players and calmly continues his explanation. White smoke slowly flows out of the body, as if there are still remnants of magical power remaining.
“… “
Acne men are arrogant, but they also have a pleasant personality. If it were normal, he would have told a joke here or there to lighten the mood. ‘Isn’t the name ‘Cold Magic’ too old? It’s nonsense like ‘It looks like a refrigerator.’ Or ‘The smoke coming out looks just like dry ice hahahaha.’
However, for now, the acne-prone man keeps his mouth shut and listens to Kim Jun-ho’s explanation. The way his hands were neatly folded together seemed very polite.
The reason is simple. Because that man was different.
It’s not that the acne man has never met a strong person before. Even the woman with short hair was stronger than him, and I had the experience of seeing a strong man on the 4th or 11th floor who said he was long.
Although they were strong, they were all the same players. He is fast, strong, has great skills, and possesses exceptional abilities… I didn’t feel like there was much of a difference. It’s like seeing an honor student at school who studies much better than me. It’s great, but that’s it.
But that man is different. It emits smoke from its body and has the power to attract people’s attention, but it feels strangely uncomfortable to keep looking at it. It’s almost believable that he’s the boss of the 12th floor rather than the same player. The aura surrounding him was different.
It was the same for men with moles and women with glasses. They were curious about that man, but at the same time they were uncomfortable and scared. He had a lot of questions, but couldn’t bring himself to ask them. The mysterious fog, curiosity trait, and strange presence trait created a synergy effect at the same time, and the ‘Awe’ trait was activated. At least the short-haired woman seemed to be free from the influence of the trait, but since she spoke very little, her mood was extremely quiet.
“… ?”
Kim Jun-ho quickly noticed this strange atmosphere. Aren’t those guys like that? Out of curiosity, I opened the status window and confirmed that the attribute copy effect associated with the ‘Awe’ attribute had been activated.
But even though I was scared last time, the fear trait didn’t activate? What? What’s different this time?
There were only two things that changed. Pure white fog gently spread on the floor. And even the newly acquired characteristic of ‘strange atmosphere’.
Only then did Kim Jun-ho have time to look around. After thinking about it for a moment, he realized that this situation seemed very mysterious to them. I also understood that the man with the mole earlier said he was ‘fresh’ and that he was referring to himself. Fresh. Because it’s a immortal. It sure looks fresh.
“Then, everyone, wake up.”
As soon as he understood that fact, Kim Jun-ho’s tone suddenly became stiff. They realized that their arbitrary misunderstanding was beneficial, but it could not possibly be detrimental. Moreover, if the Awe trait was triggered… Moving forward would also be very easy.
‘It’s rather good, isn’t it?’
Kim Jun-ho only knew two ways: treat his opponents in a clean and mannered manner, or threaten them outright.
He realized that there was another way.
**
No one opened their mouths until we arrived at the testing site. As I walked ahead, people rushed to follow me.
This cold? Fog? Because he knew that it helped heighten the mystery, he was still emitting smoke, albeit slightly, by using his magic power. If they see it, it will look like some kind of passive thing. Actually, I’m working really hard on my magic.
＜12Th floor＞
-Pass a total of three ‘tests’. A person may only participate in each test once, and no reward will be given if the final test is failed.
-All rewards are given individually after clearing the 12th floor.
Anyway, after arriving at the testing site, everyone sat down on the chairs. Perhaps because I was channeling cold magic into my body, the cold iron chair didn’t feel that unpleasant.
-Okay, before we start the first test, let’s choose our own rewards.
[1] Lesser Potion x 10
[5] Custom item box (B~D)
[10] All-Purpose Herb – Increases all abilities by 3.
A message window appears before your eyes. I chose [5] Without much thought. Anyway, I got the all-purpose herbal medicine once, and the herbal medicine items were ineffective if used multiple times, so they were of no value to me. Rather than waste the opportunity, I decided to see what came out of the custom item box.
As I made my choice so quickly, the protective shield surrounding me disappeared and I could see the faces of others. The expression… Still a little uncomfortable. Even though he glances at me, he avoids eye contact when we actually make eye contact. If a woman did that, I would have thought she was a green light, but if a man did it, it’s a bit of a dick.
“Well, I chose 5.”
“Me too.”
From Noble mtl dot com
“Me too… “
As in the previous episode, everyone claims to have chosen [5]. Since I also chose [5], It makes sense that the number that appears this time should be [30]. I immediately looked at the elevator to check the numbers.
“… Eh?”
[25]
Surprisingly, the number written on the elevator was only [25].
All five players chose 5. So, [25] Was concluded. Although it is a result that seems very obvious at first glance, the number [25] Has a different true meaning.
“Heh heh.”
In this episode, the liar was scared when he saw me.