BXBX NOVEL Chapter 239: Selection Match (2)
‘But my stats have already increased so much.’
Maximizing Transcendence power to the limit with training, several of his stats had risen without using any points.
’Okay, let’s upgrade one Unique Skill instead.’
Yoon-seok opened the tablet and skimmed through the Unique Skills that hadn’t reached Rank S yet. b Non-verbal magic}, b Demonify}, {Immortality}, {Decapitation}, b Metallurgy}, and b Dark Knight}. There were six left, and except for Rank B b Metallurgy}, the others were at Rank A.
’It’s hard to choose…’
Yoon-seok’s frown gradually deepened. They all had different characteristics, so it was hard to choose only one.
’But if the types overlap, I could’ve just synthesized them.’
It’d help no matter which one he upgraded first. That was why Yoon-seok decided not to synthesize them even if he had so many. But there was only one skill that could be upgraded right away. Then, what was the best choice?
‘I’ll skip b Non-verbal magic} for now.’
b Non-verbal magic} was of the utility, passive type. It mainly corrected general skills. But now that his general skills were turning into powers, the merits of investing in this skill were relatively small.
’In that sense, is it the same for b Dark Knight}?’
The dead, summoned through the underworld gate, only possessed about 30% of the ability from their past lives. Considering they didn’t have the equipment they used, their actual force would be less than 10%. Well, sometimes numbers were helpful…
But unless it were a special case, summoning Lynn would be much more efficient.
’Would b Decapitation} be easier?’
Agility +4, ignoring resistance and defense. In addition, it had non-resurrection and unique unhealable characteristics. However, the disadvantage was that it was too easy. It was good to have it at Rank S, and it would be useful in any situation, but there wouldn’t be any big problems without it.
’b Metallurgy} is not related to battle, so let’s make it an exception.’
Then, the remaining skills were b Demonify} and b Immortality}. One was a kind of invincible transformation skill, and another was a passive skill specialized in defense. Both were invaluable weapons at one point.
’It does seem a little meaningless now…’
b Immortality} forced him into an invincible state when subjected to a fatal blow. However, he couldn’t even remember the last time it was activated, and he wouldn’t be surprised if the rankers he met these days had a skill that ignored invincibility. But for {Demonify}, except for the Rank C option to stop mana consumption, the other options weren’t that much help.
’Well, I don’t know what other abilities it might have.’
In the end, it depended on luck. However, rather than simply relying on luck, Yoon-seok continued to ponder how he could raise the probability even a little. What was most helpful?
’…Should I just combine them?’
While standing still and rubbing his chin, an idea suddenly flashed through Yoon-seok’s mind. b Immortality}, {Demonify}, and {Dark Knight} all had similar attributes.
’They do have enough synergy for synthesizing…’
Furthermore, if he made them into a single skill, the cost of raising them would be reduced. Although he’d invested so many points in Unique Skills, there were still six left he hadn’t raised to S. However, since the mission trials were no longer available, the supply of points would dwindle going forward.
’If it’s up to luck anyway, this isn’t that bad…?’
If something he couldn’t use came out, he could synthesize it with another skill. Although it was a powerful method, he could even kill himself and turn back time if it was bad enough.
’…Let’s do it.’
It might be too spontaneous, but that sort of boldness rewarded him with b Divine Ultimatum}. In addition, the loss of the magic-based transformation skill b Demonify}, b Thunder Sword}’s Thunder God ability, b Immortality}’s surge in stats, and b Dark Knight} could be covered with the spacecraft, Lynn.
「Please select a skill to synthesize.」
「It is possible to synthesize up to 3 skills, and all ranks must be the same.」
As long as the decision was made, there was no need for hesitation.
「Skill has been synthesized.」
Sizzling-.
He heard something melt. When Yoon-seok returned to his senses, his body melted under this overflowing demonic energy.
「Acquired Devil.」
Not the demon king, but the Devil… there was no need to feel bitter. To be honest, he was already expecting it. Death God and Devil fit well together.
Before his body melted down completely, Yoon-seok used his magic to completely block the demonic energy. Then he approached the tablet and read the description.
Rank F – Extreme Demon attribute is given to magic. It absorbs the life force and magic from everything you touch.
He thought it was simply melting, but that must be this absorption. That couldn’t be the end of it, however.
Rank E – All types of regenerative power increase by 150 times.
The effect of {Immortality} that ignored all other attribute damage except for sacred disappeared. However, the original buff to regenerative power increased tremendously instead.
’Does it mean I have to use my body…?’
Even though it was a very good ability, he felt strange. If this happened, wouldn’t the increased fatigue of the dumbbells lose its efficiency? No, was it normal to worry about this first?
Yoon-seok decided to set that aside and move on.
Rank D – Strength and durability stats increase by +6.
With b Immortality} specializing in defense, it seemed that it leaned more to that side of ability correction. Combined with the Rank E effect of increased regenerative power, it looked like he should give up on the idea of upgrading strength and durability through training.
「Actual stat of strength has reached MAX.」
「Due to power Transcendence, the limitation disappears.」
「Actual stat of durability has reached MAX.」
「Due to power Transcendence, the limitation disappears.」
With this, both of them went above the system limit. What next, then?
Rank C – All stats are granted a +3 increase upon reviving from death. Lasts for 30 minutes. Wait 1,440 hours for reuse.
Subsequently, the confirmed Rank C ability was also straightforward. He could be revived once every two months. And like a final boss in a game, he became stronger after the resurrection. Although he had the pocket watch, this ability was welcome.
Rank B – Dimensional interference power applied permanently.
Yoon-seok tilted his head for the first time.
’Dimensional interference?’
For some reason, it sounded like a highly compatible version of b Demonify}’s spatial control, so he might have to test out what it could do later.
’Is this the last one?’
Yoon-seok was speechless as he moved on to the next.
Rank A – Absolute characteristic is added to the Extreme Demon attribute.
Absolute: If strength, agility, endurance, durability, or magic hasn’t reached Rank B, it’s destroyed upon contact with your magic.
It was an ability specialized in slaughter. Even though there were conditions, his magic could slay at a touch. Yoon-seok had to be extremely careful not to radiate magic carelessly in the future.
‘…Up until here, I’m not sure anymore.’
Yoon-seok rubbed his chin and mulled over it. Well, he could only decide after finding out what this dimensional interference power was… but it was discouraging to say he used three abilities to make this.
’But let’s upgrade it first.’
Before making a decision, Yoon-seok used 18.75 million AP to raise b Devil} to Rank S.
「You’ve reached the Rank S.」
「One of three effects can be chosen.」
Contrary to expectation, there were only three options. He would wait to check first before he let himself be disappointed, though.
*Eternal Life – Be free from a natural lifespan.
It was a bad start. Someone else may want to live eternally, but not Yoon-seok. What would he do when he was free from age? In this era, the first thing one had to do to enjoy their life became strong first. Besides, it was questionable whether his current body could die of natural causes in the first place.
*Evil God – When killing a person who trusts or follows you, many points can be acquired.
Yoon-seok sighed. In short, it was the ability to become dramatically stronger if he killed his colleagues like Lee Su-yeon or any member of the Guwon-gyo or Bloodseeker Sect. He would never pick this one. Yoon-seok had his standards, and if he crossed that line, he would be little more than a monster.
So there was only one option left. Fortunately, it wasn’t bad.
*Creation – When 10,000 people are killed, a new power that has never existed before in the world will be created. Remaining count 1/1.
The condition was to kill 10,000 people, but it created power. If he used this, he might get one more ability beyond the standard, such as Transcendence.
「New ability will be given to Unique Skill { Devil}.」
Although nothing seemed different from before, Yoon-seok ended his final maintenance with this.
「Time until the next duel, 17:40:09.」
He spent the remaining time exploring what dimensional power interference was. Before he knew it, the time for the duel had arrived. However…
「All members have been matched.」
「Get ready. The selection match will begin soon.」
It was not the general duel that Yoon-seok was familiar with.
He quietly opened his eyes and checked his surroundings. The familiar arena was filled with snow, and some unfamiliar phrases had appeared before his eyes.
「The selection match has started.」
「Each challenger will be assigned with a duel partner.」
A selection match… in fact, he already knew about this.
—Except for the 23rd floor, they were all one-on-one duels.
Dracar, whom he met from 500 years ago in a mission, told him about his experience, and Lee Su-yeon also briefed him about it. When the number of rankers was odd, a small number of challengers were forced to participate in a selection match, not a general duel.
‘I didn’t know I’d participate in one.’
The rules were simple. Challengers were assigned to each other and dueled one after another. Then the last challenger who had no opponent would be randomly matched with a challenger who had already dueled.
’It’s probably, so they remain fair. Although I can’t understand it.’
The last challenger could spectate but could not choose an opponent.
「The challenger who has not been challenged will have a duel with a random opponent, so please be careful.」
Yoon-seok skimmed through the challengers, who fell back.
’There are thirteen people, including myself, who’ll participate in this match…’
Unlike in the other duels, Yoon-seok’s nickname floated above his head.
“Predator…”
A man muttered far away.
“…I must avoid fighting him.”
It was Yoon-seok’s first time seeing any of these people, but it looked like he knew him very well. Unlike Cheon-ma, who was ranked first with only thirteen other people, Yoon-seok was at the 95th spot. But how did they know?
‘I don’t see any familiar nicknames.’
Yoon-seok read through them one by one. None of the first few were ones he remembered from the ranking. In other words, there was a high probability that they were challengers in the lower ranks Yoon-seok was relatively less interested in.
Of course, the ranking wasn’t everything, but…
‘I guess this will be quite easy… huh…?’
Yoon-seok suddenly went stiff. Among the twelve challengers gathered here-
[Grape Jam]
There were two he knew.
[Steel Warrior]