Chapter 52 - A Thirst For Strength
Following the incident with Ariel, Jae's already mixed feelings about staying in the castle quickly reached their zenith.
At first, he was simply relieved to have finally found a place of civilisation in which he felt secure. A place where he could have a moment of respite, in a country that didn’t care for the massive bounty on his head and that provided all he wished for.
That was then, but now, things are different.
Even with the reassurance of Nazar, who stated so confidently that he would protect him, Jae couldn’t help but feel the occasional cold sweat run down his neck as if an invisible clock was ticking down above his head.
Ariel was strong. Strong enough that he couldn’t even fathom a way to defeat her the way he is now.
Until now, he had grown continuously stronger than he was in the past, but even still, it was nowhere near enough. He might’ve been considered powerful to ordinary folk and monsters, but even he knew that it was insignificant on a grander scale. However, what was even more astonishing than Ariel's strength was that Nazar could inflict considerable damage on her just by grabbing her arm, and that too without even activating his Evil Eye, at least not that Jae noticed.
It might not appear like a whole lot on the surface, but to Jae, who overthought these details, it could only mean one thing.
The strength required to compete in this world―or perhaps in his case, to survive―was immense.
From the very beginning, that was always how it has been.
Is the difference between the level I’m at now and a goblin the same as the difference between me and them? Or is it even bigger than that?
Frankly, it was probably the latter; that the disparity was so tremendous it couldn’t even be measured. And Jae knew that more than anyone.
What am I even supposed to do to close that gap...?
This helplessness was so devastating he didn’t know what to do. It was just like how he felt when he first met Aphy-- No, worse than that. Because at least, at that time, Jae was new to how the world worked. He was a low-level newbie comparing himself to the strongest of dragons―it was such a ridiculous notion it didn’t even feel real.
Different from back then, he was no longer weak. Although he still hadn’t experienced much of the wider world, Jae had a much better grasp on the reality of things. He has grown significantly and his worldview has also expanded.
But, it’s exactly for that reason that he felt even more hopeless.
Because only now was he beginning to realise just how far behind the opposition he lagged.
When the competition all consisted of millennia-old beings whose ceiling was unknown, how could someone who had only been growing for a mere few years even compete?
“...It’s useless. It’s all useless.”
Despite knowing that there was nothing he could do, at least in the current situation, Jae couldn't sit still.
Passing his gaze lethargically through the Status he hadn’t interacted with in a long time, he bit his lip in frustration.
〔Status〕
Name: Jae Kang
Class : Classes Available
Level 150 [MAX]
Race : Undead
Age : 20
Title : Apostle of Sin
Trait : Steadfast Mind
Distributable Points: 120
Health Points (HP) : 10,815 / 10,815
Mana Points (MP) : 681,585 / 681,585
Strength: 332
Endurance: 315
Agility: 328
Dexterity: 314
Magic: 318
Wisdom: 298
Luck: ―
Titles : 「Apostle of Sin」, 「Cursed by a God」, 「Sinful God's Affliction」, 「World Traveller」, 「Resurrected [x11]」
Passive Skills : 「MP Consumption Down [Lv.MAX]」, 「Automatic MP Recovery [Lv.MAX]」, 「Throwing [Lv.3]」, 「Tough Skin [Lv.MAX]」, 「Aura Control [Lv.4]」
Active Skills : 「Power Burst [Lv.MAX]」, 「Sneak [Lv.6]」, 「Mana Concealment [Lv.MAX]」,「Fire Eating [Lv.3]」, 「Petrifying Gaze [Lv.2]」
Combat Skills : 「Close-Quarters Combat [Lv.3]」, 「Combo [Lv.3]」, 「Fighting Spirit [Lv.8]」, 「Dagger Mastery [Lv.4]」, 「Club Mastery [Lv.5]」
Magic Skills : 「Earth Magic [Lv.MAX]」, 「Mana Manipulation [Lv.MAX]」,「Wind Magic [Lv.MAX]」, 「Fire Magic [Lv.MAX]」, 「Water Magic [Lv.MAX]」
Enhancement Skills : 「Sense Enhancement (ALL) [Lv.MAX]」, 「Enhanced Lung Capacity [Lv.MAX]」, 「Body Enhancement [Lv.MAX]」, 「Magic Enhancement [Lv.MAX]」, 「Super Sense Enhancement [Lv.4]」
Resistance Skills : 「Mental Abnormal Status Nullification [Lv.MAX]」, 「Pain Tolerance [Lv.MAX]」, 「Cold Resistance [Lv.6]」, 「Disease Resistance [Lv.8]」, 「Poison Resistance [Lv.8]」
Perception Skills :「Charting [Lv.6]」, 「Night Vision [Lv.MAX]」, 「Concentration [Lv.8]」, 「Aura Sense [Lv.1]」, 「Mana Sense [Lv.MAX]」
Production Skills : 「Cooking [Lv.9]」, 「Crafting [Lv.5]」, 「Harvesting [Lv.4]」, 「Construction [Lv.7]」, 「Sculpting [Lv.8]」
Communication Skills : 「Seronian Language Comprehension [Lv.MAX]」, 「Goblin Language Comprehension [Lv.MAX]」, 「Telepathy [Lv.MAX]」, 「Demonic Language Comprehension [Lv.5]」
Unique Skills : 「Envy [Lv.6]」, 「Wrath [Lv.4]」, 「Gluttony [Lv.4]」, 「Sloth [Lv.MAX]」
He was Level 150―something that should ordinarily be far above the limit in any traditional RPG―and yet he felt no different than when he was Level 15. No, compared to the types of enemies he was facing, he felt weaker.
“I didn’t realise how strong people could be... Or how many strong people there are in the first place...”
Maybe it wasn’t that powerful people were so common as opposed to Jae simply bumping into them at an extraordinary rate. Even still, it didn’t help how he felt.
After all, if the propensity of the world was to repeatedly shove overpowered opponents in his face, what could he even do?
Expanding the truncated lists of skills, there were many that seemed like they might be useful in general such as Status Concealment, but in regards to skills that would make him stronger in combat specifically, it felt lacking even now.
“Petrifying Gaze...? Ah, I guess it’s from the Pride Dungeon basilisks... Then, would Fire Eating have come from the Salamanders? From Sloth, Blood Suck and Venomous Bite... But, when would I even get the opportunity to use them? And what would the point even be? Trap Production, Echolocation, and Ultraviolet Vision are all useless to me... Infrared Vision might have been useful if I didn’t already have Night Vision maxed out but, hah, it’s a bit late for that.”
Even accounting for the Combat Skills category alone, all Jae really had was a collection of half-assed 'weapon mastery' skills; things like shortswords, bows, axes and battleaxes, none of which he would ever have a need for.
“Close-Quarters Combat and Combo aren’t useful unless I’m fighting without a weapon or attacking in quick succession, but why would I ever go barefisted when I have the greatsword or the scythe? Or even just magic? And because they’re both so big, it’s not like I’d be able to stack up much of a worthwhile Combo, either. Anyway, Combat Skills take a long time to level up the proficiency, so it's probably not worth the time investment to train when I'm not even going to use them.”
I could look to try and acquire something like Scythe Mastery, but that thing's on the opposite end of the spectrum―it's too much for me to handle right now, so I'll leave it.
The only Combat Skills Jae considered worth levelling up at the moment were Greatsword Mastery, Fighting Spirit, and maybe Parry. Even then, the priority was low.
“Resistance Skills are all useful in some way or another, but it’s also not like they’re that valuable. A strong enemy or disadvantageous situation is still more than enough to put me in trouble, and the fact I’ve already died eleven times is proof enough of that.”
Resistance Skills were something Jae had gotten increasingly less confident in as time passed. Of course, those with high levels, such as Pain Tolerance, Exhaustion, Disease, Poison, Bleed, Pressure, Heat, Cold, and Acid Resistance were all bound to be useful... But, it's not like they made him any stronger, and they most certainly would never make him invincible. The way Jae saw it, if Mental Abnormal Status Nullification, which quite literally had the word 'Nullification' in the name, still didn't protect him from the effects of the Sins, then neither would the other skills, which were only at the level of Resistance, be able to protect him from death.
Well, that's probably because the Sins affect my soul directly, not my mind, so maybe I've got the wrong impression of it, but still.
Of course, Death Resistance was perhaps a different story, but that was only Level 1, and who would feel confident in a skill like that in the first place?
All things considered, despite possessing dozens of skills, a good portion of which were 'Monster Skills' completely inaccessible to anyone else, his entire Status consisted of a bunch of nothing―It was a lot, sure, but the quantity wasn’t what mattered when it came to skills. If 70% of the skills were trash, then what was the point in acquiring them? It just meant he was 30% as impressive as his Status made it seem.
“I mean, do I even have something like a fighting style? I only use the greatsword, Wrath, and the magic Aphy taught me... Wait.”
Even the one weapon he used, the dragon tooth greatsword, he failed to use effectively with Greatsword Mastery at a tragic Level 4, and since he never had the time to learn anything more or develop it further, all the magic he knew how to cast was limited in both tier and potency, and he wasn't great at it anyway.
“...If you think about it, doesn't that make me... Just useless?”
Coming to the realisation that he was severely limited in ways to actually defeat an opponent, Jae scratched his head.
Should I have stayed in the Pride Dungeon after all...? No, I had to leave. Half of the reason Aphy kicked me out is because she knew Rena was in trouble somehow, right? Or at least, ‘an acquaintance’ was having issues. Jiera didn’t know anything, but I still have to ask Leila about that when I see her. Anyway, I don't think I could've make much more progress when it comes to magic even with her support. It took me three years just to reach the point where I could begin to learn, and even then...
In any case, once Jae understood just how severe his lack of lethality was, what remained was how to go about fixing it.
“I can get stronger by absorbing basic skills as much as I want, but that isn’t going to cut it. I need something more decisive...”
If he wanted to get to a state where he could at least defend himself from people like Ariel, or even the other Seraphim, what he needed to strive for was something more than what Gluttony would give him. Needless to say, the most obvious answer was to clear the Dungeons, but that was something he was already trying to accomplish.
“I need something more... Well, I could always use Death’s Scythe, but... No, better not.”
Leaving aside the risk of it going out of control, using that thing would be way too overkill. If it’s a god’s weapon, even an angel wouldn’t stand a chance. It's not something I should use casually.
Since it was a dragon's tooth, the greatsword should also be enough to kill an angel. The only problem with that, though, is that Jae himself wasn't strong enough to make use of it. But, if that too was crossed off the list, what was even left? Theoretically, he could strengthen his magic and learn how to cast stronger magic, but without guidance from Aphy, the magically inept Jae was utterly lost on how to even begin. Of course, he could ask talented Demons to teach him, but the method of magic he used was fundamentally different from the norm, so any advice he could get would be severely limited in use.
“Aaahh...! Man, it sucks...”
I spent so long learning how to do it, but I’m not even skilled enough to use it as something more than a supporting ability...
He felt disparaged at the thought that Aphy might be disappointed in him, but now wasn’t the time for self-pity.
“What can I even do...?”
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Looking through the Status again and again, his eyes eventually laid on the untouched Distributable Points he had stockpiled until now.
I thought I’d be able to see my Luck now that the curse is gone, but I guess not. Now that I think about it, what does Luck even do? It never occurred to me to ask anyone about it since it was never something I needed to consider...
“...Hm. I was Level 30 when I met Aphy. Since I never used them, I have 120 points saved up. It’s a lot, but is it really enough...?”
His voice unsteady, he wasn’t able to even convince himself. Still, it was better than nothing, so after carefully ruminating on how to spend the points, he came to a decision.
“The most important attribute for me right now is Magic. I don’t need more Agility thanks to Sloth; Endurance isn’t really useful to me because I can already revive if I die so I don’t need the HP and Exhaustion Resistance is also already Level 8; I don’t need more Dexterity because I don’t use anything that requires it; and Wisdom is also pointless for me because I already have so much mana.”
Through such a process of elimination, that left only Strength and Magic. More Strength would always be useful, especially if the goal was to utilise the greatsword more effectively, but like the other stats, it wasn’t the 'one thing' Jae was severely lacking.
“Since all physical attributes can be temporarily increased through buffs like Power Burst and the usage of Fighting Spirit and Magic Enhancement, whenever I’m in a battle, raw physical strength isn’t something I should be needing more of... Well, unless the enemy is an angel, but if I'm fighting one of them as I am now, then I'm probably dead no matter what anyway.”
Unfortunately, everything happened too fast for Jae to think to activate Power Burst or rouse his Fighting Spirit when Ariel attacked, so it wasn’t possible to measure how he would fare at his peak against her, but it wasn't necessary to think too hard to realise that the result probably wouldn't be much different.
“...Eh, well, I don’t think it matters. If you think about it, she wasn’t going at it with her full strength either. Her peak is definitely higher than my peak, so maybe it’s for the best that I didn't use any buffs...”
Thus, ruling out Strength, only Magic remained. Magic correlates to the potency of one’s spells, of course, but that wasn’t the extent of it. Linked closely with Wisdom, which directly increases the maximum capacity of one’s mana pool, Magic’s real effect was to increase the quality of one’s mana, albeit only by a slight amount.
“Well, Aphy said it was really just making the magical energy refinement process within the body more effective. Regardless, with higher quality mana, the strength of magic cast with my own MP as a resource will increase, meaning increasing Magic should make me stronger... But, is it worth dumping all 120 points into...?”
The things Jae lacked could not be lumped together as just one or two things.
Physical strength, speed including reaction time, magical strength, skill quality, breadth of attacks, lethality―the list went on. In truth, most of these things could be solved by increasing his stats, but, well, it wasn't that simple. The number of Distributable Points he had was so limited for his current level that splitting them between multiple attributes would render them practically useless. Moreso, the bigger problem was that, aside from temporary buffs and status effects, stats could only be increased through the process of levelling up.
And as it stood, Jae was Max Level.
“Haa... In the end, it always boils down to clearing those damn Dungeons, huh...”
As if everything was made clear to him, he knew what he had to do. No, from the beginning, he knew it, but he wanted to find any sort of alternative method possible.
[Hey. If I may give a piece of advice.]
At that moment, Envy suddenly spoke for the first time in a while.
“Oh? It’s been a hot minute. What’s up?”
[Indeed. Didn’t I say from the beginning that our domains were the way to go?]
“You did. What are you trying to say?”
[Nothing. You want to get strong, right? You’re finally on the right track.]
“Yeah? Well, it’d be nice if the track wasn’t so long and tedious. Where is your Dungeon, by the way?”
[My place...? Keke. It’s not something a little boy like you can handle. Hm, maybe you can handle it after you give Wrath that sandwich you were talking about?]
“Uh... Sandwich?”
[Isn’t it a human phrase? ‘Knuckle sandwich’?]
“...Yeah, don’t make jokes like that again. By the way, where the hell was everyone when I almost died to that damn angel, hm? This is the first time you’ve shown your face in quite some time. Were you hiding?”
[Oh, you know how it is. Maybe we were more tired than usual because of Sloth's influence? Anyway, you survived, so there’s no problem, is there? I believed in you.]
“Sure, if that’s how you want to play it... So, what was this ‘advice’?”
[Right. Let me see the Class Selection menu.]
“Class? Oh, yeah, I was just about to take a look at that.”
Doing as suggested and opening ‘Class’ for the first time in what felt like forever, Jae’s eyes naturally widened at the expansive list that appeared before him.
Currently Available Classes:
1. Fighter - [Basic]
2. Thief - [Basic]
3. Swordsman...
The list was not in order of acquisition, but rarity. So, ignoring all the boring options, Jae’s eyes rapidly scanned the available classes as he scrolled down.
17. Resurrectionist - [Uncommon]
“Wow...”
33. Wyvern Hunter - [Uncommon]
“There’s a lot more than I thought.”
44. Man of Magic - [Rare]
“Just how far does it go...?”
48. Connoisseur of Death - [Unique]
Nearing the end of the selection screen, Jae’s mind slowed down, and along with it, so did the scrolling of the list.
Contrary to that chilling slowness, his heart grew warm as his eyebrows lifted.
What caught his eye was right there. Something he didn’t expect to find at all, and yet which felt quite fitting.
The final Class among the available selection.
50. Dragon's Disciple - [Mythical]
“......”
[This appears to be the end of the list. Ah, don’t select it immediately.]
Before Jae even said anything or moved, Envy said so, making him feel called out.
“Why not? It’s the only Mythic option. Clearly it’s the best one.”
[For now, yes. But what if another one appears?]
“Oh, you really think something that convenient is going to happen? I’m going to select it.”
Warning: Your Class cannot be changed once the selection is confirmed
Do you confirm to equipping the Class: [Dragon’s Disciple]?
“Y--”
[Jae. Stop.]
Speaking with a terrifyingly harsh tone Jae had never heard before, Envy’s grating voice resounded in his mind. Instinctively, his body froze.
[Listen to me and do not select the Class just yet.]
“...Hah. Why are you so serious all of a sudden, what happened? You’re not usually like this, Envy...”
[Don't get me wrong. We are on the same side, Jae. But, I want you to not be so careless.]
“Selecting a Class is carelessness...? What are you talking about now...”
[A Class will give you various bonuses upon levelling up. Of course, I have no problem with you going for that Dragon’s Disciple Class and I agree with it being the most beneficial option. However, because you only gain anything when you level up, why not wait until you clear the next Dungeon before you make the selection?]
What Envy said was correct. Although Jae was already set on going for the Class related to Aphy, that it was objectively better to wait until he would actually gain something from it was true, without question. There was nothing to lose from not acquiring the Class at this moment, but by leaving the option open, there was still a chance to gain an even better Class, no matter how unlikely that was.
“...Fine.”
In the end, there was nothing Jae could argue with. Heaving a sigh, he closed the confirmation window.
“I heavily doubt I’ll come across something better than what Aphy gave me, but I’ll wait."
[I appreciate your patience.]
"Sure... Hah. It is a virtue, after all."
With that, Jae, lying down listlessly on the bed in his room, closed his eyes and placed an arm over them. Even then, the unclosed Status persisted in the centre of his vision.
"...But, man. If it's bonuses upon levelling up, then does that mean I've missed out on over a hundred levels of free stuff?”
[Don't let it get to you. What you will obtain in the future is far greater than what you may have missed in the past.]
"Is that right? ...Well... Thanks. Even if that's just a word of comfort."
[Hm... So? Have you decided how to spend the points? I think your previous train of thought was half-correct, however--]
“Ahhh, I don’t care any more. Just throw it all in Magic or something, fuck...”
Tomorrow, I’ll ask to use the teleportation circle Jiera mentioned. Let’s just go to the next place and get it over with...
Soon after, his erratic breathing steadied, and his consciousness began to fade.
...God, seriously... Greed Dungeon... Why do you have to be there of all places...?
The last thing on Jae’s mind as he drifted off was a faint recollection of the Seronian Royal Palace.
----------------------------------------
The following day, Jae had another meeting with Leila.
After a touch of small talk that included how the elimination of the Royal Purist faction was progressing, the two quickly arrived at the main subject of the discussion.
“You wish to use our teleportation circle, yes? Jiera filled me in.”
“That’s right. Actually, I didn’t know you could use teleportation magic, but she said that’s how you sent Jiyeru to the Cursed Zone, so I figured I could use it if that’s okay. I have some critical business to attend to, but I’ll be quick with it.”
“Well, let me think. Are you going to become Rena’s father officially?”
At that question, asked by the queen with a slight smirk on her face, Jae‘s eyes narrowed.
“...Do I need to in order to use the circle?”
“Of course not. However, it would make such a cute daughter inconceivably happy.”
“I’m not going to marry you.”
“You don’t have to marry to become a father.”
“I don’t think anyone would want an irresponsible parent.”
“Being irresponsible does not make you irredeemable. We are forgiving people.”
“There are a lot of people much more suitable for the role than me.”
“My daughter chose you.”
“I’m not going to be here most of the time.”
“She has patience.”
“......”
What the hell is wrong with this woman...?
After a lengthy pause, the silence was broken by a soft chuckle.
“Ah, Jae, I’m only playing with you. Of course, there is no need for you to become anyone’s father. I do not wish to pressure you into doing so, either. I wish for my daughter's father to be a willing man, and even if she has to wait an eternity, as I said, she is a stubborn child who can be patient if she needs to.”
Giving a small sigh, Jae scratched the back of his head.
“Right...”
It’s a bit late to say you don’t want to do that, isn’t it? And don't try to guilt trip me by planting the image of her waiting, damn it...
“Furthermore, I suppose there is no need to make you an official father when she already sees you as such, haha.”
“......”
Eventually, they both calmed down and continued with other topics before adjourning. Thereafter, Jae spent the rest of the morning explaining his departure to Rena and Bailey―
“Daddy, is everything okay?”
“Eh... Yes, don’t worry.”
After that conversation earlier... I don't even know how to treat this girl any more. That woman is sly...
“Master, can I come?”
“No.”
“But why...?”
“It’s dangerous.”
Well, maybe it's safe enough that I can protect him, but even if there isn't anyone on the level of an angel, it's not a positive experience to take a kid through.
“Don’t worry, it’s only a short trip. The teleportation circle is one-way, so I can’t use it to teleport back, but I’ll be quick. Remember to focus on your training, okay? Practise every day, even if it’s just a little bit.”
It’s a shame that I can’t teach them what Aphy taught me due to physiological limitations, but they’re both quick learners. Especially Rena. I’m sure there are much better teachers than me in the palace that Leila can assign them.
“Okay...”
“Have a good trip, Daddy!”
―As well as Nazar―
“Seronia? I can come with you, you know?”
“That’s alright. I’ll be coming back as soon as possible, and besides, it’s not that dangerous that I need someone else.”
If what I’ve been told is correct, there’s no angel in Seronia. Well, if there was, I probably would have died on my very first day. Anyway, even though I’m weak compared to them, I should be perfectly fine at my current level for a place like that.
“If you wish. Then, I will wait patiently for your return.”
“Yes. I’ll want to leave immediately for the Southern Continent when I get back, and I might bring Bailey next time, so if you get everything ready for then, that’ll be a great help.”
―Before finally arriving at the site of the prepared teleportation circle at noon.
Entering a wide room where the vast majority of the space consisted of a singular magic circle with towering blocks of mana crystals lining the sides, and dense cables connecting them to some other bizarre apparatus, Jae gazed at it all with awe.
“Wow, would you look at all this... Is everything good in here?”
“Ah, you’ve arrived. Yes, everything is set and ready to go. Keep in mind that we cannot teleport you directly into Revel itself because otherwise the circle’s magic signature will be detected, but we can send you to a place just outside the city walls no problem. You should be able to sneak in without any issues after that, yes?”
Jiera was the only one to meet Jae in the room, but that was no problem. Everywhere above the magic circle was required to be clear to prevent any unintended incidents, so the fewer people there were in the vicinity, the safer it was.
“Yeah, that’s fine. It’s a shame I can’t use that ID you gave me, but I can just sneak in through the side.”
“Well, that’s just how it is with that country. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind if you were to cause a bit of trouble while you were on your little visit, but keep that between us. Anyway, if you would please walk to the centre of the circle, we can get started.”
“Haha. I won’t tell anyone.”
Chuckling at the idea as he followed her instructions, even Jae began to think that it would be okay to get back at the people who killed him, even if it was just a little.
Even if not them... I'm sure I'll be seeing some familiar faces.
“Okay. Are you ready?”
Standing in the middle of the incredible magic circle, Jae suddenly got the feeling he was forgetting something when faced with Jiera’s decisive question, but couldn’t think of anything that might’ve been the culprit of that uncomfortable sensation, and either way, it was too late now to back out.
“I’m ready.”
So, he pushed the feeling of discomfort aside and focused on the matter at hand. Right after that, Jiera interacted with some levers and buttons on a control panel, and the surrounding magical machinery began to whir. Simultaneously, the magic circle beneath Jae gradually lit up, bathing the entire room in a bright light.
“I’ll see you soon, Jae... Be safe.”
“Of course. Don’t miss me too much.”
The last thing the two of them saw was that dazzling illumination washing over the room. Then, as the machines settled down, so did the light fade, returning the room to normalcy.
“......”
Gazing at the now-empty centre of the circle where Jae previously stood, Jiera wrestled with some complicated thoughts. After a while, a single mutter left her mouth.
“Don’t you dare let my sister go through any more suffering. Please...”
She continued to stare for a while in the dark, lonely room.