Chapter 159 Apocalypse (2)

If this was how it went, it made sense.

‘I didn’t expect general skills to become a power later on...’

At that time, he thought he could choose characteristics again in the future, but..

But that wasn’t the case.

‘Damn it.’

He didn’t know. If he had known, he wouldn’t have done it. What did it mean he couldn’t learn the same skill? Although he now had a substitute called Nuclear Plasma, it was still a waste because general skills and powers were different. By becoming a power, it couldn’t be linked to the Rank S effect of the newly obtained {Commander Call} that amplified it by 150 times. However, the dice had already been rolled.

‘Do I have no choice but to hope it’s as worth as much as the money lost..?’

There was also a way to go back to five minutes ago using the pocket watch, but Yoon-seok abandoned his regret. If so, he wouldn’t have this ability if he needed it in the next duel.

「Three abilities can be chosen.」

Yoon-seok checked the options that appeared, but he couldn’t understand them. Because..

[Punishment], [Peace], [Destruction], [Everyone], [Wish], [Salvation], [Second Advent], [Flame], [Future], [Sin], [History], [Beginning], [Judge], [World], [Ideal] and more. He was told to choose a new effect, but dozens of keywords appeared without any explanation.

“..”

He didn’t even know what ability this power Light of End was yet. However, seeing this, he thought that the skill might be completed only after choosing three keywords.

‘If so, it would be better to specialize in one side.’

Yoon-seok’s brow furrowed. He had a feeling that the keyword he was choosing now would play a very important role going forward. Yet, it was unclear which way he should set the direction.

‘If I choose [Everyone] or [World], I think it’ll lead toward a territorial skill.. I don’t want that.’

In short, he had too many area-of-effect skills now. Furthermore, it was in connection with Lady’s Commandment. Judgment of Ruined Monarch was more of a lethal move one-on-one than an area-of-effect skill. Compared to the long cool time, the range covered wasn’t that wide.

‘..Does it have to be made as an attack skill?’

Punishment, destruction, judgment.. while looking through the impactful keywords, such a question suddenly appeared for Yoon-seok. Anyway, he had sufficient offensive powers too. Therefore, it may be more helpful to have a utility type, for example, like Lady’s Commandment.

‘..If it’s up to luck anyway, it won’t be bad to try it.’ historical

Soon, Yoon-seok made up his mind. After selecting and collecting only keywords that didn’t fit those two types, the final candidates were picked.

「Wish was chosen」

「History was chosen.」

「Future was chosen.」

「New abilities are given to Unique Power, Light of End.」

But was he too optimistic?

*Light of End — The light barrier connected to the sky completely blocks a 100m radius from the outside for 10 seconds.

Wait 720 hours for reuse.

-Wish: Ignore all damage within the radius.

-History: Time within the radius flows 20 times slower.

-Future: If all enemies are killed within the radius during the duration, the reuse waiting time is reset.

A twisted skill appeared.

“..”

As always.

‘The ability creates a 100m radius barrier for 10 seconds in the arena.’

In short, Light of End was such an ability. Except that he became invincible inside, and the flow of time slowed.

‘But to classify it, is this also a utility type..?’

Yoon-seok thought about it. What kind of power would have been born if the keywords such as punishment, destruction, and judgment were selected? It didn’t matter, but likely he would have been given the ability to smash everything and turn it into ashes in an instant.

‘Well, in the end, the only difference is I have to do it myself. It’s the same for this, too.’

Still, Yoon-seok was satisfied. Although it was a skill that lasted only 10 seconds, very few people could endure against him with the slowed time and ability to ignore all damage.

‘Anyway, I’ll try using this later on...’

Yoon-seok upgraded Yin and Yang and King of All Swords to A-. He purposely didn’t raise them to Rank S. Although they were general skills in terms of classification, they were too good to lose.

‘First of all, is King of All Swords a miss?’

Unfortunately, only Yin and Yang gave him a chance to choose a new characteristic.

「Characteristics of Yin and Yang (Rank A-) can be chosen.」

Yoon-seok went through the candidates that appeared calmly.

— Characteristic 1: Advisor

A new personality specialized in observation and judgment is given.

He wondered what this was, but he thought it meant that he would have a personality dedicated only to instructing, which he doubted would be helpful. On the other hand, the second characteristic had no such hang-ups.

— Characteristic 2: Liberation

Due to Yin and Yang effect, concentration increases by 3x.

Concentration was similar to thinking faster. For reference, the increase in his current concentration was 50% when Yin and Yang reached A-. In other words, it meant a 150% increase.

‘Nice.’

This would increase the number of Phantom Swords that could be handled, resulting in additional buffs. And most of all, Yin and Yang was a general skill. When the Rank S effect of b Commander Call} was activated, the performance would boost up to 150 times. There was nothing more to consider.

「Characteristics of Liberation is given to Yin and Yang.」

After the characteristic selection was completed, Yoon-seok concentrated and created the Phantom Swords. The amount he could control had increased by four.

「Twenty-one swords are used. The Phantom Energy that is ingrained in the sword becomes stronger.」

Physical Strength, Durability, Magic +1. This alone meant that he received more than his money’s worth, but the Phantom Energy grew even darker, making it now possible to grasp its identity.

「Phantom Energy has reached a certain level. The sword has a weak sense of self.」

Phantom Energy was a type of ego booster. If it became stronger, the swords might someday move according to their own will.

‘Anyway, let’s slowly finish up the maintenance.’

Yoon-seok closed the store window. He was going to keep the remaining 4.52 million APs. After the next duel, one of his Unique Skills could be raised to Rank S.

「Until the next duel, 718:30:19.」

Yoon-seok, peaking at the timer, next opened the ranking board from the tablet.

*5,000th place, Predator – Earth

As expected, the 10,000 was halved, and only a total of 5,000 people were now listed. Somehow, he felt strange. They must be absolutely strong in the dimensions where they belonged, but half of them already died.

‘Is this going to repeat until one person is left..?’

If so, he understood what Elle said when she claimed Cheon-ma was the most dangerous competitor. Maybe she said that out of fear for the future.

‘To survive, I have no choice but to be stronger.’

Yoon-seok skimmed through the ranking board for Cheon-ma and the Steel King. Both their names were still at the top of the list.

‘Then, how long will we survive?’

Yoon-seok moved his hand to confirm the fate of the five challengers from Earth. And then-

“..?”

There was a ranking change.

*4,999th, Predator – Earth

His ranking, which was at the bottom, rose by one. Why was that? Weren’t the duels already over? The answer was simple.

「Black Rose 17 of dimension Devron has died.」

After the duel, he was killed by someone. Maybe an invader. Or by a challenger.

“..”

Yoon-seok’s eyes froze as an unknown tension crept up from the tip of his toes. Phrases continued to appear again before Yoon-seok’s eyes as he stood still.

「There are zero rankers in Dimension Devron.」

「As a result of the analysis of the challengers belonging to the other ordeals, there is no possibility.」

「The aggression suppression system of that dimension will be suspended.」

Aggression suppression system? It was the first time he heard of it. No way, was the Tower holding back the invaders from pouring out as the gate opened?

He was confused, but one thing was for sure.

「Dimension Khultan’s invasion control system will be strengthened.」

Many things would change in the future.

‘Possibility..’

He didn’t know what it was. However, the Tower was looking for something from the challengers. And the moment they had zero rankers, the Tower abandoned its expectations for the dimension.

‘On the other hand, another dimension has become safer.’

Was it simply by chance? Probably not. There was no evidence yet, but rather..

‘The person who caused the incident collected the rewards. That would make more sense. That’s the kind of place the Tower is.’

The Tower encouraged competition above all else, desperate and bloody.

‘Crap.’

Yoon-seok ran a hand over the chin, mulling it over. What would happen to the Devron dimension, which had lost all their rankers and even this suppression system? He didn’t know the level of civilization or lifestyle of this dimension, but somehow, the scene was drawn before his eyes.

‘Is it the end of the world..?’

His mouth went dry. No wonder there was no way that Earth wouldn’t follow that procedure. There were only six Earth rankers who reached the 20th floor, so they were in a similar position to the Devron dimension. Like Earth, their number of rankers was far less than other dimensions.

‘Let’s check first.’

Who died and who survived among the Earth’s rankers? He was curious earlier, but was it because the meaning changed a little? Yoon-seok’s eyes were calm as he checked.

*No. 1, Dreamer – Earth

*No. 2, Grape Jam – Earth

As expected, the quantity had decreased. Grape Jam, which was ranked fifth on the Earth level, came in second. Yoon-seok was just right below them.

‘Three people. No, did half of them die?’

Three people survived the duel on the 20th floor. Goosebumps went down his spine.

‘Wait a minute..’

This was dangerous. It wasn’t just a matter of reduced probability.. what if everyone else also realizes that the Tower encouraged competition after looking at this phrase? In their eyes, the Earth would appear to be a very good target.

“..”

If they killed the three Earth’s challengers, their dimension would be safer.

‘No. Nothing has been confirmed yet.’

Yoon-seok shook his head. The causal relationship between Devron and Khultan has yet to be confirmed, so everything he assumed now could be wrong. In addition..

So far, the invaders weren’t very threatening. That appeared to be the case just by looking at Moorim during his visit. There were so many strong challengers there, and the area was narrow compared to Earth. Even if they made the same assumption as himself, no one would come up with such an extreme move.

But if his prediction were right..

‘Is it just a matter of time?’

Things would change soon. Just as the challengers became stronger, the invaders would also become stronger. There was no doubt that this part was confirmed by Ashton. The global government closely analyzed the growth of the invaders and found that they would reach the end of the world within a year.

That was why Ashton, knowing that, was so hung up on Yoon-seok becoming strong.

‘But everyone will know soon.’

Most challengers climbed the Tower with greed in their hearts to be stronger and gain much more outside. Only a few held a noble sense of mission. However, every time a duel took place, a ranker died.

If they were truly fired up to win, they would realize that they would have to fight to survive. That day was approaching, which reminded him of the original intentions that the Tower engraved deep in his heart.

‘..I should go back to Earth.’

First, Dreamer and Grape Jam. He wanted to meet these two challengers.