[Heavenly Demon Physique]
[The Heavenly Demon's exceptional physique.
Allows for rapid mastery of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Enhances physical abilities and improves the efficiency of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.]
[Type: Class Trait]
[Rank: A]
I clenched my fists tightly.
Since becoming the Heavenly Demon class, my body felt lighter and brimming with power. It was far superior to my physical form in reality.
Is this... the Heavenly Demon Divine Art in my mind?
My mind was filled with knowledge of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art: sword techniques, hand and footwork, breathing methods, and how to manipulate Demonic Energy. There was so much information that it was overwhelming at first.
By using the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, I can convert Mana into Demonic Energy...
Demonic Energy, unlike Mana, is a raw and destructive force. Even in equal quantities, Demonic Energy is far more potent than Mana.
"Hah..."
I took a deep breath and channeled Demonic Energy into my fist, focusing it directly ahead. With all my might, I unleashed the strike.
"Heavenly Demon Fist!"
Boom!
A shockwave erupted in the air.
A similar phenomenon had occurred when I first awakened my Mana, but this time, I didn't flinch. The recoil was manageable, even less than before.
Since I'm manipulating Demonic Energy according to the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, minimal recoil is inevitable.
Next, I gripped the Blazing Lotus Flying Dagger.
Hum...
The blade trembled, and a dark, swirling energy began to coalesce along its edge.
I grinned with satisfaction.
Demonic Heavenly Energy.
It was the external manifestation of Demonic Energy, akin to aura or sword qi.
This isn't solely my own power.
It was an effect of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art skill, or more precisely, a correction from the Atlantis System. Without the system's aid, I wouldn't be able to use it in the real world.
The mana consumption is quite high. I doubt I can maintain this for long right now.
I swung my sword at a nearby apple tree. The trunk was severed without resistance. It seemed not only the cutting power but also my strength had increased.
"Heavenly Demon Flying Claw!"
I channeled Demonic Heavenly Energy into my fingernails and slashed through the air. The energy flew about five meters before dissipating.
[The King of the Demonic Heavens laughs.]
[The Lord of the Heavens glares disapprovingly.]
[The Lord of the Heavens donates 1,000 AP.]
"Never forget that your true power lies in lightning."
"Of course, Lord Zeus."
I suppressed the urge to use the Heavenly Demon Divine Art further. Part of me wanted to practice each technique, but the Lord of the Heavens' displeasure and the limited time made it impractical.
I'm also curious about the power of lightning.
[Name: Sung Yujin]
[Class: Thunderclap Slayer]
[Title: Capitalist]
[Divine Seat: Lord of the Heavens]
[Affiliation: AL 401 District]
[Strength: 26 Agility: 24 Stamina: 27 Mana: 46 Luck: 20]
[Unique Trait: Deception (SS)]
[Attribute: Thunder and Lightning (A)]
[Skills: Astrape (C), Myriad Thunder (C)]
(Main Status Window active)
I changed my Status Window.
I felt the strength draining from my body, as if it had suddenly become heavier. This must be because the effects of the Heavenly Demon Physique had worn off.
Hmm... I have knowledge of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, but I can't quite grasp how to use it.
It was like knowing something without truly understanding it like memorizing formulas without knowing how to apply them.
Since I have the knowledge, maybe I can learn to use it through gradual practice. ...But could it even work in the real world?
The worldviews of reality and this place are different, so it might be impossible.
Still, I believe there's a possibility. After all, Mana exists in reality too.
There are also similarities between the Yeongcheon Qi Technique and the Heavenly Demon Divine Art that I've mastered.
"Guess I'll have to try it to find out."
I shifted my gaze to the Status Window.
As expected from a contract with Zeus, all three of my attributes and skills were lightning-related.
[Thunder and Lightning]
[- Grants the ability to manipulate lightning.
- Enhances the effects of lightning.
- Grants resistance to lightning.]
[Type: Attribute]
[Rank: A]
Crackling!
A tendril of lightning writhed into existence on my palm.
As expected, it consumes Mana.
Strangely, the lightning moved according to my will. The problem was that each manipulation drained additional Mana. When I clenched my fist, the lightning solidified in my hand, feeling warm and strangely tangible. The sensation was so peculiar that it defied precise description.
I caught the lightning and hurled it at the base of a tree. Crack!
The lightning struck the tree, and black smoke billowed briefly before dissipating. The speed and power were underwhelming nothing like the thunderbolts that fell from the sky.
I could probably increase its power by expending more Mana.
This time, I'll use Astrape.
Lightning crackled along the blade of the Blazing Lotus Flying Dagger.
It felt like an enchantment. I could either enhance the weapon or hurl the lightning contained within it.
If I fought someone who couldn't use Mana, they'd be electrocuted the moment our blades clashed.
From an opponent's perspective, lightning would undoubtedly be a troublesome force.
And then there's Myriad Thunder .
Activating Myriad Thunder conjured a blue lightning bolt in the shape of the swastika in mid-air, slowly rotating.
"Fire."
At my signal, lightning erupted from the center of the swastika. The speed was far greater than when I had cast lightning earlier. Though not as fast as a bolt from the sky, it wasn't impossible to dodge.
The single Myriad Thunder bolt vanished into the air as if dissolving.
The accuracy is worse than I expected. I need to level up my marksmanship attribute.
I cast Myriad Thunder again, this time manipulating the bolt itself.
"Discharge."
The Myriad Thunder exploded, sending lightning scattering in all directions.
Myriad Thunder... this is actually quite useful.
It seemed adaptable to various situations. With enough Mana, I could likely increase its power or even deploy multiple bolts simultaneously.
"Myriad Thunder!"
With a thunderous roar, lightning struck precisely where I pointed, hitting an apple tree dead center. The tree burst into flames, crackling and blazing fiercely.
I nodded in satisfaction.
Immediately afterward, I collapsed to the ground. Having exhausted all my Mana, fatigue washed over me in a sudden wave.
God's Atlantis was originally meant to be just the tutorial. I'll save the rest for later and start wrapping up this game.
I was content. I'd increased my Mana stat with Mana Fruits and thoroughly enjoyed the Mana rush. Most importantly, I'd unlocked the Thunderclap Attribute.
I've gained so much.
[The Fallen Star peeks around.]
[The Lord of the Heavens frowns instantly.]
[The Fallen Star gives the Lord of the Heavens an awkward smile.]
[The King of the Demonic Heavens gazes at the Fallen Star.]
[The Fallen Star is astonished by the King of the Demonic Heavens.]
[The Fallen Star is intrigued by you.]
I frowned.
Fallen Star.
I knew its true identity from the God Seat Machine in the original work. It was a Divine Seat that would exploit the Exile at every opportunity.
I wasn't particularly pleased by the Fallen Star's attention.
I wished I could banish the Fallen Star as easily as I had driven out the Clocktower Killer, but given its high status as a Divine Seat, that would be impossible.
With the Lord of the Heavens behind me, it won't dare make any overt moves.
I just needed to remain vigilant around the Fallen Star.
[The Fallen Star asks what's happening.]
[The Golden Collector closes its eyes and tries to sleep.]
[The King of the Demonic Heavens briefly leaves his seat.]
[The Lord of the Heavens raises his middle finger.]
[The Fallen Star is deeply curious.]
[The Fallen Star gazes at you, eager for your explanation.]
Observing the reactions of the Divine Seats, I closed my eyes completely.
[Game Over.]
[Ending the Game.]
[Commencing Experience calculation.]
[The Lord of the Heavens' Affinity Level is 1.]
[The King of the Demonic Heavens' Affinity Level is 2.]
[Gained 1 bonus point for reaching Affinity Level 2.]
[Ju Seohyun's Affinity Level is 4.]
[...]
[Level up!]
[Gained 13 points.]
Returning to reality, I immediately paused the "God's Atlantis" Game. I had no intention of continuing it for the time being.
"It's about time the Plum Blossom Sword Saint World started following the original plot."
After securing a firm foothold in the Plum Blossom Sword Saint World, I planned to begin God's Atlantis.
[Sung Yujin]
[Level: 37]
[Strength: 23 Stamina: 23 Agility: 22 Intelligence: 20 Vitality: 30 Mana: 27]
[Available Points: 71]
[Level 37.]
During the God's Atlantis tutorial, I gained two levels. The Mana Fruit obtained from the tutorial also increased my Mana stat by two points. I had one Mana Fruit left, which I decided to give to Yuria.
The immediate priority is unlocking the Thunderclap Attribute.
[You can now unlock the Thunderclap Attribute.]
[Spend 50 points to unlock the Thunderclap Attribute?]
[Yes / No / Hold]
50 points.
I had already spent 30 points unlocking the Archery Attribute. Without hesitation, I pressed "Yes."
With the ability to control lightning, 50 points is practically a steal!
[Unlocking the Thunderclap Attribute.]
[Thunder and Lightning Lv. 1]
[You can now control thunder and lightning at will. Manipulating thunder and lightning consumes Mana and Vitality.]
I quickly grasped how to use Thunder and Lightning.
I extended my hand into the air.
Myriad Thunder manifested. To be precise, it was an imitation of the Myriad Thunder skill from the world of God's Atlantis. Though its power was diminished, the effect remained similar.
Should I try firing it once?
I simply dismissed Myriad Thunder. This wasn't a training ground; it was my home.
Use 120 points to increase the level of Thunder and Lightning (Lv. 1)?
Insufficient points.
"Tch."
I clicked my tongue as soon as I saw the message. A whopping 120 points were required to level up.
Shaking my head, I began to methodically recall the Heavenly Demon Divine Art from my memory.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Art... I think I can actually practice this in reality.
I sat in the lotus position and began practicing the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
After thirty minutes, I shook my head again.
I could move Mana using the techniques of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, but the Mana wouldn't transform into Demonic Energy.
I can use a portion of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art with Mana... but that's not the true Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Even this incomplete version of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art clearly wouldn't allow me to unleash its full power.
After three hours of practicing the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, I gave up. My talent simply wasn't up to the task. It seemed better to focus on training Thunder and Lightning instead.
Asking Jin Seyoung about the Heavenly Demon Divine Art would be a hassle... Should I enter the Plum Blossom Sword Saint World and ask Yuria?
Yuria was the greatest genius in the world. She might immediately notice what I was missing.
For now, I'll focus on training Thunder and Lightning. Maybe the Thunderclap Attribute will help me acquire the Spirit Heaven School's Thunderlight.
My prediction proved correct.
The Thunder and Lightning Attribute influenced the Spirit Heaven School, allowing me to obtain the Thunderlight of the Spirit Heaven School. Jin Seyoung and Jin Wu-seong acknowledged my Thunderlight.
Dark Shadow... I don't know about that. I'm satisfied just having obtained the Thunderlight! Hahahaha!
Instead of using the remaining points immediately, I decided to save them to upgrade my marksmanship attribute.
I received a message from Oh Junhyeok, a classmate and friend from the Hunter Department at the same university.
- Hey. Are you free this Friday?
He abruptly asked if I was free.
I thought about this Friday. It was a day with no classes, and I had no special plans. Even if it weren't a free day, I wouldn't mind skipping school. Grades? Only the weirdos in the Hunter Department care about grades.
"Got time. Why?" I asked mechanically, without much interest. Oh Junhyeok, a club regular, asking about my Friday schedule could only mean he wanted to go clubbing together.
- A good part-time job came up. Wanna do it together?
I rubbed the back of my head with my left hand. I never imagined Oh Junhyeok wouldn't ask me to go clubbing. A part-time job was even more unthinkable.
"...A part-time job? Why would a Hunter need a part-time job?"
If Hunters needed money urgently, they could simply organize a public party and hunt in a dungeon. Oh Junhyeok and I were E-Class Hunters. With the right mindset, we could earn hundreds of thousands of won in a single day.
If we were really desperate, we could just get a loan from the Hunter Association.
"This is a rare opportunity. Don't you want to see a celebrity in person?"
The word "celebrity" made me suddenly serious.
"Celebrity? Of course I want to see one in person. What's the deal? Is it like a manager position?"
"Not exactly. It's a drama extra job. They're looking for E-Rank or higher Hunters and paying 300,000 won per day. All you have to do is film one fight scene. The director wants it to look really realistic."
300,000 won. That's a low daily rate for hiring a Hunter.
...No, money isn't the point. The real draw is seeing a celebrity in person. And the question of which celebrity it is.
Slightly nervous, I asked Oh Junhyeok, "What drama are they filming?"