Chapter 156: The Journey Begins (1) - Transcendence Due To A System Error

Chapter 156: Set Out (1) Time passed quickly. A week had gone by. "...Sigh. It's giving me a headache." I sat in front of my desk, engrossed in thoughts as I stared at the stack of catalogs piled up messily. "The number of possessed abilities is the problem, after all." The overload of Adam's marks, changing from green, red, to black, was giving me a headache. "The more abilities I acquire, the fewer ancient relics I can use." That's the problem. When facing Unknowns, the more ancient relics I have, the better. "But that doesn't mean collecting ancient relics is the only solution." Ancient relics are like temporary "doping" items. Their effects are maximized when I enhance my body's specifications. It is more powerful for an S-rank Charger to use an S-rank artifact compared to an F-rank Charger using an S-rank artifact. "At the very least, I want to raise all my abilities to A-rank." Although I have the Blessing of the Sovereign, it is the last line of defense, so to speak. Just in case, I want to have at least A-rank Charger level abilities. And to do that, I have no choice but to learn some "abilities." That's why I'm looking at the catalogs right now, deep in thought. I need to categorize the types of ancient relics I can use right away and the ones I will use for the upcoming task. "For now, since I've decided to receive the relics tomorrow, I need to decide by tomorrow..." My pondering continued throughout the night. * * * The next day. I headed to the designated meeting place with a determined expression on my face. "Hello." I greeted Yu Hwa, who was busy moving around inside the warehouse of the Single Guild headquarters underground. "Welcome." Yu Hwa approached me. "You don't look so good. Did you not sleep properly yesterday?" "Yes. I was lost in thought and couldn't sleep..." "You have so many worries, don't you?" "...Various concerns." Yu Hwa raised an eyebrow, as if teasing me with her sparkling eyes. "Is it because of the Green Dragon's Shelter?" "That's right." Although it was a concern different from what Yu Hwa thought, it was true that I was worried because of the Green Dragon's Shelter. "Do you have something to worry about? You said you knew about the Green Dragon's Shelter." "Well, I worry even more." "I see. I heard that it was a dungeon where American Chargers failed three times." Yu Hwa nodded, seemingly convinced. "So, is there something you're worried about? You seemed to be thinking a lot until yesterday." "Yes." I handed the catalog to Yu Hwa. "I want to borrow the artifacts that are marked here." Yu Hwa skimmed through the catalog I gave her. As she turned the pages, her pupils gradually expanded. "Oh, it's unexpected. I thought you would focus on higher-ranked artifacts." She seemed a bit puzzled by my choice. "Yes. Just because it is higher-ranked does not mean that all artifacts are good." What matters is the unique effects they possess, not their rank. Rank is not very important. There are many artifacts that cannot be borrowed due to the overload of Adam's marks, even if they are of high rank. The relics of the Angelic Race, relics of the Angelic Race, relics of the Angelic Race... "Alright. Should I prepare according to this list, then?" "Yes, please." "Understood. Then..." "Ah, before that, can I touch the artifacts a little?" Yu Hwa looked at me, her eyes wide open. "Touch them?" She had a look on her face as if she was questioning if there was a need for that. Although I mentioned getting abilities from ancient relics, I did not explain exactly how to acquire them. It was natural for her to have such doubts. "Well, you can know some things by touching them, even if you can't understand the catalog. For example, the locked artifacts." I groaned without telling a lie. There might be relics that are sealed, like the "Fang Engraved with Mana" back then. "Well, I guess that's possible." Yu Hwa nodded, looking serious. "Alright then. Let me guide you to the warehouse where the artifacts are kept." "Do you know how to turn off the CCTV in the warehouse?" I cannot leave a video record of me using the ancient relics. "I'm an amateur at that stuff." Yu Hwa stared at me mischievously. It was a playful expression. "Then follow me. I will guide you inside the warehouse." "Yes." I followed Yu Hwa as we walked towards the center of the warehouse. And that day. "Okay." I acquired six more abilities. * * * Preparations were complete. Today was July 26th. It was three days until the conquest of the Green Dragon's Shelter and the day I would leave for the United States. "I'll be going now." "Okay." Lena waved her hand with a slightly gloomy expression. But she seemed much better than when she was going to Japan. "Siyeon will be staying here for a month. Have fun together." "Okay." Thanks to Siyeon's constant efforts, Lena had opened her heart and could now smile brightly even when it was just the two of them. Lena will be fine with Siyeon taking care of her. "Um... can you come back quickly?" Lena hesitated and then grabbed my sleeve, pulling it with a weak force. "I... need you to come back soon." I stroked Lena's head. "Yes. I'll come back as soon as possible." When I smiled, Lena also smiled bashfully, imitating me. "Take care." Lena, who took three steps back, bowed slightly. "Then I'll really come back." I waved my hand lightly and opened the front door. * * * Upon arriving in the United States. As soon as I reached the designated room, I felt exhausted. "Wow, man. What's with the pressure?" Master's pressure was beyond imagination. Just being near him felt like being crushed by his presence. "That pressure is the natural flow of mana emitted..." He's crazy. I can't believe it. He was restraining his mana a lot during our chance encounter at the Charger Academy last time. That's what I realized. "I can see mana in 24 colors with my eyes." Master came closer, pressing his face against mine. His irises were shining with various colors like a kaleidoscope. "Isn't it fascinating?" "Is that an ability?" "Yes." Apparently, the Ice Knight had a special ability called "Mana Sight" that made his mana a beautiful sight. "...Okay. What if you expose such a secretive matter to outsiders?" Master's eyes narrowed. His murderous gaze fell on Taye, who was now approaching us. Luke, a member of the One Army, approached with a rather fierce look in his eyes. "What does it matter? You will come to know during our conquest anyway." Master laughed heartily. Susan, the Flame Witch, approached with a kind smile. "Isn't it nice to have everyone here just because of the Green Dragon's Shelter?" "It seems so." Susan smiled significantly. Woong! At that moment, the air became heavy. I could feel something pressing down on the entire space, as if something was suppressing it. "Greetings." I heard someone approaching. Someone with a heavy, steady stride walking on the concrete floor of the runway. As he neared, he extended his right hand. "Nice to meet you." Caribma Nerista. The Master of the One Army. "Take care of me for a while." Unknown extended his hand towards me. "Sure. I'll take care of you." I shook his hand firmly. * * * Upon arrival in the United States. Immediately after entering the assigned room, Master left a message saying he was going to take a break and headed home. Plop, plop. The sound of Master's footsteps echoed through the silent mansion. There was no one in the mansion. The employees had already finished work and gone home. "This is interesting." Master chuckled. His eyes were filled with longing. If someone who knew him well had witnessed this scene, they would have been shocked and most likely fallen backward. "T-This is Master expressing emotions!" they would exclaim. "Gang Seo Yul." Master. No, rather, Unknwon smiled even more brightly, having cast off his veil. "It's worth researching." Master chuckled, grabbing the hand he had held when he shook hands with me before, then clenched it and let it go repeatedly while thinking about my mana. "I thought there was nothing more to research about mana." My mana was very unique. Even for Unknwon, who had been studying mana for an immeasurable amount of time, it was the first time seeing something like this. "That mana is from the one who possesses all attributes." Unknwon's quickened steps represented his excitement. "It's Unknwon, isn't it?" Filled with ecstasy, desire, obsession. Such emotions swirled in his restless eyes. * * * Meanwhile, at that moment. Master left a message saying he was taking a break and headed home. Thump, thump. The sound of Master's footsteps echoed through the quiet mansion. There was no one inside the mansion. The employees had already finished work and left, so there were no people around. "This is interesting." Master laughed. His eyes were burning with desire. If someone who knew the usual Master saw this scene, they would be shocked and probably fall back, exclaiming, "M-Master is showing emotions!" "Gang Seo Yul..." Master. No, it was as if Unknown's smile, after taking off Master's mask, had become even stronger. "It's worth investigating." Master held out the hand that had touched mine when we shook hands before, clasping it and releasing it repeatedly as he thought about my mana. "I thought there was nothing more to investigate when it comes to mana." My mana was very peculiar. Even for Unknown, who had been studying mana for countless years, it was something he had never seen before. "That mana is from someone who possesses all attributes." Unknown's quickened stride seemed to express his excitement. "Could it be... 'Unknown'?" His irises sparkled even brighter with delight, obsession, and fervor. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ End of Chapter 156