Chapter 260 - Does the Golden Dragon Dream of the Invincible Legion (2)
The representatives from each country agreed to leave Africa three days later and return home. The search that took place after was carried out, with safety being the utmost priority. Meanwhile, the base camp was very quiet, but a gloomy atmosphere had settled over it. At the same time, they had achieved much; they had taken a hefty blow. While they had fought the countercurrent, Zeus, the industry’s No. 1 mercenary group, revealed their dark side. Then, the superhumans had to stand by and watch as two women with terrible power battled it out, then both vanished without a trace.
As a result, it was revealed to humanity that they had no control over what was happening on the African continent. It even taught them a painful lesson – that they didn’t know where traitors might be hiding in superhuman society. The only positive thing was that the power humanity had built up so far worked to some extent in the African continent. When you reached the level of humanity’s strongest, you could fight in Africa. They had also discovered the traitors who would’ve further damaged superhuman society if left alone.
[There are too many unnecessary eyes looking at us. Shall I pluck them all, Anvil?]
“It’s a request from me, so please quit, Tsukuyo.”
Of course, Kang Shin-hyuk had been involved in all of that. From entering the African continent to rescuing the British soldiers caught in the countercurrent, detecting the irregular gate, and trampling down the Zeus guild. Even the unidentified ‘R,’ who had emerged as a powerhouse in this countercurrent, was a member of the same group, Masked Bacchus. Shin Eunah’s activities were also amazing. She had reduced the countercurrent, but everyone had also seen her move away the magic snow to attack the monsters instead of humans.
‘So, in conclusion, Korea has become a hot potato.’
Unfortunately, Zeus was also born in Korea. Since the Korean superhumans had found out and solved their betrayal, he couldn’t help but recall what happened in Paris last year. There were a lot of talks, but Korea had ultimately succeeded in solidifying its position as a superpower after Paris, so perhaps the same would happen this time as well. Everyone had no doubt that the Death Puppeteer’s ranking would be updated as soon as they got back from the expedition. However, he was more concerned about the true possibility of his trait that had been revealed.
‘Manifesting the traits of those three, evolving Eli’s trait, and even evolving Hell... I thought it was a versatile power that encompasses both inanimate and living things, but I couldn’t even imagine that it would be the power to evolve the source.’
Had Lee Na-hee’s trait evolution in Paris also been the result of his ability? Lee Na-hee had been exposed to his trait for the longest, indirectly through creating artifacts with him. He could now be sure that his own excessively rapid growth was also the result of being influenced by his own trait. So why hadn’t he realized it so far? The reason was simple. That was because Kang Shin-hyuk didn’t have the spiritual power and energy to maintain the strength of his trait on others. But now that his Golden Dragon Fighter was a whopping SSS-rank, and his spiritual power was SS+, he could.
‘Because I’m already exposed to the influence of the trait all day, there’s no point in experimenting with it.’
The evolution of his trait, which had only one last condition, probably needed him to keep his guardian Golden Dragon on a target. Eleanor and his friends from the orphanage had awakened this time, and he could use it on Lee Na-hee and Baek In-ha when he went back to school. He was thinking of giving it to Shin Eunah, and of course, Claire as well.
‘...Can I survive?’
No, he was motivated to think of it as trait training. Moreover, Golden Dragon’s original recovery speed was fast, and it recovered with his physical strength, so he could use a strength potion to help him. If everyone grew according to his intentions, Shin Eunah’s idea to target Africa with a small number of elites wouldn’t be a dream.
‘It is to increase the power of people I can trust step-by-step...’
Certainly, the best condition by which to increase his abilities was to build power in his allies. When he was younger and lived only with the thought of revenge against the monsters, he had a dream of becoming the head of a huge guild and sweeping away the monsters. Now that idea had emerged as a realistic plan, he just laughed.
[You must’ve come up with an interesting idea, Anvil.]
“Yeah. I have a good plan for what to do in the future.”
[It’s an important moment. You’re happy, so I’m happy.]
-...It seems the time has come to expel the fox member. Are you still working on that?
Kang Shin-hyuk took out the iron fan that had been repaired and renovated from his inventory.
“I finished it a few hours ago. Tsukuyo, check it out. I used the Furnace of Nephritis, so the performance should have improved.”
[Ah.]
Tsukuyo sounded like she was standing at the entrance of hell. Her work on cleansing the earth had finished a little while ago, and the cause of her to continue the dimensional quest had disappeared. However, since she entrusted her weapon to Kang Shin-hyuk, she had been struggling with the administrator, saying that she had to stay until it was repaired.
[You, you’re too much, Anvil. You finished it so quickly... shit! It’s become a completely different artifact from before?!]
Tsukuyo, resenting Kang Shin-hyuk’s swift work, retrieved the iron fan and looked at it with wide eyes as she confirmed its ability. Kang Shin-hyuk didn’t know its performance even though he created it because it exceeded his current limit. Still, seeing Tsukuyo like that told him that he had made it well.
-Very well done, member!
[Wait, a kiss of love and gratitude for Anvil...!]
The administrator expelled Tsukuyo, who was urgently trying to turn back into her main body from her fox form. Still, Kang Shin-hyuk was also feeling a bit sad after seeing someone who had been stuck with him for a few days disappear in an instant.
-Finally, the noisy thing is gone. 500,000HP bonus!
“I don’t know why there’s no disciplinary action against you.”
-The only person who can discipline me is you.
“Okay, okay.”
Perhaps he was already at a level beyond VIP. Kang Shin-hyuk stretched out his shoulders with such fuzzy thoughts. The expedition would now be leaving Africa. At least for the time being, he wouldn’t have to worry about the relationship between the Hero Universe and Jormungand.
“Ah.”
“Senior.”
He found Shin Eunah drawing a magic circle throughout the base camp that attracted the surrounding mana. Looking at it, most people who had properties that were favorable for magic were only good at certain types of magic. However, Shin Eunah not only had the ability to handle lightning, but she was good at magic in general.
“I learned it from the Hero Universe.”
“No wonder.”
“It was possible because I was smart.”
Kang Shin-hyuk was well aware of her high intelligence. No, in the first place, magical traits were often expressed in those with superior intelligence rather than those with superior physiques. Furthermore, Shin Eunah had two traits, so it was obvious she boasted an excellent mind from a young age. She, who had been unloved by her parents, had found her place in the Hero Universe and earnestly learned magic passed on from the other members who loved her like a granddaughter.
“Again, looking at me with those eyes.”
“It’s your fault for that remark.”
“Now look, no.”
Shin Eunah approached him and held both his hands together tightly. It seemed that the way she approached him had changed significantly. Moreover, it was terrifying that she didn’t care about other people’s eyes at all.
“Is it like this?”
“Look closely at my face. Don’t let me go until that stupid look changes.”
It seemed that Tsukuyo had a strange effect on Shin Eunah. He looked closely at her face; the first thing that caught his eyes was her tidy bangs. Her hair was dark in a way that was different from Tsukuyo’s night-black hair. Her eyes were sharp, but they were beautifully dyed gold. Moreover, her cool nose and small thick lips were the ultimate in beauty. The same was true of her clear, white skin.
‘Hmm, she looks prettier.’
The higher one’s status was, the more parts of their body were corrected, and the more beautiful they naturally became. At the top ranks, everyone could be considered as handsome or beautiful unless they were originally quite distorted. And, of course, the better the original, the more surprising they became. Since Shin Eunah was born with great beauty, and her spirit and body were constantly evolving with her infinite magical power, only a few could hold a candle to her.
‘...Wait, I think she even put on makeup.’
Shin Eunah was originally famous for not wearing a lot of makeup. She had crushed other female superhumans with her natural beauty. There could only be one reason why she was now. She was trying to show him.
“...”
Kang Shin-hyuk was filled with joy, admiration, anguish, and sorrow as he wondered what to say. Her ears were burning red.
“I’m ashamed to have you look at me like that...”
“You did this.”
-Gaia, give me the power to kick that fox...
Shin Eunah turned her head first, conceding to Kang Shin-hyuk. He didn’t know when this fight started, but he won anyway. Kang Shin-hyuk applied his trait to her as they held hands.
“Huh...?”
“This time, Eli’s trait evolved to SSS-rank. Before that, my friends awakened. I concluded that the result was my trait’s influence.”
“So... this?”
Shin Eunah raised her head as she felt the spiritual power and Golden Dragon energy flow through her and mingle her with magic. Kang Shin-hyuk nodded.
“Yes. From now on, I will keep it up. You will be able to grow further.”
“...Continue.”
“Okay. I will try not to break the effect of the trait. But if it breaks, I’ll try it again.”
“Continue...”
Shin Eunah’s face turned red again as she mumbled quietly.
“It feels like I’m being held.”
“Yes, no.”
-It would be nice if this fox could also be expelled from Earth...
Shin Eunah’s condition was serious.
Bridget Poulsen, who later discovered the sight, bothered Kang Shin-hyuk by asking what he had done to Eunah. Kang Shin-hyuk, who wasn’t yet convinced of her, decided to ask about the effects of her traits.
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