#259
Tag, you’re it! (1)
A training facility created solely for me.
Creek— Creek—
Inside, an unusual metallic sound accompanied by intense heat was rising.
Clank— Boom!
“Hoo, phew—!”
Completing yet another routine, I looked down at my sweat-soaked body, steam billowing up and let out a low admiration.
“This is amazing, isn’t it? Even though this is just a tiny fraction of the total amount…”
While I was feeling proud, I glanced at the exercise equipment I had just used and frowned slightly.
Perhaps my strength control was still immature, as the handle area was slightly bent and twisted.
“Hmm, I definitely need something sturdier.”
Common exercise equipment available in the market was unsuitable for a superhuman to train their body with.
Of course, it had a high basic strength due to its nature, but that was only a phrase used among regular people.
‘At this rate, I should just replace everything with Howard’s handmade stuff. It works out well since I’ve been experimenting with the newly acquired materials anyway.’
This sudden growth of the body was due to the “Unique Skill Enhancement (1,300,000)” performed just before sending Hugo to the Ganghwan Realm.
Honestly, I hadn’t planned on sending Hugo there at first.
Having him beside me, being capable of various tasks thanks to “Versatility,” was incredibly convenient, especially since it was a new dimension — I was planning to create and dispatch a new avatar with fresh feelings.
‘If only I hadn’t missed the increase in the number of avatars in both the 1.3 million and consecutively in the 1.4 million upgrades…’
What I had thought would be obvious turned out to be inaccurate, and in the end, I had to send Hugo away to obtain two unexpected abilities.
The first was the derivative ability of “Entity Projection,” which was currently enhancing his physical form.
Unlike the standard “Entity Projection,” which overlays a single entity’s information, this borrowed a portion of the power held by the avatar, allowing it to be maintained throughout an entire day during normal times as it had no clear cooldown and required little energy.
‘You could say it was an always-on passive skill enhancement. Moreover, what’s impressive is… the target avatar isn’t limited to just one entity at a time like “Entity Projection.”’
It would be fair to say it was an incredibly overpowered ability; however, the downside was that the total amount of power that could be borrowed was shockingly inadequate compared to a full “Entity Projection.”
‘But abilities can somehow be developed. If additional enhancement is added and the proficiency increases, perhaps…’
Maybe.
Combining Hans’s dark magic with Heinrich’s holy power, along with Harley’s physical abilities, while simultaneously using blood magic and spirit magic— such a terrifying hybrid could be born.
Of course, it would take a very long time to reach that level.
‘Additionally, other abilities are quite usable as well.’
The problem was the karma balance that I hadn’t anticipated drying up this quickly.
The remaining points after creating the Gold Dragon hatchling Horus were around 2 million.
Following the events in the Zephia Republic, there had been a surge and, thanks to the numerous karma straws I had placed everywhere, it rose to a little over 3 million…
‘Looks like I’m back to square one.’
The points needed for the next upgrade were 1.5 million.
No matter how many karma straws I had placed around like a pension, due to the constant expenditure of “Growth Potion,” unless a significant event occurred, it would take a considerable time to achieve that amount.
“Well, when did I ever start worrying about that.”
While others struggled to gather even 1 million, I had amassed over 10 million points.
To me, karma was merely something that piled up naturally as I did what needed to be done—.
‘Let’s see. Now that the Ganghwan Realm is wrapping up, it’s time to catch my breath…’
My attention shifted back to my territory, Auterica.
*
Time continued steadily in Auterica, even as I was momentarily distracted by the Ganghwan Realm.
The avatars were solidifying their foundations through training and work in their respective positions.
Among them, one avatar had recently been showing particularly violent behavior.
“Ugh…”
“Cough— I yield! I yield!”
“Bwahaha—! Where did that initial enthusiasm go? Is this all it takes to prove yourself? Come on, others, don’t be shy; join in all at once! Hahaha!”
In the midst of dozens of people groaning on the ground, a massive man stood proudly with a defeated warrior’s head clasped in his hands.
The armed individuals surrounding them swallowed hard unconsciously.
Naturally, they couldn’t help but feel that way.
Lying on the ground like drunken vagrants were the best warriors of the village, and the one begging for mercy, caught in the giant’s grip, was their chieftain, the mightiest warrior of the nearby region.
“Hmm? Is that all? Don’t hold back! This has definitely been the most fun so far. Let’s see if the Robot Tribe can truly claim to be the strongest in Karkos!”
“It’s Levart, Master Harley.”
“Hmm? The Robots look stronger, though. Is there no one else wanting to step up?”
Misty, who had been quietly observing from a distance, cautiously corrected his wording, but Harley, already getting into the groove, paid no mind.
Thus, the mad, barbaric warrior’s overpowering energy emitted from his body began to push back everyone around him unconsciously stepping back.
“Hmmm, Master Harley? Isn’t that enough by now? It seems everyone’s ready to concede.”
Eventually, Misty stepped forward with a wry smile again.
The current ruckus had erupted when Harley, accompanied by Misty, arrived to test whether the chieftain and the warriors would allow him the qualifications of a king.
Being located near the tropical rainforest in the southeast, the Levart tribe enjoyed a better position than others and had always been strong and proud, but suddenly having to serve someone they had never met sparked a confrontation.
However, as Harley had mentioned earlier, this wasn’t the first brawl he initiated in this place.
It seemed they had intended, like other tribes, to showcase their skills enough to prevent anyone from being disrespectful towards them…
“…Ugh! The heat is fading.”
Thud—
“Grrr!”
The chieftain, caught in Harley’s enormous hand, crumpled to the ground, swallowing his painful groans.
Though battered and unable to move well, his innate sturdiness forced him to awkwardly shift his body and look up at Harley.
A muscular giant towering over 2.3 meters with a naked upper body adorned with brilliant tattoos.
And amidst the shadow cast by the light, his eyes gleamed either red or green.
Standing still, he exuded an almost imperial pressure that spoke to his overwhelming might— this man was…
‘…A new warlord… Truly a legendary figure.’
The chieftain quietly nodded in admiration.
Despite having taken a beating, his eyes contained no hint of rejection or anger, merely intense reverence and respect.
This wasn’t only true for the chieftain; even the elite warriors groaning on the floor, as well as those surrounding and watching, felt the same.
For the southern warriors, who valued strength above all, the sight of a bare-bodied man deflecting heavy weaponry and overpowering warriors with empty hands was nothing less than a god descending to earth.
“…To the new warlord, Umperante of Levart, I pledge my loyalty.”
“I will pledge!”
“Loyalty…!”
And thus, after a recovery period, the chieftain along with the warriors swore their allegiance to Harley, completing the affair.
“Miss, is that the southeast done too? Hmm, so we’re about halfway there?”
“Oh, please just call me Misty. But you’re right! Wow! Even disregarding the smaller villages, just stopping at the chieftains’ places has already gotten us halfway through in such a short time. Truly, you are amazing, Master Harley!”
Hahaha—! Well, the help of magic has played a significant role too. It seems to fit perfectly with me!
“C-Congruence…? Oh, my! Master Harley too! Ehehe—”
As Misty’s thoughts began to race wildly about how many children she would have with him, Harley scratched his chin, thinking about the next agenda.
‘If it was just an issue related to the new warlord’s inauguration, gathering the chieftains to the center would have sufficed.’
The trouble was that the current circumstances in the south, ravaged by Balteon’s Rebellion, were quite dire.
Not only was the situation being managed, but there were also many areas where remnants remained causing disturbances, so it was best for him to act directly to wrap things up more quickly.
Whoosh—! Well then, shall we hurry? Get back on, miss.
Eek, I think three is perfect… Huh? Yes, yes? Yes! Master Harley!
Thus, with the aid of the Great Mage, Harley dashed at full speed across the southern territories.
As a result, he could tour all the tribes much earlier than expected, eventually ascending to true “Warlord” acknowledged by all the tribes of Karkos.
And finally.
The fragmented power of the south began to rapidly reorganize around him.
*
In the corner of a house, a blonde young man donned in working clothes busily cleaned throughout the building.
Dusting, sweeping, and mopping, his agile moves radiated a professional’s vibe without a hint of waste.
However, as he was lost in the chaos of cleaning fervently.
While diligently wiping the floor, he spotted something and halted, wrinkling his brow.
‘Oh no! A stain has appeared here. The master will get upset if he finds out.’
Determining the issue instantly, he moved into action.
Taking out a small bottle and a brush from his work apron, he carefully dropped some solution on the stain while vigorously scrubbing.
Scrub, scrub, scrub—
“Hah, you insolent stain. How dare you invade my territory. No matter how much you boast, you’re no match for me.”
With a cruel smile, he mercilessly assaulted the stain—
Finally, it vanished without leaving even a trace behind.
Hehe…
Just like— back then.
“…”
Suddenly, his body froze on the ground.
Normally, he would jump right up and proceed to the next task.
But for some reason, this time his mind was a jumble, leaving him unable to do anything.
As time passed.
“Simon~? Are you still cleaning?”
Suddenly, a female voice— the master’s voice— echoed, freezing his body stiff once more.
But just for a moment; after countless training, his body moved instinctively before he knew it.
“Yup! Yes, yes! Mistress! Did you call? I’m coming right now!”
“Really now. Just how slow can you be? What’s the use of you?”
Dashing back to the floor, he lay flat.
However, even in that gesture, Siana, casting a displeased glance at him, clicked her tongue lightly.
Then, stepping on the back of the man, the former Crown Prince of the Azerion Empire, Simon Carte Azerion, she continued in an affectionate tone.
“Simon, have you been slacking off lately due to the lack of punishment? Or did you perhaps want this? Hmm?”
“Eek! N-No, Mistress! I-I…”
“Ah~ so it was true. To see a punishment as a reward. Have you ever seen such a miserable slave? Hehehe.”
His face flushed red, breath quickening.
Simon buried his half-fallen face into the floor, quaking with fear.
He looked so utterly broken that one could hardly imagine he had once been the Crown Prince of an Empire.
Rumble—
While they were somehow enjoying their moment together.
“…What is this?”
A faint tremor suddenly shook the Undying Castle.
It was so minute that a normal person wouldn’t notice, but she— being the commander of the Undying Army— felt it clearly.
“Is the king… rejoicing?”
Though she couldn’t quite grasp the reason.
Siana, who had been gripping the whip tightly, tilted her head slightly.
“Ugh, M-Mistress…”
“Ah.”
At that moment, a groan seeped from beneath her feet.
‘Well, it doesn’t seem like a bad thing, so I suppose it’s fine.’
If something were to happen, the king would let her know.
Before that, there was nothing she could do by worrying, so Siana decided to focus on the current matter.
A sadistic smile crept onto her lips.
As the whip that had been on a brief pause cracked back into the air.
*
Deep within the Undying Castle.
In the private workshop of the Undead King.
[Hehehe— finally.]
In the center, Hans, shrouded in darkness, broke into a low chuckle.
The Undying Castle trembled in response to his emotions, but he wasn’t in the mood to care about such trifles.
He felt so good that nothing else mattered.
[Got you… You little brat.]
Finally.
The long game of tag was nearing its end.
Vroom—
The small metal fragment in Hans’s hand vibrated subtly.
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