Martin’s ability was Beastification.
It was an ability that allowed him to use the traits of animals he had seen personally. Watching him utilize that power caused my understanding of Dragon Transformation to increase, if only by a fraction.
‘If I meet a real dragon…’
I wondered if my understanding of Dragon Transformation would skyrocket.
“Hmph!”
“Try dodging this too!”
Martin, who had transformed into a fox beastman, created several flames and hurled them at Colonel Lord. The colonel infused his fists with mana and swatted the flames away.
Bang!
Bang!
The shockwaves exploding in midair accumulated against Colonel Lord’s body. In a sparring environment where they had to fight bare-handed, Martin utilized the conditions to stack damage on his opponent.
The battle between the two gradually intensified. Martin transformed into a massive bear beastman, clenched his hands together, and brought them down toward Colonel Lord.
“Farewell!”
“Not a chance.”
As if he had been waiting for this exact moment, Colonel Lord smirked and took a stance, sliding one leg back. Watching Martin’s falling fists, he kicked off the ground.
His blurred form vanished instantly and reappeared above the bear beastman’s head. The powerful energy gathered in his fist struck Martin.
Boom!
A massive shockwave erupted, and the giant bear staggered before collapsing backward. Because of his size, the damage taken from the fall was significant. Martin’s gauge, which had been low on accumulated damage, filled up instantly.
Beeeeeeeep!
The winner of the spar was Colonel Lord.
‘His field of vision is certainly wide.’
He had aimed for the moment Martin couldn’t transform again immediately after using Beastification, and he reversed a disadvantageous situation by considering the impact the massive body would take.
If they had fought with all their might without the restrictions of a spar, the result might have been different, but at the very least, Colonel Lord was calmer and had a broader perspective than Martin.
“Ah, what a shame. If only I had more mana, I could have just blocked that.”
“Good work.”
Martin and Colonel Lord shook hands as they stepped out of the sparring arena. The next match was…
“I’ll pass. I’m not particularly greedy, and my ability isn’t specialized for combat anyway.”
Isabella from Australia raised her hand and declared her forfeiture. She used a simple healing spell on Colonel Lord and Martin as they stepped out.
‘That’s a pity.’
Since I already knew healing magic, the Blessing of Magic did not trigger. I wanted to learn more diverse divine power spells, but it seemed that would only be possible once we entered the dungeon.
“Hey, Dokkaebi. Let’s go a round.”
I turned my head to find Jessica looking at me with a gaze burning with enthusiasm.
“Sure.”
“Okay.”
I entered the sparring arena and stood facing Jessica.
“Shall we see if your skills have improved?”
“Look forward to it.”
With the sound signaling the start of the match, Jessica lunged forward with everything she had. White flames erupted from both of her fists. It seemed she had gained something while clearing the Labyrinth stages.
What I wanted, however, were the skills of the other Twelve Constellations.
‘Shall I end this quickly?’
I used the mana from my Dragon Heart to create an ice shield. The solid ice crystals formed in front of me met Jessica’s fists.
Whoosh!
The white flames swallowed the ice shield. However, the shield did not melt and endured the fire. I detonated the shield right then and there.
Boom!
The freezing air spreading in all directions engulfed Jessica. In the center of the swirling white frost, Jessica’s eyes flashed with a red glow. Invisible heat melted every single frost crystal.
“Ho.”
“I’m not the same person I was before.”
I saw something in Jessica’s confident appearance. It was as if fire had taken human form; she felt as though she had become one with the element.
“Try your best to block this. It won’t be easy.”
If she used a technique in that state, it certainly would have been difficult to block. However, this was currently a spar.
Beep!
Powerful techniques consumed a corresponding amount of mana. That was why it was difficult to use high-level skills in the sparring arena.
“Ah, what the hell!”
“What do you mean ‘what’? It’s your fault for getting excited and forgetting this is a spar.”
“Let’s go again. I’ll blast you right away this time.”
“It’s over.”
I pushed the clinging Jessica away and looked toward the edge of the arena. Most people were staring at her. Seeing her significantly stronger than they remembered, they were likely searching for the cause in their heads. They wondered how she had managed to grow another step further.
“It feels like I didn’t even get to use my power properly. Let’s go a round as well.”
Cheonma.
The strongest Hunter in China and the man always mentioned as the number one in the world. I was curious to see just how strong he actually was.
“Sure.”
“This should be interesting.”
Cheonma stood before me, exuding a raw, wild aura. I could feel the gazes from outside the arena shifting back to us. I turned my attention to Cheonma in front of me.
The moment he placed his hand on his sword hilt, the air changed. A sharp edge was hidden within his heavy momentum. A sensation that I would be cut if I moved even an inch spread through my entire body. I also released my momentum, clashing against his energy.
“Ho.”
With an interested expression, Cheonma drew his sword and let it hang low. As the bell signaling the start of the match rang out, Cheonma moved his body.
His movements were drawn out like slow motion. It felt as if his physical speed couldn’t keep up with the speed of his soul, as if the soul had lunged forward first. Suddenly, Cheonma flew toward me at incredible speed.
I infused my fist with mana and attempted a counterattack by parrying his sword. Cheonma swung his blade with concise movements.
‘It’s destructive.’
A destructive energy was embedded in every swing of his sword. I could see his intent was to tear the opponent apart. I kept his sword in my sight and took the blows with my body.
I faced his swordsmanship using the Black Killing Fist I had learned from Turkan of the Dark Night. The battle unfolded like a single panorama. The fierce combat between Cheonma’s sword and my fists passed by rapidly.
Crack!
The duel ended as my fist reached Cheonma’s heart.
However, I felt no sensation. The battle we had just waged hadn’t been real.
“Damn it. You’re incredibly strong. I lost.”
At the sound of Cheonma’s voice, I snapped back to reality. He was already sheathing his sword.
“What do you mean you lost? You just drew your sword and put it back.”
“Were you suppressed by his momentum?”
“…What was that? What just happened?”
It was a fascinating experience. We hadn’t actually clashed sword and fist, yet it felt as real as if we had.
[Using Talent of the Martial God (EX) to understand the principles and structure of Heavenly Demon Sword Style (SSS).]
[Your understanding of sword styles is low.]
[You have acquired Heavenly Demon Sword Style (S).]
The entirety of the sword style was etched into my mind and body. As my understanding increased, the path for how to fight in the future became even clearer.
‘He’s definitely on a different level.’
I hadn’t sparred with all the other Twelve Constellations yet, but he was in a different league compared to Martin, Jessica, and Colonel Lord. I could feel why he held the first seat among the Twelve Constellations. It was a shame that I couldn’t see everything he had to offer due to the limitations of a spar.
‘I’m looking forward to it.’
I was curious to see how he, as well as the other Twelve Constellations, would fight in the SS-Class Red Dungeon.
“Then there’s no need to spar any further. You were the owner of this dungeon anyway, so you should take the role of the raid leader.”
At Colonel Lord’s words, the rest of the Twelve Constellations did not object.
“Fine. It’s a spar anyway, so it doesn’t feel like a real fight. Let’s just go grab a drink.”
“I’ll have wine.”
“Great. Let’s go! Time to party.”
The day of the raid arrived.
Greeting a fresh morning, I had a hearty breakfast at the restaurant and changed my clothes. It was a hanbok made by the Association.
They had designed it like a martial attire that was easy to wear. It was overall black with a golden dragon embroidered on it.
[Using Golden Dragon Eye to check item information.]
[Artisan-made Martial Attire (SSS)]
– Magic Attack Amplification (SS)
– Martial Arts Attack Amplification (SS)
– Resistance Greatly Increased (SS)
– Attribute Affinity Greatly Increased (SSS)
I had worked hard to etch enchantments onto it using the materials I obtained from the Dragon Lair. I also packed the items Rose had advised me to bring.
‘Shall we go?’
After gathering everything I needed, I made my way to the location of the Red Dungeon. I saw the raid members who had arrived early.
There were the teams led by each nation and their team leaders, the Twelve Constellations.
Even Cheonma, who hadn’t shown his face for a while since the spar, was there. Everyone was gathered in front of the Red Dungeon.
I stared at the Red Dungeon, which looked like a giant demon’s eye.
[Red Dungeon (SS)]
– If not cleared within the time limit, a Dungeon Break will occur.
– Time limit: 20 days.
– Defeat all Boss Monsters within the time limit.
– Boss Monsters: 0/100
I didn’t know the exact rank of the boss monsters inside, but 100 was not a small number. Furthermore, boss monsters weren’t the only things in there.
[Using Golden Dragon Eye.]
[Red Dungeon (SS)]
– Defeat the Red Dragon guarding the lair and obtain the rewards.
– The SS-Class Red Dungeon is a testing ground to select a new Apostle.
– Those chosen here will immediately become a Lower Apostle and act with a portion of the Red Dragon God’s authority.
– An Apostle of the Red Dragon God currently exists inside.
– Red Dragon: 0/1
– Reward: Red Dragon Heart (SS)
The Apostle of the Red Dragon God and the Red Dragon itself.
These two entities would act as massive variables.
While I had heard a few things from Rose beforehand, they were merely methods for dealing with dragons and SS-class Red Dungeons in general.
She said I would have to see for myself what kind of traps had been set.
No matter how much I thought about it from the outside, entering and checking personally would be much faster.
“If everyone is ready, let’s go in.”
“Let’s move.”
I led the raid team toward the SS-Class Red Dungeon.
“Finally, today, the raid on the SS-Class Red Dungeon begins!”
“All Twelve Constellations except for the Sword Saint are participating, and it has been confirmed that Korea’s Dokkaebi will be leading the raid team!”
“Ah! They are entering the dungeon now!”
“Please give them your support!”
Leaving the voices of the reporters behind in the distance, we entered the dungeon. A white light flashed, and the surrounding scenery shifted.
[You have entered the SS-Class Red Dungeon.]
– Hunt the Boss Monsters.
– 0/100
I looked around to gauge the atmosphere. It wasn’t much different from a typical forest. Towering mountains were visible, and below them, trees and rocks were densely packed. I used perception magic to identify enemies in the vicinity.
‘Three nearby.’
We could encounter them if we just moved forward a little.
“Three boss monsters ahead. Can you all feel them?”
All the Twelve Constellations nodded.
“Let’s try taking them down ourselves first, just to see what level they are.”
“Shall we go have some fun?”
“I’ll burn them all to death.”
Seeing them burning with zeal, Benjamin, the Twelve Constellations member from the UK, stretched out both hands. The mana flowing from his hands turned into threads and settled onto the Hunters’ clothing. As if knitting, the threads transformed into garments.
[You have received a buff.]
[For the next 1 hour, Defense and Magic Resistance are doubled.]
[You have received a buff.]
[For now, all power is doubled.]
Various buffs surrounded us. Now that we’re buffed, shall we go wild?
“Let’s go.”
Leading the Hunters, I moved forward. Before long, the boss monsters revealed themselves. They were three times larger than average Orcs.
[Using Golden Dragon Eye.]
[Orc King (S+)]
They were all boss monsters with an S+ rank.
“Hraaaaaah!”
Martin, who had received the buffs, transformed into a werewolf and tore one Orc King to shreds. Following that, Jessica’s flames incinerated another Orc King, and Colonel Lord’s fist blew off the head of the third.
‘For the Twelve Constellations with buffs, this is a piece of cake.’
At this rate, it seemed we could pick up the pace and head deeper inside.
“Shall we speed things up a bit?”