Chapter 152: Growth

[Trial – ‘Terror of the Intense Cold’ is ending.]

With the message, Antiphus’s frozen body instantly thawed. His body returned to its original, healthy state as if he had just woken from a dream.

“Huff… haa…”

He exhaled the breath he had been holding and hurriedly inhaled again.

Antiphus Praman.

Out in the world, he was called the strongest man alive.

He had thought that things like fear no longer remained within him.

“This… damn it…”

But that wasn’t the case.

Primal fear was something even Antiphus had never truly experienced before.

Even while his entire body was freezing and being scorched by fire, there was nothing he could do.

Even when he tried to resist with skills, wrapped his body in Aura, and swung his sword, nothing worked—it was like cutting through a ghost in broad daylight.

The thought that he could die like this, writhing in pain without being able to do anything.

The helplessness that came from realizing that none of the power or abilities he had worked so hard for were effective. To put it all together, it was fear.

But he had to overcome it.

The path he had chosen for himself was that kind of path.

[You have completely overcome the Terror of the Intense Cold.]

[You have met the activation requirements for the Trait – ‘Dominion’.]

The trait ‘Dominion’ was obtained as a reward for being ranked 2nd.

Among the tens of thousands of traits known within the Ventair worldview, it was called the strongest, the pinnacle.

He didn’t know what Jijoncheonma’s 1st place reward was, but he was certain that whatever trait it was, it would be inferior to his own.

That was because ‘Dominion’ was a trait that aimed solely for the very top.

It was a perfect trait that could make one the strongest in the world if only it could be handled properly.

Of course, not just anyone could handle it.

Even if others were lucky enough to possess it, they wouldn’t have been able to master it.

A ruler is one who does not know fear.

One who must not feel fear.

It was a dangerous ability where the moment one failed to overcome fear and was consumed by it, they would lose all the power they had achieved and fall into ruin in an instant.

It was only possible because it was Antiphus.

[Trait ‘Dominion’ dominates ‘Terror of the Intense Cold’.]

[You have acquired Trait – ‘Unshaking Body’.]

[The accuracy of all skills increases.]

[You have acquired Trait – ‘Ice Attribute Infusion’.]

[You can now infuse Aura and Magic Power with the Ice attribute.]

[Resistance to the Ice attribute increases significantly.]

[You have acquired Skill – ‘Cold Release (Low)’.]

[By overcoming the Terror of the Intense Cold, the rank of the skill increases.]

[Skill – ‘Cold Release (Low)’ changes to Skill – ‘Frost Wave (Mid)’.]

This was the power of Dominion, which sat at the pinnacle of all traits.

An absurd power that dominated abilities and made them one’s own.

It couldn’t master a single attribute to the extreme like Jijoncheonma’s ‘Lord of Flames’ or Daphne’s ‘Glacial Ruler’ in the game, but it was a trait that could handle all attributes and stand superior to them.

Therefore, the trials provided by this Space of Suffering were the perfect training ground for Antiphus.

Because it was a trial where he had to overcome the primal fear that he could never experience under normal circumstances.

It felt as if the space knew his abilities well and was trying to nurture them, but he dismissed that as an overstatement.

“Hehehe… I’ve even overcome the Terror of the Intense Cold.”

He had overcome the Terror of Flames and even the Terror of the Intense Cold.

Since these were rare, primal, and strong fears, it meant the traits and abilities he gained were quite significant.

It meant he was growing stronger rapidly.

Of course, the trials were not over.

[Trial – ‘Terror of the Deep Sea’ begins.]

But that didn’t mean these trials were enjoyable.

[Endure and overcome the Terror of the Deep Sea.]

It was horribly difficult.

That was why this was the trial of suffering.

“Ugh…”

By the time he had overcome the Terror of Flames, the Terror of the Intense Cold, and the Terror of the Deep Sea, he was already a wreck.

His body was fine, but his mind had been hacked to pieces.

He didn’t even know how much time had passed.

They said he had overcome the fear, but he couldn’t even clearly perceive how he had done it.

Only one thing led him this far.

His powerful competitive spirit—the mindset of absolutely refusing to lose.

It was a grand competitive spirit that suppressed even primal fear and forced him to overcome it.

As long as he held onto that thought and endured, eventually the fourth trial, the Terror of the Desert, also came to an end.

[Trial – ‘Terror of the Desert’ is ending.]

Before he could even check the message, he collapsed to the floor.

The fourth trial, the Terror of the Desert.

At least it was better.

Compared to the previous fears of flame, cold, and the deep sea, the pain of moisture leaving his body and sand and insects crawling over him was bearable.

Though, regardless of his thoughts, his mind was dizzy and his body lacked strength.

[You have successfully conquered the Space of Suffering.]

As he overcame the fourth trial, the Terror of the Desert, the message for a successful conquest finally appeared.

“Fi, finally…”

Antiphus rejoiced, speaking words that were unlike his usual self.

“It’s over… I’ve won this, without a doubt.”

Even he, with the Dominion trait, had suffered this much fear and pain.

It was a good thing he had a competitive spirit strong enough to transcend that fear; if anyone else had entered, they surely would have taken several times longer, or perhaps even failed the trial altogether.

So, Antiphus looked at the collapsing Space of Suffering with certainty and joy.

“Jijoncheonma. No matter how great you are, you can’t be without fear.”

A trial regarding fear and overcoming it.

In a way, it was a field that could be called Antiphus’s specialty, but who could he complain to about that?

“So don’t make excuses about being unlucky.”

The space shattered, and his vision was submerged in darkness.

[The Space of Suffering is collapsing.]

He suspected Jijoncheonma might be struggling quite a bit in the Space of Infinity as well.

He didn’t know how much time had passed, but if he joined now, he would be able to play a big part and be of great help.

Just as he was thinking that, the space completely crumbled. Before his vision could return from the darkness, his hearing recovered first, and he heard sounds.

As expected, it was the noise of fierce combat, as if they were fighting intensely.

And then.

“Advance! Advance!”

The shouts of knights filled with strength.

Boom—!

The sound of explosions continued incessantly from all directions.

Just as he began to think the situation was a bit different from what he expected, his vision began to return.

The first thing that caught his eye was the pillars of fire rising in all directions. The sight of knights joyfully slaughtering monsters.

And.

An unidentified Death God boasting an overwhelming presence in the center.

And the man in ornate clothing standing beneath it.

“Jijoncheonma…!”

He had cleared the Space of Suffering before Antiphus and was already showing off his presence in the Space of Infinity.

Him.

Unlike Antiphus, who was kneeling and staggering, he looked perfectly fine.

What that meant was clear.

Defeat.

He had lost again.

Jijoncheonma won, and he lost.

This should not be taken for granted.

He knew better than anyone that if this was repeated, he would eventually start believing he would lose.

Therefore, he tried to raise his sword with anger in his heart, but in truth, there weren’t even many monsters left.

“Hio Pavlenko!”

“The great Guardian Knight of Verden!”

Hio Pavlenko personally slit the throat of the last monster, and with that, the conquest of the 53rd floor of the Abyss concluded.

[-The 53rd floor sinks into the bottomless Abyssal Depths.]

The one who emerged first from the Space of Suffering was also Hio Pavlenko.

Therefore, the one who received the most attention was also Hio Pavlenko.

The name everyone was shouting was also Hio Pavlenko.

Yet, not a hint of joy could be found on Hio Pavlenko’s face.

That made Antiphus even angrier.

[The floor is collapsing.]

Until the very moment they returned.

He didn’t like how Hio was just staring at the monster corpses scattered on the ground while everyone else was chanting and cheering his name.

He didn’t like how Hio just flew away after exchanging a few words with Vitalianus after leaving the Abyss.

He didn’t like how everyone was talking about Hio Pavlenko on the way back to the Imperial Castle.

In such a situation, he himself had to participate in the triumphal ceremony for the sake of Reputation Points, and it also annoyed him that Hio Pavlenko didn’t even participate in such things and acted all noble.

In other words, he hated the fact that Hio Pavlenko’s name was still heard everywhere.

So, in the middle of the triumphal ceremony where only Hio’s name could be heard, Antiphus vowed once again.

Next time, definitely.

He would win by any means necessary.

Since he had gained much from the Space of Suffering this time, he would make it completely his own and surpass Jijoncheonma.

That was the path of the ruler that Antiphus knew.

***

“How was it? Your thoughts on joining the Continent’s most elite expedition?”

At Melissa’s question, Claire shook her head.

“To be honest, I felt like I didn’t belong there.”

Only a few days had passed since the conquest ended, but the events of that time already felt like a distant memory.

That was how much the battle of those beings from another world had impacted her.

‘What did Claire herself do there?’

She was merely protected.

“It’s only natural for it to be overwhelming. Didn’t you say it’s only been a year since you graduated from the Imperial Academy?”

“Ah, I haven’t graduated yet.”

“Huh?”

“It’s not that I graduated, it’s only been a year since I enrolled…”

“…Right. Anyway, you’re doing well, so there’s no need to be so discouraged.”

Melissa comforted her like that, but Claire wasn’t particularly discouraged.

She had simply felt it once again.

Exactly what it was she was aiming for.

She had reached a place where she could see it with her own eyes, but the distance to stand by his side was still dauntingly high and very far.

“So, what’s it like seeing your goal up close?”

“…Pardon?”

“There’s no need to play dumb. You joined the Royal Knights just to see the Guardian Knight, didn’t you?”

“Ah, no, it’s not necessarily that… how did you…?”

“You make it so obvious, there’s no way not to know. Anyway, what’s the verdict? He’s amazing, isn’t he?”

At Melissa’s question, the scene from a few days ago flashed through Claire’s mind.

The overwhelming sight of him sweeping away monsters the moment he emerged from the Space of Suffering.

The powerful strength with which he commanded the Death God and settled everything so easily.

“Yes, he was amazing.”

An expedition filled with the strongest people in the Empire and the Continent.

Even among them, his power was overwhelming.

It was the path she wanted to take, her goal.

“You haven’t given up, have you?”

At Melissa’s question, Claire’s head snapped up.

“No way.”

Faced with those red eyes burning more fiercely than before, Melissa offered a rare smile.

Looking at Claire made her feel as if she too would be infected by that burning passion.

“So this is why Lord Vitalianus brought you along.”

Perhaps Vitalianus had brought Claire along to tell the others to learn something from watching such a hardworking girl.

While Melissa was muttering that, a hesitant Claire carefully spoke up.

“Um… more than that, there’s something I’d like to ask.”

“Go ahead.”

“Hio… I mean, where is the Guardian Knight? He left immediately after the conquest and hasn’t returned to the Imperial Castle…”

“Do you miss him?”

“Pardon? No! No! It’s not like that, I was just curious…!”

Melissa’s faint smile deepened.

In a knight order where everyone was either missing a screw or just plain stoic, this was a refreshing reaction.

“Unfortunately, no one knows the Guardian Knight’s location. He’s always busy somewhere.”

“Oh…”

“Well, His Majesty the Emperor or Lord Vitalianus might know, do you want to ask them yourself?”

“Ah, no! I’m fine! Then, I’ll be going to train now!”

Claire scurried away before she could be teased any further.

Melissa’s blue eyes followed Claire’s retreating figure.

“…Claire.”

The faint smile that had been lingering vanished, and her expression settled into its usual coldness.

In accordance with that, her blue eyes also sank deep.

There was one reason she was watching Claire so closely.

“She’s a monster.”

It was because she had witnessed Claire’s monster-like talent at the Gate they had started calling a Magyeong.

‘What had Claire achieved based on the casual advice she had given ]in passing?’

To put her heart into the skill.

She told her to put her emotions into the fire, but she hadn’t expected much.

But what Claire achieved immediately after was definitely…

“This is it.”

Intent.

“I should work harder too.”

The basic stage of Intent.

A skill of the strongest, which Melissa herself had yet to fully realize; a technique completed by perfectly handling the physical body, fully controlling the mind, and further looking into one’s own soul.

Of course, it was still insignificant, but the important thing was Claire’s terrifying rate of growth.

If she continued to grow like this, the day she stood shoulder to shoulder with Melissa might not be that far off.

So, Melissa also began to walk, following Claire.

Perhaps this was.

“Claire, let’s go together.”

“Ye, yes?”

The spark of change that Vitalianus had hoped for.

The beginning of it.