Chapter 61

061. Another Administrator (2)

「Category: Authorities」

「List (2/3)」

「Authority: Rebirth (C+)」

「Authority: Iron-Blooded Sword (A-)」

「Authority: Hand of Death (B-)」

‘Why are the authority levels so high...?’

They were of a higher grade than the abilities he had seen on the first page.

Even the names of the authorities clearly indicated a specialization in combat.

‘Perhaps the Iron-Blooded Sovereign wasn’t just being paranoid when he told me to check the authorities...’

All the authorities seemed to be more outstanding than those on the first page.

And...

「Authority: Rebirth (C+)」

「Price: 1,500 SP」

「Description: An authority that can transform any bone structure into a martial bone. It can change the bone structure regardless of enlightenment, and all stats increase by +2 when the transformation occurs. However, this authority cannot be purchased if the user has already undergone Rebirth or is capable of doing so at any time.」

「Authority: Iron-Blooded Sword (A-)」

「Price: 5,000 SP」

「Description: Allows the user to summon an iron-blooded sword made of mana. However, the user’s mana is not consumed. The sword’s level is proportional to the user’s mana and swordsmanship skills, and it can be immediately summoned again if it breaks. However, only one Iron-Blooded Sword can be summoned at a time.」

「Authority: Hand of Death (B-)」

「Price: 2,500 SP」

「Description: Doubles the efficiency of necromancy and black magic, and causes minor physical decay when touching an object and causing injury. However, if the target has regeneration abilities, the effect of those abilities is reduced by half.」

“...”

As he reviewed the authorities, he realized he had been right.

‘Why are all these authorities so good...?’

Rebirth, which boosts stats, seemed like a cheat ability...

The Iron-Blooded Sword and Hand of Death below it were on a completely different level.

Being able to summon an Iron-Blooded Sword or cause physical decay...

He couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh as he read the descriptions.

‘These are absurd abilities.’

In terms of skills, they could be considered the main abilities of S-rank Hunters.

‘Especially the Hand of Death, which might be the most challenging among the authorities listed.’

While the Iron-Blooded Sword simply boosts physical power, the Hand of Death is different.

It causes physical decay and reduces the effectiveness of regeneration abilities by half.

‘If I face an opponent with regeneration abilities, I could easily gain the upper hand.’

To someone who knew many such monsters, this ability was very appealing.

However, he couldn’t just be overjoyed by this ability.

‘Does this mean other administrators also have such incredible abilities?’

It wasn’t just the Hand of Death; other authorities might also possess such abilities.

This also meant that his skill, ‘Ashen Blood,’ could be sealed.

“I need to be careful...”

If he faced another challenger in a trial, it could be dangerous.

Of course, choosing ‘Combat’ at the branching point would reduce such incidents, but there was no guarantee he wouldn’t face a challenger.

‘This applies to interdimensional challengers and those who intrude into layers as well.’

From now on, he needed to be more cautious in battles.

After all, those who had completed contracts with administrators were insanely strong.

‘What authority should I choose...?’

While he wanted many of the authorities, their prices were all quite high.

He currently had only 2,000 SP.

This meant he could only buy C-rank authorities like Rebirth or Sword Qi Wounding.

‘What should I do?’

It would be nice to save more SP to buy a better authority, but he couldn’t afford to wait.

He knew how absurdly strong interdimensional challengers could be.

‘The higher the level, the stronger the interdimensional challengers will become.’

The old man he had encountered on the 9th floor, Baek Sun-hak, was a mad monster.

While his manner of speaking and thinking was similar to a lunatic, his combat power was undeniable.

To avoid dying to such monsters, it was important to purchase an authority first.

“Is this the only choice...?”

「Authority: Sword Qi Wounding (C+)」

「Price: 1,500 SP」

「Description: The result of the ability to use sword qi, which is said to be the domain of first-class martial artists, transformed into an authority. It is more powerful than regular sword qi, and obtaining it allows the user to enhance swords and blades with mana or internal energy.」

Sword Qi Wounding.

As he looked at the authority sponsored by the administrator Baek Hak-geon, he narrowed his eyes.

He needed not only the Triple Cut skill but also the ability to enhance his sword.

Baek Sun-hak had been able to infuse his sword with enough mana to block the Triple Cut.

‘That must have been the effect of a skill or authority.’

Moreover, when his sword was enveloped in lightning, he couldn’t help but feel tense.

It was clear from a single glance that it contained a terrifying power.

While the skill was immediately canceled, and nothing serious happened, he still felt the need to prepare.

「You have purchased the authority ‘Sword Qi Wounding (C+)’.」

「1,500 SP has been deducted.」

“Sigh...”

He sighed deeply as he saw the SP deducted instantly.

‘I needed it, but it’s a shame to see my SP drained so quickly.’

With only a small amount of SP left, he couldn’t help but feel a bit disheartened.

He wanted to buy Rebirth, which increased all stats by +2, but...

Well, it would be more efficient to buy it later when his stats weren’t improving as much.

“Status window.”

『Han Sung-yun』

『Aura – Dominator』

『Strength – 67』 『Endurance – 66』

『Agility – 68』 『Mana – 63』

『Durability – 63』

『Unique Trait – Necromancy (C)』

『Unique Authority – Skill Synthesis』

『Authority – Clear Mind (C-), Sword Qi Wounding (C+)』

『Skills – View Details』

‘Apart from a slight increase in agility, my stats haven’t changed much.’

Even the increase in agility was likely due to achieving the ‘Blind Man’s Evasion’ achievement during his fight with Baek Sun-hak.

Putting aside the minor growth, he focused on checking the details of Sword Qi Wounding.

『Sword Qi Wounding (C+)』

『Rank: C+』

『The ability to use sword qi, which is said to be the domain of first-class martial artists, transformed into an authority. It is more powerful than regular sword qi, and obtaining it allows the user to enhance swords and blades with mana or internal energy. However, the mana consumption rate increases proportionally with the activation time.』

“Hmm...”

There wasn’t much additional information, but it mentioned that the mana consumption rate increases with the activation time.

‘Does this mean there’s no cooldown...?’

If true, this authority might be even more outstanding than he thought.

After reading the description, he drew his sword and began infusing it with mana.

「The authority ‘Sword Qi Wounding’ is activated.」

Swish...

Simultaneously, a message indicating the activation of the authority appeared, and a blue aura enveloped the sword.

The sword seemed to be wrapped in a mist, creating a surreal atmosphere that left him in awe.

“Wow...”

When he used the Triple Cut skill, mana flowed through the sword, but this was different.

While the flow of mana through the sword could be described as a stream, the sudden surge of mana in the sword for the Triple Cut was more like a wave.

‘The feeling is quite different.’

While he couldn’t test the power here...

He could understand the meaning of the added description: “The mana consumption rate increases proportionally with the activation time.”

「The activation time of the authority ‘Sword Qi Wounding’ has reached 1 minute.」

「Mana consumption rate increased by 2%.」

「The activation time of the authority ‘Sword Qi Wounding’ has reached 2 minutes...」

「Mana consumption rate increased by 4%...」

「The activation time of the authority ‘Sword Qi Wounding’ has reached 3 minutes...」

「Mana consumption rate increased by 6%...」

A message appeared every minute, indicating a 2% increase in mana consumption rate.

‘After 50 minutes, the mana consumption rate will increase by 100%.’

In other words, it would consume mana at an insane rate.

Even without the increased consumption rate, it already consumed a lot of mana, so the increase made it even more draining.

「The authority ‘Sword Qi Wounding’ is deactivated.」

‘I’ve got a basic understanding of how to use the authority and what to be cautious about...’

Now, all that was left was to check the layer rewards, as usual.

‘Was the 9th floor reward the Sixth Sense skill?’

He decided to check the skill description right away.

『Skill – Sixth Sense (C+)』

『Proficiency – 0%』

『Effect – Enhances instinct to the point where it can serve as a basis for judgment.』

“...”

After reading the skill description, he understood what the Sixth Sense skill was.

‘Basically, it improves my instincts.’

However, since it was implemented at the C+ level, it would likely be quite beneficial.

‘Having instincts serve as a basis for judgment is useful.’

There wasn’t much else to see.

After checking the skill, he sat on the bed in the waiting room and opened the community.

‘What new drama is burning up the community...?’

「You have entered the community.」

「Difficulty – Hard」

「10th Floor Community (721/1321)」

- SwordBuffMaxLevel: What the hell is the common area? How do you get there?

- OhChunSeok: Just say ‘common area’ and a message will appear asking if you want to enter.

- NoobGamer: Seriously, what the hell is this common area? And these damn interdimensional challengers, can someone do something about them?

- BooShi: Haha, you met another interdimensional challenger? Why are you so unlucky? I haven’t met one yet.

- Mummy: Haha, is it bad luck or just lack of skill that keeps making you a target for interdimensional challengers?

- NoobGamer: ...as the 347th and 517th ranked players said.

- BooShi: What the hell?

- LuckSurvivor: But guys, I’ve been getting messages from other administrators besides the one I contracted with. What’s up with that?

- OhChunSeok: That’s just other administrators observing your trials. If you do well, you might get an authority from them.

As usual, the community chat was a mess...

‘Common area?’

He quietly observed the useful conversations.

- HyeJi: Damn, I went to the common area... There were a lot of foreigners. It seems the common area is shared with other countries.

- SwordBuffMaxLevel: I just arrived... What is this place? What’s the purpose?

- OhChunSeok: Not sure. It seems to be a place for challengers to interact.

- DaebanInsaeng: Holy crap, I just saw a Japanese S-rank Hunter. What the hell?

- BooShi: Haha, even Japanese S-rank Hunters are being dragged into the tower? Damn, I trusted them.

- NoobGamer: I get the idea of what the common area is for... But now I’m getting a ton of messages from administrators.

- BooShi: Why are you getting messages from administrators? Why am I not?

- NoobGamer: Maybe because you’re only 347th in the rankings? 😢

- BooShi: What the hell?

Common area...

‘Interesting.’

With foreigners present, it seemed to be a good place for interaction...

Most importantly, it was possible to receive ‘administrator messages’ in the common area.

Even more...

- SwordBuffMaxLevel: Just now, some foreigner asked if I wanted to trade authorities with their administrator.

‘Authorities can be traded...?’

With his interest piqued, he knew what he had to do.

“Common area.”

He immediately spoke the command, and a message appeared.

「Moving to the 10th floor common area.」

‘A place where I can see many challengers and potentially trade with administrators...’

It was starting to sound quite promising.