Chapter 7

Han Sung's vision turned pitch black.

The "Beings of the Night" had stolen the light.

Unfortunately, the camera in the game that Han Sung used ignored the constraints of light and darkness. It was a feature outside the game's content, a system designed to consider the streamers.

Han Sung changed the camera mode and looked around.

Turning to the side, he saw Seo Yeon rubbing her eyes, trying to discern her surroundings.

It was impossible.

Seo Yeon, the assassin, had strong resistance to darkness thanks to her unique ability, [Ride the Shadows]. However, she was still a cadet, a mere 17-year-old student.

"Yeon!"

"Ha, Han Sung?"

"Follow me."

Han Sung unexpectedly gently grabbed Seo Yeon's wrist and ran.

Seo Yeon was also a character aligned with "Good."

She needed to be kept alive.

Han Sung ran as fast as possible to a place where Bento was not.

There were many obstacles, including people, making it difficult for Seo Yeon to follow. However, as a cadet whose movements and senses had already surpassed the ordinary, she quickly adapted.

'There's no opening.'

Bento, a cadre of the [Night Banquet], and three members.

A total of 12 people were mobilized for the new member test.

They closed in from all sides, killing people. They enjoyed murder and considered screams as celebrations. It was a single ritual and festival, where blood splattering and flesh tearing were like drugs.

This was the game.

It wasn't called extremely difficult for no reason.

A place where such madmen, unimaginable evil and disasters, ran rampant.

"Chet."

A guy in front saw Han Sung and Seo Yeon.

Their eyes met, and he grinned, charging forward.

"Yeon, stay right here. Until you can see."

"......I'll be right there."

A completely different appearance from usual, patient and not easily excited or losing her composure.

Basic qualities of an assassin, perhaps.

Han Sung, with one hand, drew out mana and resonated with the surrounding mana.

Naturally, one couldn't bring weapons into the casino. Still, it was fortunate that he had left his weapon in the casino as a cadet.

'If I can subdue this guy, I can draw my sword.'

Whirr!

Fortunately, the guy in front was a user of magic and abilities.

Several magic circles appeared simultaneously. His magic skills were quite impressive. With the help of his abilities, they were faster and stronger than his level.

Kwakwakwak!

A wave of mana with various attributes charged at Han Sung like a beast. The guy seemed to expect that Han Sung, who almost didn't feel mana, would be swept away and die by the mana wave, smirking.

'Strong!'

Han Sung tensed and focused.

Whoosh.

The blue mana wave was clearly visible in Han Sung's eyes.

It made no sound, but if described, it would be like this.

Colorless, odorless, and formless. Mana. Mana is an essential element for humans, similar to air, which they can't easily feel or live without.

But.

When Han Sung stretched out his hand.

The mana caught on his fingertips.

It felt very soft and delicate, like cotton candy.

In this world, one in a thousand can feel the sensation of mana. One in a million can smell the scent of mana. One in a billion can see unprocessed mana, if at all.

How about touching it directly?

None. According to the setting, only a [Legend] grade or higher [Rank] with thousands of years of noble achievements can.

How about seeing, smelling, touching, and moving it?

As far as Han Sung knew, no human character could.

Moving aside, could anyone 'dominate' it? Not even a Demon King, a Heavenly King, or a Dragon. No entity could.

Only Han Sung's [Mana Domination].

That's what SSS grade means.

Whoosh.

Han Sung swept up the mana the guy had released with his hand. The massive mana wave disappeared in just 0.01 seconds.

The guy, taken aback, created several magic circles in 0.2 seconds.

Squeal.

He attached magic circles to his limbs and charged. He probably thought Han Sung's physical abilities were a weakness.

'Gulp.'

The taste of blood filled his mouth.

His stomach was turned inside out from excessive mana use.

He mustn't lose consciousness.

He drew up mana again.

Simultaneously, the ambient mana resonated and came under Han Sung's control.

Only someone with the [Mana Domination] talent could do this.

But even with [Mana Domination], it was impossible to achieve.

Only Han Sung, who stood at the pinnacle of magic and possessed [Mana Domination], could use mana in this way.

Puf puf puf puf.

Dozens of mana threads pierced the guy's magic circles.

All magic became mana, and mana became nothing.

"Gulp."

The opponent was dead, but Han Sung had reached his limit.

But he couldn't fall.

This wasn't a game.

It was as good as 'reality,' where one couldn't come back to life.

Chin.

"Now you can see."

Seo Yeon supported Han Sung.

"We need a weapon."

"Is this also necessary?"

"......A bracelet? How do you use this?"

"I saw you eyeing it. I stole it to keep, but...... it's a life debt."

What should he say? Was he stupid, or smart? He couldn't tell from the previous play.

Han Sung had no choice.

He quickly put on the bracelet he handed over and found the barbarian's sword.

He could have put it in his inventory, but he entrusted it due to the many watching eyes. But it was fortunate to recover it now, along with the bracelet.

"Damn it!"

Seeing two guys, who seemed to be new members, charging, Seo Yeon shouted.

"I'll take one!"

"Can you do it?"

"Isn't that your line?"

"True."

Seo Yeon merged into the shadows. It took quite a while to adapt due to the lack of light, but Seo Yeon, adapted to the darkness, would show a force not inferior to the "Beings of the Night."

Han Sung stopped worrying.

He gathered the bracelet and the sword. Now, he only needed 'a lot of blood' to activate.

Han Sung cut his arm.

Swoosh.

He wore the bracelet and the sword on his right arm, and the blood flowed down. The bracelet and the sword absorbed every drop of Han Sung's blood and, just before the enemy arrived, flashed, successfully activating.

Whoosh!

His health was below 10%.

At the moment of activation, his strength and health increased by 35%, and the bracelet's effect added 15% more. Additionally, his total physical abilities increased by 2%.

A 3-minute option, but in his current state, this was a god-tier effect.

There were also direct numerical increases in abilities.

A sensation of being able to do anything took over his body. The exaggerated increase in strength, health, and all physical abilities felt like a drug, intoxicating.

Whoosh.

Han Sung raised his sword and slashed from left to right.

His extended right foot and sword moved smoothly, avoiding the enemy's sword and slicing his lower abdomen.

"Ugh."

A groan escaped the enemy's mouth, but his movements didn't stop.

As a new member of the [Night Banquet], he showed sharp counterattacks, defenses, and counters. Though he was caught off guard once, he now aggressively pressed Han Sung.

Moreover, Han Sung was seeing the enemy through the screen. The enemy might not see clearly, but it was easier for him than for Han Sung.

'This won't do.'

Still, as a member of the [Night Banquet], he was quite strong. Han Sung was barely holding on. Despite the barbarian equipment's options being activated, his physical abilities were overwhelmingly inferior.

Moreover, he had just suffered from mana depletion and internal injuries due to absurd mana usage, making it even harder.

'Damn!'

He didn't want to use this.

But he had no choice.

Even in a game world, one couldn't check if they had more lives.

"System... Shop!"

A user interface appeared before his eyes.

- [System Shop] -

- Random Box

- Consumables

...

Points held: 82

It was a pity, but he didn't have the luxury to save up to 100 points.

"Consumables... 'Sun Fist' purchase!"

- Purchased consumable 'Sun Fist'.

- 50 points consumed.

"What are you mumbling about!"

"Seo Yeon, close your eyes!"

The enemy, more enraged by Han Sung's attitude, started swinging his sword. Han Sung's body was covered in more wounds, and the bleeding increased. Moreover, the barbarian equipment's options were about to end.

"Activate Sun Fist!"

Whoosh!

He was embarrassed to use it.

Moreover, it would be bad if Bento noticed.

But he had no choice.

"Ugh!"

The intense light that began to emanate from Han Sung's body started to dispel the surrounding darkness.

This wasn't magic.

It was an 'ability' performed by the system.

This 'darkness' was their ability, but the phrase 'dispels darkness' meant he had the upper hand in their matchup. Moreover, if they were the same 'rare' grade, the system had the advantage.

Boom!

It was a very intense light.

The enemy in front was blinded and clutched his face, and those farther away couldn't open their eyes properly.

The problem was...

- The main 'Evil' character 'Bento' is looking at you.

- He shows interest in you.

- [Information View] is activated!

- Bento's thoughts are 'viewed'.

- Your 'mana usage', 'light ability', and 'sword skills' stimulate his desires!

"Damn it!"

The words on the screen were more unpleasant than the enemy in front.

Right. That guy gets 'excited' when he sees a strong opponent.

Angry?

No. His twisted 'sexual desire' explodes.

- You have become the target of the main 'Evil' character.

- Gained 60 recognition points!

This was good.

But it was insufficient in exchange for threatening his life.

Han Sung stabbed the guy in front with his sword and killed him.

At the same time, the barbarian equipment's options ended.

His strength drained, and his vision blurred. Still, he held on to his consciousness. The thought that losing consciousness here would mean the end helped.

'Really can't move a finger.'

Whoosh.

Bento, on the opposite side, disappeared.

And appeared in front of Han Sung.

His skin tightened, and his joints stiffened. He wasn't that scared in the game, but now, with the reality-like transformation, fear suddenly arose.

At