Chapter 56: The Reincarnated One Completes It

Every weapon had a value called 'Assimilation Rate.'

Though it didn't appear in the information window, it was an element discovered through extensive research, and its effect was simple.

"How naturally the weapon is perceived as a part of the body."

The feeling of a weapon becoming one with the body after long-term use. This was the essence of the Assimilation Rate, which was a crucial factor for heroes.

"All skills manifest through the body."

When a skill was activated while wearing gloves, the skill would normally manifest inside the glove, causing a collision.

However, in reality, the skill would manifest properly on the outside of the glove. The reason was simple.

Heroes subconsciously perceived the equipped weapon as an extension of their body and activated the skill accordingly.

"However, there is still a time lag."

Though the process was subconscious, heroes would adjust their perception of the weapon as an extension of their body and then manifest the skill.

In the world of superhumans with magical power, even a slight difference could determine life or death.

Iseun, who always sought efficiency in every battle, researched ways to reduce this time lag and discovered one fact.

"A weapon with a 100% Assimilation Rate is permanently destroyed."

The moment the weapon is perceived as a true part of the body, it is eroded by the hero's magical power, destroying the magical circuits and rendering it unusable.

Iseun was frustrated by the inefficiency of this conclusion, but he also discovered a surprising piece of information.

Crack—

What kind of power can a piece of equipment exert before it is destroyed when its Assimilation Rate reaches 100%?

Boom!!!

The answer was that it became a new 'body.'

[Choke...!]

Polmont, who was kicked in the abdomen by the charging Iseun, opened his eyes wide and spat blood.

On the surface, he seemed fine, but his body was forcibly regenerated from the tissues of his hands and feet.

Even a slight shock caused him to spit blood, but what surprised Polmont was not this.

Whoosh!

A blade aimed at his neck.

Clearly, the initial strike was weak enough to be avoided in his current state, but it was just the beginning.

Crack—

The armor surrounding Verge's body twisted like 'muscles,' and the slow-moving sword gradually accelerated.

Finally, it reached a threatening speed and charged at him.

Splat!

It ripped open his abdomen and burned his internal organs.

[You... What have you done...!]

How could such power come from a lump of scrap metal that felt no strength?

Polmont, bewildered by the unbelievable sight, quickly moved his body.

[Don't come near me!!!]

Clang!!

The claws he swung spasmodically clashed with Iseun's Five-Colored Sword, sparks flying.

“Gah...!”

His arm was pushed back by the counterforce. If this continued, Polmont's claws would pierce his open chest.

Iseun immediately manipulated the Shadow Matter Armor, which was connected to his magical circuits.

Crack!

The shadows inside the armor tightened, stopping the arm that was being pushed back and forcing it to swing forward.

Clang!!

The claws were deflected again, colliding with the Five-Colored Sword.

His muscles felt like they were tearing, but he managed to block the attack. Iseun twisted his lips and swung his sword again.

Clang Clang Clang!!

A D-rank hero and an A-rank monster exchanged blows.

Considering that one had reincarnated 31 years ago and the other was a resurrected being with a ragged body, it was an unbelievable sight.

How was this possible? The secret lay in Iseun's skill, the Spirit Refinement Magic.

[Spirit Refinement Magic靈硏身磨㳒] 『S』

The body is the most primitive material that a blacksmith can forge.

As the internal magical circuits are refined, physical abilities increase, and the power contained within is enhanced.

A technique to divide the body and create multiple magical circuits.

The basic usage of Spirit Refinement Magic was to handle multiple attribute magics using this technique, but Iseun had discovered another method while researching the Assimilation Rate.

*Magical Circuit [Shadow Matter Armor]: Can handle the Shadow Matter Armor.

[Shadow Matter Armor] 『-』

A temporary magical circuit mimicking the magical circuit of the weapon 'Shadow Matter Armor.'

By connecting the magical circuits, the performance of the weapon can be more finely controlled.

Creating a temporary magical circuit for the weapon and forcibly connecting it.

This method was dangerous, as it could cause both the body and the weapon to malfunction, but the effect was clear.

[Die!!]

Polmont, whose head was split in half, swung his claws without hesitation. Despite his weakened state, his regenerative ability was formidable. Iseun focused and moved his magical circuits.

Crack—

The function of the Shadow Matter Armor was to adapt to the body. While it didn't originally have the ability to enhance power, it could be manually created.

Crack—

From the tips of his feet to the tips of his fingers holding the Five-Colored Sword.

Muscles capable of repelling Polmont's claws were formed one by one in fine detail.

The artificial muscles were as thin as paper and could collapse like dominoes if even one part was misaligned. However, Iseun was not worried.

‘How long have I been doing this...!’

He had long mastered the human body structure.

Clang!!

The moment he perfectly deflected the claws, intense pain surged through his body.

It felt as if he was being pulled by thousands of hooks all over his body. Despite the pain, Iseun did not stop moving.

“Huff...!”

This was the most efficient method now.

Clang!

It was an opportunity to steal the item from the creature in front of him.

Rumble!

While Iseun and Polmont were clashing, the chamber shook again.

Not because of their intense exchange, but because the seal on Ryu Eunha was gradually breaking.

‘No... If this continues...!’

To escape for sure, he needed to immobilize the creature in front of him and run.

But instead of becoming a chain to bind the monster, it became a chain that held him back. As the shadow of death drew closer, Polmont resolved himself.

‘I’ll give up on controlling my strength.’

He had hesitated, fearing death, but if this continued, he would be in a bind.

Polmont, believing that the creature in front of him could withstand his attack, flashed his eyes.

Rumble!

His heart pumped blood into his body as if it would burst, and his body, which had been adjusted over years, came under complete control.

Though created by humans, the body was now his. Feeling omnipotence coursing through his body, Polmont spread his arms wide and gathered all his strength.

Boom!!

His legs planted on the ground. His chest was exposed, but the muscles in his arms swelled to 1.5 times their size, hinting at the attack to come.

A full-power strike, relying on his excellent regenerative ability. Iseun, instead of cutting through his empty chest, quickly stored the Five-Colored Sword in the Fire Storage.

Whirr!

Iseun's fire attribute magic 'Red Lotus' amplified through the Fire Storage, heating the Five-Colored Sword, and the Shadow Matter Armor transformed from armor into more defined muscles.

Abandoning even minimal defense, he poured all his strength into the attack. Polmont, pleased with this, twisted his lips.

[If you can block this, I’ll acknowledge you!]

Rumble!

His foot dug deeper into the ground, and the muscles that had been tensed suddenly stopped.

And at the moment all that power was aimed at the front.

Boom—!

Ten swords sprouted from his fingertips, tearing everything apart.

A terrifying strike that seemed to cut through everything in its path. Iseun, ready to use the Fire Storage's weapon skill 'Fire Fang Night' that he had demonstrated at the opening ceremony, prepared to counterattack.

Just as he was about to draw his sword to attack.

Snap—

Polmont's two arms split in half.

Squeak!

The honest attack he had shown until now was gone, and the four split arms surged forward, surrounding him.

A technique possible only with a created 'body.' Faced with this unconventional attack, which could not be countered with just two arms and one sword, Iseun's body stiffened, and Polmont rejoiced.

‘Got you...!’

It was like suddenly being attacked by two people while fighting one. A perfect move using his body transformation ability.

If one didn't know about it, they would be caught off guard. However,

‘I’ve been waiting for this.’

It didn't apply to Iseun, who had reincarnated 31 years ago.

Boom Boom Boom!!!

Dozens, even hundreds, of shadow spikes erupted from the ground.

The weapon skill 'Shadow Hedgehog' of the Shadow Matter Armor pierced Polmont's body as if it had been waiting.

Splat!!

[Choke—!]

The arrogance of throwing his body, relying on his regenerative ability. The timing when all his strength was poured into the attack, and the rapid skill activation from the 100% Assimilation Rate.

A move that created a gap where there shouldn't have been one, thanks to the difference in information.

[Roar!!]

With his body pierced, he continued to swing his arms, but the acceleration that had been cut off did not return.

Polmont's hands, which could now be blocked, and especially his left index finger, which had pointed at Ryu Eunha, caught Iseun's sharp eyes.

Click—

He burst the sword at his waist with all his might.

Boom—!!!

A storm of five-colored flames erupted with the draw.

The terrifying explosion created by Fire Fang Night swept through Polmont, burning his entire body and illuminating the entire chamber like daylight.

Rumble!

The chamber shook violently, unable to withstand the explosion. Iseun, who had swung the Five-Colored Sword with all his strength, exhaled.

“Phew...”

His magical power and physical strength were drained, and his entire body felt heavy. His muscles and joints screamed from the recent attack.

The Shadow Matter Armor had hardened and was beginning to crumble, as the magical circuits were completely eroded and broken.

‘A top-tier hero-grade armor to take down a single A-rank monster...’

The eroded weapon couldn't be recycled, making it a poor investment, but Iseun wasn't particularly regretful.

After all, it was borrowed from Ryu Eunha, and the reward from this event was enormous.

Whoosh—

A small shadow soared high into the sky through the hole in the ceiling, bathed in moonlight, and then began to fall.

Iseun, watching it fall, quickly caught it before it hit the ground.

“Hmm...”

The unfamiliar yet familiar sensation in his fist. Iseun slowly opened his hand and looked at the item he had caught.

A finger bone with tiny characters engraved on each joint, like a ring. It could be mistaken for Polmont's finger, but it wasn't.

After all, it was too small and thin to be a 3-meter-tall lycanthrope's finger, and more importantly, it was a human bone, not an animal's.

‘As expected, this is it.’

The item lost by the Perfect Ascender, Wergen Kruger.

Though it was only mentioned in the interview, Iseun, who knew his condition, could easily guess its identity.

13 years ago. Wergen Kruger's body, scattered after the Min's attack.

[You have obtained the item 'Unnamed One's Finger Bone.']

He had obtained a part of it.