The Divine Twilight's Return

Chapter 173: Star, The First Station (5)

『He’s an ordinary human…?』

Armand, which was what the sisters of the ‘Wind-Hating Daughter’ used to call her, thought something was odd as she watched Chang-Sun, and not just because he was negating her every existing knowledge.

He had already finished the <Decryption> process of one of the [Seven Cryptical Books of Hsan] and was using Mephistopheles’ power, but he still kept doing the impossible. She was especially taken aback when she realized Chang-Sun was trying to <Molt>.

『A mere human becoming a giant…!』

Of course, it wasn’t theoretically impossible. Giants were a kind of elemental spirits, so if Chang-Sun could substitute the fire of <Muspelheim> with his Eon Fire, then achieving Giantification would be more than possible. Many of the beings that roamed Heaven were born as mortals but had achieved <Transcendence> with their own <Talents> and <Achievements>. Considering mortals could become transcendental beings, there was nothing prohibiting them from becoming Giants.

Nevertheless, people normally wanted to become Celestials, not Giants. It was partially because there was very little known information about the ‘Fire Giants’ of <Muspelheim>, and mainly because the myths about them were too inconsistent. Hence, many believed them to be hollow lies. However, Chang-Sun didn’t seem to care about any of that. He was just really determined to become a ‘Fire Giant,’ the fire of <Muspelheim>, and Surtr.

Trapped in the [Stigma], the ‘Wind-Hating Daughter’ glimpsed into Chang-Sun’s mind, which was becoming exponentially bigger, and noticed his resolution. Chang-Sun clearly had a grand plan in his mind, and the ‘Wind-Hating Daughter’ could safely assume that it was connected to Ithaca, her mother.

『He’s dangerous…』

After pondering for quite some time, Armand concluded that she would be in danger someday if she stayed in Chang-Sun’s cell. Even after being trapped in the prison known as a cryptical book, she managed to maintain her identity. However, she would lose it here someday.

Chang-Sun was blazing up with madness, determined to achieve his goal using any means necessary! Completely focused on fulfilling his goals, he kept moving forward like a racehorse. The type of walls he would encounter didn’t even matter. He would just destroy them and march onward, not caring about how much he would be wounded in the process. There were moments when he could lose everything while crushing those walls, but he might just give up everything without second thoughts if it meant he could achieve his goals… No, Armand was sure that Chang-Sun would because she knew that type of person very well. Ithaca, her mother, was just like him.

『He’s similar to Mother… and reminds me of her,』 Armand mumbled.

She never wanted to be with this type of person since she was certain that Chang-Sun would immediately abandon her if she became useless someday. He could even use her as a sacrificial offering if necessary. Hence, she decided to escape from Chang-Sun’s prison using any means necessary and return to Mireille, her dear subordinate who brought her peace. While Chang-Sun was focusing on the <Molting>, she secretly left a trail on the road they had walked across.

『Please notice this, Mireille.』

Among the myths of <Olympus>, one of them was about ‘Ariadne’s thread.’ Before the hero Theseus entered a labyrinth, Ariadne gave him a bundle of thread to save him. Imitating it, Armand left [Wind Threads] on their trail and thought Mireille would definitely be able to track her down.

* * *

While Armand was formulating her escape plan, Chang-Sun finished making preparations for the change.

‘I’ll direct all the blood to the [Inauspicious Heart].’?Chang-Sun decided.

In a short span, he came up with a plan to complete the [Inauspicious Heart]. The method he decided to use was simple: substitute his heart with it. He originally planned to use the [Inauspicious Heart] as a supplementary organ that supplied him <Darkness> and assisted his [Integrated Magic Circuit], but he decided to make [Inauspicious Heart] his core organ instead.

‘I won’t only have to alter my properties to do that, though. I also have to change all my blood to?Surtr’s?and relocate the [Integrated Magic Circuit] so the [Inauspicious Heart] would be in the center…’?Chang-Sun quickly went through his plan.

The process required a very delicate touch, but Chang-Sun had no other choice.

‘If I succeed, I’ll acquire every property of Surtr and have <Darkness> mixed with it.’

In other words, he could use the Giant blood as his blood and source of mana. He would also be able to acquire a new Attribute mixed with the <Darkness>.

‘Time to execute it.’?Chang-Sun nodded.

The moment he solidified his decision, he attempted to <Molt> for the first time. Although it required a delicate touch, he had to finish it in one try. Chang-Sun inhaled and exhaled deeply, causing Surtr’s blood to immediately head to his stomach and lungs through his esophagus. At the same time, he drew up <Darkness> from his [Stigma] as if he was detonating a bomb, then poured it inside his body.

[The Modification process has resumed, proceeding much quicker than before!]

[The ‘Inauspicious Heart’ has been activated.]

[The ‘Inauspicious Heart’ is supplying you with <Darkness>.]

[Your mana circulation speed has increased.]

…

[You have reached the limit.]

…

[You are shedding your first molt!]

Boom! Crack―!

From inside Chang-Sun, something burst and shook him hard. At the same time, a thin crack spread from the top of his head to his forehead. It then spread to his entire face.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Even though his previous circuit network had been finely installed, Chang-Sun ripped it out and connected it to the [Inauspicious Heart] by force, causing chained explosions throughout his body. His right shoulder, the left part of his waist, knees, thighs… the crack covered his entire body.

Mana and divinity were two different powers that didn’t mix well with each other. On top of that, his Mana Attribute was the Jigwi’s Eon Fire, which was far from ordinary, and the <Darkness> was his Divinity Attribute. The two reacted against each other when Chang-Sun tried to mix them, the resistance destroying a significant amount of his circuit network and making his blood drip through the crack. However, Chang-Sun used even that shock to keep <Molting>.

[The ‘Inauspicious Heart’ has become the core of your ‘Integrated Magic Circuit.’]

[Your mana and Divinity are mixing.]

[Your mana and Divinity are reacting against each other.]

[The Skill ‘Kalokagathia’ has been activated, suppressing all the resistance and reassembling the circuit network.]

…

[An engine has been created.]

[A switch has been created.]

…

[The ‘Inauspicious Heart’ is quickly being completed!]

[The speed of the Modification process has increased. 90%... 91%… 95%…]

[The Celestial ‘Abyss-Chasing Great Devil’ is watching you with interest because you’re using a method that surpasses his expectations!]

Chang-Sun used the last reserve of his strength.

Booom!

An explosion incomparably bigger than the previous ones took place. At the same time, the molt covering Chang-Sun fell all at once.

[The Modification process has been completed!]

[You have understood the ‘fire of <Muspelheim>.’ The Eon Fire has taken on a new form.]

[You have understood the ‘wind of <Muspelheim>.’ The Eon Wind wishes to protect you in a new way.]

…

[Acquired Giant’s Courage.]

[Acquired Giant’s Fighting Spirit.]

[Acquired Giant’s Talents.]

…

[You have become a <Muspelheim> Giant and has gained the qualifications to become the new successor of the destroyed plane.]

[The Synchronization Phenomenon has intensified.]

[You can now interpret the energy of the ‘Destruction-Calling Fire GIant.’]

…

[News about you is now spreading throughout Heaven.]

[You have acquired Merit.]

…

[You have completed Morphosis.]

…

[You have ‘evolved’!]

[You have completed the ‘Inauspicious Heart’, successfully completing the Subquest (Verification Test II).]

[You have made a grand achievement that no one else could accomplish. The quest bestower is looking at you with content.]

[As a reward, the ‘Inauspicious Heart’ has evolved into the ‘Ferocious Heart.’]

…

[You have automatically passed the Subquests ‘Verification Test III’, ‘Verification Test IV’, and ‘Verification Test ‘V.’]

[You have received the pre-selected rewards.]

[You have successfully completed the Scenario Quest (Darkness Verification).]

[As a reward, you have permanently acquired the Skill ‘Stigma.’]

[As a reward, you have acquired the Title ‘Great Devil’s Disciple.’]

[As a reward, you have acquired the chance to learn how to use <Darkness>.]

…

Chang-sun had successfully become a Giant and completed the [Inauspicious Heart], which then evolved into [Ferocious Heart]. Although these events were already splendid in themselves, the most satisfying part for Chang-Sun was that he had fulfilled all the requirements to become Mephistopheles’ disciple. It was only natural that he would, though, because the <Darkness> was now permanently mixed with his mana.

‘... It’s still not enough.’?Chang-Sun shook his head.

He knew that his current state was still unstable. Giantification, acquiring <Darkness>, the changes in his [Integrated Magic Circuit]… Chang-Sun had somehow found places for all the powers he had acquired through those methods, but the placement was still unstable.

To stabilize it, he would have to <Molt> for the second time, so Chang-Sun focused on his heart once again. Since his stamina had already been depleted, he could instinctively feel that it was going to be risky, but he had no other choice right now.

‘If I go through it with momentum…!’ Chang-Sun clenched his teeth, and the completed [Ferocious Heart] raced.

Badump! Badump!

The more his [Ferocious Heart] raced, the faster Surtr’s heart beat—no, it wasn’t just his heart. His entire body was now trembling profusely. The people outside had to be thinking an earthquake was taking place.

.

[Ferocious Heart]

The bonus reward given by the Celestial ‘Abyss-Chasing Great Devil.’ You share this evolved form of the ‘Inauspicious Heart with the Black Dragon Cadmus, creating the <Darkness>-mixed mana. Since your mana also has the Giant Attribute, you can use the heart to enhance your Giant characteristic.

· Skill level: 1

· Type: Passive. Authority.

· Effect: Evil Dragon Synchronization. Darkness Creation. Trait Enhancement. (Currently unable to inspect other Effects.)

The more his [Ferocious Heart] and Surtr’s heart synchronized and resonated, the more excited Cadmus, who was sharing the heart with Chang-Sun, became.

Kiyooooo!

As if to cheer Chang-Sun on, Cadmus clenched its adorable paws and let out a long howl.

[Your Subordinate ‘Cadmus’ has activated the Skill ‘Blood Fog’ to cheer you on!]

The skill [Blood Fog] could be used to curse enemies, but it could also be utilized to bless allies! His stamina had been depleted so much that he was suffering from anemia, but Chang-Sun managed to pull himself together and use the last reserve of his strength, triggering an explosion…

Crack―

Boom!

Cracks spread all over him again, and explosions took place. Chang-Sun’s new molt pieces fell.

[You have <Molted> for the second time.]

[You have reached the Meta state!]

Through the first <Molting>, Chang-Sun went through morphosis, and he reached the Meta state through the second. By going through these stages of <Molting>, Chang-Sun metamorphosed and reached a whole new level.

Woosh…!

From now on, Chang-Sun could create a fire that wasn’t far behind—no, a fire that was just as strong as the <Muspelheim> fire. With his energy amplified severalfold, he successfully projected his energy toward the ‘Rhaegaren’ and reached it.

[You have acquired the Divinity of the ‘Destruction-Calling Fire GIant’!]

[A third Attribute has been added to the Skill ‘Stigma.’]

[New Attribute: Retribution Fire.]

…

[You have found the ‘Rhaegaren,’ the treasury of the doomed plane <Muspelheim>.]

[You must have the right qualifications to enter the ‘Rhaegaren.’ You will now be examined to determine if you are qualified.]

…

[You have been deemed qualified. ]

[Will you enter the ‘Rhaegaren’?]

Chang-Sun opened up the door without hesitation.

[Entering the ‘Rhaegaren’!]

Woosh!

A ray of light poured out from the door, and…

Thump! Thump! Thump!

… Chang-Sun saw an endlessly vast plain and Giant soldiers pounding on the ground with the spears that they were holding like an army of soldiers marching to battle. The sounds they made were as rough as Surtr’s heartbeats.

Thump! Thump…!

『Let me ask you.』

In the middle of the Giant soldiers, a Giant warrior much bigger than the others looking down at Chang-Sun, wearing menacing armor.

『Are you the new successor of our deceased king?』