Trait Hoarder-Chapter 283: Descendant of the Heavenly Demon – (3)

Descendant of the Heavenly Demon – Part 3

The dragon looked at me.

Those massive ruby eyes stared straight into mine.

The pupils, as calm as a still lake.

Soon, ripples spread across them, and a wave of intense emotion burst out.

[Dokgocheon?]

What?

Before I could even react, Red shook his head.

[No. You do resemble him in spirit, probably because you’re both omnipotents, but you’re definitely not him.]

What the hell, that scared me.

Dokgocheon was the name of the First Heavenly Demon.

And honestly, I had been suspecting I might be his reincarnation, which made it hit even harder.

I cautiously threw out a question.

“[I thought I was the reincarnation of the First Heavenly Demon, but it seems I’m not.]”

Red lowered his head to look at me.

He bared his sharp fangs in a grin.

Not threatening—smiling.

[Just call me Red like you always do, Master. You’ve been ordering me around all this time, no need to suddenly get formal.]

“[Got it. I was just worried you might not like it.]”

[What does a dragon with dementia have to be picky about? But…]

Red glanced at the armband on my left elbow.

[It gets stuffy inside there. I’d like it if you let me out more often. Also, give me lots of meat. I’ll shrink down so I’m not too much of a burden.]

Fwoosh!

Red shrank.

From a towering figure dozens of meters tall to something about the size of an SUV.

Then even smaller—down to the size of a kitten.

Winter Queen’s eyes sparkled.

“Cu-cute!”

“[Okay. Noted.]”

At this size, he really wasn’t intimidating.

Red trotted over to me and met my gaze.

[You thought you were Dokgocheon’s reincarnation, huh? There was definitely some chance. But after seeing you two or three times, I can say for certain—you’re not related to him.]

“[Then…]”

I swallowed hard and asked.

“[Is there a chance I’m the reincarnation of the current Heavenly Demon?]”

[I don’t know.]

Red answered without even thinking.

[I fell into dementia before the current Heavenly Demon was even born. After that, I was trapped by the Arctic Sovereign and never even returned to the Tian Shan Mountains.]

“[I see…]”

[There’s a possibility. But don’t jump to conclusions. Just because you’re familiar with the Heavenly Demon Arts doesn’t necessarily mean you were the Heavenly Demon in a past life. Rather, it’s more accurate to say the Heavenly Demon Arts were made for omnipotents like you.]

“[A martial art for omnipotents?]”

[Exactly. Even another omnipotent, not just you, would be able to wield the Heavenly Demon Arts like you do. Just because you’re familiar with it doesn’t mean you were the Heavenly Demon. Plus, between the Heavenly Demon’s death and your birth, there are complicated temporal, spatial, and dimensional gaps. Think it over carefully when you have time. Right now, we have other matters to handle.] 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

“[You’re right.]”

The Saintess’ cryptic remarks could wait.

Right now, there was a more urgent problem.

“[About the dimensional rift—how do we get in?]”

[It depends on the rift. Some need space-time magic, some need the power of a special divinity, and others require passing through a distorted dimensional maze. In this case…]

Red closed his mouth.

His throat vibrated.

The dragon’s heart pulsed, and it was like he was singing—not a dragon’s roar, but a perfect, harmonic tune, like an elf’s song.

Magic characters floated around Red’s head like a crown.

He was casting some grand magic.

[This is going to be a pain.]

“[Why?]”

[Do you know why the Ice Palace collapsed?]

I asked the Captain standing nearby.

But he just shook his head.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know. It happened so suddenly, like a natural disaster.”

[Of course.]

Red spoke calmly.

[The reason is simple. The Ice Crystal went out of control.]

“[Why?]”

[The ancient evil—the Fiend King—its lingering will took over the Ice Crystal. I cast a sealing spell on it later, but when I fell into dementia, the mana supply cut off. The lingering spirit of Dokgocheon and the Fiend King clashed inside the Ice Crystal, causing it to run wild.]

“[Ah…]”

The Ice Crystal running wild.

Terrifying.

[As a result, the Ice Crystal shattered, and the surrounding space distorted. Space-time twisted, concepts materialized, and information became real.]

“[So, how do we get in?]”

[Are all human warriors like this? You’re just like Dokgocheon.]

Red grumbled, ready to go off into a long explanation.

I cut him off immediately, making him grumble fire under his breath.

[To enter… Right. The security around the Ice Palace’s inner sanctum has been distorted.]

“[Oh, so if I bring these elves with me, we can get inside?]”

[It’s not that simple. Originally, to enter the inner sanctum, you had to pass magical, physical, and genetic security simultaneously. But now, they’ve been separated—and amplified dozens of times.]

“[Explain it simply.]”

[Human warriors… Fine. First, the magical barrier—you can handle it. With your overwhelming mana, it’ll be easy. The genetic security—we can use the elves for that. But you’ll need to drain a lot of blood, so it’d be good to have an elixir ready. The last part—the physical security—is the real problem.]

“[Why?]”

I figured I just had to push through with brute strength.

I doubled up my Giant’s Strength and flexed my biceps.

A towering figure at 2.4 meters tall.

Only Hercules or Samson could even hope to arm wrestle me.

Red flapped his wings and looked at me.

With a face full of disbelief—or maybe just a little nostalgia.

[The Lords of the Ice Palace were all elves. Meaning they had nothing to do with physical strength. Those Lords needed to enter the innermost sanctum, so do you think they simply tested brute strength? The Northern Sea Empress wasn’t that foolish.]

“[Then what did they test?]”

[Mutations, warrior master.]

The other races in this world are a kind of mutation.

The true ancient races have long since disappeared.

Even the elf siblings in front of me would register as humans if properly tested.

The mutants in Monster Village are simple mutations, but the mixed bloodlines in the Castle of the Inexplicable are a combination of mutation and atavism.

Maybe that’s why?

Many among the mixed races in the Castle of the Inexplicable have mutation-related traits.

Even the elves standing beside me.

Winter Queen had [Mutant Heart].

The Captain had [Mutant Organs].

No wonder they were living with immune suppressants.

“[So you’re saying you have to be a mutant to open the door?]”

[Exactly, master.]

Red nodded solemnly.

[Originally, any of the elves beside you could have satisfied the physical requirement. But that’s no longer enough. Having just part of your body mutated won’t cut it.]

“[Then what?]”

[Most of your body must be mutated. You must be fully mutated. Otherwise, you won’t be able to pass.]

Meaning I’d have to become like I was back when I fought in the First Landfill.

No, even that wouldn’t be enough.

Back then, I only had three traits: [Mutant], [Mutant Muscle], and [Mutant Body].

I’d have to go one step further.

Maybe even two.

The hint was clear: I needed to fill at least five trait slots with mutations.

Basically, a suicide mission.

A normal superhuman trying that would cross a bridge they could never return from.

Except me.

I had the ultimate trait that could even cure mutations.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

I stared straight at Winter Queen and the Captain.

Specifically, at their hearts.

And the magic circuits engraved on their internal organs.

As the World Trait writhed, their complexions changed.

“Huh?”

“W-what’s happening?”

It wasn’t up to their will.

Before they could react, the World Trait gleamed and copied two traits in succession.

[Mutant Heart][Mutant Organs]

My heart twisted.

My organs churned violently.

My body started mutating, and my mana attribute twisted into something grotesque.

Before the mutation could fully engulf me.

I equipped the Ascension trait and activated it.

Pop!

A wave of light swept through my mind, body, and soul.

It purified the mutation completely.

Because I timed the trait swap perfectly, it eradicated it without a trace.

The two elves looked at me, stunned.

“H-how did you do that?”

“I was definitely starting to mutate…”

“Could you… maybe turn that into medicine?”

Winter Queen asked, clearly thinking of the Castle’s citizens.

I shook my head.

“Impossible. It’s on a completely different level from an immune suppressant.”

Turning Ascension into a consumable?

If that were possible, I would’ve mass-supplied it to Monster Village.

There are so many mutants there who dream of becoming human again.

Because it wasn’t possible, the best we had were artificial humans like Skull Snake.

“I see…”

Winter Queen drooped, looking crestfallen.

Red flapped his wings.

[Splendid! This will be enough! Now go, sprinkle the blood, use the power of mana and mutation, and tear open the rift!]

Good thing the elves were here.

No, this was a victory of my game knowledge.

All those hours of dissecting every single line of dialogue paid off.

The two elves exchanged glances.

“Brother, you should stay here, right?”

“Yeah. I’m the Captain after all.”

“Then I’ll go.”

“You sure? It might be dangerous.”

“We owe him our lives. We have to repay that debt with our lives.”

Winter Queen steeled herself with determination.

Not necessary.

I dug into my golf bag and pulled out an Escape Magic Chip.

“Take this.”

“What is it?”

“An Escape Magic Chip.”

“Ah… what about you, Master Swordsman?”

“I already have one.”

I always have an Escape Ring ready in my armory.

Doesn’t matter if it’s a forbidden zone or a chaotic dimension—unless a special barrier is set up in advance, I can escape anytime.

“Don’t worry too much. If it gets dangerous, just use it. You’ll come right back here.”

“Thank you. Thank you so much, even giving me something this precious…”

“Think of it as your commission fee. And when we get to the treasure vault, you two can take your share. I’ll just grab a few things.”

“You can take everything if you want.”

“Nah. I’m not that greedy. And it’s better to settle accounts clearly.”

I only wanted the Heavenly Demon Sword.

Frankly, unless it was a treasure of that caliber, I didn’t want anything else.

[Mmmm.]

Red let out a low growl.

[Master. We should hurry. Even with the mythical superpower you used, my dementia isn’t fully cured.]

“[Got it. Let’s go right now.]”

I climbed onto Red and took off.

It was a short trip to where Mount Arctic used to stand.

With Winter Queen clinging to my waist, and as I used Flight repeatedly, we quickly reached the ruins.

“Mommyyy!”

Winter Queen screamed belatedly.

I stayed seated on Red and looked down.

There were no traces of battle.

Dragons and other races that had been frozen into ice statues—there was no sign of them anymore.

The mountains, valleys, razor peaks—everything was gone.

Of course.

Everything that had happened here was in the forbidden zone of Mount Arctic.

“It’s supposed to be here, right?”

[Yes, master.]

I muttered in Korean, but Red understood instantly.

Maybe he actually spoke like a hundred languages or something?

[Hmm… the world is becoming increasingly unstable. We’d better hurry. If you sprinkle more than two liters of blood at the spot where the dimensional rift is, the rift will become visible. Then, in your mutated state, use all your mana to tear it open.]

“[Two liters? You trying to kill someone?]”

[No choice. Originally, one drop would have been enough, but the security magic has gone haywire and distorted. At least that much blood is needed now for the rift to appear.]

“I’m fine. It won’t kill me just to lose that much blood.”

Even though I spoke in Dragon Tongue, Winter Queen understood perfectly.

Turns out, Red in his normal state was ridiculously talented.

At this point, I could probably just speak English and be fine.

[Exactly, master. Give her an elixir.]

“One bottle enough?”

I pulled out three elixirs and handed them to Winter Queen.

She received them with a look of deep gratitude.

“Something this precious…”

“Drink one right after you give the blood. Keep the other two for emergencies. And if you don’t need them here, give one to your brother.”

“Thank you.”

Winter Queen took a deep breath.

And then without hesitation, she slashed her own wrist.

Sprinkling blood toward the spot I pointed to, a strange crack appeared in the air.

A scene I had seen countless times in the game.

The rift that appeared in Episode 9, Dimensional Fracture, looked exactly like that.

[Now, master!]

Red shouted.

Good. I had been waiting.

[Mutant][Mutant Muscle][Mutant Body]

[Mutant Heart][Mutant Organs][Ascension]

Every trait slot was filled with mutation traits.

Except one.

The Ascension trait, which would cancel all mutations and return me to normal afterward.

Crack. Craaack.

The mutation began.

My body swelled.

My muscles expanded so rapidly they threatened to tear apart my Star Spawn suit and my Black Tiger tracksuit.

My throat burned.

My organs twisted painfully.

My heart pounded madly, splitting and evolving from 2 chambers to 8 chambers.

“Guaaaargh!”

Even my vocal cords lost their human form.

No matter how I shouted, it wasn’t a human sound.

Just the screech of a beast.

A monster.

A demonic beast, wrapped in black fur.

Horns sprouted from my forehead, making me look even more savage than a dragon.

Breathing alone produced grotesque noises.

If I hadn’t had Ascension equipped, if it weren’t for the deep meditative focus it granted, I would have already lost my mind.

Wheezing, I approached the dimensional crack.

It was tiny—only about the size of two knuckles—despite all the blood spilled.

I shoved my fingers into it.

Even with my thickly mutated fingers, it wasn’t easy.

I squeezed in my left and right index fingers, then began to pry it open with all my strength.

“Grrrrrrrgh!”

It was hard.

The rift resisted like reinforced steel.

My fingers felt like they were being torn apart.

But even more than the pain, something else surged inside me.

“Guuargh! Gaaah!”

Rage.

Pure, volcanic fury.

The kind of simple, primal emotion that pushed my body beyond its limits.

Mana from my heart and organs, and even external mana, rushed in to assist.

My strength exploded into a supernaturally focused, destructive force.

And that overwhelming force brought about an unbelievable result.

CRAAAAACK!

The rift was torn open.

Not just widened—torn apart.

[Are you insane!]

Red’s eyes bulged in shock.

Winter Queen’s mouth fell open, drooling unconsciously.

Both of them had felt the absurd power I had just unleashed up close.

But I didn’t care.

I had a job to do.

“Let’s go in.”

I used Ascension to return to human form.

My ragged breathing smoothed out. My mind cleared.

Like nothing had ever happened.

[Uh… yeah. We should.]

Red stared at me like he was looking at a monster.