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Chapter 42
‘Since I already have steel reinforcement talent, there won’t be much use for this.’
Although I gained a new ability by eating the chopsticks, its utility was very low. This was because I had better alternative abilities.
Anyway, the key point was that the transformed tongue and stomach could now produce special effects.
The principle is simple.
When eating something, the tongue first analyzes information about what was eaten.
Then, as it enters the stomach and is digested, it determines the potential for embodiment through the analyzed information.
The compatibility was an indicator of whether an ability could be absorbed from the ingested item.
‘One more.’
I decided to do a more thorough confirmation while I was at it.
It was difficult to obtain a useful ability from stainless steel chopsticks from the beginning.
I cut a piece of baby Madillo’s calf meat that I had only slightly summoned from the space artifact.
Most awakened individuals refuse to eat Madillo meat, finding it disgusting, but in fact, there’s no delicacy quite like this one.
Of course, there could be issues with parasites or bacteria, but if it’s well-cooked, there would be no problem at all.
Sizzle. Sizzle.
I placed the Madillo meat, cut to about half the size of my palm, in a frying pan.
I sprinkled a bit of salt and seasoning to give it some flavor.
Soon the meat was quickly cooked by the heat, and in less than a few minutes, it reached just the right level for eating.
Munch, munch. Chomp, chomp.
I scooped the meat into my mouth and began chewing earnestly.
The tongue spread saliva back and forth on the meat, diligently performing its mission.
[Baby Madillo Meat]
[Information Analysis Complete.]
Through the brief status window, I could tell that the primary information analysis on the tongue was finished.
Then, passing through the esophagus and entering the stomach, the meat began to be quickly digested by stomach acid.
[Ingested Item: Baby Madillo Meat]
[Compatibility: 92%]
[Can increase skin defense by 10% using magical power. Valid for 30 seconds. Cooldown: 10 minutes]
‘92% compatibility, quite suitable.’
This level could be considered suitable for embodiment in most cases.
Compatibility typically increases for the same subject as rank rises.
In other words, the higher the rank,
The more likely you are to absorb abilities from more challenging and unique monsters at a higher probability.
I immediately began embodiment.
Without any special procedure, I just needed to think about infusing a bit of magical power to embody the ability.
Swoosh.
Eventually, as a bit of magical power was consumed, the Madillo’s defense enhancement ability began to be absorbed.
Pop!
Seeing a cool granule burst in my head, I knew it was successful.
[Tough Skin]
[Ability Medium: Baby Madillo]
A new piece of information emerged.
The skin reinforcement ability obtained from the baby Madillo was named ‘Tough Skin’.
I immediately activated the ability using magical power.
The next moment!
Crackle.
Scales resembling an Madillo seemed to sprout all over my body, and then I felt them become tough and hard.
It wasn’t a very dramatic effect.
It was like a lower-tier alternative when there’s no magical power to use the steel reinforcement talent?
It only increased defense by about 10% as the numbers suggested, so it wasn’t all-purpose.
‘Still, it’s better to have more crisis response options.’
Having more abilities isn’t a bad thing.
I can select and apply them as needed.
Anyway, I confirmed that the transformed stomach is certainly performing its function.
Now, I just need to clearly identify and target the ability absorption goals.
Magical power is most important to me. However, I couldn’t recklessly attempt another transformation.
Instead of transformation, I needed to target a monster with superior and special magical power storage capabilities.
‘Was it the K-9183 dungeon in Gangwon-do’s Cheorwon? The black-hooked wild boar that serves as the boss monster there has quite significant magical power storage capabilities.’
An appropriate candidate came to mind.
The dungeon’s rank is A- level, which was challenging enough, and for the black-hooked wild boar, I had already clearly identified its pattern. Because it was a monster with an endless rushing pattern, I had used it as a sandbag for various training in my previous life.
But the problem was,
“Is this owned by KSA?”
Upon searching the information, the owner was clearly listed as the Korean Awakened Association, or KSA.
I knew it wasn’t a Yangwha guild dungeon, and I hoped it would be owned by another guild. That way, I could pay an appropriate dungeon usage fee and run through the dungeon once.
But as things stood now, I would need to directly request a license from KSA and get approval.
In a normal case, applying and getting approval would be the end of it, but,
‘If they play games trying to leverage my scouting situation, it’ll be exhausting.’
KSA was more cunning than expected.
There was a high probability they would deliberately delay approval and try to manipulate me into entering and clearing the dungeon easily.
Going forward, this dungeon in Cheorwon would likely remain KSA’s property. There was no likelihood of variables arising.
‘At times like these, seeing Yangwha guild’s skills might not be bad. To see how skillfully they handle things.’
I immediately made a phone call.
The recipient was Jin Bo-mi.
My manager and the one who volunteered to be my servant number 1. Number 2 was Jeong-hoon, serving as the driver.
-Oh! Mr. Kang Shin-hwa!
“Bo-mi, I have one favor.”
-A favor? Sure! For Mr. Kang Shin-hwa’s request, it’s my top priority!
Jin Bo-mi’s lively voice rang out. Just a short while ago, she had been almost dying, but now she was full of such vitality.
“I want to secure a dungeon license, with one condition.”
-Please tell me, I’ll do anything!
“Can it be approved under a borrowed name?”
The matter and request were simple and clear.
* * *
Past midnight.
Kang Shin-hwa turned off all the lights in the house and prepared to sleep.
Usually Jin Bo-mi would provide an immediate response, but this time she said she needed some time.
Kang Shin-hwa wasn’t planning to clear the dungeon right away, so he decided to wait patiently.
Borrowing a name itself wasn’t illegal.
However, obtaining a license was like a kind of ‘guarantee’, so caution was necessary.
If a license was issued under Jin Bo-mi’s name and the dungeon had problems due to not being cleared on time?
Jin Bo-mi, as the license issuer, would bear all responsibility.
Moreover, depending on the circumstances, she could have her Awakened license revoked and even face imprisonment.
-Can I know the reason?
When Jin Bo-mi asked for the reason, Kang Shin-hwa answered honestly. He didn’t want to create any connection with KSA. It also meant he didn’t want to owe them any favors.
Anyway, after concluding the conversation, Kang Shin-hwa fell into a deep sleep.
Although he had extensively researched ‘methods of not sleeping’ in his previous life, unfortunately, he never discovered the solution.
How many seconds had passed?
“Whew…”
Kang Shin-hwa, deep in slumber, began breathing softly and drifted off to dreamland.
* * *
“…..”
I didn’t open my eyes because day had broken, or because my smartphone vibrated, or because of a fierce dream.
‘There’s an uninvited guest.’
It was because there was a ripple in the magical wavelength I had spread out in a 50-meter radius centered on the bed.
This was an old habit of mine and a method I had honed over a long time in my previous life.
Typically, awakened individuals install various safety facilities to secure their residence.
From sensors detecting body temperature to systems that trigger alarms with even the slightest tremor.
This was how they found ways to protect themselves from assassins or hostile forces targeting their lives.
The problem was that just like the endless battle between shield and spear, the methods of intruders were becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Assassins would pass through body temperature sensors by cooling their entire body, or even purchase entire security system-related companies.
There was always someone flying above those who are running, and many awakened individuals who believed they were safe ended up being backstabbed and dying miserably.
So I chose the method of continuously spreading magical power in all directions while sleeping.
Invisible, but even with just a slight hint of an intruder’s presence, breath, or a tiny magical power release, I built my own system where the balance would be broken and I could immediately detect and wake up.
Of course, development wasn’t easy.
Being able to continuously release magical power unconsciously while sleeping required significant habituation.
That’s why in my previous life, I could only put a period to this method when I reached the age of fifty.
‘The many who tried to kill me in my previous life – who would have thought this would help me this time.’
I quietly rose from the bed.
Such assassination attempts were nothing new, so I wasn’t surprised.
I was just curious about who would dare to invade my home.
‘Eight out of ten times, it’s the Black Cross Squad.’
It was obvious even without looking.
I quickly got off the bed.
In a split second, I noticed several special devices attached to the north-facing balcony.
Devices to neutralize security detection systems. Devices to block problem signals and make them appear as if nothing happened.
‘Having just one house would be troublesome with people coming to visit because of scouting, and various other issues.’
As soon as I sorted out this situation, I decided to ask Jin Seong-tae to secure multiple suitable houses.
Since Yangwha guild was skilled in Awakened security facilities, preparing a package would be easier.
“…..”
First, I held my breath.
Then I looked for a way to lure the intruder who would soon silently enter the house.
Among various options, one good method came to mind. A method I had fun with in my previous life.
‘Emptiness and reality.’
The final choice was confirmed.
* * *
At the same time.
‘Did he notice in between?’
The assassin who had secretly infiltrated Kang Shin-hwa’s house, Park Sang-hyun, furrowed his brows.
No outdoor records.
He had been waiting silently for an opportunity since the bedroom lights went out.
It was now 3 AM.
The dark clouds that had gathered since midnight were now pouring rain, making it darker than usual.
Park Sang-hyun took a step.
Despite his substantial footsteps, there was no sound at all.
He was an Awakened specialized in assassination, with a talent for ‘silence’ that could hide his presence and sound.
‘A greenhorn. He doesn’t even have a proper detection system in his house. He’s probably just living off his own sense of superiority.’
Park Sang-hyun drew out a dagger.
A cruel weapon designed so that when stabbed into the peritoneum, the irregular blade would drag out internal organs along its uneven edge.
Just then, Park Sang-hyun turned his gaze to the explosive magical power felt from a small room in the penthouse corner.
A magical power flow that was living, breathing, and blazing – impossible to hide that it belonged to an Awakened.
‘Is he planning an ambush from a blind spot? The attempt wasn’t bad, but the method is completely wrong. Definitely a greenhorn.’
A smile crossed Park Sang-hyun’s lips.
Among the numerous commissions he’d received, today seemed like the perfect opportunity to earn money with utmost ease.
His rank is A.
As long as the opponent’s rank wasn’t higher than his, eliminating the target was nothing for a professional assassin like himself.
‘Everyone imagines a plausible counterattack. Until a red line is drawn across their neck by my dagger…’
Park Sang-hyun licked the side of the dagger with the tip of his tongue, beginning his covert operation to take Kang Shin-hwa’s life.
The target was in an obviously exposed location, awkwardly hidden while completely revealing his presence.
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