Unique Skill 「Avatar」.
A power that allows the creation and operation of a clone identical to oneself.
This was the beginning and end of Seong-hyun Han, the one who created the current me.
‘What if my unique skill was something different… It’s chilling just thinking about it.’
In that case, obviously, there wouldn’t have been the explosive acquisition of Karma points in the early stages, and I would have been thrown into this world helplessly, unable to keep my mind straight due to trauma.
I probably wouldn’t have made it even to the village that was a den of dark wizards, let alone step out of the forest, trembling all alone until I met my demise.
‘Who would have thought I’d turn out like this.’
Thinking of that made a little chuckle escape me unexpectedly.
The coward who feared the outside world had now become someone who could easily go out, and I was now at the center of global attention as the eye of the storm.
No, thinking about it, that itself was an understatement.
In the other dimension, Auterica, I had become such a huge figure that I could bend that world to my will!
‘And all this while I stayed cooped up in a safe place.’
I shrugged my shoulders as I gulped down a drink straight from the fridge.
In fact, that was the most crucial point.
No matter what I had done so far or what chaos I might create in the future, I was absolutely certain that the original body, Seong-hyun Han, would be safe.
That was the source of my confidence that hadn’t changed much from the beginning until now.
‘It helped a lot in making calm judgments about the situations I faced.’
Having that merit allowed me to dive headfirst into any ordeal and seize the results I desired, without shrinking back.
Even if an insurmountable crisis loomed, there was always a last bastion left, so there was no need to fear anything.
“Hoo, I’ve gotten sentimental for no reason.”
That skill was about to take another step forward.
After going through excessive growth, there had been a blockage in enhancing it for a while, but the growth of Heinz II might have been the catalyst.
In any case, it was an opportunity that couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time right before the big fight I was about to face.
“Let’s see then…”
Having lightened my mood, I settled into the massage chair, opening the system window as usual.
Familiar items I had seen daily unfolded before my eyes once again.
『Karma Shop Ver.2』
『Unique Skill Enhancement (1,500,000)』
『Other Skill Enhancement – View Details』
『Status Enhancement – View Details』
『Purchase Items – View Details』
『VIP Market – View Details』
『Dimension Barrier Mitigation (6,000,000)』
『Total Karma – 4,691,326』
Among all those phrases, the first thing I checked, of course, was ‘Total Karma.’
Before I knew it, it had already soared past 4 million and was nearing 5 million — a staggering figure.
Seeing that abundant balance filled my heart, and I nodded with satisfaction.
‘Even though quite a bit regularly flows out, it’s already this much.’
After verifying the effect of 『Growth Potion (7 days) (200,000)』 available in the VIP market, the cost to acquire it had long since become a fixed expense.
Moreover, not only the newcomers like Hesperon and Howard but also established heavyweights like Heinz II and Heinrich were increasingly using it.
‘Additionally, the rare materials that couldn’t be easily obtained also contributed a little to the expenditures.’
Nevertheless, thanks to diligently sticking my straws all around Auterica, the karma pouring in without a break was steadily increasing my balance.
When I took down the revolutionary giant in Tarak, I received nearly 2 million points all at once.
It was literally a solid cash cow.
‘…Right, I can’t let that scoundrel, the Head of the Buncheon Society, recklessly ruin this treasure.’
Facing that figure again ignited my motivation like a wildfire.
Even if I had to mobilize all the power of Auterica in the process of dealing with him, in the end, I would have no choice but to step up myself, so the karma points that would allow me to strengthen myself were indeed the surest kind of military funds.
‘Having come this far, there’s no reason to hesitate. First, I’ll enhance the unique skill that I’ve been waiting for.’
The points required for that were 1.5 million.
But for me now, that was trivial.
ZZZ
Without hesitation, I selected the item, and with the familiar headache, my nerves sharpened as my field of perception started to expand.
“Hmm.”
After passing through that pain, which couldn’t be avoided even with 「Mind Hub」.
I took a deep breath and checked the message that had appeared in front of me, with sensations different from before.
《The effects of abilities derived from your unique skill have increased, and the area from which you can summon avatars has expanded.》
《Your unique skill has grown and unlocked potential. You have acquired the special skill「Entity Convergence.」》
The first was an enhancement of existing abilities.
From 「Mind Hub」 to 「Spirit Firewall,」 the efficiency and performance of all the supplementary skills gained from enhancing the unique skill improved.
Moreover, the previously obtained remote summoning range increased from about 30 kilometers to roughly 60 kilometers.
‘…Not bad. Now, from the heart of Seoul to Incheon International Airport and most of Gyeonggi Province are within reach.’
But that was just a minor start.
The real deal was the newly created skill, 「Entity Convergence.」
Just as it evolved in the direction that the user needed, it had the performance to wonderfully meet my expectations.
‘To think it really is Assemble!’
A skill that gathers other clones around a specific entity.
For me, that was a simple yet incredibly efficient ability.
With this skill, I no longer needed to waste time and effort moving avatars using various means.
Just having one entity on-site could instantly turn a 1-on-1 situation into a 1-on-many battle — a spell unfolding right before my eyes!
‘…This skill is exactly what I need right now. It allows for more free operation of avatars. There’s still a cooldown, but…’
That would be a problem that could be fixed just by building proficiency.
If I wanted to save time, there were other methods as well.
As I contemplated how best to utilize 「Entity Convergence,」 my gaze shifted to 『Other Skill Enhancement.』
‘That should allow me to enhance other skills as well.’
From 「Mind Hub」 to the newly acquired 「Entity Convergence」 and even general skills like 「Super Recovery」 and 「Xenoglossy」 could be enhanced too.
‘The skills possessed by each entity wouldn’t be applicable, so I’d only been sampling them so far…’
Now was not the time to hold back on karma.
In order to increase my odds even slightly, I had to pour everything I could into it.
With 3.2 million points still remaining, I should be able to achieve significant effects regardless of how or where I invest it.
‘It wouldn’t be a bad choice to enhance the status further… Wait?’
But just as I was scrolling through the system window.
My eyes furrowed at the sudden, unavoidable change I couldn’t overlook.
『Unique Skill Enhancement (2,000,000)』
The figure that had steadily risen by 100,000 had suddenly hiked by 500,000.
Just a moment ago, it was 1.5 million, and now it shot up to 2 million all at once?
‘Are they getting cocky because sales are good?’
This sudden inflation, what madness is this!
I couldn’t use it right away anyway because of the enhancement limit that would kick in again, but seeing the price jump so dramatically made my stomach churn.
‘…Tsk, it can’t be helped. It’s not like I can do anything about it.’
After briefly glaring at it, I eventually shook my head and forcibly redirected my gaze.
There were still many ways to use the remaining points.
Status enhancement, other skill enhancement, purchase of high-priced items, or maybe…
『Random Other Skill Acquisition (500,000)』
Testing my luck was another option.
“…Sigh, shall I give it another shot this time too?”
The 「Xenoglossy」 skill I acquired through that had turned out to be surprisingly useful beyond my expectations right after I regretted it upon acquisition.
Without that skill, I would have faced numerous restrictions during my activities.
It was definitely foresight to have tried that lottery on that day.
‘So, let’s go for it again!’
With that in mind, I selected the item without hesitation, filled with trust and faith—.
《The possibility of randomness is forcibly unlocked. You have acquired the skill「Sturdiness.」》
As the window arose, I instinctively shut my eyes tight and sank into despair.
‘Now that I think about it…’
Since the Karma Shop was upgraded to Ver.2.
Before using that random draw for the first time, I had thought of something.
Given that multiple avatars share skills, the effective cost would be less than 50,000, and even if a skill like 「Sturdiness」 came out, having it would be helpful in any way.
And just after that, I had vowed never to touch the gamble again after I pulled 「Xenoglossy.」
‘…Is this foreshadowing recovery?’
I felt a few avatars that received 「Sturdiness」 absorb it completely as I opened my eyes again.
It was not a bad thing since it nourished the higher ability avatars that increased physical durability, but…
‘It’s a bit of a strange feeling.’
Remaining points now stood at about 2.7 million.
It seemed that investing in status and skill enhancements was the way to go.
‘Today feels off. Let’s try again next time. Next time…’
Sad as it was, I couldn’t bring myself to promise even empty words that I wouldn’t touch it again.
Once I started, I had to recoup my investment.
*
Romania, Bucharest.
Originally a place that was supposed to be elegantly arranged, but now, just a few days later, it had turned into a chaotic mess filled with all sorts of junk.
“Hmm hmm~ It seems you absorbed Gomorrah without killing that beast again. Just like during the previous tyrant. This is very interesting!”
There, the doctor, who had just finished reading the report, stroked his messy beard and tilted his head.
The Duke didn’t think much of it, but as a researcher sensitive to even trivial variables, he had been receiving real-time information and analyzing it ever since Phantom appeared in Europe.
This event hadn’t gone according to his plans from beginning to end, so he couldn’t help but react more sensitively.
“Goodness, there’s a limit to how far off predictions can go… To think he crossed all the way to Europe and is playing power games without even enjoying a lavish banquet. And I can’t understand why those two are following Phantom.”
According to the original plan, by now, he should have entered the place on his own, thoroughly enjoying the feast.
Not knowing about Heinz II’s 「Refined Blood Essence」 and 「Hybrid Evolution,」 he couldn’t make sense of his actions and their results.
“Huh? Ah ha! Well, after all, he was chosen as a test subject precisely because of that person’s uniqueness! If things had just gone according to plan, there wouldn’t have been any value in experimentation! Ha ha ha—!”
Muttering to himself, the doctor suddenly smacked his forehead and burst into loud laughter.
Just as he said, this was Phantom… No, the operation planned after gaining information that Heinz, the vampire, was perfectly fine after devouring his own kind.
To minimize variables, he had even gone to the trouble of luring targets to Europe, where the Hahoe Mask wouldn’t interfere.
“Still, it would have been more certain if I had obtained more blood from the Duke back then! Ugh, what a stingy fellow.”
Just then, the doctor suddenly stopped laughing and pouted his lips in dissatisfaction.
Thanks to the blood that was a source of power from the Duke, he had been able to do this much, but being a selfish embodiment of greed, he didn’t care about such circumstances.
“Ah, I wish he’d hurry up! I’ve got a bunch of surprising gifts ready! When will he come? Hurry up~!”
Now he seemed to start whining like a child, this man with mouse-brown hair.
Surprisingly, this disheveled and insane fellow was one of the top leaders of the Earth’s largest secret organization, the Buncheon Society.
But did his wishes reach the heavens?
At that moment, inside an airplane that had just entered Romanian airspace.
There was one person secretly sneaking in, unknown to anyone.
The day after he had taken over the vampire clan Gomorrah in Italy.
Heinz II — Phantom had entered Romania.
