Demon King
chapter-42

Fourth Evolution (2)

[Are you sure you want to synthesize for the Lunatic Trickster skill? In that case, the following skills will disappear: Trap Creation, Poison Creation, Spider Web Creation, (choose one: Power Attack or Power Arrow)]

[The skill is strengthened by the effects of magic skills and combat support skills.]

[Yes]

[No]

It was clear that that the Lunatic Trickster skill is similar to that of Trap Creation.

Spider Web Creation is just a lump of unnecessary luggage, so this is the perfect time to get rid of it.

The same goes for Poison Creation, which I have never even used yet.

It would be a huge blow, however, if I lose Power Attack, but fortunately, I have another option.

I chose to use Power Arrow for the synthesis.

It was completed immediately.

[Trap Creation, Poison Creation, Spider Web Creation, and Power Arrow have been synthesized.]

[You acquired the Intermediate Lunatic Trickster skill Lv1.]

[1. Consumes time, mana, stamina, weapons, equipment, and other materials to create a desired type of trap in the desired location (within sight). The size, strength, and duration of the trap depend on the type and amount of materials used.]

[2. Other skills can be applied through Lunatic Trickster. Amplify specific elements of skill or add new elements. This is done randomly and will consume one skill level in exchange for skill improvement.]

As if it wasn’t a good skill already, the Lunatic Trickster had to abilities.

The first one was what I expected – a better version of Trap Creation.

The second ability made me worry, however.

I don’t like to depend on random luck. I cannot risk my life on chance.

Of course, it’s a skill that improves a skill for the price of one skill level.

However, the scope of the improvement it can offer is unknown, so it had a gambling-like factor.

What’s more, it comes with a heavy price.

But it’s a good option to have.

Every ability has its own purpose. The second ability of the Lunatic Trickster will definitely prove useful sometime.

I closed the notification window.

Suddenly, I felt A.

I immediately noticed his presence and looked at his direction

A didn’t comment on my polished sense of Detection, and instead said something.

“Last one left.”

“I know.”

“Would you like to challenge right away?”

I looked down on my body. It was still in Goblin form.

Usually, after I finished eating the last opponent, I go back to a Hob Goblin Assaulter form.

“Yes… but my body…”

“The 10th conquest of the first floor of Jinma Tower – begins.”

Damn it, A!

Unlike Rain, who was too kind, A was annoying and unhelpful.

Having said those words, he disappeared again.

I ground my teeth. He really started the 10th conquest just like that. Damn.

However, I felt nothing.

No – I felt like I was nothing.

I tried to move my head, but I can’t.

I tried to feel the ground with my feet, but I can’t.

I had a dagger in my hand… there was nothing in my hand.

I had no hands. No feet, body, head… there was nothing left at all.

Even the Ebon Heart was gone.

No heart to pump blood, no lungs to breathe… I can’t breathe!

No, I don’t need to breathe.

Fear overwhelmed me.

I am nothing.

I can’t feel myself in this space.

Is this space even real? If I am not here, does this space exist?

If this space is real, then why am I not conscious of the things within it, even my own body?!

Am I gone?

Did the Goblin form disappear completely, and only my consciousness remained?

Then… will my consciousness disappear soon, too?

A terrible horror swallowed me, and I swam desperately in it.

I exist. I exist!

This was supposed to be a safe training center.

There should be no loss of life. This shouldn’t happen.

I can’t disappear.

I have to survive.

I can’t disappear without a trace in this place.

I exist.

My soul and my body are definitely here!

At that moment, it was as if time reversed. I thought back.

I recalled the moment I killed the Poison Scorpion.

What did you think then? Think! Think!

I recalled. It was a question that passed my mind.

There is a boundary between the soul and the flesh. Is it possible to degenerate even further, leaving only the existence? Will that be against the laws of this place?

It was a simple moment of wondering about what A said. He said that this place is where all the trajectories I’ve passed through will merge into one, but can I degenerate to the point of non-existence?

Of course, everything that happened in Jinma Tower was mysterious, and I wouldn’t be able to comprehend them all with my own knowledge.

But I have to try to find out how it worked. So I can escape this phase.

What is common in degeneration?

Realization.

The level and skills remain the same.

From beginning to end, my skill and my level remained the same.

Even if the body has degenerated, those were maintained.

I took it for granted.

I did not question the deterioration of my body in the past.

I accepted it as the truth, and it became my reality. I really degenerated to a Hob Goblin and below, even if it wasn’t physically possible.

But how could the level and the skills remain the same?

What if degeneration was just my illusion?

What if I was a Hob Goblin Assaulter all this time?

Someone told me that I would degenerate into a Hob Goblin… and I believed it.

Was I the one putting limits on my own self?

That can only be the explanation of the degeneration phenomenon.

If a Hob Goblin Assaulter thinks that he is a Goblin, it was possible to erase his existence.

The moment I realized it, the Ebon Heart jumped.

At the moment of my extreme fear, I didn’t recognize its presence, but it was there from the beginning.

Thump.

Thump.

The small beat gradually went harder, louder, more powerful.

Veins and blood vessels spread in all directions from the source of the heartbeats.

Flesh and bones begin to form.

Blood filled the vessels. Mana flowed through them.

The exposed flesh grew skin, and my armor covered it once more.

I recognized Blood Shadow on my hand.

As I swung it, a smooth, red shadow traced the air.

I was convinced. I turned back into a Hob Goblin Assaulter by affirming my existence.

By reaching the present and accepting what I am.

I was a Hob Goblin Assaulter all this time, not a Goblin.

I have never been weakened. Only my heart was weakened.

No one else aside from myself can make me weaker. No one can touch my soul!

I realized the absolute proposition.

[Predation became Lv4. The efficiency of absorbing the abilities of the prey increases. Able to absorb even Lower level skills.]

[Intermediate Martial Arts has become Lv8.]

[Intermediate Detection has become Lv9.]

[Lower Fairy Tale has become Lv10 and evolves into Intermediate Fairy Tale. You can project an illusion of yourself within the range of your sight.]

With my enlightenment, my skills grew. All of them pleased me, but none pleased me more than completely finishing the tenth conquest of Jinma Tower.

It was what the Tower is for.

I can battle monsters in dungeons, too, but in this place, I could get enlightenment.

I had to look at myself, not just as a monster. I should have known myself better.

It took me a long time to learn it.

The darkness that covered my eyes lifted along with my delusions, and I finally looked at A’s surprised face, which was just in front of me.

[Conquering the first floor of Jinma Tower 10/10]

[Quest completed!]

[You gained 1,200,000 experience!]

[You acquired 100 gold!]

[Level up!]

[You acquired 5 intermediate horsepower potions.]

[Obtained 10 Demon Hooks.]

[Evolution is possible.]

“That was fast.”

A was a middle-aged man with a handsome face.

I shook my head.

“No. It was late. And it’s not over yet.”

“Not yet? Perhaps…”

I triggered the Lunatic Trickster.

I didn’t plan on using it, but now was the best time to use it.

[Choose a skill to manifest with Lunatic Trickster]

I chose Detection and Martial Arts.

The purpose?

It is simple.

To find the monster that had played with me like a toy and cut it down.

Something is definitely in this place, other than A and I. The one who induced the delusions, the one who covered me in darkness…

A shook his head. “Impossible. The Trickster is an Advanced monster.”

I laughed. It’s funny that the monster’s name and the skill I’ll use to finish it were the same.

“It’s an interesting name,” I told A.

[Detection skill level is reduced by 1 level. Sensing power is amplified infinitely.]

[Martial Arts skill level is reduced by 1 level. Added an element that can draw tomorrow’s energy and use it for today.]

Even when my five senses were free, the Trickster that A mentioned was not revealed to me.

From the moment I set foot in this place, it had been cheating and playing with me.

It was impossible to capture it with my Intermediate Detection.

But now, with the help of Lunatic Trickster…

I jumped and used all the weapons in my inventory to create a spider web trap.

I cast it up the air like a wide net to catch everything that could be floating in there.

I seemed to have caught nothing, but I didn’t care.

I knew different.

Black Lightning, blood sword, and Power Attack, amplified with all the energy I could have tomorrow, covered my sword.

And I swung it mightily towards the trap.

“Kyap! King!”

The impact was audible. The attack hit something.

[You gained 1,580,000 experience points.]

[Experience limit due to race restrictions. The experience will be applied to the next form.]

[You acquired 180 gold.]

[Intermediate Martial Arts has become Lv9.]

[Intermediate Detection has become Lv10 and evolves to Advanced Detection. The range of detection is significantly widened, and the enemy’s weaknesses can be identified. Reading emotions of items that are lower than the Detection skill level become possible.]

[Lower Power Attack has become Lv10 and evolves to the Intermediate Power Attack. When you inflict magic on a Power Attack, its attack power is amplified. You can consume mana to instantly increase the range of your weapon.]

I landed lightly on the floor, clutching a bat-like Trickster’s body. It was too small and shabby compared to its massive ability.

Only

I looked back at A’s astonished expression.

“What is impossible?”

“Damn, Rain.” A muttered.

I chewed on the Trickster’s body, pleased at the reminder that popped up.

[Magic has risen by 10.]

[You acquired the Beginner Fantasy Magic skill Lv1.]

It wasn’t over. I still have one thing left to do.

[Evolution is possible.]