77-78

Chapter 77: Qualification 2

Demon King

Qualification – 2

'Wouldn't it be nice if I could just devour all the mana in the world? I could just eat everything that's annoying…' If I were able to do that, nothing would be left to stand in my way. But the reality wasn't that simple; a price had to be paid for all things. In order to grow stronger and make these powers mine, I still had to pay the price. I still had to be dominant and take what I wanted. Predation often made the process a lot easier, but it couldn't fundamentally change it. It wasn't like I could predate upon a living enemy unless I overpowered them first, and even when devouring the corrupted undead souls, I couldn't just bite into them.

That same logic applied here as well, to the energy of Jinma's Tower. These shells of pure mana had a completely different form from what I was able to devour so far. But what if I acted as if it could be predated? If I could break the mana's will, overwhelm its aggression…

"Quickly!"

It wouldn't be easy; I had no idea what I should do. One more death claimed me; this experience reminded me of when I challenged the first floor of the tower. 'Is this even possible for me now, in this body? No…I have to do it.' If I couldn't, I would never conquer the dungeon. And if I couldn't conquer the dungeon, I would never be able to go outside.

A few more deaths claimed me as I considered these things; the location of the Wings of Jinma was no closer to me than when I started. My sensing skills had reached the higher levels and continued to grow, allowing me to grasp everything within a few kilometers around myself. Even if the wings were a bit outside that range, I should be able to get a rough sense of where they were. But nothing came to me; I couldn't sense them at all.

'Are the wings of a similar material as the mana of the tower?' I desperately tried to increase the detection range, but all I could feel was the seemingly infinite mana trying to kill me, pure and dark as it volleyed through the air. I had to figure out a way to deal with this mana; the search could wait. I had to prove my superiority to this mana that made up Jinma's Tower, to subdue its will and make it my own.

'But how?' I could tell that the mana here was stronger than any I had experienced before; it was engraved into my bones now after demolishing my body several times already. Even after the tower reconstructed me, I couldn't shake the feeling of the mana tearing me apart. Nor could I help but notice the difference between myself and the power of the tower.

'But is the purpose of this floor really to help my Predation grow?' The thought suddenly occurred to me. Only one thing was certain: the mana of Jinma's Tower shouldn't pose an issue to me by the time I cleared this floor. It wouldn't be possible to obtain the wings with the mana raining down on me anyway. I thought the way to go about this was to devour the mana with Predation, much like I had been ingesting bodies with the energy of life and the energy of death. I had even been able to devour the soul as well and learned how to deal with its power. Once I had learned how to do it, it wasn't so hard. The trick was to keep pushing forward even when I didn't know what to do.

But this time? The mana of Jinma's Tower was overwhelmingly stronger than my own, darker and purer than mine. If I entered a battle of strength with the mana of the tower, rather than management of mana using skill, I couldn't win. 'Mana…mana?' Mana was everywhere, but I couldn't eat it. Maybe I was mistaken at a fundamental level about what I needed to achieve here. The tower wasn't presenting me with the grandiose goal of devouring all mana, just to eat this tower's mana.

It was a level of challenge that made more sense to me, one I could wrap my mind around. I hadn't tried it before, but I couldn't back down now. I was filled with anticipation. 'Why hadn't I thought of this before?' Well, I suppose I had been relying on my skills up until now, ever since I became a goblin. I've evolved several times, developing various skills such as Predation, and yet I hadn't noticed the energy inside me that I was capable of controlling. So it should be possible, right here and now in this space filled with pure mana.

I closed my eyes and focused on the mana flowing throughout my body, pumping through my Ebon Heart. I was already too familiar with the sensation of it, so it was easy for me to grasp on to. At the same time, I could feel the mana from the tower, flying through the air all around me. I began to analyze it as it collided with my body, destroying me once more. As I suspected, it was oddly similar to the mana in my own body.

I attempted to alter the mana that was flowing through me. The mana each being is born with is unique, and it changes as one grows. Being a goblin, a hobgoblin, a bugbear… and now, a Crimson Elf. Each time I evolved, my mana changed with me. 'Can I control how it changes, though?' I would need to if I wanted to reach the same level of mana that the tower possessed. Mana should still be mana no matter the size or strength of it, right?

Shortly after my body was reconstructed, I could feel the waves of mana rushing once more. Even without any specific form for it to take, it had enough power to tear right through me. It was violence, in its purest form. 'Why isn't it taking a form? It could be flame or ice, lightning or wind…why pure mana?' It occurred to me that perhaps the purpose behind it was to familiarize me with it, that the over-saturation of mana within the air wasn't an attack. It made no sense for the tower to use its energy to kill me and then have that same energy reconstruct my body.

I felt like I was seeing clearly now, the veil lifted from over my eyes. The Ebon Heart was pounding in my chest, trying to tell me something. 'When did I start thinking of my heart as something separate from myself?' Had it been when I first recognized its existence in its pitch-black form? Or when it saved me before? It was silly to consider it as a separate entity. My heart was my heart, and it didn't matter if there was something in there I didn't know about. It was the organ at the center of my body, creating the mana that flowed through me like blood. It would cower in fear, lying to me by saying certain things weren't possible.

But when I thought about it, it wasn't like I had the ability to directly control everything happening in my body anyway. My lungs, my stomach, I didn't have individual control over those things. I, like all humans, had to rely on unconscious processes to run that stuff. Wasn't this pitch-black heart of mine just the same? I couldn't control it or grasp all of its behavior, but that was natural. It was just a heart that was a bit different than the one I had as a human, one that knew how to create stronger mana.

Still, something about it confused me. When I claimed that the heart had been pushing me forward, was that all just for show? Was there no actual will in it? Since then, I had calmed down a bit, and I figured out my goals since then, but something still felt odd. Why did my skills of lightning magic and escape disappear, to be replaced by black lightning? My heart was circulating mana throughout my blood as it was supposed to, but it felt like it was trying to get my attention. 'When was the last time my heart moved according to my own will?'

The black lightning had been a powerful skill for me to acquire, but I always thought it a coincidence that I did. But what if it wasn't? What if I instinctively pushed my heart to move forward, to grow stronger? The thought spread through my mind, gripping onto me and refusing to let go. I had to stop thinking of this as a battle against another being inside of me who had its own will. A memory of when I was able to feel this dark heart the strongest flashed through my mind, its strange beat pulsing through me.

The mana that had been flowing through my body up until now was gradually absorbed into my heart. My body gradually lost function as mana flowed out of it, soon to be destroyed by the mana of the tower. My arms, legs, torso, and head…all were destroyed—all but a pitch-black heart that continued to pulse. I could feel my soul and flesh unified now; I could tell that I had control over the beat of my own heart, and it would move according to my will. The mana flowing in from all directions couldn't destroy the pitch-black heart; the heart merely accepted it into itself and began to change in the way I wanted it.

This was the purpose of Jinma's Tower from the very beginning: to change the mana flowing through me and this heart of mine. To qualify me as Jinma. To awaken the Wings of Jinma.

The shape of the heart changed to that of Jinma, beating more vigorously as it did, and began to produce mana like that of the tower. From there, a body gradually formed around it. It wasn't different from the body I had, but I could tell it was full of mana from the tower. Wings of pure mana began to sprout out from my shoulders.

'This is a little embarrassing…'

And as such, I had succeeded in overcoming the challenges of the 6th floor of Jinma's Tower and acquired the Wings of Jinma. But, I had to wonder… at what cost?

Chapter 78: Qualification 3

Demon King

Qualification – 3

As I came to realize the truth of this floor, and the pure, dark mana began to radiate out from my heart, the attacks from the tower subsided. I wasn't satisfied with just that, however. I flapped my new wings, still weak and new to me, and began to pour my power of Predation into them to devour the rest of Jinma's mana that was left in this place. Unlike the mana that was out in the world, the mana here in the tower was concentrated. It felt like it had been made just for me, and it helped me reach a new sense of understanding.

[Magic has increased by 217.]

In discarding all my mana and forging new mana from my heart, I sacrificed roughly 500 of my magic power levels. Even though the amount was less, however, I could tell it was of much higher quality. And, thanks to the mana I absorbed from this place, I was able to recover about half of the magic I lost. Now I could produce a much stronger effect with the same amount I had been using before.

[You have conquered the 6th floor of Jinma's Tower.]

[You have acquired one of the qualifications needed to unseal the castle.]

I was no longer standing in this space dense with mana, enjoying the wide expanse of the area around me.

"Will I ever come back here…?" I muttered to no-one in particular, looking around the tower.

"Technically speaking, no." A appeared next to me, responding to me. I wanted to ask what he meant, but he regarded my new black wings with a stern expression.

"You are qualified, Fate."

"But I'm not ready quite yet." I retorted, controlling the mana inside my body to retract the wings back inside me. The mana that had been forming the wings flowed back without any resistance. I hadn't completed this challenge just to get the wings; it was just that like a human had arms and legs, or a tiger had a tail, anyone who handled the mana of Jinma had them. The only difference was that since they were made of mana, I could retract them at will.

"The wings are a tool developed to control the amount of power you release and place your mana outside of your body. It is impossible to generate power without them, however."

"But if I keep my wings out, I'll be discovered as a Jinma. I've already heard from Rain that they aren't the type to be welcomed by other beings."

"You haven't even reached the end of the path of a Jinma yet."

"…"

Just as I finished my work here, I already felt the urge to go back and finish the rest of the process. I smiled at A and decided to leave Jinma's Tower. It occurred to me that I forgot to ask what he meant by saying 'technically speaking' as I entered the Garden of Nak. I suppose it didn't matter; I broke through Jinma's Tower. Now it would be best to finish the fifth game of the Garden of Nak before I went to challenge the dungeon. L was sitting at the table as she always did since the first game, lifting her eyes to greet me as she noticed my appearance.

"You've changed." I looked down at myself at her words, noticing the change in my mana had brought a much larger change to my soul than my body. My skin and hair had grown lighter, but the details of the shape of my soul were different as well. I supposed that was natural once I considered it. After all, wasn't it mana that bound the soul to the body? The body produces and manages the mana, but it is the soul that holds it. When the mana changes, so too would the soul. I felt a bit foolish that I hadn't realized it sooner.

"I'm here to finish our game."

"You're feeling confident today." L's smile deepened, her voice relaxed as she spoke.

"You haven't been through the fifth game, but if you're stubborn you'll never leave here."

"We'll see." I laughed grimly, laying my hand on the table to signify I was ready to start.

"Very well." The heartwarming smile that had been filling her face vanished in a second, her cheeks swelling up slightly now as if she were upset by my attitude. She waved her hands over the table, the table gradually stretching and widening as it followed the movements of her hands. On top of it, the castle and walls that I made previously began to form.

"Let us start." The Garden of Pleasure, the fifth and final game. It focused on filling out the gaps in the castle walls, securing their defenses. I would put together the small models, and she would break them down. If I could overcome her interference and finish my work within the time limit, it would be my victory.

"Can't keep up?" I had already blown through thousands of gold playing this game, but now on the fifth game, she began to show off her skills. Her power fascinated me even though I recognized how deadly it could be.

"You've let another one collapse." L was wearing a dress that exposed quite a bit, deliberately exposing more as she moved. She was trying to seduce me with her unique power, Fascination, which couldn't be called magic.

"It's not possible for you yet. I was hoping that it might be, but this is a bit disappointing." It really was pathetic, but I couldn't help but look at her. I knew that if I were deprived of her attention, I would lose it. It felt rude not to look at her as if slandering her beauty. Even though I had resistances to the highest level, I still couldn't control myself against her. The time I spent training since I awoke as a goblin didn't matter.

It wasn't even a matter of will. She stimulated the instincts that laid deep within everyone- contained at the base of one's soul- and forced them to come forward. It couldn't be prevented with a skill, nor resistances to abnormal statuses. All that awaited me here was defeat. As I progressed through the fifth game again, I realized aberration tolerance wasn't enough, but it could help a bit.

'Now I know…' The moment I gained Jinma's mana; I felt like I had grabbed onto the edge of a power beyond the realm of her skills. I was able to feel my strength all the better after I emptied myself completely, the power of the mana that filled my soul and forged a new one. 'This power…a more powerful force than any I've encountered before.' It was too obvious. To overcome her power, I also had to have something outside of the realm of skill. For me, that was Predation. I wouldn't be able to eat her power, it was beyond me, but I could pick the ones I could eat out of the parts that made up her abilities.

'There's one.' It had been impossible before, but now?

"…Hm…" Her expression, previously one of ease, collapsed slightly for the first time. I had successfully broken through her balance of power, and I enjoyed the sight of her frustration as she ground her teeth. My work was done on the windows, roof, walls, and gate of the castle. I controlled the blocks and stacked them easily with my mana, moving them through the optimal route I had envisioned.

"No… not enough yet…"

"That's enough." It felt like I was cheating to interfere with her movements, but I laughed it off as I finished my work elsewhere and avoided her hand. Her Fascination erupted strongly for a moment, but I was able to cover myself with the energy of my Predation, the power of it rising up to cover my soul in its entirety to eat her attack. It wasn't quite like mana or even devouring the energies of life and death, but it felt similar. It felt like it was energy related to Jinma, which meant it would be possible to eat with Predation now.

"This skill…!" Her interference in my building was gradually slowing as my pace only grew. The castle gates were complete now, as well as the wall and the windows. Even the tiles of floors were done, and her frustration grew in measure with how much she was now puffing out her cheeks.

"It's too fast!"

"I should have realized this when I earned the mana of Jinma." It wasn't as easy as it might have seemed. It was hard to pick out the mana of Jinma amongst her various powers. Nor was it easy to actually eat it once I found it. The process wasn't perfect, and it wasn't possible to absorb abilities, but still, I was devouring what I could to give myself strength. I was starting to overpower my opponent now, using all the energy I could to manage my sensing and movement skills. As she attempted to read my movements, she was able to catch the moment she had lost. In a final attempt, L grabbed my wrist to try and stop me as I finished the top of the last spire.

[You have won the fifth game of the Garden of Nak.]

[You have acquired one of the qualifications needed to unseal the castle.]

Her foul expression confirmed my victory, but she surprised me by releasing my wrist and shaking my hand. The last part I had placed rotated around in the air, changing in color and light as it moved to the top floor to finish the final decoration.

"Why…?" The voice left me for a reason I didn't know.

"It's your victory." L ignored my question, responding angrily.

"This is it?"

"You just don't know yet." I examined the completed castle. It was just a toy, but it looked rather realistic and even a bit magnificent—the practical product of meticulous design. I wouldn't have minded living in such a place myself. 'But what does it mean?' There was no doubt some hidden meaning to this game that I didn't know yet, and it would most likely impact me in the future. Perhaps this toy castle had some sort of connection to the castle I was attempting to unseal? I didn't know, and I didn't want to ask L out of fear of the answer. I was becoming quite used to their secrecy nowadays anyway.

"It's all over now. Go away."

"Alright." Despite my agreement, she immediately rose out of her seat to stop me from leaving, her expression angry. I briefly felt that she was making herself a bit of a nuisance as I sat back down. L was still regarding me with a harsh look.

"I have a little time left, can I stay here for a bit?"

"Oh…just for a little bit. Are you busy?" Her expression relaxed a bit as she asked me this.

"Well, if I evolve I may not be able to return to the Rookie's Battlefield, and I need to organize some stuff there before that happens. There is also – "

"…get out."

"What? Wait a second…"

"Fool!"

I was instantly kicked out of the Garden of Nak, unsure of what just happened. I shook it off quickly, turning my mind to the Rookie's Battlefield. I had to consider when I would enter there next.

Demon King