Chapter 383. Looming War Clouds

The light coming out from the World’s Milestone flowed into Asha. Then Chi-Woo grasped and lifted the chain wrapped around his wrist. Before the world was modified, the conditions to awaken Steam Bun’s power had been as followed:

[?—Page (1/1)]

1. ‘7 Ways to Become a Great and Respected Parent’: Reach at least 90% trust (Incomplete)

2. Reach 100% assimilation with Balal (Incomplete)

3. Become recognized by its clan (Incomplete)

4. Become a saintess of ‘Asha Dubulola’.

5. Use at least 5 and at most 7 points of ‘Blessed Luck’ (Incomplete)]

These had been the conditions when the World didn’t exist. Chi-Woo couldn’t be sure, but at that point of time, Those had probably been the best conditions to maximize the potential of Steam Bun. However, after modifying the past, the World managed to barely survive and keep her will, and Steam Bun received a new name: Asha. The conditions have therefore changed to match the current situation.

[Asha—Page (1/1)]

1. ‘7 Ways to Become a Great and Respected Parent’: Reach at least 90% trust (Complete)

2. Reach 100% assimilation with ‘Balal’ (Complete)

3. Inherit ‘Liber’s’ will (Complete)

4. Receive a new ‘name’. (Complete)

5. Use 10 points of ‘Blessed Luck’ (Incomplete)]

It was the first time something like this had happened, so his heart pounded in exhilaration. He had no idea what the results would be that the system was asking for 10 points of Blessed Luck. However, Chi-Woo didn’t hesitate.

[The Power to Rule the World has been used.]

[Innate ability [Blessed Luck] consumed (100->90).]

[The Power to Rule the World awakens Asha’s innate ability, ‘Deterrence’.]

After checking the message, a glint appeared in Chi-Woo’s eyes. “Asha.” Frankly, Chi-Woo hadn’t thought this far. However, as soon as Asha inherited the will of the World, he got a strong feeling that he should accept Asha as his star. “Will you be my star?” He didn’t even need to hear an answer because Asha had already agreed to his suggestion.

[‘7 Ways to Become a Great and Respected Parent’ has been opened.]

[The amount of trust that user Asha has towards user Choi Chi-Woo will be measured.]

[Measuring… Measurement is complete.]

[Trust 95.7%: Parents are the mirror of their child. Children grow up watching their parents and dream of the future, and parents should not force their dream on their children. Asha had endured solitude and loneliness for a long time, but after coming out to the world and following one person, Asha had gained a new dream—to never be left alone again. Asha hopes that their time living with everyone will last forever, and that this World will not collapse. Thus, Asha has decided to help protect this World.]

[Asha’s trust in you has exceeded the necessary requirements.]

[You have chosen Asha, ‘The World’s Will’ as your third star.]

While the messages popped up in the air in a row, Asha emitted a dazzling glow again as if they were using all the will of the World handed to them. Soon, the light cast on Chi-Woo, and new messages appeared in the air.

[User Choi Chi-Woo’s special ability ‘Sharing’ changes from unidirectional to bidirectional.]

Chi-Woo was shocked. Until now, he had only been able to gain the ability of those he’d accepted as his stars, but now, he could share his ability with his stars as well. This wasn’t the only change.

[User Asha wants to share user Chi-Woo’s innate ability [Blessed Luck].]

When Chi-Woo nodded blankly, a message immediately appeared.

[[Blessed Luck] has been consumed by the will of user Asha (90 -> 80).]

[‘Deterrence’ has been applied on the World’s Milestone.]

[The chance of success has been increased significantly when you roll the World’s Milestone!]

[Although an event will occur when the die rolls a number below 4, [Blessed Luck] will not be consumed, and in cases of failure, the event can be nullified through ‘Deterrence’ by using [Blessed Luck] equivalent to the opposite number of the die face (1<->7/ 2<->6/ 3<->5).]

Chi-Woo’s breath hitched. He read the message again and again in disbelief. Although it was a stretch to say that there would be no negative effects to rolling the World’s Milestone from then on, the risk had almost fully disappeared as long as his Blessed Luck hadn’t run out. Although he had to use Blessed Luck to nullify an event, he could at least save an amount equal to the number he rolled as a failed event wouldn’t consume any Blessed Luck. In the first place, his probability of success had substantially increased.

‘This is too—’ Good. It was all too great to be true, as if Deus Ex Machina had been activated just for him. He now understood why the heroes wanted backup from the World so much. Just a taste of the World’s support made him feel like he could finally breathe easily again. Above all, besides the effect of ‘Deterrence’, it was also noteworthy that Sharing now went both ways. Chi-Woo’s eyes shone after reading the description of his changed ability carefully.

* * *

After inheriting the will of the World and awakening ‘Deterrence’, Chi-Woo immediately went to Ru Amuh to use Sharing.

“Damn it!” Then he fell into despair because his ability couldn’t be activated. Although his Sharing ability was definitely bidirectional now, there were two reasons he couldn’t use it. First, although it was true that the ability would now allow him to either give or receive an ability, he couldn’t do both. If he gave an ability, he couldn’t receive one, and vice versa. And secondly—

[Intuition A+] –…although it has been fully absorbed as part of the user with the unity ability, it has been upgraded and will maintain as an innate ability due to the Synesthesia.

It was because the synesthesia ability was still being maintained. Although not shown in his user information, the ability that he had received from Ru Amuh still existed as part of Intuition. As expected, things didn’t always go the way he wanted despite the improved situation.

Although Chi-Woo understood the reason, he was still disappointed. This was not anyone else, but Ru Amuh; if he could share any of his abilities with him, Ru Amuh could probably utilize it much better. It was so disappointing that he couldn’t do that because of the choice he’d made way back.

While lamenting his past choice, Chi-Woo suddenly felt someone tap his back. Asha had made a hand and was flicking their index finger, telling him it was too soon to give up.

Chi-Woo stared at them and suddenly came to a realization. “Perhaps…are you talking about Deterrence?”

“Pyu.”

“Yeah, I see. You’re telling me to use Blessed Luck through your Deterrence and revert the shared ability back to its original form. Then I can use Sharing again. That can be done!”

Asha clasped their hands and nodded.

“How amazing!” When Chi-Woo reached out and stroked their head, Asha shuddered with joy. Watching the scene unfold, Ru Amuh quickly blinked. He didn’t know what to say. All he heard was ‘pyu’, so he had no idea how Chi-Woo was able to understand Asha.

“Mr. Ru Amuh.” Chi-Woo glanced back at Ru Amuh. “Fortunately, I think there is a way.”

“No, Teacher.” However, Ru Amuh turned him down.

“What?”

“I’m all right, Teacher.” Ru Amuh smiled and shook his head slowly. “You asked me if there was a skill I needed. Of course I can’t tell you there’s none. There are a lot of skills I need, but I’m planning to grow and obtain them by myself.”

“No, but—”

“And Teacher, you have already given me an ability.” Ru Amuh was talking about ‘Perfection Beyond Repair’. It was the ability Ru Amuh had acquired from Chi-Woo through the Power to Rule the World. Stating that too much was just as bad as too little, Ru Amuh insisted that he had received more than enough from Chi-Woo.

“But…even then…”

When Chi-Woo seemed unable to give up his lingering feelings, Ru Amuh straightened his expression, “Sir, then let me ask you one question. If I ask you for an ability I need, will it not affect you negatively at all?”

Chi-Woo paused because that wasn’t the case. He needed to first activate Deterrence to nullify the shared ability, which would consume his Blessed Luck, a limited resource. Although he had recovered it to 100, it already decreased to 80 in a short span of time. If he continued to splurge carelessly, he’d soon run out of it again.

Considering that there were still many stars for him to find, he should use it more carefully. Moreover, if he reversed the ability he had shared from Ru Amuh, the boost he got from Synesthesia would also disappear. As a result, his Intuition might drop by a rank, or in the worst case, his ability might become a lower grade one.

“Then it’s fine,” Ru Amuh said when Chi-Woo wasn’t able to answer. “Teacher, you’ve already given me a lot. I can’t pay back what I owe you even if I’m reincarnated many times, let alone in this lifetime. It would be shameless of me to ask for more.” He continued in a calm tone, “So please have some faith in me. I want to show you that I can live up to your expectations without receiving more.”

Chi-Woo couldn’t say anything else after hearing that. How could a parent stop their child from wanting to succeed on their own without borrowing the power of their parent? Chi-Woo had no choice but to return to his place with great respect for Ru Amuh. At the end of the day, Ru Amuh wasn’t his only star.

* * *

Emmanuel was taken aback by Chi-Woo’s sudden visit and showed an even more surprised expression after hearing Chi-Woo’s question. “…Sir, what? An ability that I need. Hmm…I don’t know. If there’s an ability that I need right now…”

After a moment of bemusement, Emmanuel, who trusted and admired Chi-Woo as much as Ru Amuh, said with a serious expression, “Sir, I wish for a sensing ability.”

“A sensing ability?”

“Yes, I’m sure you know, Teacher, but my main skill is Lightning Fire. It’s very powerful and destructive, able to easily defeat any opponent, but…”

Chi-Woo wanted to ask, ‘Even my brother?’, but he could easily guess the kind of look Emmanuel would give him in response, so he kept it to himself.

Emmanuel continued, “My perspective changed after meeting and dueling with another hero. My ability didn’t work on him at all.” Emmanuel smacked his lips. “The difference between him and me was obvious. It’s not an exaggeration to say that his swordsmanship could be considered an art. No, it wasn’t just his swordsmanship. He knew how to use his senses to precisely control his every skill and ability.”

Chi-Woo could guess who Emmanuel was talking about.

“Since I’m the type to push aggressively once I gain momentum, maybe it’s no wonder I can’t beat him at the moment. But when I consulted with Master Byeok to reduce the difference between him and me somehow…”

“What did she say?”

“She told me that except for really rare cases, one’s sensing ability is deeply related to innate, natural born talent, and she told me that it’ll be difficult for me to learn it, so I shouldn’t waste my time…” Emmanuel smiled bitterly and let out a deep sigh.

Chi-Woo could understand how Emmanuel felt. “That’s why you want an ability related to improving your senses.”

“Yes, that is the case. Frankly, I don’t expect much, but I’m going to try persistently.”

“Yes, you’ll have to. Since you’ll have a hard time adjusting to this ability at first.”

“Yes…wait, what?”

“A moment, please.” Chi-Woo immediately opened his user information and picked ‘Intuition’ among his abilities to share with Emmanuel.

“Sir, what do you mean—huherugbaeeghhhh?!” Emmanuel’s eyes became wide as saucers, and he suddenly screamed and staggered back. Chi-Woo laughed. His Intuition’s rank was A+. Although Emmanuel’s trust towards him wasn’t 100%, so it went down to rank A, which should be enough.

Chi-Woo asked, “Can you become a bit stronger now?”

Emmanuel didn’t answer. He simply gaped and heaved like he was hyperventilating.

“Become as strong as possible since a big crisis is on the horizon. Everyone will play an important part.”

“Teacher—What is this—” Emmanuel gasped for breath.

Chi-Woo could understand Emmanuel’s reaction because there had been a time when he was just like Emmanuel. He still couldn’t forget the memory of when he first learned Intuition. Information flowed into him from all directions even when he wasn’t focused, and it felt as if he was experiencing a completely new world. Chi-Woo turned away from Emmanuel, who was overwhelmed by the new information he was getting, and took his leave.

He felt pretty good about this. If his brother was around, he would rebuke him for giving out too much. Still, it was all right with Chi-Woo. He had already trusted and accepted them as his comrades. He was sure that they’d give back more than what they received. And Chi-Woo’s thoughts were proven correct as soon as he returned to Seven Stars. Yeriel, who hardly came out of her workshop, visited him in the office. She had finished Chi-Woo’s personalized AI armor. However…

“Please kill me.” It was a little strange that she lay flat on the floor and confessed her sin.

“Why do I have to kill you, Ms. Yeriel?”

“Because I’m a rotten, bottom of the shit scum who can’t even do what I was tasked with.”

…What was wrong with her now? Her self-degradation was way too severe. “This is…”

Before Chi-Woo could ask more questions, he scanned each of the items that Yeriel had placed on his desk. They were AI armors. The ones Yeriel made in the past had been shaped like marbles, but the new models could be worn as rings or other accessories. Chi-Woo nodded as he saw the AI armors let out kaleidoscopic light.

“They look extraordinary even at a glance. It seems good to me?”

“…Well, of course it looks good. Since I only used good materials. It shouldn’t even be compared to the ones I showed you before.” Yeriel’s looked extremely crest-fallen as she said the quality of the items was a given. She looked sullen and angry at the same time.

“Hmm…what’s wrong? You don’t look so good.”

When Chi-Woo asked carefully, Yeriel raised her head slightly and chewed her lip. “No…it’s…I mean…how should I say it…sigh…” Unlike her usual self, she hesitated to give a clear answer.

When Chi-Woo gently urged her to continue, saying it was all right, Yeriel finally responded, “Back then…you remember that lizard came and gave me materials, right?”

“Lizard…? Ah, yes. Of course I remember.”

“I guess since they were from a dragon’s lair, there were quite a few ridiculously good materials mixed in. Given how hard you worked, I picked out the best ones with extreme care and put my heart and soul into the work but…”

When Yeriel trailed off, Chi-Woo nodded and finished for her, “It must not have worked, and you wasted the materials.”

“No…I did succeed but…” Yeriel roughly scratched her scalp in frustration while lying down. “Ah, seriously, how should I say it? Anyway, something must have gone wrong because something ridiculously amazing came out.”

“Uh…isn’t that a good thing?”

“It’s definitely the best masterpiece I’ve ever made in my life so far considering the performance alone,” Yeriel emphasized the latter part and made a tsk sound. “But what’s the point when no one can use it?”

“?”

“What I made in the end is in a completely different category than an ordinary Armor AI. Even the operation method is different.”

“Then…”

“It’s something that an ordinary person can’t even use at all. A hero is no exception…fuck! I shouldn’t have added that mysterious, nail-sized sky-blue metal!” Yeriel asked for death because she had made pretty trash with ridiculously good materials, but Chi-Woo felt his interest surge. A sky-blue metal?

‘Could it be reliquia?’ Chi-Woo hurriedly stood up from his seat and pushed the high-end AI armor from his desk to one side. “By any chance, may I see that item you made?”