After Regressing, I Gained the Power of the Demonic Dragon - Chapter 44

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 44
The next day.
Sang Hyuk entered the Individual Test on the twenty-fourth floor.
Whoosh!
As the light faded, a tightly sealed iron door came into view, flanked by two sentinels.
On the left stood a massive armored guardian in black gauntlets, wielding an enormous hammer.
On the right, a sentinel wreathed in blue lightning held a jeweled staff aloft.
[Floor 24 Individual Test: Twin Poles of the Sentinels]
[Basic Objective]
– Defeat both sentinels.
[Hidden Objectives]
– Block the Iron Guardian’s hammer strike head-on.
– Block the Lightning Guardian’s lightning head-on.
– Defeat both sentinels within one minute.
[Iron Guardian Lv.25]
[Lightning Guardian Lv.25]
Rummmble!
The Iron Guardian hoisted its hammer aloft.
At the tip of the Lightning Guardian’s staff, blue electricity began to coalesce.
[Beginning test.]
Crack-crack!
Black scales spread across Sang Hyuk’s right hand and forearm.
On the back of his left hand, only a single scale from the day before had risen.
Sang Hyuk stared down at his left hand.
Even drawing upon his mana yesterday hadn’t caused the scales to multiply further.
Now was the time to see if actual impact would make a difference.
The Iron Guardian stamped the ground first.
Boom!
The enormous hammer plummeted toward Sang Hyuk’s head.
Sang Hyuk didn’t dodge—he raised his left hand to meet it.
Crack!
The hammerhead collided directly with his left hand.
The single scale that had risen in the center absorbed the blow.
But one scale alone couldn’t absorb all the impact.
A dull shock reverberated through his wrist and up to his elbow.
Throb!
His left hand went numb.
Sang Hyuk’s body slid backward, leaving long grooves in the floor.
Still, the bones of his fingers and wrist remained intact.
The skeleton, hardened through inheriting the Old Bones, had weathered the force.
In that instant.
Boom!
The Heart of Apocalypse Dragon surged violently.
Crimson mana rushed from his chest into his left arm, wrapping around the aching back of his hand.
Crack-crack!
A fresh scale rose beside the existing one.
Black scales spread rapidly across his hand, from the back down toward his fingers.
Crackle!
The Lightning Guardian thrust its staff forward.
A thick bolt of electricity poured toward Sang Hyuk’s left hand.
Sang Hyuk raised his left hand and met the lightning head-on.
Crash!
Blue current coiled around his left hand.
Though the lightning couldn’t breach the scales, his palm and wrist—where no scales covered him—burned searing hot.
Boom!
His heart surged again.
This time, crimson mana spread all at once from his fingertips to his wrist.
Crack-crack!
Scales erupted in succession across all five fingers and his palm.
The moment the last gap was covered in black scales, the lightning encircling his hand split apart on both sides.
Sang Hyuk opened his left hand, then closed it into a fist again.
His fingers moved with the same fluidity as before.
The Iron-Clad Gate Keeper withdrew his iron mace and swung it again.
This time, Sang Hyuk extended his left hand and caught the mace’s head.
Clang!
The mace stopped in his palm.
The Iron-Clad Gate Keeper tensed both arms, but the weapon refused to budge.
Sang Hyuk’s irises darkened to a blood-red hue.
‘Dragon Eye.’
Within the thick armor, a red Power Stone pulsed like a heartbeat.
Sang Hyuk reached out his right hand.
‘Annihilation.’
A shrieking sound tore through the air.
Black energy seeping past the armor, drove straight into the Power Stone.
Whoosh.
As the Power Stone crumbled to black sand, the Iron-Clad Gate Keeper collapsed.
Boom!
The Storm-Thunder Gate Keeper gathered a larger bolt of lightning atop his staff and unleashed it upon Sang Hyuk.
Crack-crack-crack!
Sang Hyuk shielded his face with his left hand and pushed straight through the tempest.
Blue electricity detonated in succession across the scales, yet his pace never faltered.
One step.
The distance to the Storm-Thunder Gate Keeper closed to a single stride.
Shriek!
Again, Annihilation bloomed from his right hand, boring through the body to strike the Power Stone within.
Snap!
The blue light filling the Storm-Thunder Gate Keeper’s form went dark.
「Floor 24 Individual Test cleared.」
[Iron-Clad Gate Keeper’s Mace Defense: Complete]
[Storm-Thunder Gate Keeper’s Lightning Defense: Complete]
[Clear Time: 00:46]
「Hidden Objective achieved.」
[Cumulative Hidden Objectives: 9]
[Clear Rating: SSS]
「Level increased.」
[Lv.24 → Lv.25]
「Flawless Ascent consecutive record updated.」
[Individual SSS-Rated Ascent: 24 consecutive]
[Footsteps of the Unexplored: 3/10 → 4/10]
「Hidden Objective reward acquired.」
[Equipment Lottery Ticket Fragment ×1]
[Equipment Lottery Ticket Fragment: 1/3]
As the settlement ended, the scales on his left hand glowed deep red.
「Scales of Apocalypse manifest across your entire left hand.」
When Sang Hyuk withdrew the power, the scales sank beneath his skin.
Drawing up mana again, this time it was not just a single scale.
Crack-crack-crack!
All five fingers, palm, and the back of his hand were covered seamlessly in black scales.
The scales stopped at his wrist.
To extend them further up his arm would require enduring far greater impacts.
* * *
After that, Sang Hyuk climbed one floor each day.
Floor 25 was a trial to break through alternating torrents of flame and frost pouring from both sides of a corridor.
Floor 26 required him to pass beneath a succession of massive iron doors falling from above and reach the exit.
On Floor 27, he withstood hundreds of mana projectiles while shattering a horde of black-spined beasts.
Floor 28 demanded he ascend against a raging torrent of blue mana to reach the summit, forgoing any safe zones.
Sang Hyuk breached all four floors with his left arm leading the way.
Each time flames, frost, iron doors, and mana projectiles struck the scales, the Heart of Apocalypse Dragon thrummed.
The black scales crept swiftly past his wrist, up his forearm, and beyond his elbow.
Along the way, when he achieved a Hidden Objective on Floor 25, a new achievement unlocked.
「You have achieved the Hidden Achievement .」
[You have achieved the Hidden Objective of the Individual Test 10 times.]
[Achievement Privilege]
– You obtain two reward fragments for each Hidden Objective achieved.
[This privilege will be applied starting from the next settlement.]
Sang Hyuk’s eyes gleamed.
The reward for achieving ten Hidden Objectives didn’t end with a one-time bonus.
From now on, he would earn two fragments every time he completed a Hidden Objective.
‘This is quite significant.’
The effort of not missing a single one until now had increased the number of fragments he would obtain going forward.
As the speed of fragment completion accelerated, so too would his growth.
The results from the 25th through 28th floors were identical.
All four floors earned SSS ratings, and he hadn’t missed a single Hidden Objective.
[Floor 25 Clear Rating: SSS]
[Floor 26 Clear Rating: SSS]
[Floor 27 Clear Rating: SSS]
[Floor 28 Clear Rating: SSS]
[Level 25 → Level 29]
[Individual Ascent SSS Rating: 24 consecutive → 28 consecutive]
[Hidden Objective Cumulative Achievement: 9 times → 13 times]
[: 4/10 → 8/10]
[Hidden Objective Reward Cumulative Results]
[: 0/5 → 2/5]
[: 0/5 → 2/5]
[: 1/3 → 3/3]
[: 1/3 → 2/3]
[: 1/3 → 2/3]
Gleam!
Three fragments merged into one within his inventory.
「The has been completed.」
[ x1]
[Using this item permanently increases the player’s maximum mana.]
Sang Hyuk’s eyes gleamed.
The greatest limitation he’d felt while using and Stage 2 together was the total amount of mana at his disposal.
The had steadily replenished the mana he consumed, but when he unleashed great power in rapid succession over a short span of time, recovery couldn’t keep pace.
Moreover, only two Footsteps remained before he reached the first .
Whatever battlefield awaited him, an increase in mana he could use at once would serve him well.
Sang Hyuk didn’t hesitate and used the .
Flash!
The in his inventory dissolved into light and seeped into his body.
In an instant, the mana flowing through him surged violently.
「You have used the .」
[Your maximum mana increases permanently.]
Sang Hyuk closed his eyes and slowly drew the mana within him upward.
He pulled forth power that would have depleted him before, yet his body still held reserves.
A satisfied smile crossed Sang Hyuk’s lips.
If he continued to complete Hidden Objectives and finish more , a day might come when he could unleash his Authority and Dark Arts in succession without worrying about mana depletion.
‘Excellent.’
Before entering the first Hidden Battlefield, he had completed one more preparation.
The scales on his left arm had now spread down to just below his shoulder.
Only a patch the size of a palm remained bare.
* * *
The next day.
A vast circular battlefield appeared before Sang Hyuk as he entered the 29th floor.
Eight mana cannons stood at regular intervals along the battlefield’s perimeter.
In the center stood an iron giant clad in black armor.
The iron mauls it held in both hands were larger than Sang Hyuk’s body.
[Floor 29 Individual Test: ]
[Basic Objective]
– Defeat the Iron Giant of Saturation.
[Hidden Objective]
– Do not destroy even a single Mana Cannon.
– Do not damage the Iron Giant’s armor.
– Defeat the Saturated Iron Giant within one minute.
[Saturated Iron Giant Lv.30]
The Iron Giant’s red eyes flared to life.
Eight cannon barrels along the arena’s edge swiveled toward Sang Hyuk in unison.
[Test begins.]
Boom! Boom!
The Iron Giant charged first.
With each step the towering form took, the circular arena trembled.
Whoooosh!
A massive iron maul fell toward Sang Hyuk’s head.
Sang Hyuk raised his right hand and caught the weapon’s head mid-swing.
Crash!
The ground beneath his feet caved inward.
Yet the right arm wrapped in black scales remained motionless.
In that instant, all eight Mana Cannons fired in sequence.
Blast!
The first energy bolt struck his left arm.
The second and third followed, impacting nearly the same spot.
Crack! Crash!
Sang Hyuk shielded his body with his left arm while keeping the maul pinned in his right hand.
Relentless barrage pounded the scales, and struck upward past his elbow where the scales had not yet spread.
Throb!
Searing pain radiated down from his shoulder.
The fourth energy bolt came screaming in.
Thud!
The Heart of Apocalypse Dragon pounded violently.
Crimson mana surged through the gap below his left shoulder.
A single scale rose up where bare skin had been.
Boom!
The fifth energy bolt detonated above it.
Scales rapidly filled the remaining gap.
Sixth.
Seventh.
The consecutive bolts scattered into crimson flames.
The eighth energy bolt hurtled toward Sang Hyuk’s left arm.
Sang Hyuk thrust out his left arm, now completely covered in black scales.
Kerrrash!
The energy bolt exploded against the scales.
This time the impact did not drive his arm back.
The blue explosion split and flowed away on both sides of his left hand.
「Scales of Apocalypse manifest across your entire left arm.」
[Current Manifestation Areas]
– Right Hand
– Right Arm
– Left Hand
– Left Arm
[Previous ability effects are now fully applied to the left hand and left arm.]
[Physical and magical damage received by these areas is reduced by 50%.]
[Output and activation speed of Dragon-type abilities used by these areas are increased by 50%.]
Sang Hyuk grasped the maul’s shaft with his left hand, now sheathed in black scales.
He released his right hand, yet the Iron Giant’s weapon remained frozen in place.
The Iron Giant strained both arms to reclaim its maul.
Sang Hyuk pulled the shaft toward him with all his strength.
Boom!
The towering upper body was dragged forward.
The Iron Giant’s chest came down to within a single step of him.
‘Dragon Eye.’
Beyond the thick armor, a red Power Stone gleamed.
It was the source feeding Mana to the Iron Giant’s body and its eight cannon turrets.
Sang Hyuk extended his left hand, now covered in black scales.
‘The Power Stone alone.’
‘.’
Screeeee!
Black energy, denser than usual, shot forth rapidly from his fingertips.
It left no trace on the armor itself, seeping only into the Power Stone within.
Whoosh.
The Power Stone crumbled into black sand, trickling down inside the armor.
Clang!
All eight cannon turrets went dark at once.
The Iron Giant’s massive frame tilted forward, limp and lifeless.
Boom!
Sang Hyuk stepped back from the collapsing colossus.
Not a single scratch marred the black armor.
「You have cleared the 29th Floor Individual Test.」
[Mana Turrets Destroyed: 0/8]
[Iron Giant Armor Damage Rate: 0%]
[Clear Time: 00:38]
「You have achieved a Hidden Objective.」
[Cumulative Hidden Objectives Achieved: 14]
[Clear Rating: SSS]
「Your level has increased.」
[Lv.29 → Lv.30]
「Your consecutive streak has been updated.」
[Individual Ascent SSS Rating: 29 consecutive]
[: 8/10 → 9/10]
[Based on accumulated bonuses, you receive two Hidden Objective rewards.]
[: 0/7 → 1/7]
[: 2/5 → 3/5]
Just as the settlement window was closing.
Thump!
The Heart of Apocalypse Dragon beat once more.
A black scroll unfurled in Sang Hyuk’s inner landscape.
.
Beneath the on the first line, new characters emerged.
They were still faint, incomplete.
「You have reached the Level 30 growth threshold.」
「A new chapter of the opens.」
[New Chapter: ]
[You can absorb power that is not Dark Art and use it as the foundation for a new Dark Art.]
[To absorb power, you need materials that contain that force.]
[Absorbed power is recorded in the in an incomplete state.]
[Incomplete power must be refined through actual combat to become a complete Dark Art.]
Sang Hyuk reviewed the contents of the newly opened chapter in sequence.
It was not a power that simply copied the Authority or techniques of other beings by sight.
First, he had to obtain materials containing the new power.
Only after accepting that power into the could he use it directly and refine it into a Dark Art suited to himself.
He had no materials to use for Restructuring right now.
Still, a new path to create Dark Arts had opened.
was now at 9/10.
If he cleared only the 30th floor with an SSS rating, the first would open.
* * *
Over the past six days, Sang Hyuk had not relied solely on Individual Challenge Tickets.
He had used every Iron Rookie League Entry Ticket granted daily.
Invasion Wars and Resource Wars.
Labyrinth Races and Boss Tournaments.
Escort Battles and Fortress Assaults.
The format of each match differed, but the outcome remained the same.
Sang Hyuk’s group from South Korea won all six matches.
He didn’t miss MVP a single time.
[Victory Reward Settlement: 6 times]
[MVP Bonus Reward Settlement: 6 times]
[Personal Ranking Points and League Currency acquired.]
[South Korea Rookie Season Points +18]
[Iron Rookie League Personal Record]
[4 wins 0 losses → 10 wins 0 losses]
[MVP]
[4 consecutive → 10 consecutive]
[South Korea Rookie Season Points]
[Sang Hyuk Cumulative Contribution in Participated Matches: +12 → +30]
A new notification appeared below.
[Current Level: Lv.30]
[Iron Rookie League participation eligibility is maintained.]
[Upon completing the 30th Floor Individual Test and reaching Lv.31, you will graduate from the Iron Rookie League.]
Sang Hyuk gazed at his undefeated record and his unbroken streak of MVPs.
Once he cleared the 30th floor, these two records would become his final Iron Rookie achievement.
How the Tower would evaluate such a graduation record remained unknown.
Sang Hyuk opened the 30th floor entry options.
[Personal Ascent SSS Rating: 29 consecutive]
[Footsteps of the Unexplored: 9/10]
He’d already used today’s Individual Challenge on the 29th floor.
If he finished tomorrow’s 30th floor with an SSS as well, the consecutive streak would reach thirty, and Sang Hyuk would graduate from the Iron Rookie League undefeated.
Once the final footstep was filled, the first Hidden Battlefield would also open.
Sang Hyuk gazed at the 30th floor entry options and smiled faintly.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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