Knights of the Round Table.
These were the knights from the legend of King Arthur, each possessing their own unique abilities.
Those abilities allowed them to reach the pinnacle of their respective fields, such as magic, swordsmanship, illusion, or tanking.
'Among second job–change players, he must be at the very top.'
It wasn't without reason that the Demonic Humans, who were not affiliated with governments or guilds, wielded such overwhelming influence.
They had both the ability and the strength to back it up. No one could afford to provoke them recklessly.
'And one of those knights is this man…'
Jin-hyuk licked his lips. Just confirming that fact alone meant he had already gained more value than the cost of the pill he had used.
Jin-hyuk was an all-rounder and didn't need the Guardian-type ability, but he wanted that Mental Barrier skill.
'If I obtain this, it will become a key skill capable of withstanding gods and Demon Kings in the future.'
However…
He would decide whether it was worth acquiring after checking the copy conditions.
[Copy Conditions]
Find out your opponent's name.
From now on, converse and act with Hosenveld as if you are a chunnibyou.
If these two conditions are met, you may copy one of your opponent's unique abilities or skills.
This time, an unusually bizarre condition appeared.
Of course, considering the target, the increase in difficulty was understandable.
But—
Damn it!
'What kind of madman manages the Tower's copy conditions?'
No, seriously.
At this point, he suspected the system designer had come up with this after losing a drinking game involving six bottles of soju.
Jin-hyuk pressed his forehead.
"Why aren't you saying anything?"
Hosenveld, who had been watching him quietly, asked.
"Ah, sorry. The Black Flame Dragon on my left is running wild, so I'm trying to calm him."
Jin-hyuk grabbed his left hand with his right and pretended it was trembling.
A brief silence followed.
It felt as though time itself had stopped.
After a few seconds—
"Is this the one you were worried about? I can't believe it."
The shocked leader spoke to his companion.
Hosenveld shared the same sentiment.
"…This isn't funny. Are you really speaking like that when your life is at stake?"
Even Braham's Ring was cursing at him nonstop.
Elise was probably laughing her head off inside.
Yes. This was ridiculous.
Only the three of them knew the truth.
Please.
"I'll say it again. You will soon be offered as a living sacrifice."
"Hehe. A living sacrifice… that reminds me of five years ago. The first day my madness was revealed to the world."
Jin-hyuk covered half his face with one hand.
If only he had a black cloak and red lenses, it would've been perfect.
Damn it.
The more he acted, the deeper he got into character.
"…."
Hosenveld frowned.
No—
'Was something prepared?'
A Black Flame Dragon? Madness revealed to the world?
Was this man hiding a unique ability?
Given Jin-hyuk's past actions, it didn't seem impossible.
'He's not someone to underestimate.'
Hosenveld heightened his senses.
But there was no sign of magic.
No doubt about it.
This was nonsense.
'Then why…?'
Why did this uneasy feeling refuse to go away?
'Don't be careless.'
Hosenveld steadied himself and returned to the main topic.
"I know you're strong, but with your skills sealed, you won't survive the ritual."
"Hm. Did you come here just to tell me that?"
"No. I came to make the process easier."
Hosenveld pulled out a glass vial filled with liquid.
"What is that?"
"A type of anesthetic. It'll spare you from the pain of the ritual."
Living sacrifices were infamous for their brutality.
It was only human nature to want a painless death.
"I don't think pain will break my will, but… if you're offering."
Jin-hyuk extended his hand.
"That's not free."
Hosenveld pulled the vial back slightly.
"Information about Unknown. Give us that, and it's yours."
So that was it.
As expected.
"You seem very curious about Unknown."
"We eliminate any potential threats."
"Well. I can tell you. But instead of the anesthetic, I want something else."
"…A question?"
Hosenveld narrowed his eyes.
"We each ask one question. Fair?"
"…Fine. Go ahead."
"Your name and rank within the Demonic Human Association."
"Pointless. Why ask when you're going to die?"
"I'm curious by nature. And my magic eyes see through everything, so don't lie."
Jin-hyuk deliberately narrowed his eyes.
"…Very well. I won't deceive you."
Hosenveld nodded.
"I am Hosenveld, a member of the Round Table. My knight's name is Lancelot."
Lancelot.
A Knight of the Round Table.
'Nice.'
The corner of Jin-hyuk's lips lifted.
One condition cleared.
"Does that satisfy your curiosity?"
"Mostly."
"Then my turn. Tell me about Unknown."
This part was easy.
"Listen carefully. Unknown is—"
He locked eyes with Hosenveld.
"Chun Yuseong."
"Chun Yuseong… what?"
"Yes. The one you're thinking of. You tried to eliminate him and failed."
"..."
Hosenveld fell silent.
Everything clicked into place.
Unknown's abnormal strength.
His hostility toward them.
And Kang Jin-hyuk knowing the truth.
They should've realized sooner.
"Did you get what you wanted?"
The leader asked.
"Yes."
Hosenveld nodded.
"Goodbye, Kang Jin-hyuk. We'll never meet again."
He turned away without hesitation.
And then—
Tring!
[Condition met!]
[Choose one ability from the opponent.]
A status window appeared.
'I did it.'
Despite the humiliation, the goal was achieved.
"I will copy Mental Barrier."
[You have successfully copied the unique ability 'Mental Barrier (S)'.]
[The copied skill is stored in 'Memory of the World'.]
[Mental Barrier
Acquisition Difficulty: S
Description: A powerful mental-defense ability that protects the status window and resists mental interference, control, and attacks.]
An S-rank mental defense skill.
Just imagining its applications was exhilarating.
At that moment—
"Bring the sacrifices. The ceremony begins."
The jailer issued the command.
"N-No!"
"Please save us!"
"I don't want to die!"
The screams echoed, but nothing changed.
Compassion didn't exist here.
'It's time.'
Jin-hyuk scanned the cell.
'Found it.'
One brick was darker than the rest.
He tapped it seven times, each tap spaced one second apart.
Kung!
A hidden space opened, revealing a narrow sewer passage.
Jin-hyuk took out another pill and dropped it inside.
The red pill rolled—
Pop!
A soft sound echoed.
Sacrificial Room
A colosseum-like chamber filled with fanatics.
"Kuaaah!"
"Aack!"
Breaker stood as the executioner.
Each swing split bodies apart.
"Die!"
"Glory to God!"
"More! More blood!"
The sand turned red.
Madness roared louder.
Some players vomited.
Some lost control of themselves.
All hope was gone.
'Fighting with them is impossible.'
Jin-hyuk clicked his tongue.
But the real filth were the fanatics.
Cold killing intent flashed in his eyes.
'I'll end this without hesitation.'
He pulled out a book hidden in his clothes.
The Macedrian Book.
Chosen for a reason.
Wheik!
Runes spread across the cover.
The life's work of an ancient dragon seeking loopholes in the laws of the world.
[You have read the Black Dragon Macedrian's Book.]
At the same time—
[Sealed unique abilities are released.]
[Sealed skills are released.]
[Duration: 0h: 9m: 59s]
The shackles binding his power shattered.
PS: I've been releasing chapters daily . Honestly, it hurts seeing almost no support on Patreon after all that work.
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