Chapter 363

Fundamental Divine Arts,

Annihilation God's Secret:

Ice Sword Rain of the Frozen Heaven

Ssshhh...

From the frozen Eclipse, the sword rain began to stretch out.

Diversifying into several parts, it targeted the Constellations' armaments amidst the over one hundred items.

Ultimately, the icy blades converged upon three objects.

The one with the least sword rain on it was a golden cape; its radiant fabric was large enough to fit dozens of Seong Jihan.

'This is something I'll have to pass on to someone else anyway. If that's the case, something of higher value would be preferable...'

The cape with the least amount of sword rain was consequently disregarded.

While doing so, Seong Jihan examined the next item.

'A greatsword?'

The second most targeted item by the sword rain was a large blue greatsword.

Though it was also too large for Seong Jihan to wield, unlike the cape, it seemed somewhat more feasible to use if necessary.

'Hmm... doesn't look too bad.'

Seong Jihan scrutinized the sword then surveyed the next item.

The last object, which attracted more than half of the sword rain, was something bizarre to be called a Constellation's armament.

It was a mass of skulls floating in the air.

'This is a weapon?'

Seong Jihan cocked his head as he closely inspected it.

It was an object formed from various species' skulls clustered together into a giant star shape.

It didn't seem at all practical as a weapon.

'Seems utterly impractical...'

Had the sword rain not indicated it, Seong Jihan would have had no interest in the item.

However, trusting the exploratory capability of the Ice Sword Rain, which had previously brought him benefits, he couldn't simply overlook it.

'If it's about practicality, the greatsword. If I trust the sword rain, then it's the skull star...'

The latter it is, then.

Ssshhhh...

Seong Jihan approached the skull star and reached out his hand.

Then, a system message appeared.

[Do you wish to select this spoil?]

"Yeah."

With Seong Jihan's response, the ascended Constellations' armaments began to disappear one after another.

And when all items vanished, a sorrowful voice emanated from the quiet skull star.

[You...! This is the essence I've gathered over thousands of years! It shouldn't be taken away like this...!]

"Oh, it talks?"

[Yes. I am the supreme Constellation Tainus. You have heard of my name... haven't you?]

"Not at all."

Seong Jihan shook his head, but,

[Tainus?]

The Shadow Queen within the Eclipse reacted with surprise upon hearing the name.

"Do you know who that is?"

[Before the era of the Martial God, there was a monster who hunted Constellations. He was eventually defeated by a coalition of Constellations and vanished. So he was here all along.]

"Hmm."

If it predates the era of Martial God, it's just an ancient Constellation.

[Hmph, unheard of... Time has indeed passed. I was once a Constellation aspiring to become a Great Constellation. I'm confined in the tomb for now, but I'll soon emerge and resume my activities.]

Tainus tried to boast about his past prestige and the value of his armament, asserting he was a significant being who once aspired to become a Great Constellation.

"Oh? Aspired to be a Great Constellation, you say. If such a notable being owned it, the item must be extremely valuable, right?"

However, this backfired. Hearing this made Seong Jihan think there was a reason why the sword rain pointed it out.

Sensing Seong Jihan's thoughts, the skull star hastily made an offer.

[Bastard... Constellation candidate, let's negotiate. If you return this item to me, I will serve you loyally for a thousand years.]

"A thousand years... When are you coming out?"

[Very soon. Just a hundred years more...]

"Just a hundred years?"

Constellations indeed have a different concept of time.

Seong Jihan chuckled and firmly held the skull star.

"A hundred years later, the situation will already be over. Don't worry. I'll put your spoil to good use, so just rest."

[Wait, just a moment...! Alright, 50 years, I'll manage to shorten it to 50 years!]

"No need. I'll be retired by then."

Immediate usability was better than waiting for a distant fifty years' help.

[Do you wish to become the owner of 'The Essence of the Sovereign'?]

"Yes."

Ignoring Tainus's pleas, Seong Jihan became the owner of the essence.

Subsequently, the item description appeared.

* *

[The Essence of the Sovereign]

- Grade: EX

- A special item crafted by the supreme Constellation Tainus in pursuit of the 'Sovereign' trait.

- Absorbing the essences of 444 sovereign Constellations will grant an additional sovereign trait.

- Currently, 127 sovereign Constellations have been subdued.

Seong Jihan's eyes sparkled upon seeing the item's grade.

Although it had only reached 127 Constellations thus far, making a long way from completion, the potential to add another Constellation trait ranked the item comfortably within the EX grade.

However,

'...I've already applied it.'

Seong Jihan, who had already purchased both traits from the Constellation shop, realized how exploitative the shop system connected from the achievement store was.

A trait easily bought with points in the Constellation shop, albeit incomplete, was EX grade here.

'...Should I sell it?'

An item picked by the sword rain.

Successful in grade but rendered useless due to the store.

As Seong Jihan pondered this, staring at the skull, a message appeared.

[You have already acquired the 'Sole Sovereignty' trait.]

[The incomplete 'Essence of the Sovereign' can enhance the 'Sole Sovereignty' trait.]

[Do you wish to enhance the 'Sole Sovereignty' effect?]

Even if incomplete, the essence held significant potency to propose enhancing the sovereign trait effect.

Seong Jihan glanced at the skull star for a moment.

'An item that can enhance traits... Perhaps too valuable to easily sell or trade. Better if I use it.'

After some contemplation, Seong Jihan pressed yes.

[The efficiency of the 'Sole Sovereignty' trait increases. The increase in all stats changes from 150% to 200%, and gaining Constellation Fame from sponsored players becomes easier.]

[The number of players you can sponsor increases by 2,000.]

The Sole Sovereignty trait's efficiency enhanced in various aspects.

However, since Seong Jihan had turned off the trait, he didn't feel much of an impact from the change.

Originally the 150% increase was applying as 1.5% due to being turned off.

Even with the increase to 200%, the practical effect felt like only a slight increase to 2%.

'For an item that can add a Constellation trait, the effect seems underwhelming.'

Should he have sold it instead of using it?

While Seong Jihan pondered the lackluster effect,

[Adds an evolution bonus to the race you reign over.]

[Strength +5]

[Agility +5]

[Endurance +5]

[Mana +5]

[Choose one of the following.]

An unexpected message arrived.

* * *

After the game ended,

BattleTube did not broadcast Seong Jihan receiving his rewards, concluding the streaming.

-So Seong Jihan wins the special map again.

-But why is he playing a different game all by himself?

-Lol, how many special maps has he been to now? Other players barely get a chance to see one.

-Other players have about a 50% win rate. Try hitting close to 100% like Seong Jihan does. They'd definitely send you to special missions.

As the remaining viewers chatted about why Seong Jihan was playing a different game,

Flash!

The dim screen lit up once more.

-??

-What's happening? I thought the broadcast ended?

-Seems like the game ended. That's a penthouse.

-Oh, a live from reality?

-How long has it been since we had one of these? Lol

And what the viewers saw on the new screen was the living room of the penthouse.

There, with a grave face, was Seong Jihan.

"Hmm... where was it?"

He was touching the air here and there.

-What is he doing?

-Looks like he's tinkering with BattleTube settings from the way he's touching the air.

-Can you even do anything with settings?

-?? Lol, there's tons you can do. Super complicated.

-Yeah, if you look into options, there's all sorts of stuff.

While Seong Jihan fiddled with the settings with a serious expression,

"Oh my. Boss, are you live?"

From the penthouse's private gym, sweaty Lee Hayeon and Lim Gayeong emerged.

-Wow... did they just come from working out?

-Woah, is Seong Jihan cohabiting with Lee Hayeon??

-No, no, she comes to the penthouse for training. Saw it on Lim Gayeong's broadcast.

-?? Why train specifically at Seong Jihan's place? The guild rents several floors.

-Guess so... since they are dating.

Amidst the viewers catching a bit of gossip,

"Hayeon, do you know how to navigate the BattleTube settings?"

"Yes, yes. What are you looking for?"

"I need to conduct a vote but can't find it."

"A vote?"

"Yes."

Seong Jihan dropped a bombshell that quickly buried the gossip.

"I've acquired an evolutionary bonus, granting me +5 to basic stats. I thought I'd gather people's opinions on what would be best to choose."

"...You mean a +5 stat boost?"

"Yes. Choices are strength, agility, endurance, or mana."

"...Wow."

At Seong Jihan's words, their mouths fell open.

An evolutionary bonus, +5 to stats?

And now, he's planning to decide through a BattleTube vote?

-??

-What did Seong Jihan just say?

-Choice between strength, agility, endurance, or mana for +5...?

-Didn't he just bring something else from a special mission??

-Lol, insane.

"Boss... that evolutionary bonus, it's not for your stats but for the whole race, right?"

"That's correct."

"And you're deciding this through a BattleTube vote?"

"Exactly. So, can you show me how?"

"Oh... that's the thing."

Blankly staring, Lee Hayeon proceeded to explain how to set up the vote.

Meanwhile, the chat was abuzz.

-Definitely going for strength lol

- No, no, pick agility; I wanna be faster.

-Go with mana. Warriors have Seong Jihan, let's make the mages stronger haha

-Why not endurance? Not just players, but all people should benefit.

-Right, Seong Jihan takes care of the gaming anyway, let's focus on everyone's health.

Among the four stats, endurance was distinctly the most popular.

The most significant benefit for humanity as a whole, besides players, was undoubtedly from the endurance stat.

"Oh, endurance is clearly leading. Should I just go with this?"

"Ah, Boss. Maybe give it a few hours... Ending such an important decision so quickly seems a bit..."

"Is that so? Then let's keep the live on for an hour. If you have a preferred stat, tell your friends to vote, please."

Seong Jihan said as he sat down.

"I'll be enhancing my abilities for a bit."

"Enhancing abilities?"

"Yes, I got something from a Constellation. In the inventory."

What Seong Jihan pulled out from the inventory was items gained while absorbing the Constellation's spirits with the Myriad Ghost Sealing Gods.

Upon retrieving a massive fang, the two instinctively stepped back.

"Eek... Eek..."

"Miss, behind me!"

The intense aura emanating from the Constellation's fang made the two pale.

Seeing their reaction, Seong Jihan swiftly absorbed the fang.

"Ah, sorry. Let me absorb it quickly."

Ssshhhh...

As he touched it, the fang disappeared.

The Essence of the Sovereign activated, partially transferring the Constellation's abilities to Seong Jihan.

[Your Martial Soul increases by 2.]

It seemed too little compared to the 5-point increase he used to get, but

'Good thing I collected ten.'

Engrossed in activating the The Essence of the Sovereign, Seong Jihan planned to broadcast for just an hour.

However, as he got absorbed in boosting his abilities, he ended up keeping the broadcast live. I

t was only after a day that the vote concluded.

"Endurance really is the most popular."

And with the majority of humanity's will inclined towards endurance,

Seong Jihan instantly activated the +5 to endurance effect.

And then,

[Humanity's evolutionary bonus has significantly accrued.]

[As the representative of the species, do you wish to proceed with evolving into a lower species?]

'A lower species?'

A new message popped up.