Chapter 20
[Potential Awakening Scroll].
A kind of enhancement talisman that pushes equipment beyond its limits.
In the Abyss, equipment has preset attack power and durability based on its level and rarity. Once determined, these stats cannot be changed.
And the more capable the hunter—one who frequently challenges the Abyss—the more often they find themselves frustrated by this limitation.
‘You finally get a high-rarity item, but then your level increases, and it’s time to replace it. Everyone faces that dilemma at least once—whether to switch it out or keep using it.’
High rarity means good unique options.
But even if the rarity is high, if the item level is low, its attack or defense power is inevitably poor.
When your level rises, you must eventually change equipment. If you can’t find something equivalent by then, you’ll have to give something up.
For example, do you switch to a level-appropriate sword to maintain your attack power? Or do you stick with your current high-rarity, low-level sword to keep its unique option?
You can’t have both. That moment always comes.
‘The [Potential Awakening Scroll] helps resolve that to some extent.’
It’s the solution to this dilemma.
As its name implies, it draws out the potential of equipment.
Usually, it’s applied to endgame or “graduation-tier” gear.
Naturally, acquiring one is incredibly difficult. Like plucking a star from the sky. You’d need to be at least level 80 just to have a shot.
Park Chan-woo had once tried to obtain one and nearly bled dry for an entire month. Without extraordinary luck, effort alone won’t get you one.
‘The typical strategy is to save it until you’re close to level 99.’
It would be a lie to say he wasn’t tempted, but he shook his head.
Currently, his level was –95.
After the recent Sniping Abyss, he’d gained one level and reached this point.
If he saved it until level 99, it might just end up being used as toilet paper.
‘Use it fast, get stronger fast.’
Having returned to the past, Park Chan-woo had made a decision.
He would raise humanity’s rank to at least 8th in the [Species War] that would begin six months from now.
To do that, he had to grow stronger immediately.
There was no room for hoarding or saving up.
The opponents he had faced back in that war had far surpassed humanity’s level. To close that gap, not even a second could be wasted.
Besides—
‘…If I don’t return to my original level within 500 days, I’ll die.’
Within that time, Park Chan-woo would die.
Due to the [Terminal] status effect.
To avoid an absolute death, he had to level up quickly.
He had gone from –99 to –95 in just two days, so there was hope.
Park Chan-woo stared at the items he had laid out.
‘I’m using everything today.’
The boxes, the scroll.
He planned to use them all and prepare to face tomorrow.
He already knew what tomorrow held. To achieve the best result, he had to be fully prepared.
Park Chan-woo set a resolute expression.
‘Tomorrow, I meet the strongest.’
The first human to reach level 99.
The [Incarnation] of one of the [Great Nine Lords] who posed as humanity’s savior—there was a chance he would meet them tomorrow.
If things proceeded as he expected, it would certainly happen.
There was no time to hesitate.
“Open.”
《Opening [Gold Box (★★)]!》
《You have obtained [Chwik Belt ([Unique])].》
He started by opening the [2-Star Gold Box] received by all survivors.
With a puff! a burst of smoke, a belt popped out.
“……”
Park Chan-woo was speechless for a moment.
[Chwik Belt].
Even the name was strange.
It was a belt wrapped in iron chains. Since it was his first time seeing it, he figured he should check the details thoroughly.
Name: [Chwik Belt]
Level: –95
Rarity: [Unique]
Description: A social belt worn by stylish gentleman orcs. Wearing this belt greatly increases your chances of attracting female orcs.
Equip Slot: Chain Belt Type
Defense: 8
Durability: 500
Unique Options:
(1) If you make the sound “Chwik!”, orcs will think you’re an ally and lower their guard.
(2) Female orcs find the wearer +10 more attractive.
‘…Female orcs find you attractive?’
He let out a quiet sigh.
As ridiculous as the name and the crude appearance were, the unique options didn’t disappoint either.
Most people would consider this belt a complete dud.
It made you wonder about the creator’s tastes.
Honestly, even Park Chan-woo didn’t think it was a good belt.
But he knew.
He knew its true value.
‘This’ll be perfect for drawing aggro from orcs.’
It was designed for diverting aggro.
Against orcs, it was top-tier gear.
Especially since it let you use the orc [language], which was meaningful in its own right.
With no other belt currently available, there was no harm in equipping it immediately.
Defense was also an important stat.
‘Anyway, I’m glad the Easter Egg didn’t trigger.’
He was relieved.
If an [Easter Egg] had triggered when opening the Gold Box, it would’ve been a waste.
No matter how lucky you got, you couldn’t change the Gold Box’s inherent limitations.
Above all, there were no duplicates.
He had never once gotten duplicate equipment or overlapping slots from any box he had opened.
It was divine luck.
Park Chan-woo took a deep breath.
Only one box remained.
He planned to ride the momentum and finish it off.
“Open.”
《Opening [Platinum Box (★★★)]!》
Brrrrrr!
The box shook and emitted a glow.
Park Chan-woo cautiously brought his hands together.
He couldn’t remember the last time he had prayed like this.
Even if luck showed up right now, he felt he could cheer without regret.
And then—
《You have obtained [Helm of Frost One ([Legendary])].》
“…Oh!”
Park Chan-woo exclaimed.
Then, noticing something strange, tilted his head.
He soon furrowed his brow and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
‘Not “Frostone,” but “Frost One”…?’
Wait a second.
‘Not Frostone Helm, but Frost One Helm?’
‘…So it’s a helm that was stolen?’
In other words, it was a helm someone had stolen.
“What the hell….”
…What kind of name was that.
He felt like he had just plummeted from heaven to hell.
He had cheered, thinking it was the helm of the Death Lord Frostone, ruler of winter.
It even looked similar.
Aside from the bluish color, it had six horned ornaments and resembled a despairing skull.
Just looking at it gave off immense pressure.
His old [Demonic Helmet] now felt like a baby in comparison.
But to think it was a stolen helm!
There were limits to how far a joke should go.
Does this mean the [3-Star Platinum Box] had given him stolen goods?
‘Still, it’s [Legendary] grade.’
[Legendary] is the highest rarity that a typical Platinum Box can drop.
Even if the name was awful, you never knew.
At that rarity, it was definitely worth checking its unique options.
Park Chan-woo inspected the helm with his final hope.
Name: [Frost One Helm]
Level: –95
Rarity: [Legendary]
Description: An unnamed helm that was sealed deep within the [Tower of Light]. It was stolen by the Thief King Ainspanner, and there have been no records since. Coincidentally, the Tower of Light collapsed shortly after the helm was stolen.
Equip Slot: Helm Type
Defense: 20
Durability: 2,000
Unique Options:
(1) [Divine Wrath] (Lightning Magic)
(2) +7% chance for critical hits with magic
(3) +7 to Mana
“……!”
Park Chan-woo’s pupils trembled.
To be honest, he had half given up.
He had never imagined it would have such a twist of hidden value.
Even if it wasn’t [Eternal] grade, for a mage, the unique options were easily comparable to one.
‘Magic crit!’
[Magic crit] refers to the chance for a spell to land a critical hit.
A mage’s dream option.
It’s the kind of effect that makes mages endlessly chase “infinite box openings.”
It only appears on [Ancient]-grade items or higher, and even then, the odds are said to be below 0.1%.
And that wasn’t all.
It granted new magic, boosted critical chance for spells, and increased mana.
All three unique options were incredible.
‘Jackpot.’
He had hit the jackpot.
Who cared about the name?
What truly mattered was whether it was effective or not.
‘Even if I lose the [Demonic Set Effect], this more than makes up for it.’
If he equipped the [Frost One Helm], he’d have to abandon the [Demonic Helmet] he obtained in the first Night of the Abyss.
That meant losing the set bonuses of [Aura of Pressure] and [Intelligence +1].
But he didn’t feel any regret.
Even a full [Demonic Set] of ten pieces couldn’t compete with this helm alone.
And it wasn’t like he’d throw it away. He could use the [Demonic Helmet] as a sacrificial material.
‘All that’s left is the [Potential Awakening Scroll].’
It was his final task for the day.
The biggest question was which equipment to use it on.
‘Either the [World Tree Staff] or the [Frost One Helm]. One of the two.’
He rubbed his forehead in deep thought.
Both items had unique options worthy of being called endgame-tier.
The randomly determined stat boosts were top-tier, and not a single option felt lacking.
‘If I had to switch equipment later, which one would I change first?’
Eventually, the time would come to replace both.
Despite their high rarity, their levels were still too low.
There would be moments where every point of attack or defense would matter.
Some enemies would nullify all attacks unless a certain attack power threshold was met, while others would land unavoidable damage unless your defense was high enough.
…He had to use it on whichever item he’d keep the longest.
After much deliberation, Park Chan-woo came to a conclusion.
In truth, the result was practically predetermined.
Park Chan-woo placed the [Potential Awakening Scroll] on the [World Tree Staff].
《The [Potential Awakening Scroll] awakens the potential of the [World Tree Staff].》
《The luck of [Easter Egg (001)] activates!》
Tight!
In that instant, Park Chan-woo clenched his fist without realizing it.
Thanks to his level-up from the Sniping Abyss, the [Easter Egg]’s luck had triggered.
It was the best-case scenario among all possible outcomes.
‘I’m not getting my hopes up yet.’
But it was too early to celebrate.
Potential abilities had their own rarities and types.
The chances of getting the absolute best were infinitesimally small.
Even with the Easter Egg’s luck in play.
Park Chan-woo widened his eyes.
And then—
《The [World Tree Staff] has been granted a top-tier potential ability.》
He had hit the ultimate jackpot.
