Chapter 94
‘Dimension grade?’
A newly revealed classification.
Park Chan-woo tilted his head slightly in curiosity.
Was it because he had transformed an existence itself into magic?
Or perhaps it was the way he created the magic.
Instead of forming a physical body, he had summoned it through his own shadow.
It was a creative technique he came up with after seeing Lee Hyuk-soo’s [Shadow Asphyxiation].
If magic could suffocate those it touched and allow movement through shadows, then it should be possible to embed an existence into a shadow and summon it like a familiar.
Since Charpham’s mana pattern followed that logic, applying it to his own shadow hadn’t been difficult.
Fortunately, his idea worked.
[Flawless creation!]
[Shadow synchronization rate: 100%!]
[For the next 14 minutes and 30 seconds, the spell ‘Ajos’ will be elevated to Level 130.]
[Once the duration ends, all stats will reset and can be reassigned at the user’s discretion.]
[The spell ‘Ajos’ is a growing spell.]
[You can acquire bonus stats through the authority ‘Divine Power Absorption’ from ‘Dimensional Encounter, Charpham.’]
[‘Divine Power Absorption’ forcibly drains the power of touched targets.]
[Acquired bonus stats will not reset.]
[Absorbed the guardian warrior’s mana — all of Ajos’s stats increased by 20.]
The message was dizzying.
Even if the duration was limited to the berserk state, Level 130?
That figure alone could rival some of the top-tier Twelve Species monsters—or even the lowest-ranked among the Twelve Progenitors.
Of course, considering beings like Dragon God Sephiro, the true combat levels of the Twelve Progenitors might be far higher than what he had heard.
Some might have separate main bodies or be restricting their power intentionally.
‘I’ve never actually seen them intervene.’
He had only heard rumors.
Level estimates were just vague guesses.
He had merely pieced together speculation.
But if the true Dragon God Sephiro was on a different scale, then the rest of the Progenitors might be vastly beyond that as well.
Even throughout the entire history of the Species War, none of the Twelve Progenitors had ever fought directly.
No one had ever seen them in battle.
Humanity’s reach was simply too limited—far too weak to explore the Abyss properly.
There was only one path for humanity to grow stronger.
A way to surpass its limits.
The [Species War].
By climbing the rankings and earning privileges.
If they pushed their way up, more powerful Creators from the Abyss would take an interest in Earth and begin investing. From that virtuous cycle, humanity might claw its way to becoming the Thirteenth Species.
If they wanted to avoid a future where Earth became their playground, there was no other choice.
In any case—
‘Incredible.’
Even with all that in mind, Level 130 was unfathomable.
It was a number meant for the distant future, and yet it had arrived already.
And through Park Chan-woo’s magic.
He looked at Ajos.
Then—
Name: Ajos
Grade: [Dimension]
Usage: Authority, Summon
Description: The Dimensional Encounter ‘Charpham’ and the Valhalla warrior ‘Ajos,’ who guards Khan’s palace, have merged into a shadow warrior. Also, magic of the ‘Dimension’ grade is born through a being from a special dimension. This spell has become an Authority.
(1) Ajos possesses the Authority [Divine Power Absorption].
(2) Bonus stats +20
(3) You can change the spell’s controller to ‘Dimensional Encounter, Charpham.’ When using Charpham, the Authority changes to [Divine Power Release]. Using [Divine Power Release] erases all acquired bonus stats.
An info window appeared above Ajos’s head.
Some of it had already been conveyed in the earlier messages, but much of it was new.
What caught his eye first was the phrase: “Spell has become an Authority.”
‘Authority. A power tier above Wish. An unmatched force.’
An Authority could not be countered by ordinary magic.
If it were just regular mana absorption magic, there’d be countermeasures.
But once it’s been elevated to an Authority, there’s no resisting it—you simply get overpowered.
Likewise, the spell ‘Ajos’ itself had become an Authority.
That meant only beings on the same tier as [Wish] or higher could stop the summoning of ‘Ajos.’
And there were very few beings in the Abyss that possessed [Wish].
In other words, whenever Park Chan-woo wanted, summoning Ajos was a guaranteed outcome.
No one could sever the link or dispel it by interfering with its mana.
More than anything, the defining trait of an Authority was—
‘Low mana consumption.’
Maybe that’s why.
The mana consumption was oddly low.
Most summon magic required an enormous amount of mana.
But even with a 14-minute time limit, a Level 130 entity’s upkeep cost was negligible.
He felt he could maintain Ajos for at least an hour in this state.
‘So I can choose whether Ajos or Charpham is the summoning subject.’
Switching the controller also changed the associated Authority.
Ajos absorbed Divine Power.
Charpham released it for unique abilities.
But Park Chan-woo didn’t trust Charpham yet.
A being sealed within the Holy Grail of the Sealed God.
Even after handling the Grail for so long, he knew nothing about Charpham.
Not even the God of Offerings had told him.
There might be more such beings trapped in the Holy Grail.
‘I thought the God of Offerings was trying to communicate… Was I mistaken?’
It was disappointing.
Especially because before his regression, there had never been any mention of beings sealed inside the Grail.
Maybe he hadn’t asked, and that’s why it was never explained.
Still, more questions arose.
What would emerge if he reached the extreme depths of [Minus Level]?
Charpham was –10Lv.
That implied –20Lv, –30Lv, or even lower could exist.
“Ajos. Finish the remaining trials within the time.”
Quickly evaluating the situation, Park Chan-woo issued his command.
He had no time to waste.
To clear all ten trials and reach Khan, he had to keep moving.
「Worry not, my Lord.」
The shadow warrior Ajos responded.
Though his form had changed and his mind had undergone significant alteration, Ajos’s memory remained intact.
He had full knowledge of the trials.
There were just over 14 minutes left, but he judged that to be sufficient.
More importantly—
The fact that Ajos, not Charpham, was in control of the spell proved it.
Shadows didn’t require the organic cohesion of a physical body, so his loosely scattered red particle arrangement had worked.
That allowed him to keep control.
‘Ajos will follow me regardless. I need to keep Charpham in check for now.’
There was no telling what Charpham might do to escape confinement.
For now, it was best to let Ajos retain control.
Even if he was the caster, a spell could still go berserk.
He couldn’t risk switching the controller to an unknown like Charpham.
“You cursed monster. What did you do to Ajos? Why is he a shadow now…?”
「Do not insult the one I follow, guardian warrior.」
Slash!
In a flash, blood splattered.
Ajos’s shadow spear pierced through the guardian warrior’s neck.
Boom!
The guardian warrior’s body collapsed.
Instant death.
Without sparing another glance, Ajos began moving to the next chamber.
As Park Chan-woo followed him—
[You have cleared the ‘Eighth Trial’ inside Khan’s Palace!]
[You achieved a method that did not previously exist.]
[You have overwhelmingly overcome the revised trial!]
[Bonus contribution points awarded.]
[You have earned 30,000,000 contribution points.]
Ten million more than he received previously.
Park Chan-woo turned back and spoke.
“Lee Hyuk-soo, stop standing there dumbfounded and follow me.”
“…Yes.”
Lee Hyuk-soo, who had been just beyond the door, finally came to his senses and nodded.
From beginning to end, nothing made sense within the bounds of his knowledge.
At first, it had felt like watching gods battle—and then suddenly, the Prophet’s shadow birthed Ajos, who overwhelmed the guardian warrior.
Even if he was supposed to be the one who ‘forged the path’…
‘Could it happen to me too…?’
A fear crept deep into his heart.
What if the Prophet made him into a shadow warrior too?
Of course, compared to Ajos, Lee Hyuk-soo was like a newborn.
There was no reason for the Prophet to turn him into anything.
He cautiously followed behind Park Chan-woo.
“What, did you seriously kill the guardian warrior to pass?”
Another guardian warrior stood waiting.
And the ninth trial was also a life-or-death battle.
It seemed the guardian warriors overseeing the trials had completely altered the remaining challenges.
But—
“Th-this power, what is it?!”
“Ajos! How can you…?!”
[You have cleared the ‘Ninth Trial’ inside Khan’s Palace!]
[You achieved a method that did not previously exist.]
[You have overwhelmingly overcome the revised trial!]
[Bonus contribution points awarded.]
[You have earned 30,000,000 contribution points.]
Ding!
[You have cleared the ‘Tenth Trial’ inside Khan’s Palace!]
[You achieved a method that did not previously exist.]
[You have overwhelmingly overcome the revised trial!]
[Bonus contribution points awarded.]
[You have earned 30,000,000 contribution points.]
Ten trials in total.
He passed the remaining ones in the blink of an eye.
In his berserk state, Ajos was beyond what the guardian warriors’ levels could handle.
Now only one door remained.
The final gate—leading to Khan.
Park Chan-woo inserted the [Challenger’s Key] into the massive gate.
And then—
[All seals on the ‘Great Khan’ have been lifted.]
[The ‘Great Khan’ appears before the challenger.]
[Challenger! Stand before the ‘Great Conqueror Khan’ and kneel!]
[Only through reverence can you survive.]