The Hero Returns

“Transfiguration” was a skill that absorbed a target’s unique trait.

Depending on which opponent you absorbed the trait from, the resulting skill could end up subpar, or it could become even more special than any other skill in existence.

Of course, it wasn’t as if you could absorb the traits of every target. Several restrictions applied to Transfiguration skill.

First, only one trait could be absorbed through the skill. Meaning, the previous traits had to be discarded if newer and higher-ranked ones were to be attained.

Second, you needed to possess a stronger body and mind than the opponent you wanted to absorb the trait from. If not, you had to either kill the target or beat them up until they were in a near-death state.

That was why Su-hyeun always killed his target or drove them to a near-death state before using the Transfiguration skill.

It was the same story when he fought against Ouroboros. If it weren’t for him stabbing the monster’s heart and weakening it severely, the skill wouldn’t have worked at all.

Of course, the trait “Third Eye” now had nothing to do with the Transfiguration skill anymore. It became his own unique ability as a reward for passing the trial.

Due to such reasons, absorbing Roy’s trait wasn’t difficult for him.

Not only was Roy a human and not a monster, but Su-hyeun had also already restrained the boy from moving. Unlike how it was with the Ouroboros, he didn’t need to fatally wound him.

[Transfiguration will be used against the target “Roy Rawlsman.”]

[A portion of the target’s trait will be absorbed.]

Shu-wuwuwu—

The unique aura inside Roy’s body seeped through Su-hyeun’s hand. At first, the latter had no idea what this was, but this power that was entering him through his arm suddenly began talking to him.

“You’re not it...”

“You’re not it! You don’t have the qualifications!”

“You’re...”

The voices of the dead entered his mind.

This was Roy’s—the Rawlsman bloodline’s—ability, or a portion of it, anyway, which allowed the holder the ability to hear the voices of the dead and control them.

Su-hyeun focused on using the Transfiguration skill. When he did, he could clearly see the condition of Roy’s body currently trapped under his hand.

A Life Vessel?!

Su-hyeun’s eyes shot wide open.

A familiar item was hidden within Roy’s chest. That small coin-shaped item made of “death aura” and magical energy was quite similar to the Life Vessels found inside the Lichs.

That thing definitely wasn’t there a while ago, however.

Why is there a Life Vessel inside Roy’s body?

[Remaining time: 00:00:00]

[The third trial has been cleared.]

[The Life Vessel has been summoned.]

[Destroy the Life Vessel.]

The third trial was over.

And when the clear condition for the next trial was revealed, Su-hyeun finally realized the true meaning behind the “remaining time.”

It was the countdown until the Life Vessel was completed, wasn’t it?

For the Lichs, one’s body served as a vessel for containing magical energy. That was all. The Life Vessel was a Lich’s origin; it is its heart.

Ten days, 240 hours—it was the time needed for the Lich King’s second Life Vessel to be “summoned” here.

For ten days, souls poured into Roy’s body to create a suitable host body. After that, a Life Vessel would be summoned, Roy’s body would be stolen, and he would be turned into a Lich.

That was the goal of the Lichs, and the goal this trial assigned him with was...

I’m supposed to kill Roy who’s been turned into the Lichs’ second god.

Grit—

Only now could he figure out what the gatekeeper’s advice from earlier meant.

“First, knowing it doesn’t mean that the difficulty is low. Should I say it’s a hard problem to solve despite you knowing how to? Especially so in your case.”

This proved to be true. Whether Su-hyeun knew or not, the things he needed to do remained the same. Protecting Roy—that was the only task he had to perform.

“And that’s the second part. You’re a good guy, so you’re going to have a bit of a hard time.”

The gatekeeper knew. He knew that Su-hyeun wouldn’t be able to kill Roy. He knew that he wouldn’t be able to stick a blade in the boy’s heart.

Right, I can’t do that. No...

Su-hyeun poured his remaining magical energy into the Life Vessel inside Roy’s body.

Wuduk, wu-du-duk—

...I won’t kill him.

While using the Transfiguration skill, Su-hyeun used his own magical power to crush Roy’s Life Vessel.

Absorption and expulsion—he carried out these two things simultaneously. He applied these two opposing natures in the opposing directions.

No matter how excellent Su-hyeun’s magic control was, this action still proved to be quite difficult. On top of this, if the Transfiguration skill failed for some reason, the “death aura” might end up permeating deeply inside his body instead.

Fshooo—

The tips of Su-hyeun’s fingers gradually blackened. Ominous aura seeped inside, and his hand and arm rapidly decomposed.

“You... don’t... have the... qualifications...”

A grin spread on Roy’s lips—only it wasn’t really him.

It was someone else that had swallowed up Roy’s consciousness through the Life Vessel. It was the second god of the Lichs, in other words.

“Shut up. I’m concentrating here.”

Squeeze—

Su-hyeun strengthened his grip on Roy’s shoulder. The boy’s body sunk even deeper into the ground.

After Roy’s figure sunk about halfway underground...

“Big... bro... you must...”

Roy’s voice reverted back to how he sounded in the past. It seemed that his consciousness was gradually returning after the Transfiguration skill continued to absorb his ability.

However...

“Kill... me...”

That was the first thing he said after regaining his mind.

“I don’t want to.”

Squeeze—

Su-hyeun kept pushing down with his hand, which was now darkened all the way up to his forearm, and spoke, “Mister Herrels is going through hell over there just to protect you, so why would I let you die today?”

Shu-wuwu—

Keehee, kee-hehehe—

The cackles of the souls noisily rang in his ears. Su-hyeun ignored them and continued on. “Especially when you’re still wet behind the ears, kid.”

Shu-wuwuwu—

The rate of the aura being sucked out of Roy’s body accelerated even faster. A pained voice accompanied the aura as well.

“Human, I curse you! You who dare to interfere with our eternal life, we shall make you suffer a never-ending pain...”

That voice sounded oddly familiar—it was similar but still a bit different from his memories.

“...What’s this?” A mocking sneer floated on Su-hyeun’s lips. “Were you that bastard’s sibling? Or, maybe, his son or daughter?”

That voice was similar to the Lich King’s.

However, it definitely belonged to a different individual. Not only was the voice faintly different, but the real Lich King that Su-hyeun knew also wasn’t the type to get agitated this easily.

“I was wondering who exactly this second god of Lichs might be... But you’re all the same in the end, I guess.”

“You bastard!”

“Wait for a bit longer, okay? I don’t know if you’re his brother or something, but I’ll be sending that f*cker to your side pretty soon, too.”

Wuuuu-ooong—

Crack—!

The Life Vessel inside Roy’s body shattered. And right at that moment...

[Trait: “Necromancer” has been acquired.]

[Stat: “Death Aura” has been acquired.]

[Death Aura has increased by 1.]

[Death Aura has increased by...]

[...]

All the aura coming in from Roy vanished completely. At the same time, the Transfiguration skill’s trait absorption ended, and the world, as seen from Su-hyeun’s view, suddenly changed.

[“Necromancer” has been activated.]

[Death Aura will be spent continuously.]

Su-hyeun’s eyes could now catch the figures of the dead souls. They gathered around him to sob, laugh, and even slumber.

He could also see the souls of the Lichs. They were clearly frightened by the newly transformed Su-hyeun.

This... was the world Roy saw.

It was quite different from the world that regular people got to see. Some people would get scared by a single ghost and start trembling in fear, but Roy had to witness such a world from the moment he was born until now.

And he continued to perceive that, one day, he’d join their ranks as well.

But now, it’ll be me.

Su-hyeun picked up the exhausted and collapsed Roy and placed the boy on his back.

[You have cleared the trial.]

[Achievement Percentage: 84%]

[Will you end the trial?]

Right then, a message floated up which indicated that trial had been cleared.

Prevent the birth of the second Lich King and destroy its summoned Life Vessel—those were the final goals of this trial.

Fuu-wuu—

As if he was slightly tired, Su-hyeun spat out a long sigh as soon as he stood back up. Even then, he had no time to rest. In front of him, Miru was still protecting him and Roy.

Pang, pa-pa-pang—!

Sizzle—

The barrier Miru had cast was slowly melting away.

Lichs and Death Knights had spread out wide while dodging Miru’s Breaths and continued with their persistent attacks.

Miru needed to protect Su-hyeun and Roy, which prevented it from moving from the spot, so it cast a barrier and endured the attacks while pouring out every ounce of its magical energy.

“You’ve done a great job.”

Step, step—

Su-hyeun walked closer and then placed the sleeping Roy on Miru’s back. “You can take a break now.”

Gya-ong—

Miru let out a tired cry.

Su-hyeun stared at the Lichs and Death Knights beyond the barrier. “Stop right there.”

The moment he said that...

Chak, cha-chak—

Shu-wuwuwu—

The Death Knights that were rushing toward Miru stopped moving, and the magical energy gathering in the Lichs’ hands scattered away.

[Trait: Necromancer]

<ul>

Proficiency: 0%

LV: 1

Can use Death Aura (死氣) to command the dead.

</ul>