Return of the Shattered Constellation

Chapter 108: Star, The Winter Palace (8)

Badump!

Chang-Sun’s magic integrated circuit began to react.

[Consumed the ‘Frost Monarch’s Breath’!]

[Frost engulfs your body.]

[The Ice Toxin has entered your body.]

…

Crack!

The white frost covered Chang-Sun entirely. It then hardened, making it seem as if he had just dug his way out of a pile of snow. Its Ice Toxin was on a totally different level from the Ice Toxins he handled until now, too.

The Eight Trigram Brazier would have detoxified most Ice Toxins, but it didn’t work on the one he had just consumed since it originated from the [Everlasting Ice Crystal]. The [Everlasting Ice Crystal] he consumed wasn’t an ordinary one, either. It held the vital force of the creature that ‘birthed’ the race of Yetis, so it was bound to be different.

[The Effects ‘Single Eon Fire’ and ‘Ten Toxin Immunity’ have simultaneously been activated in an attempt to detoxify the Ice Toxin!]

[Your mana is sharply increasing.]

[Your new attribute’s mana is increasing, fiercely colliding with your original mana.]

…

[The Effects have failed to detoxify your body.]

[The collision is getting fiercer.]

…

[Your HP is sharply decreasing!]

The [Everlasting Ice Crystal]’s energy was the antithesis of Chang-Sun’s mana attributes, which were fire and darkness. His mana attributes also held the Jigwi’s Eon Fire and the Fire of Eight Trigrams Brazier. In contrast, [Everlasting Ice Crystal] had the ice attribute. In other words, while it could be an invaluable treasure for ice mages, it was poison for Chang-Sun since its energy could potentially extinguish the Eon Fire, which he had lit up with difficulty.

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ walks back and forth since you seem to be in critical condition.]

[The Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ concludes you likely have a secret plan in mind and are just pulling a crazy stunt. He sarcastically asks her if she still doesn’t know you.]

Just as Jörmungandr said, Chang-Sun didn’t swallow the [Everlasting Ice Crystal] without knowing that fact.

“Just swallow it? What the hell are you saying?” Chang-Sun asked.

The first time the Third Elder talked about the [Everlasting Ice Crystal], he had told Chang-Sun to swallow it without putting it through any refining process. Angered since anyone would’ve found such a thought stupid, Chang-Sun asked that question back. However, the Third Elder wagged his finger.

“You have to swallow it in its current state because you’re supposed to cause a collision,” the Third Elder replied.

“… You need to elaborate. I’ll make you regret it if you’re talking nonsense.” Chang-Sun growled.

“Hahaha! I heard you made numerous Celestials ‘fall’ during the Myth War. And even after you became a prisoner, you’re still scary.” The Third Elder laughed.

“…”

“Alright, I get it, so stop looking at me like that. I told you the bases of [Reinforced Skeleton], which the Dark Entities also desperately wanted, did I not?” The Third Elder got back to the topic.

“[Fire-Planted heart] and [Frost-Carved Crest].” Chang-Sun nodded.

“Yes, pull the fire you’ll obtain into your heart. It would be best to use your heart as a Core and rebuild your Integrated Magic Circuit.” The Third Elder grinned.

“But that would cause my heart to burn up.” Chang-Sun tilted his head.

“That’s why you require the ‘crest.’ You need a coolant for your heart, which will beat violently,” the Third Elder explained.

“Isn’t there a chance my body will be ruined before the coolant does its job?” Chang-Sun asked.

“Hence the need for you to find an interface.” the Third Elder crossed his arms.

“Interface?” Chang-Sun repeated.

“Yes, find an interface so the two opposing energies can harmonize without colliding too much. What are the Eon Fire’s attributes?” the Third Elder asked.

“Fire and darkness,” Chang-Sun replied.

“Then what about the [Everlasting Ice Crystal]?”

“Ice and… darkness. I understand now.” Chang-Sun nodded.

When a certain amount of moon energy flowed into the deep ice cap, [Everlasting Ice Crystal] was created. In other words, the darkness and ice energies mixed, causing the crystal to hold pure yin energy.

‘They have a common factor,’ Chang-Sun thought.

Eon Fire also held darkness energy.

“The King of the Underworld has already recognized you as the Underworld’s reaper, so you can now control darkness energy surprisingly better than many Celestials,” the Third Elder reminded Chang-Sun.

According to the system, Chang-Sun’s faction was the Underworld. He even had an ‘administrator’ and ‘reaper’ status. Almost no Player—no, Celestials could control darkness energy better than Chang-Sun!

[The Authority ‘Kalokagathia’ has been activated, successfully separating your mind from your body!]

[The State ‘Strict Tiger’ has been activated, enhancing your ability to think!]

While experiencing horrible pain, Chang-Sun separated his mind from his body and began to check his physical condition.

Ding!

[You have understood ‘contemplation’!]

…

[Your concentration has improved.]

[Your resolve has increased.]

…

[Achievement unlocked!]

“The contemplating ascetic.”

Reward: Improved concentration. Intelligence and Willpower +10.

Like an ascetic who was going through hardships meditating—no, a surgeon observing their patient, Chang-Sun rationally observed his own body as if it wasn’t his. His body trembled profusely as it got repeatedly covered in ice and fire, sharply decreasing his Integrated Magic Circuit.

‘I have to make absolutely no mistakes from here on out,’ Chang-Sun thought.

Focusing on his Integrated Magic Circuit, Chang-Sun tried to find the boundary between the fire and ice energies. Their entanglement had become too complicated, making it difficult for Chang-Sun to pinpoint the right line. However, it only enhanced Chang-Sun’s ability to think to his limit, allowing him to find what he was looking for in the mana flow that, from his perspective alone, had significantly slowed down.

Amid the fluctuating mana wave, Chang-Sun found the darkness energy, which was as little as a dot. He then focused all his strength on dragging it up to the surface.

[The darkness attribute mana has been engraved in your Integrated Magic Circuit!]

[A monolayer has been formed in your Integrated Magic Circuit.]

…

[The fire and ice energies have been separated.]

[Your mana has been divided into two.]

…

Using the darkness energy as a monolayer, Chang-Sun separated the fire and ice energies like the N and S poles of a magnet, quickly dividing his mana into two. Chang-Sun pulled the fire energy into his heart, causing it to instantly circle around his Integrated Magic Circuit as it seeped into his heart.

Badump!

Badump!

His blood naturally circulated quicker, and his heart started beating violently. Infused with a great amount of mana, it began to transform. It then hardened after a brief moment, almost as if it wasn’t a human heart.

[A Hidden Piece has been found!]

[A clue about ‘Fire Heart’ has been acquired.]

[A Core has been created.]

[The center of your Integrated Magic Circuit has been reset to your heart.]

[Your Integrated Magic Circuit is being rebuilt.]

…

[Warning! Your heart, the core of your life and mana, has become too hot. Overusing your heart can significantly shorten your lifespan. The creation of a control unit is recommended.]

[Warning! The connecting link between your HP and mana has been strengthened too much.]

…

As the fire energy seeped into Chang-Sun’s heart, the ice energy flowed outward. After being absorbed into his skeleton and muscles, it reached his skin.

Crack―!

Crack!

[A Hidden Piece has been found!]

[A clue about the ‘Frost Crest’ has been acquired.]

[The ice attribute mana has been absorbed into your inner skeleton and is attempting to upgrade your body.]

[Your bone density state has improved from ‘Strong Skeleton’ to ‘Iron Skeleton.’]

…

[Your skeleton is being automatically rebuilt.]

…

[Your muscle has been reinforced.]

[Your skin has become tougher.]

…

“Your body will harden like ice, and your heart will become as intense as fire. The reaction caused by the two opposing energies’ collision maximizes your body’s improvement,” the Third Elder explained.

“That’s [Reinforced Skeleton]?” Chang-Sun spoke.

“Yes. Do you know what the scarier part is?” The Third Elder asked.

“What is it?” Chang-Sun shook his head.

“If you rebuild your body in this way, it’ll obtain a new ability, meaning you’ll automatically gain a new <Talent>.” The Third Elder grinned.

“…!” Chang-Sun’s eyes widened.

Bang!

The fire energy that had reinforced his heart headed to the surface from his new Integrated Magic Circuit, and the ice energy that enhanced his body seeped into it. When the two energies met in the circuit, his body shook hard, almost as if a stick of dynamite had gone off inside. However, what happened afterward was different from before. His divided mana was integrated into one again.

Pzzzz―!

Jigwi’s Eon Fire engulfed Chang-Sun’s ice-hardened body.

“Your senses, cognitive and thinking ability, physical constitution, personality… Everything will be rebuilt, and that isn’t all. Since your mana simultaneously holds both fire and ice, your mana will no longer be bound to a specific attribute. It will become the perfect vessel to hold all the attributes,” the Third Elder said.

[‘Fire Heart’ and ‘Frost Crest’ have been completed!]

[The new Trait ‘Reinforced Skeleton’ has been acquired.]

[The Effect ‘Lesser Cold Resistance’ has been combined with the Trait ‘Reinforced Skeleton.’]

…

[Reinforced Skeleton]

As your heart holds the energy of flame, the energy of frost dwells within your body.

Only the two opposing attributes’ strengths have been combined, giving you great immunity, resistance, and regeneration. You are no longer easily fatigued and can never run out of breath.

· Type: Trait.

· Effect: Fire Heart. Frost Crest.

After going through all the processes, Chang-Sun opened his eyes. They shone coldly.

“When Celestials see that… they’ll probably go nuts,” the Third Elder assumed.

Just as the Third Elder had predicted, the messages from Celestials popped up incessantly before Chang-Sun.

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ is happy to see her apostle candidate’s progress, but she’s also worried other jackasses would covet you again.]

[The Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ shakes his head, saying he is not surprised anymore. However, he is still curious about where you got the information about the ‘Reinforced Skeleton.’]

[The Celestial ‘Twilight-Piercing Owl’ congratulates you while wondering what gift she should give you.]

[The Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’ finds it very pleasant to know his subordinate has gotten stronger.]

…

[Many deities watching you are reacting fervently.]

[Many stars stealing a glance at you are watching with interest.]

…

No longer being restricted by attributes, becoming basically limitless, and… holding infinite possibilities sounded the most attractive to the Celestials, who wished to descend to the Saha World, spread their gospels, and get more followers. Hence, seeing what Chang-Sun had done was bound to get fervent reactions from them. However, there was one message that especially stood out to Chang-Sun.

[The Celestial ‘Geminus[1]’ is showing interest in you!]

‘A Zodiac!’ Chang-Sun’s eyes widened, and his heart began to beat louder.

Badump!

One of the Celestials responsible for making the ‘Divine Twilight’ plummet from the sky finally reacted to Chang-Sun, so he was naturally shocked. ‘Geminus’ was just curious about him right now, but what mattered to Chang-Sun was the fact that he had finally caught their attention.

‘Which twin is it, though?’ Chang-Sun wondered.

The ‘Gemini’ were unique beings. The twin stars shared one will, but they had different desires. Wondering if it was Castor or Pollux who had shown interest in him, Chang-Sun waited for the next message. However, he was met with another surprise instead.

[The Celestial ‘Abyss-Chasing Great Devil’ is reacting fervently, starting up the Inferno Sights in his eyes!]

Mephistopheles only congratulated Chang-Sun whenever he acquired a special trait. He never showed any other reaction. However, he was acting differently now.

‘What?’ Chang-Sun instinctively raised his head as the situation took an unexpected turn.

[The Celestial ‘Abyss-Chasing Great Devil’ is approaching you with evil intentions.]

‘Huh? Chang-Sun repeated.

Woosh!

At that moment, the world surrounding Chang-Sun turned dark.

[The Celestial ‘Abyss-Chasing Great Devil’ is kidnapping you to his divine ground!]

Translator’s Thoughts:

Penguin: A Roman soldier goes into a bar and says 'give me a Martinus!', and the bartender says 'you mean Martini?' The soldier says 'no, just one.’

1. The singular Geminus will be used in this novel to refer to one face of the twin Gemini ☜