Antagonist Protection Service-Chapter 207 - Finally, Magic
207: Finally, Magic
207: Finally, Magic
The first thing I did upon my return was wipe the glove of the Draconic Shadow clean of blood, and while doing so, I checked the description of the item I just ripped from the Protagonist’s body.
Item – [Philosopher’s Stone Fragment]
A fragment of what is considered to be the single most sought-after substance in all of alchemy.
There are countless speculations revolving around what exactly this magical agent can accomplish, with many claims including impossible transmutations or even holding the key to eternal life.
In the end, it seems to hold true that the limitations are only as far as the alchemist’s skill.
(Limited effectiveness without alchemical proficiency and in a form less than full)
Grade : Legendary
“Ahh…
It’s useless then.”
Of course, I wasn’t an alchemist, so I couldn’t make use of it, and even if I had enough fragments to combine them into a full Philosopher’s Stone, I still wasn’t sure I’d be able to do much with it.
‘I remember seeing Philosopher’s Stone Fragments in the Miscellaneous section, but they’re pretty damn expensive…
And I don’t think it’d matter anyway.’
Well, I guess it was still good if I ever met another alchemist or someone who could make use of it.
Either as a bargaining chip, or if I could get them to make me something valuable with it.
Closing the item window, I was sure I’d quickly forget I had that in my possession.
‘Since we’re here, I’ll check the Villainous Blade.’
Thinking so, I casually opened the description.
Item – [Villainous Blade]
Unleash the power of a true villain with this malevolent blade.
*Possesses Evil properties
*Possesses Anti-Protagonist properties
(This weapon grows with each Protagonist Dispatched)
Protagonists Dispatched Since Acquisition : 7
*Form Change
*Self-Cleansing
*Soulbound
*Indestructible
Grade : Unique
“WOAH!”
“Eek…?!”
Abruptly shouting at the new property, I momentarily forgot the Librarian was just a few metres away, awkwardly scratching the back of my head.
“O-oh, sorry…”
“Enki!
You really scared me!”
Seeing her cheeks puff like balloons as she pouted, the Librarian then turned around on her seat to look away from me, making me feel even worse.
‘Eh, damn it…
Anyway.’
Thinking she’d soon get over it, I turned my attention back to the item description, looking at the newly-acquired ‘Indestructible’ property with sparkling eyes.
‘It’s on the same level as the Holy Sword now, right?
Or no, with Self-Cleansing, Form Change and Soulbound, it’s even more versatile.
And with the Anti-Protagonist property, it’s even stronger against Protagonists…’
At least, that was until I finally managed to unlock the ‘Sunlight Spear’ ability on the Holy Sword.
In any case, with Indestructible, I could now use it alongside the Holy Sword without any concerns of it getting damaged.
More than satisfied, I moved on like usual to the next item on the list―that is, something that isn’t actually an ‘Item’―the updated Service Charge.
Service Charge | 5,820 U
1 | A.Skill – [Tyranny of the Demon Lord] – Demon Lord of Terror
2 | Trait – [He Who Shall Not Be Named] – The Nameless Dark Wizard
3 | P.Skill – [Mastery of the Duel] – Emperor of the Arena
4 | Trait – [Noble Soul] – Archduchess Lucretia de Christina-Rasa
5 | P.Skill – [Divine Blood] – Cecilia, God’s Daughter
6 | P.Skill – [Mana Corruption] – Kijin, Demon King
7 | Trait – [Heart of a Witch] – Aradine, White Witch Queen
8 | A.Skill – [Event Horizon] – Horizon of the Apocalypse
Of course, it didn’t need to be stated what my purchase would inevitably be, but before that, I was intrigued by the new addition to the list.
“‘Event Horizon’…?”
The name alone sounded pretty badass, but when I opened the window to see more details, I was rendered speechless.
Skill – [Event Horizon] (Active)
The apocalypse was an event no one could see coming.
That is because, the moment you could glimpse it, it was already too late.
Once you see the periphery, it is over.
You have crossed the threshold.
They call that the Event Horizon, and from it, there is no return.
(Summons the Event Horizon)
Price : 5,000 U
“…”
Sorry.
What?
Does that mean what I think it means?
‘I can summon a black hole…?’
That didn’t sound…
fair.
Was that really correct?
“I kinda want to buy that one now…
Haa, but I can’t.”
Sighing, I shook my head and dismissed the skill description window, replacing it with what I actually intended to purchase from the very beginning.
Skill – [Mana Corruption] (Passive)
The Demon King, cursed by the heavens with an inability to interact with mana, developed this Skill with his own two hands in the midst of famine and war.
Using this perversion of what was once a pure, natural force, he ruled.
From that point on, he was an enemy of the world.
(Mana you interact with becomes corrupted)
Price : 5,000 U
Skill Purchased
[Mana Corruption] added to Status
Immediately upon purchasing the Skill, my body jumped alive.
All of a sudden, the air I was breathing felt cooler, more refreshing, and all throughout my body, it was as if I had a divine breath of life bestowed upon me.
It was a little rough due to being in the enclosed space of the Library, both physically and dimensionally speaking, but it was enough for me to tell in an instant.
Not only that, but if I concentrated and looked inwards, I could sense what was going on more clearly.
Contained in the air was pure mana, and as it entered my body and lungs, it gradually became corrupted, upon which it was absorbed into my bloodstream, circulating my body and naturally enhancing it with magic energy.
‘It’s the same as how the dragons described it…’
Rather than having to somehow acquire mana veins in my body to pump it around and something like a mana core to store it, I could simply pump it alongside my blood and store it within my heart, just like the Demon King of that world was said to have done.
It was different for those Awakened who were said to have their bodies be reborn upon Awakening, but for me who didn’t have the luxury of having everything I needed just handed to me, this was the only method I could use to acquire the power of mana.
For someone without the necessary capabilities to gather, store, or utilise it, this was it.
But, unlike what I had expected, it wasn’t uncomfortable at all.
On the contrary, the more mana I breathed in and let circulate around my body, the more refreshed and alive I felt.
At the same time, the magic energy contained within naturally flowed to each corner of my body, enhancing me similarly to how the buff potion was doing.
‘Speaking of which, hasn’t it run out by now…?
This feeling is so strange I barely noticed it, but now that I think about it, I do feel weaker.’
Perhaps it was also due to the new magic energy making me stronger that the adverse aftereffect of the potion was partially nullified.
Either way, I was already satisfied with the purchase, even though I would still need to take some time to get used to it, including controlling the magic energy inside me.
Just like that, I was left once again with a measly 820 World Stability.
Part of me felt bad spending so much on a single Skill, but at the same time, I was mostly relieved to have finally obtained what I had long been wanting, and more than anything, I was very happy to have my physical strength finally enhanced to a level I could be proud of.
I wasn’t yet sure if I could compare it to the level of a Challenger, but it was definitely a start in any case.
Still somewhat in disbelief that I was really stronger, I experienced a burst of motivation to take on another Contract right now and test it out.
Before that, though, it occurred to me that I should quickly check John Pierce’s progress first.
However, summoning my smartphone and turning it on, my smile quickly faltered.
“…Huh…?”
Upon reading the date displayed on the screen, my eyes shook.
