Chapter 119
S-rank, Star's Favoritism (Blood Energy consumption: 5)
Makes the target's body lighter.
Enables free flight for 5 minutes when used.
S-rank, Star's Suggestion (Blood Energy consumption varies depending on usage)
Increases the target's strength, agility, and stamina for 1 minute when used.
For each Blood Energy consumed, the chosen stat (strength, agility, stamina) increases by 1, up to a maximum of 10 per stat.
S+ rank, Activation Skill, Star's Fusion
Additionally increases stats (strength, agility, stamina) by 3 for each active buff.
The maximum number of buffs applicable through Star's Fusion is 5, allowing a maximum stat increase of 15.
After confirming the abilities of the skills obtained upon becoming a Star Oil Mage, Lee Seong-jun couldn't hide the smile spreading across his face.
"This is insane."
Given the high S-rank and above grades assigned, he had held some expectations. He wouldn't have been satisfied with mediocre abilities, as his standards had become quite high.
However, the skills obtained upon becoming a Star Mage possessed abilities that were beyond his expectations.
'Star's Favoritism.'
From the very first skill acquired, Star's Favoritism, things were looking extraordinary.
'Free flight... It seems similar to Sky Walking.'
Unlike the Sky Walking he had used in the past on the Cheon continent, this had a time limit restriction, but it enabled free flight in exactly the same way.
'To be able to use Sky Walking, which is only accessible to those who have reached the Hyeongyeong realm, so easily.'
It was truly remarkable to be able to use Sky Walking, a privilege of the Hyeongyeong realm, without breaking through that barrier.
But the truly amazing part was something else.
'The efficiency is remarkably good.'
Originally, using Sky Walking consumed a considerable amount of Blood Energy.
In fact, the reason why masters who had reached the Hyeongyeong realm used land routes despite being able to freely fly through the sky was due to the massive consumption of energy.
'Based on the stats provided by the Force system, it would consume about 3 per minute.'
This was inevitable because to keep the body afloat in the air, one had to constantly manipulate and adjust energy, and to block the rushing wind, one had to maintain an energy barrier at all times.
However, the Blood Energy consumed by Star's Favoritism was only 10 for 5 minutes.
This showed 50% better efficiency than the Sky Walking used by Hyeongyeong masters.
'With this... I can completely change my combat style.'
He would be able to gain air superiority using diverse attacks with rapid mobility.
This meant he could take an overwhelming advantage in numerical battles, which could be said to determine the outcome of fights.
"This is a very satisfying ability."
Expressing his satisfaction without filtering, Lee Seong-jun naturally moved his gaze to check the second acquired skill.
'Star's Suggestion.'
With a short duration of 1 minute and conditions that varied the stat increase depending on the amount of Blood Energy consumed, it might have been less efficient for a normal buffer.
However, for him, Lee Seong-jun, it had the best efficiency.
'I can make up for the lack of Blood Energy using blood.'
This meant he could use up to the limit of 10, a total stat increase of 30.
It was an ability that could give him explosive power in an instant.
However, the drawback of Star's Suggestion didn't completely disappear.
Great power tends to beguile people.
Especially for martial artists or hunters who handle great power, it was easier to be bewitched.
To avoid being swayed by power, one had to constantly discipline their mind.
If one were to become intoxicated by the exhilaration of strong power and excessively use blood while continuously using Star's Suggestion, they would pay a considerable price such as anemia and vomiting.
This could expose a fatal weakness that could determine the outcome during combat.
Of course, it was highly unlikely that he, Lee Seong-jun, hailed as the greatest Blood Demon and Demon God of all time, would make such a mistake.
This meant he could perfectly complement what could be considered the drawback of Star's Suggestion.
"Excellent."
With just the two skills, Star's Favoritism and Star's Suggestion, he could enjoy a considerable increase in effects.
However, the best skill obtained upon becoming a Star Mage was separate from these.
'Star's Fusion.'
There was no need to embellish or exaggerate with special words.
'This is by far the best among the buff skills I possess.'
As it was an activation skill that applied automatically, unlike other buffs, it didn't consume any Blood Energy.
Just with basic enhancement skills and Earth's Blessing, Wind's Protection, it could increase stats by 15 each.
This meant he could enjoy the same increase as Star's Favoritism just by using existing buffs.
Naturally, Lee Seong-jun's eyes glowed with excitement.
'With this level of growth...'
Even if he were to face a Hyeongyeong master at a higher level, he wouldn't be at a disadvantage.
A wry smile spread across Lee Seong-jun's face at the thought of such an absurd increase that even he found unbelievable.
'To think I could consider facing a Hyeongyeong master while still at the Hwagyeong level.'
Just as a mountain becomes steeper as you climb higher, the gap widens as you progress to higher realms.
It wasn't simply a difference of one level.
From the method of energy manipulation to the power of martial arts, and even physical abilities, there would inevitably be an overwhelming difference in all combat abilities.
However, Lee Seong-jun's face was still full of confidence.
'If I utilize the skills obtained from becoming a Star Mage, I can definitely bridge the gap.'
Assuming all buff skills were activated to their maximum, his stats would increase by a whopping 75.
'With the amplification effect I already possess, I can enjoy a total increase of 86.'
Even an ordinary person would experience a noticeable change to this degree, let alone the increase that he, Lee Seong-jun, would enjoy, which could be described as the difference between heaven and earth.
Naturally, a relaxed expression began to show on Lee Seong-jun's face.
"There's no need for unnecessary worries anymore."
Even if a boss monster stronger than Razaka appeared in the Red Gate that had occurred in Seodaemun-gu, he was confident he could overwhelm it.
This meant that even if Yoon Min-su failed to clear the Red Gate, he could handle it sufficiently.
'Well... it would be best if I didn't have to step in at all.'
Just knowing that he had eliminated even the slightest variable made him feel much more at ease.
In reality, Lee Seong-jun's steps towards the gate's exit had become noticeably lighter.
* * *
A few days later, at the Red Gate located in Seodaemun-gu.
An incredible number of reporters had gathered, enough to justify the phrase "a sea of people."
This was understandable, as the grade of the gate being cleared was Red, the same grade that had previously taken territory from South Korea.
Moreover, it was also the grand return of Yoon Min-su of Cosmos, hailed as the strongest.
This issue alone was enough to attract reporters, but Jeon Seok-woo, the planning director of Cosmos, had even invited reporters from various countries around the world with whom he had connections, under the pretext of showcasing the might of his master, Yoon Min-su, to the world.
"There really are an incredible number of people here."
Park Jin-su, a reporter from the Daehan Daily, was grumbling with a deeply furrowed brow, but Lee Hak-seong, who had accompanied him, just shrugged his shoulders as if it was no big deal.
"Wouldn't it be stranger if they didn't gather?"
"That's true."
Given the reasons mentioned earlier, it was only natural for reporters to flock here.
But the reasons for the reporters' interest and focus weren't limited to what was mentioned before.
'Lee Seong-jun, who defeated Razaka, judged to be Yellow grade, and Yoon Min-su, who is attempting to clear a Red Gate that surpasses that.'
The competition between two hunters vying for the top position was a story that anyone would find interesting.
For reporters who could be said to live off of interest and issues, this was an incredibly attractive news item.
'There's no way this won't get a ton of views.'
As Park Jin-su was licking his lips, someone shouted:
"Look! The Cosmos Guild's vehicle is arriving!"
"It's Yoon Min-su! Hunter Yoon Min-su!"
At one person's shout, all the reporters gathered nearby began to rush towards where the Cosmos Guild's vehicle had stopped.
"You're entering alone without an elite attack team. Are you confident in clearing the Red Gate?"
"There are rumors that this is a reckless move made in response to Lee Seong-jun's recent meteoric rise. What are your thoughts on this?"
Amidst a barrage of camera flashes and incessant questions from reporters, Yoon Min-su simply brushed them off.
He only calmly stated what he had to say.
"What I can tell you is the same as before: I will clearly demonstrate that the position of the strongest is not so easily obtained."
With these words that sounded like a declaration, Yoon Min-su ended the interview, causing wry smiles to appear on the faces of Park Jin-su and Lee Hak-seong.
"He's brimming with confidence."
"Of course he would be."
While as individuals, Lee Seong-jun and Yoon Min-su were in competition, from a guild perspective, Cosmos was undoubtedly the strongest in South Korea.
In other words, as a place where big news related to hunters could be easily accessed, almost all media outlets with any name recognition had secret informants within the Cosmos Guild.
Thanks to this, it would be fair to say that none of the reporters were unaware of Yoon Min-su's achievements.
"They say he underwent closed-door training, but to become a high-level ranker in one go... I guess there's a reason he's called the strongest."
"There's a reason why they say old ways are the best ways."
As Park Min-su and Lee Hak-seong were watching Yoon Min-su with sparkling eyes, Yoon Min-su, who had now reached the entrance of the Red Gate, began to lightly stretch his body in preparation for entry.
"Judging by the atmosphere... it looks like he's going to enter right away."
At Park Min-su's words, all the reporters in the area, including Lee Hak-seong, began rapidly pressing their camera shutters to capture Yoon Min-su's imposing figure.
Click. Click.
Just as Yoon Min-su, the focus of everyone's attention, was about to step into the gate...
"...?!"
The red aura emanating from around the gate suddenly changed to blue.
This was clearly different from the usual raid gate entry.
Something had gone wrong.
"No!"
"Master!"
The Cosmos Guild executives waiting near the entrance rushed forward urgently, but it was a meaningless action.
Woong-
With a short resonating sound, the swollen gate aura swallowed Yoon Min-su's figure.
Although it was a completely unexpected situation, it was impossible for reporters who covered news about hunters and gates to not realize what had just happened.
Gulp-!
A dry swallow went down Park Min-su's throat.
'A Frenzy Gate...!'
The raid gate, which had been judged to be Red grade, had transformed into a Frenzy Gate.
Naturally, the eyes of the reporters nearby widened.
But the shock was only momentary.
"Q-Quick, smartphones!"
"Hurry and contact the company!"
The reporters who raised their voices began to move busily to relay the news as quickly as possible.