Chapter 175
Since the conversations with his family were over, there was no reason to delay the move to Paju any longer.
To be precise, it couldn't be delayed.
Until now, it had been postponed due to a personal desire to spend a little more time with family.
Therefore, Lee Seong-jun moved to his newly purchased private mansion in Paju the very next morning.
In fact, it could hardly be called moving.
Since all the basic necessities, furniture, and electronics had been prepared in advance, there was nothing to move except himself.
Moreover, as he traveled by splitting the sky, the move was completed in less than an hour.
"Maybe because the house is so big... it feels somewhat empty."
Although it was an expensive mansion with high-end furniture, electronics, and a landscaped garden visible at a glance, there was a sense of emptiness in one corner of his heart.
But it wasn't all disappointing.
'The entire mansion is now my own private space.'
It meant he no longer had to worry about potential side effects during training or be anxious about disturbing others.
He could practice martial arts comfortably anytime and immediately verify the results.
It could be said that he was guaranteed a free life.
'This is the best life for a martial artist.'
He intended to fully enjoy and utilize these advantages.
In fact, Lee Seong-jun immediately headed to the training room equipped in the mansion.
Thud.
As soon as he arrived at the center of the training room, Lee Seong-jun sat down with a thud and called up a green hologram window.
[Status]
Name: Lee Seong-jun
Level: 198
Strength: 114 (+65), Agility: 113 (+65), Vitality: 114 (+65)
Blood Energy: 141 (+46)
Bonus Points: 10
Special Note: 5th Job Advancement is now possible.
Checking the status window floating in the air, a satisfied smile appeared on Lee Seong-jun's face.
'From 188 to 198, a 10-level increase... not bad.'
In fact, it was more than just "not bad."
Even members of the Guardians had stated that after level 190, it takes at least a year to gain just one level.
Of course, this was information from the past.
In the current situation where Black Gates were erupting everywhere, growth speed could be tremendously increased.
However, this didn't mean that his current growth was unsatisfactory.
'Even though Black Gates are erupting everywhere... no one has monopolized growth like I have.'
The growth achieved during this Japan expedition could be called unparalleled.
Moreover, the rewards for it were definite.
'I've finally surpassed level 190.'
It was a level that could be called a dream for hunters, and he had reached the level for the 5th Job Advancement, currently known as the highest realm in the world.
'I hope... it yields satisfactory results like before.'
The current Earth, coveted by monsters and demons, could be called an era of chaos without exaggeration.
To prepare for the coming turmoil and respond to potential variables, he couldn't help but crave even stronger power than now.
'Let's check it out.'
What kind of ability would it provide?
How much power could he gain?
As Lee Seong-jun's eyes sparkled with curiosity and expectation, a green hologram window appeared before his eyes.
[Do you want to proceed with the 5th Job Advancement? Y/N]
There was no reason to hesitate, so Lee Seong-jun immediately nodded.
'Y.'
Ding-!
[Code 005 is activating.]
[5th Job Advancement for the current 'Star Sorcerer' job is proceeding.]
[Progress 0... 47... 86%...]
[Congratulations! You have advanced to Buffer, 'Star Awakener'.]
[You have acquired the SSS-grade skill, Star's Blessing.]
[Special Bonus: You have acquired 2 Skill Growth Tickets.]
In an instant, Lee Seong-jun's pupils dilated.
"An SSS-grade appeared?"
Except for the steep growth of the initial 2nd Job Advancement, the skills given through the 3rd and 4th Job Advancements couldn't achieve two levels of growth.
'The limit was from B to A or A to S.'
But now, the rank of Star's Blessing that appeared before his eyes was SSS-grade!
It had surpassed two rank barriers.
Considering that conditions for rank increase become more stringent as one approaches the top ranks, this was truly a staggering difference.
'I wonder how good it will be... I'm excited.'
With a smile on his lips, Lee Seong-jun immediately checked the details of Star's Blessing.
SSS-grade, Star's Blessing.
Bestows the blessing of stars on the target, greatly increasing strength, agility, and vitality.
When used, increases status, strength, agility, and vitality by 50 each for 1 minute.
After confirming the ability of Star's Blessing, Lee Seong-jun couldn't help but chuckle.
"Hah..."
While the ability itself might seem simple, for Lee Seong-jun, it was more attractive than any other skill.
'A martial artist with a strong body can become more powerful than any weapon.'
The maximum status increase when using all his current buffs was 95.
However, Star's Blessing alone increased it by 50.
'It increases the stats by over 50 percent.'
It meant he could explosively increase his stats.
Moreover, the special bonus gained from advancing to Star Awakener wasn't just Star's Blessing.
[Skill Growth Ticket - Grows one of the skills you possess.]
[※ Caution - Cannot be used repeatedly on a skill that has already been grown once.]
It could be said that this was a completely different reward compared to the previous job advancements that only provided skills.
But Lee Seong-jun's expression remained calm.
'...So this is the rumored Skill Growth Ticket.'
He had seen it in internet articles when he was collecting information about hunters.
In other words, he also knew detailed information about the Skill Growth Ticket.
'It's not a simple ability as written in the message.'
Although it was briefly written as 'growth,' the correct expression would be 'enhancement.'
In fact, when using a Skill Growth Ticket, the skill's grade increases by one level, and at the same time, its existing abilities are significantly enhanced.
Of course, what mattered now wasn't the system-designated terminology.
"Which skill should I use the Growth Ticket on...?"
Since it was information accessed through articles, he couldn't fully trust it, so unlike usual, Lee Seong-jun couldn't immediately decide which skills to use the Growth Tickets on.
'At first glance... it seems Blood Demon Supreme Art would be the most efficient.'
Since it increases the skill's grade by one level, one might think the SSS+ grade Blood Demon Supreme Art would be the most efficient.
But this was a deceptive thought.
'Too much greed always leads to trouble.'
As repeatedly mentioned, to unleash ascending martial arts, mind, energy, and body must be in balance.
There was no way to properly handle power beyond one's capacity.
'No, from the start... investing Growth Tickets in martial arts would never yield efficient results.'
It's a path he had already walked; he knew clearly which way to go.
It meant it was power he could always regain if given time.
This meant that the Growth Tickets should be used on skills obtained through the system's abilities.
'Among them, the ones that would yield the greatest efficiency...'
Lee Seong-jun continued his deep contemplation with his hand on his chin.
After about 10 minutes had passed.
Lee Seong-jun's eyes sparkled, and he nodded.
"Indeed... those two would be best."
Having finished his thoughts, Lee Seong-jun's actions were without hesitation.
Ding-!
[Skill Growth Ticket is used on 'S+ grade skill Star Fusion'.]
[As abilities are enhanced, Star Fusion's skill grade rises to SS.]
SS-grade, Active Skill, Star Fusion
Depending on the number of buffs in use, additional status (Strength, Agility, Vitality) increases by 5 each.
The maximum number of buffs applicable through Star Fusion is 5, allowing for a maximum status increase of 25.
As it was undoubtedly the best among the buff skills he possessed, he thought it would yield the greatest efficiency.
Indeed, it showed a rise worthy of using the Growth Ticket.
'The increase in stats has risen by 10 each.'
With just one Skill Growth Ticket used, it achieved a total increase of 30.
"This is beyond my expectations."
Expressing his satisfaction without reserve, Lee Seong-jun shifted his gaze and immediately used the second Skill Growth Ticket.
Ding-!
[Skill Growth Ticket is used on 'A+ grade skill Star Purification'.]
[As abilities are enhanced, Star Purification's skill grade rises to S.]
Up to this point, the message was the same as with Star Fusion.
However, the message that followed was distinctly different from Star Fusion.
Ding-!
[Upon reaching a certain grade, a special ability is added to Star Purification.]
S-grade, Star Purification (Blood Energy Consumption: 10)
Heals the target's physical status ailments such as poison, curse, burn, electric shock, frostbite, and bleeding.
The skill holder 'Lee Seong-jun' resists all physical status ailments that can be healed by Star Purification.
After reading the skill description of Star Purification, a deep smile formed on Lee Seong-jun's lips.
"...This is unexpected."
He thought using a Skill Growth Ticket on Star Purification would be somewhat inefficient since he already possessed Cold-Heat Invulnerability and All-Poison Invulnerability, giving him resistance to burns, frostbite, and poison.
However, with the abilities of Star's Blessing obtained through the 5th Job Advancement and the further growth of Star Fusion, he thought it would be a wise decision to somewhat compensate for what could be considered weaknesses, even if it meant taking a small loss.
But that expectation was completely off the mark.
'This isn't just compensating for weaknesses.'
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it eliminated them entirely.
It perfectly defended against curses, electric shocks, and bleeding, which could have been considered weaknesses.
'Excellent.'
This wasn't just a habitual exclamation.
Outstanding physical abilities, overwhelming internal energy recovery ability, and finally, tremendous resistance ability.
He had acquired everything that could be considered the goals and dreams of martial artists.
Even for an ordinary martial artist, the synergistic effect would be tremendous, but he, Lee Seong-jun, was hailed as the greatest blood demon and demon god of all time.
It meant he could handle these abilities more efficiently and excellently than anyone else.