Evolutionary
From its name alone, Evolutionary was the only attribute in the World of Nightmare with the ability to evolve. Despite its Common Grade rating, its potential was limitless, capable of ascending to Rare or even Legendary Grade.
Kim Hyunwoo was originally a character who possessed this attribute. According to the novel, it evolved into the Junkyard Engineer attribute, granting the power to create weapons from anything, no matter how insignificant. If he was the same as described in the novel, he would be the key to surviving the Scenario Defence.
The boy, Kim Hyunwoo, looked at me with confusion, pointing at himself.
"Huh? You mean me?"
"Who else would I be talking about?"
"Mister, are you pranking me? Because if you are, it's not funny."
I shook my head firmly. "I'm completely serious."
"Then…"
"I have a special skill that allows me to understand people. I see a great deal of untapped potential in you that you don't recognize yet."
"I'm not sure about that. I mean, I'm nothing special."
His expression darkened, and he lowered his head. His low self-esteem was written all over his face. He had been suffering long before this tragedy, much like me.
I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and spoke softly. "What's your name?"
"Oh, I'm Kim Hyunwoo."
I already knew his name, but asking was the first step in building trust.
"I'm Kim Jakga."
"Really? That's your name?"
"Yes."
"What a strange name. So, you're Writer Kim? Can I call you that?"
"Sure, if you'd like. But tell me, do you think you can't help?"
"I'm not as helpful as you think. Besides, we have Soo Jinyoung. We'll survive with her."
Suddenly, my expression turned cold.
This boy… He was already ruined by Soo Jinyoung.
There was only one way to reach him now. A method I loathed using, but necessary.
"Are you content putting your fate in someone else's hands? Are you really okay with that?"
"Soo Jinyoung will save us. I just know she will."
"Like she saved you back there?"
His body trembled.
"Soo Jinyoung doesn't care about you or anyone here."
"Don't say that! If she didn't care, why would she save us? It's only because of her that we're alive!"
"Who knows? Maybe it was kindness. Or maybe you were just lucky to be near her. Which do you think it was?"
"That…"
"If she truly cared, she would've stopped the Gwanakgu group a long time ago. How many people have suffered because of them?"
"Stop it."
"You know I'm right."
[★ Kim Hyunwoo is greatly disturbed.]
Kim Hyunwoo depended completely on Soo Jinyoung, as expected from someone with low self-worth.
Someone with low self of worth will certainly look up to someone with an overwhelming presence and strength. He even endured the abuse of the Gwanakgu group because he thought he would be saved only to fall into a deep depression when Soo Jinyoung died.
In order to save him from his fate, I had to completely destory the illusion that he would be saved.
""You… What do you know?"
"I know a lot."
"Arrogant much?"
"Perhaps. But I know this: Soo Jinyoung won't save you. You'll die along with everyone here."
[★ Kim Hyunwoo has fallen into deep agony.]
The boy admired Soo Jinyoung, but he was completely different from Soo Jinyoung. If Soo Jinyoung died, she would simply reincarnate. Of course, he was not a reincarnator, so if he died, there was no salvation.
After a long silence, Kim Hyunwoo finally spoke.
"Did you save me back there… because I was useful?"
"That's right."
"And if I wasn't?"
"You already know the answer."
His lips quivered. It was cruel but necessary. No one else would save him. He had to learn this one way or another, but It would benefit me and everyone else if he became aware of the cruel reality.
"Okay… I'll help."
"That's good to hear."
"What should I do?"
I explained my plan. As he listened, his eyes widened with disbelief.
"Are you sure it will work?"
"It will. Now move quickly. We're out of time."
"Yes, sir!"
As Kim Hyunwoo moved to the center of the group, the others approached me.
""How did it go?" Angelica asked.
"He'll activate his skill," I replied.
"A skill?"
"You'll see."
I turned my eyes to the front. Once Kim Hyunwoo reached the middle, he stretched his hand forward.
[All evolution conditions of the attribute 'Evolutionary' have been met.]
[★ Kim Sungwoo is evolving.]
Light sparked around him. It was the phenomenon cause when a character's personal attribute was evolving to a new level.
[The attribute of 'Kim Hyunwoo' has blossomed to 'Junkyard Engineer']
[You have contributed greatly to the attribute evolution of 'Kim Hyunwoo']
[You have achieved a certain amount of Karma.]
[★Kim Hyunwoo will remember your words.]
His eyes glowed with newfound determination. At the same time, he muttered a command.
"Build."
[★ Kim Hyunwoo has activated Crafting.]
Pieces of metal that were scattered around began to float infront of Kim Sungwoo as if pulled by a mysterious force and combine together. They were combining to form five tunnels.
Angelica opened her eyes wide and exclaimed.
"Wow, amazing. Such a thing was possible."
"Anything is possible in this world."
"Oh. Is there something like a flying monkey then?"
"Haven't you heard the story of the Monkey King?"
Her eyes widened. "You don't mean to say..."
"Yes. If beings such as the gods from a fairy tale could exist, why did you think that guy wouldn't exist as well."
Monkey King.
It was a very famous name for anyone who enjoyed reading Journey to the West as a child. A mere being who dared to claim to be on the same level as the heavens, and was recognized for it.
Son Wokong. The Great Sage, Heaven's Equal. A popular character from the Myth, Journey to the West.
He was probably travelling through the skies somewhere in the universe with his Flying Nimbus and Ruyi Bang.
It was a shame that he wasn't interested in Lower Worlds like Earth. Maybe I would have chosen him as my support constellation if he appeared when the constellations used the plot device or if he sent a sponsorship message.
But would that be enough for certain characters just as troublesome as the reincarnator...
Jung Yunhee noticed something and frowned.
"That's odd. Why is it so slow?"
Of course, Jung Yunhee was talking about Kim Hyunwoo's skill. The construction was moving at a slow and steady pace.
"Tunnels are not the only thing, he needs to install the armed zone."
"Armed zone?"
"It detects enemies and shoot them down. "
I provided a brief explanation. In order to install automatic tunnels, sensors are also needed. However, it took time to install.
[There is only 10 minutes before the next Fable.]
Damn, we were running out of time.
Since it has become to this, let's proceed with the next step while Kim Hyunwoo was busy with the construction of the turrets.
"Everyone, build barricades before the Fable arrives."
"Understood!"
Not just Lee Jongho, Angelica and Jung Yunhee, the survivors also moved and gathered broken materials and pieces of wood.
"Hurry up! Swift and efficient movements!"
"Yes, boss!"
Their response brought me satisfaction.
We constructed our fortifications by stacking objects around us. However, it wouldn't be enough to hold the enemy for long. It was merely a temporary measure to buy us some time.
Should I make preparations as well?
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The one hundred skill upgrade scrolls I had purchased from the Exclusive Shop fell to the ground, one by one, after being retrieved from dimensional storage.
Angelica, who was standing next to me, noticed them and tilted her head.
"What's that? Scrolls?"
"That's right. I'm planning on using them for the Fable."
As soon as I finished speaking, a system interface appeared before me.
[Would you like to use all one hundred skill upgrade scrolls?]
"Yes."
[Please select a skill from your status window to proceed.]
"Synthesis."
[100 skill upgrade scrolls has been invested in 'Synthesis']
[100 skill upgrade scrolls have been invested in 'Synthesis.']
[The level of 'Synthesis' is rapidly increasing.]
[The highest level has been reached.]
[The skill is evolving!]
[The skill is evolving!]
[The skill is evolving!]
[...]
A stream of notifications flashed before my eyes. And then, the message I had been waiting for finally appeared, causing me to smile.
[The Evolution has been completed.]
[Congratulations, you have obtained a new Skill Card.]
A dim light flickered. It was as if there were fireflies dancing in front of me. But it was an optical illusion.
There were no fireflies. There was only a single card that floated infront of me, illuminating my space like the sun.
A golden card.
+
|| Fusion ||
✧ Rank: S+
✧ Effect: Merges two or more entities—objects, abilities, or beings—combining their strengths and attributes to create a powerful new entity.
✧ Flaw: The merger may fail if the entities are incompatible.
+
After using all 100 skill upgrade scrolls, the 'Synthesis' skill card evolved into the S-grade skill, Fusion. Now, I could combine not only skills but certain items as long as I was careful.
It was time for the next step. I opened my dimensional storage and retrieved the remaining items.
[The skill card 'Fusion' has activated.]
[The items 'Crimson Essence' and 'Akasha Crystals' have been selected.]
[The selected items are being combined.]
[The item 'Destruction Magic Bombs' has been formed.]
There were a stark of light before the items dropped on the ground.
Destruction Magic Bombs
They were similar to hand grenades. But unlike normal hand grenades, these items were filled with magic and possessed great firepower. It would be enough to wipe out a pack of Nightcrawlers.
I placed the mana bombs into my pockets. As I had anticipated, it was good to prepare in advance since the construction of the tunnels was not yet completed.
I looked at the faces of the survivors stationed here. There were only 20 of them. It wasn't nearly enough for what was coming, but there was no time to find more.
They all looked nervous and anxious. I couldn't blame them—the Story ahead was a tough one. Still, I couldn't let them stay like this.
[The skill 'Suggustion' has activated.]
I activated a skill I hadn't used in a while and spoke up. I drew the attention of the people with my words.
"Listen, everyone. The plan is simple. We just need to endure. When the enemy arrives, we fight with everything we have. To be honest, I don't expect some of you to survive."
"W-What?!"
"That..."
"Even still, everyone fight to survive."
Some were upset, others were still nervous, but they looked determined. All things considered, it was a good outcome.
I felt a strange sensation—a feeling I hadn't expected. Was this how Kim Minhyuk felt?
"Let's do it. Let's survive together."
"Let's do this. Let's survive together."
Just as Soo Jinyoung had put her faith in me, I now placed my trust in these people. In a ruined world, a person without determination couldn't survive.
Ultimately, it was up to the individual to shape their own fate and story.
[Warning! Warning!]
A warning message appeared before me. It was a sign that the situation was going to become bad.
Finally, it was time.
[The contents of the Third Story will be revealed.]
+
[Third Narrative ### – Scenario Defence]
✧Type: Main
✧Difficulty: B-
✧Clear Conditions: Several locations have been marked. Monsters will begin destroying marked zones. Survive the horde of monsters and prevent the destruction of the marked zones.
✧Duration: 30 Minutes
✧Rewards: Varies.
✧Penalty: Death.