< Chapter 112: The Gate (1) >
That night.
After putting the princess and the tiger duo to sleep in their room, I was lost in thought in the living room.
“Fire attribute affinity…”
It turned out that the flame wings that erupted earlier were an effect of the increased fire attribute affinity.
I didn’t figure this out on my own; our wise beast nation princess gave me a big hint.
“The princess really is incredibly smart.”
Earlier, when the princess saw my fire arrow coated with the flame of my spirit and the wings of flame, she said:
“It looks quite similar to the ‘promotion’ of fire spirits.”
Upon hearing this, I realized something. Spirits are a very unique race that undergoes ‘promotion.’ From lower to highest grade, and naturally, they get stronger each time they are promoted. What grows in this process is not their magic power or physical abilities but the spirits’ unique ‘affinity.’
Spirits, being entities without a physical form, derive their strength from the amount of this ‘affinity’ they possess.
Since the flame wings that erupted earlier have the exact same effect that fire spirits have when they get promoted, it wasn’t difficult to infer that complete spirit integration leads to an increase in attribute affinity.
“Hmm. Seems like only the fire attribute affinity has increased.”
If I fully integrate with a water spirit, my water attribute affinity will increase. If it’s a wind spirit, then my wind attribute affinity will increase.
“If every attribute affinity increased, it would be too overpowered.”
I totally get it.
In the world of this novel, ‘attribute affinity’ is already one of the most broken concepts.
Some may ask:
“What’s so great about this mere affinity?”
To that, I would reply:
It’s incredible. Incredibly incredible.
Firstly, acquiring attribute affinity increases immunity to that particular attribute, depending on the affinity level. This is why a fire spirit doesn’t get damaged by fire magic.
Secondly, the amount of attribute affinity one holds amplifies the power of that attribute. This is called amplification.
This is where it gets really broken. Not only does this affinity increase your passive power, but it also has exceptional versatility.
It affects magic, spirit arts, and every kind of magical act named after the ‘fire attribute’ by providing additional amplification.
Furthermore, there’s an enhancement in attribute magic efficiency.
This translates to reduced magic consumption, immunity to attribute damage, increased attribute damage, and lower mana usage for attribute magic.
How overpowered is that?
The corner of my mouth uncontrollably rises.
Whooosh!
I lightly cast a Fire Arrow. A fundamental fire magic spell that I can now use even with my eyes closed. Compared to 3 hours ago, it’s grown in size by about 20%.
“The power has increased by roughly 20%.”
Meanwhile, the magic consumption has decreased by 20%.
“Nice.”
If we assume that I use 100 units of magic power to cast a spell, this means I can inflict roughly 50% more damage.
I can’t help but be pleased.
“As for fire attribute damage immunity, I’ll have to experience it to know…”
The power increase is 20%, and the decrease in magic consumption is also 20%, so maybe the attribute damage immunity is also about 20%.
In other words, I still have to endure 80% of the damage…
“Well, the affinity will keep increasing anyway.”
Considering this is just the first full integration, it’s a very satisfying result.
I leaned back on the sofa and looked up at the ceiling. Unknowingly, a smile formed on my face.
* * *
Tuesday morning.
After finishing a brutal morning workout,
I’m now in the middle of a theory class.
“The tasks for superhumans are numerous, but there are three major dangerous situations. Cadet Kang Seo-yul, can you name those three?”
I was called.
Maybe it’s because of my title as the top student in theory. The instructors have been asking me a lot of questions lately.
I stood up from my seat.
“Eliminating villains, monster rampages, and the appearances of Gates.”
“Correct.”
“Excuse me, sir. I have a question.”
One cadet raised his hand in the middle of the class.
“Go ahead.”
“Why aren’t relic site operations or dungeon raids included in the list of dangerous situations, even though they have a higher mortality rate than monster rampages?”
“Good question.”
The instructor smiled.
“Cadet Kang Seo-yul, since you’re already standing, would you like to answer?”
“Yes.”
I’ve got the feeling that the instructor has been making me work a bit too hard lately.
“Operations in relic sites or dungeons are not considered because they are not mandatory missions to begin with, hence they are excluded from the statistics.”
“Correct. Cadet, is your question answered?”
“Yes, thank you.”
The instructor smiled satisfactorily.
“Cadet Kang Seo-yul, you may sit.”
“Yes.”
“Now, let’s go back to discussing the three major dangerous situations. We’ve already covered villains and monster rampages, so let’s talk about Gates today. Cadet Kang Seo-yul, could you stand up and explain Gates?”
“Yes.”
Why did you ask me to sit down if you were going to make me stand up again? I got up from my seat.
“Gates are special rifts from which monsters pour out. There are mainly two types: Emission Gates and Erosion Gates.”
“Correct. Sit down.”
I sat down again. I hope he’s not planning to call on me again.
“Which of the two is more dangerous? Cadet Kim Min-kwang.”
“Uh… Erosion Gates?”
“Cadet Chae Min-joo.”
“Erosion Gates.”
The instructor continued calling out the names of the cadets. About 10 people answered ‘Erosion Gates.’
“Cadet Ha Si-yeon.”
“Uh… I think Erosion Gates.”
“Cadet Shin Jia.”
“Erosion Gates are definitely more dangerous.”
Emission Gates disappears after releasing monsters. Erosion Gates remain open unless actively closed.
Of course, Erosion Gates seem more dangerous. It’s even written in textbooks.
“Emission Gates occur frequently but are dealt with without significant casualties. On the other hand, Erosion Gates rarely appear but cause fatal damage when they do.”
“Cadet Kang Seo-yul, do you agree with the other cadets?”
That’s only because most people don’t understand the true danger of Emission Gates.
“Emission Gates are far more dangerous.”
“Oh?”
The instructor’s eyes sparkled.
“Why?”
“The birth of numerous monster continents, including the Greenland Zone, is due to Emission Gates.”
The instructor smiled as if amused.
“So Erosion Gates are not dangerous?”
“Of course, that’s not the case. Erosion Gates are dangerous. But that’s all they are.”
The instructor’s smile deepened.
“Is that so? What do you mean?”
“There has not been a single Erosion Gate that we couldn’t close.”
I glanced at the other cadets and opened my mouth again.
“The average magical power of an Erosion Gate is around 200,000. The highest was 268,273 in southern China. It was a terrible disaster, but not something humanity couldn’t handle.”
Thanks to the special skills I received from my brother, I have an extensive knowledge of the world and an extraordinary memory. I even remember such statistical details.
“What about Emission Gates? Their frequency is high, but the magical power of the small ones is around 3,000. So the average is only about 20,000.”
A Gate with 20,000 in magical power can be stopped by just three S-rank superhumans in the top 100.
“20,000 and 200,000. Statistically, that’s a tenfold difference.”
“So the erosion type is more dangerous, right?”
The cadets who had been quietly listening to me interjected.
“But what if you look at the distribution rather than the average?”
What does the average value mean?
“The minimum power level for erosion-type gates is 140,000. The maximum is 260,000.”
The important thing is whether we can handle it or not.
“The minimum power level for emission-type gates is 500. The maximum is…”
I recalled the recent incident when the vaccine program was activated. A major event where over a million gates appeared.
“1,280,000.”
There’s a historical precedent. A gate with 500,000 magic power destroyed a country. That’s the terror of emission-type gates.
“For these reasons, I believe that emission-type gates are much more dangerous.”
Silence ensued.
Everyone stared blankly at me, their faces saying they didn’t understand what I was talking about.
Of course.
They’ve been taught and believed that erosion-type gates are far more dangerous. They couldn’t understand what I was saying.
“Everyone, applause. A splendid perspective, truly worthy of the top theorist. Please sit.”
“Yes.”
I sat down.
“Kang Seo-yul knows all the statistics.”
“Indeed.”
A debate followed my statement. Whether the instructor liked the free discussion or not, he didn’t try to control us.
“Still, saying emission-type gates are more dangerous is an exaggeration.”
“Really? I understood what he was saying.”
“Me too. Felt like I was hit with a hammer.”
“But I still think erosion-type is more dangerous.”
Certainly, as of now, erosion-type gates are more dangerous. Even the World Superhuman Federation has that data.
That concept is about to change.
It starts with the first major episode of the original [S-Class Status Window]. The concept will change altogether.
“…sigh.”
The start of that episode isn’t far away.
I need to grow as fast as possible until then.
“Everyone, be quiet. The class is still going on.”
After that, the instructor’s lesson on gates continued for a long time.
Ding-dong-dang-dong
Time passed, and the bell signaling the end of the class rang.
“Today’s class ends here. You all know why the instructor focused on gates today, right?”
“Yes!”
“Because there’s gate experience training on Thursday!”
The instructor scanned us with a serious expression.
“Gate experience training is called ‘training,’ but it’s practically real combat. It also has the highest mortality rate.”
Gate experience training is dangerous.
It’s not just an ‘experience,’ it’s as real as it gets. There are no safety measures, and it’s not a 100% controllable training. Obviously, there are many variables and risks.
“So, everyone, be fully prepared for the training. You could lose your life in a moment of negligence during the gate operation.”
A heavy air settled in the classroom.
* * *
Time flows quickly, and it’s Thursday.
Today is the day for gate experience training. Unusually, everyone looks serious today. The majority of the cadets wear an anxious expression.
Well, considering the risks of gate experience training, it’s only natural to feel uneasy.
“Am I the only one who’s scared?”
“No, I am too, a little…”
“Whew. I’m nervous.”
To be honest, I’m also a bit scared.
Though it’s a temporary gate born from research results, a gate is still a gate.
A single mistake can be fatal.
This is my first time going into a gate. It’s also an exercise not mentioned in the original work, so I’m quite nervous.
However, this is a good opportunity.
The next episode happens to be the episode where the gate goes haywire, so being able to experience a gate, even a temporary one, is something I’ve been hoping for.
“Now, let’s begin the gate experience training for the first-year Class 1!”
This gate experience training is divided by class.
A small gate requires at least 50 superhumans, so it’s only natural to enter by class.
“Check your equipment one last time, and we will enter in 2 minutes!”
In the heavy atmosphere, only the sound of metal and wood clashing echoed.
And then, 2 minutes passed.
“Get ready!”
With the instructor’s words, a crack appeared in the air. It looked like a mirror breaking in slow motion.
Crack, crack!
The crack widened, and then—
Crash!
With a sharp splitting sound, the air tore open.
“Gate opening confirmed!”
The officer in charge of the gate management shouted. The instructor nodded.
“Enter!”
“Enter!”
We moved our feet in chorus. We passed the instructor and headed for the crack. I was at the forefront.
The moment I stepped into the crack,
“Wow.”
The scenery changed.
“Uh.”
“I’m nervous…”
Continuous sounds of unease came from the surroundings.
“It’s okay. Look at the members of our class. Could anything dangerous really happen?”
“I suppose so…”
The cadets glanced in turn at Si-yeon, Jia, Chul-jin, and then at me.
“Both in strength and intelligence, we are pretty much perfect.”
“I suddenly feel more at ease.”
Well, this team is notoriously powerful. But speaking of which, it’s Jia and Si-yeon’s first time navigating a gate too. Are they really okay? I couldn’t help but scan my surroundings.
Jia has her usual calm expression.
Si-yeon has an appropriate level of tension on her face.
Seems like my worries were unfounded.
I refocused my gaze forward.
We had been walking for about a minute.
The surrounding landscape began to fade quickly.
“Everyone, get ready!”
I shouted.
In 5 seconds, we will enter the inner part of the gate.
I raised my tension. Attacks right after entering were not uncommon, so I was ready to respond immediately.
A moment later.
The scenery completely changed.
The ambiguously fused, malformed background had completely disappeared, replaced by a very ordinary forest.
“…A forest area?”
Thankfully, it’s a normal terrain. I was worried it might be a swamp or a lava field.
I sighed in relief and looked back as I spoke.
“Everyone should know the features of a forested area…”
But I couldn’t finish my sentence.
Not because we were suddenly attacked or because a trap was sprung and I had to dodge it.
There simply was no need to say anything else.
“…Where did everyone go?”
There was no one around me.
< Chapter 112: The Gate (1) > End.
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