Banished from the herd, I was actually a member of a very rare species. ~With the unique skills that only I can use, I can grow and evolve quickly. I will become an unrivaled monster~ - Episode 162: Infiltration

Episode 162: Infiltration

(Note: Special for this chapter the MC’s dialogue is written in ‘…..’.)

‘([Territory], ‘Convergence’)’

The [Dominion] was drawn inside me, and the white magical flames that were scorching the surroundings were extinguished. If those flames kept burning, eventually even the “Ancient King’s” body would turn into a Mana Crystal. While I wasn’t particularly worried due to its resistance, I couldn’t let the quality be compromised, even a little.

‘(I’ll set down the iron ball that’s marked with spatial magic… and let’s check out my new [Skills].)’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~Skill Details~

[Cloud Hiding] 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Boosts speed when escaping. Boosts stealth capabilities when fleeing. Consumes |Mana| to release white smoke.

[Death Strangle] 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Boosts strength during choking. Accelerates oxygen deprivation of the target.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It seems that because I focused on using [Unique Skills] this time, I didn’t see much growth in my [Skills]. Well, getting two upgrades is still a profit. 

‘(For now, let’s try [Cloud Hiding]… hmm, so that’s how it works.)’

When I tested the new [Skill], a mist-like, indistinguishable white gas burst from my body. I was pushed backward with the force of a rocket, while the smoke lingered in the spot I had occupied, dyeing the area white.

‘(A smoke screen, or perhaps an acceleration effect from the jet of smoke. The |Mana| efficiency is good, too; this could be useful.)’ 

As for [Death Strangle], while it might not be useful for Karkinos, it could come in handy in certain situations. After quickly confirming my [Skills], I turned back to the “Ancient King’s” remains.

‘(Now, the main task is processing this body.)’

Unlike the Sea Angel that was heavily skewed towards |Mana| abilities, the “Ancient King” was a solid physical type. Naturally, the weapons I could create from its body would be extraordinarily powerful.

‘([Intensified Warfare]… hmm, this is tricky.)’

I began analyzing the potential of his body as a weapon. But the sheer volume of information was overwhelming. Each part of the “Ancient King’s” body possessed different traits, making it difficult to decide what type of weapon to craft from which part.

‘(Well, there’s no time to waste; I need to make a quick decision.)’

With that in mind, I swiftly selected special effects. There were remnants of ‘Unchangeable’, but they couldn’t compare to the strength it had in life. Although it took some time, I managed to create several weapons.

‘(Especially these turned out well.)’

The highlights were two weapons: a spear made from his fangs and a shield crafted from his scales. I named them the Ancient Spear and the Ancient Shield. The Ancient Spear had effects that ignored defenses and impeded healing, while the Ancient Shield granted immunity to Status Ailments.

‘([Heavy Slash]!)’

I tested the ancient spear with a swing. The spear, with one fang at the tip and several more at the base, was swung down with tremendous force.

──BOOOOOOM!!

A canyon was formed in the crystalline ground. The ancient spear, crafted from the gigantic body of the “Ancient King”, was about the same length as I was. However, the scale of the damage caused this time was extraordinary. The spear also had a weapon effect that expanded its attack range.

‘(I’ve made something incredible… but I don’t have time to dawdle. [The Endless Cycle of Thunderous Rebirth]!)’

As I tested some aspects of my [Unique Skill], I felt a ripple in the surrounding |Mana|. A hole opened in the void, and Paula appeared.

“You won without any issues again, huh?”

‘Yeah!’

“That’s great! Let’s go! The Sage is ready too.”

‘Right. Time’s running short, so let’s hurry.’

I stopped my experiments and promptly jumped through the hole. 

On the other side lay the vast cavern we had visited before. Amid the bustling noise, the Sage awaited, dressed differently than usual. 

Setting that aside for the moment, I donned multiple spatial expansion bags and adjusted their size to human proportions. I even used [Mimicry] to make exposed parts resemble human skin and put on clothes. 

After wrapping the complex parts in bandages, a suspicious figure with their face and hands completely covered was born. But for now, my disguise was complete.

‘(I’ll activate [Concealment] while I’m at it.)’

“…Hmm, even my instruments can’t detect any |Mana| now. That’s a fantastic concealment spell,” 

The Sage complimented, also dressed in typical clothes for blending into the populace.

“Are you both ready?”

‘Yeah, I don’t have anything to carry, so I’m good.’

“I’ve also stored the necessary items in this spatial expansion bag.”

“Then let’s head out to the Imperial Capital!”

Paula cheerfully exclaimed. At that point, she had already marked the way to the Imperial Capital after siphoning the “Green King’s” <Soul Fragments>.

The Imperial Capital seems to have a similar ability to the [Dominion] called [Political Sphere] set up everywhere, so I release my [Territory] and slip through the hole. 

On the other side, we found ourselves in a dark, narrow back alley. Looking up, I could see a strip of cloudy sky wedged between the buildings. We needed to avoid causing a commotion, which is why I had asked for the marking to be done in a deserted place like this.

‘This is the Imperial Capital… It’s truly impressive.’

“Can you tell?”

‘Yeah, using [Territory] has made it easier to understand over time.’

What I found astonishing was the weightiness of the [Political Sphere] that enveloped this area. It was far too expansive to be contained just within alleys or cities. Its effective range rivaled that of the Beast King, which covers at least several dozen kilometers. 

And the strength was top-notch, surpassing even the incredible “Ancient King.” It was something else entirely.

‘Now, the problem starts here. I left all the arrangements for contacting the Demon King to you, but are you sure it’s okay?’

“Don’t worry, I’ve discussed several plans with the Sage.”

“Indeed. For now—”

Just as the Sage began to speak, a shout rang out:

“──A magical beast! A magical beast has appeared in the Imperial Capital!!”