Book 1 Chapter 601
601.
“Ability snatching?”
“Yes. It is the unique power that Hero Slayer was born with, and the reason he was able to kill countless heroes.”
The power to take away others' abilities.
It is certainly an astonishing ability.
‘Such mana characteristics didn’t even exist during the Age of Calamity.’
“Can he steal abilities regardless of class?”
“That’s right.”
“Then, is he an All-Class like me?”
“No, that is not the case.”
Anyas shook her head.
“According to records, he has never used snatched abilities simultaneously.”
“Does he switch abilities according to the situation? Well, there must be some penalty to it.”
Leo propped his chin and fell into thought.
If so, it is definitely an ability with limitations.
‘It still remains a powerful ability, though.’
There is basically a compatibility between classes.
Just being able to ignore that compatibility was tremendous.
Furthermore, it is an ability capable of countless irregular applications.
“Why didn’t such a great ability leave its name in history?”
“Hero Slayer was originally one who had attained the status of a hero. But after he vanished from the continent, the Shan Empire and the Shadow Lords burned his hero record.”
“And all related records were also obliterated in that process?”
“Yes.”
“The Emperor of Shan 500 years ago certainly handled things decisively.”
“Hero Slayer’s ability is clearly a dangerous power, but if the right person uses it for good, it could be a great asset. Was it the right choice to prevent the succession of that power?”
“Indeed, if he met a good master, it might be so, but.”
Leo's eyes narrowed.
“At first glance, it seems like an ability that can make one endlessly stronger, but its limits are clear. Moreover, the reason this power is strong is because it takes away the power of others.”
Ultimately, one who possesses the ability is bound to covet the abilities of others to become stronger.
“Whether he was corrupted or was originally such a fellow, I don’t know. But if he rose to the position of a hero, it means Hero Slayer initially pretended to be a hero quite convincingly.”
No matter how terrible the gods’ tastes might be, they do not elevate fundamentally evil individuals to the position of heroes.
That is why there are heroes who fell and became evil, but no heroes who were inherently evil from the start.
“He must have had a considerable reputation as a powerful hero. Didn’t he?”
“Yes. The records of the Shadows also state that they could not find the reason for the sudden change of the highly renowned hero.”
“Such is the craving for power.”
Leo lifted his teacup.
“That ability is clearly one that allows one to become strong easily and quickly. How many people in the world would choose a difficult path when an easy one is available?”
“……”
“At first, it would have been the power of comrades dying on the battlefield. Then, it would have been the power of those who retired from active duty due to old age. And at some point, he must have thought.”
‘If only I could possess that guy’s power.’
Leo’s red eyes gleamed coldly.
“Could this not have been the process?”
Clack-
After sipping his tea, Leo set down the teacup.
“I cannot sacrifice others for the sake of one person with this ability. No one in this world can achieve great feats alone. Even a Great Hero and a Hero of Creation cannot do such a thing.”
An ability that allows one to become strong quickly at the expense of someone else is ultimately an ability that inevitably intoxicates the user with power.
“A power easily tempted and prone to corruption. Yet, it’s not strong enough to turn the tide of battle against Tartarus. In the end, even if it were passed on, it would only produce a second Hero Slayer. In that case, destroying it is the right thing to do.”
Anyas’s body trembled.
With clasped hands, Anyas wore an ecstatic expression.
“Ah, as expected of Leo-nim. To reach such a conclusion with just a few clues. That’s right. The previous Shadows thought that the losses outweighed the gains, so they erased this power from history! Ah, how wonderful.”
‘Well, to be fair, it’s an exceedingly Shadow-like, no. A very me-like thought.’
Among the other Great Heroes, no one would have thought like Leo.
‘They would have seen potential in this ability.’
“So? Have you found anything about Hero Slayer’s whereabouts?”
“We have found out that he is somewhere in this Rhodren Empire.”
“Rhodren Empire?”
Leo furrowed his brows.
“Then, should I help too?”
“No! I cannot allow Leo-nim to waste your precious vacation on such a matter! Please leave this to me!”
“You seem more motivated than before, somehow?”
“Thanks to Leo-nim, not only I but all Shadows are changing.”
“Because of me? Why?”
“Before, I… no. Most Shadows did not take pride in their work.”
If heroes were those who protected the world against external enemies.
Shadows were those who hunted internal enemies.
Sometimes, internal enemies are more frightening than external ones.
If rotten flesh is not excised, the rotten part will inevitably only grow larger.
To do so, Shadows had no choice but to move covertly.
For traitors would try to conceal their actions by any means necessary.
It was the Shadows’ job to uncover and pursue those secrets.
But naturally, that work was not seen favorably by others.
It was work someone had to do.
But those who no one recognized, and were rather feared or despised.
Even Bihal concealed Kyle’s actions as a Shadow, concerned about his master’s evaluation.
“No one wants to become a Shadow unless out of necessity, or for revenge, or as a duty born with. What sustained us was a single conviction.”
The conviction that it was necessary for the world.
“But conviction was merely a small lamp that could be seen in the darkness. Such were we.”
Anyas opened her eyes.
“You proved that we are beings equal to heroes.”
The discovery of the Book of Shadows.
To the Shadows, it was light.
Not a small lamp like conviction, but a great light, like a brilliant dawn.
Illuminating the dark world of the Shadows resplendently.
“It was salvation. And that’s not all.”
The mission of the Shadows is not only to eliminate traitors.
They are beings who protect the backs of heroes in the darkness.
Therefore, the Shadows possessed an eye for discerning heroes.
In Anyas’s eyes.
No, not just Anyas.
To the eyes of the Shadows, Leo was truly an ideal hero.
“You possess a brilliant light.”
All Shadows would want to follow Leo.
For a Shadow is truly complete only when there is a hero whose back they can protect.
The more brilliant the light, the deeper the shadow becomes.
“But at the same time, you also embrace a deep darkness that even a Shadow cannot fathom.”
A hero nobler than anyone, and at the same time a Shadow more honorable than anyone.
“Such a person as you told us you wanted to create a world where we could be called heroes.”
That became a goal for the Shadows to strive for, beyond mere salvation.
“I didn’t mean it in such a grand sense.”
“Yes. But I truly wish to see such a world.”
Anyas smiled softly.
“So I vowed to dedicate my life to you. Though it is a humble life, it would be worthwhile if I live for you.”
At her words, Leo rose from his seat.
“Don’t bet your life or existence on me.”
Leo said indifferently.
“Live doing what you want.”
“Ah. As expected, the God of Shadows is so benevolent.”
Anyas clasped her hands together and twisted her body.
“If you find Hero Slayer, let me know. I’m also interested in his ability.”
“Understood.”
In any case, it was the first time Leo had seen someone other than himself who could use abilities from multiple classes.
Even if it was incomplete compared to his own, it piqued his interest.
‘Perhaps it might be related to the power of Purity.’
***
CRASH-!
“The Resentung region! How could Legas hide that fact from me! My teeth are chattering with betrayal!”
Aggerson wore an enraged expression.
Aggerson Zerdinger.
The highest status in the Elder Council was held by Legas, the Chief Elder.
But the de facto power in the Elder Council was Aggerson.
He was a cousin of Legas and also the closest branch lineage of the Zerdinger direct line.
“If the Resentung region had been absorbed into Zerdinger territory, we could have long since proven our Zerdinger superiority over those abominable mages!”
Sparks flew from Aggerson’s eyes.
“How could one who was the previous head of the family! One who was the Chief Elder! Not act for the Zerdingers! Do you think this makes sense, Leid!”
At Aggerson’s shout, his son Leid shook his head.
“It makes no sense. A family head should devote their life to further prospering the family, but the Chief Elder seems to have no interest in such things. The current family head, Sheld, is also the same.”
At Leid’s words, Aggerson snorted.
“Yes. Our Zerdinger family can become stronger. To do that, the current system won’t do.”
Aggerson said in a low voice.
“A long time ago, the choice of my grandfather, Arts Zerdinger, was wrong. My father, Exian Zerdinger, should have become the family head!”
At that moment.
Woong-!
The crystal ball on Aggerson’s table vibrated.
Seeing it, Aggerson unleashed his aura.
Looking at the reddish crystal ball, Aggerson spoke.
“What happened to Lis Zerdinger?”
-He’s still alive.
At that, Aggerson’s eyes twitched.
“Didn’t you say you’d get rid of Lis if given the opportunity?”
-Yes. I certainly said that. But a quite interesting mage appeared, you see. I coveted his magic power.
Aggerson gritted his teeth.
“Then you exposed your presence? Haven’t I told you countless times not to mess things up!”
-No way. I pulled out before being exposed, so don’t worry. That mage won’t wake from his coma for a while. Well, I didn’t gain much either.
Aggerson felt a murderous intent emanating from the grumbling voice, ‘It was a magical ability achieved through effort. I wasted my time.’
‘This fellow!’
“Lis will have a difficult time for a while.”
At Leid’s murmur, Aggerson took a deep breath.
“Soon, Leo Flove and Celia Zerdinger will head to the Resentung region.”
-Leo Flove?
Suddenly, the other party’s atmosphere changed.
Aggerson and Leid trembled slightly at the chilling aura felt even through the crystal ball.
With a smacking sound of lips, Hero Slayer spoke.
-It seems I’ll get to taste the main course first, yes.
“Don’t fail this time.”
-Who do you think I am?
With a chilling laugh, the communication cut off.
***
Beneath the night sky, a man clenched and unclenched his fist.
“Leo Flove.”
Joy flickered on his face.
“My hunter’s blood boils after a long time.”
Swish-
Hero Slayer rose from his seat, curling up the corners of his mouth.
“Shall we begin the hunt?”