Book 1 Chapter 601
“Ability absorption?”
“Yes. It is the Hero Slayer’s innate unique power and the reason he was able to kill countless heroes.”
The power to steal the abilities of others.
It is certainly an astonishing ability.
‘This kind of mana characteristic didn’t even exist during the Age of Calamity.’
“Can he steal abilities regardless of class?”
“Yes.”
“Then is he an All-Class like me?”
“That is not the case.”
Anias shook his head.
“According to records, he has never used absorbed abilities simultaneously.”
“Does he switch abilities according to the situation? Well, there has to be some penalty for that.”
Leo put his chin on his hand and fell into thought.
If so, it is certainly an ability with limitations.
‘It’s still a powerful ability, that hasn’t changed.’
There is a fundamental advantage\/disadvantage relationship between classes.
Just being able to ignore that advantage\/disadvantage was immense.
Moreover, it is an ability that allows for countless unconventional applications.
“Why didn’t such a great ability leave a name in history?”
“The Hero Slayer was originally someone who obtained the status of a hero. However, after he disappeared from the continent, the Shan Empire and the Shadow Lords burned his Hero Record.”
“And all related records were also annihilated in the process?”
“Yes.”
“The Emperor of Shan 500 years ago certainly did his job thoroughly.”
“The Hero Slayer’s ability is undoubtedly a dangerous power, but if the right person were to use it for good, it could become a great asset. Was it the right choice to prevent the succession of that power?”
“If he met the right owner, it certainly could be, but…”
Leo’s eyes narrowed.
“On the surface, it seems like an ability that can endlessly grow stronger, but its limits are clear. Furthermore, the reason this power is strong is that it steals the power of others.”
In the end, those who possess abilities will inevitably crave the abilities of others to become even stronger.
“Whether he fell from grace or was like that from the beginning, we can’t know. But if he ascended to the position of a hero, it means the Hero Slayer was initially someone who acted the part of a hero convincingly.”
No matter how twisted the gods’ tastes may be, they would not place a fundamentally evil person in the position of a hero.
That is why there are heroes who fell and became villains, but no heroes who were evil from the start.
“He must have had a considerable reputation as a powerful hero, right?”
“Yes. Even the Shadow’s records state that the reason for the sudden change of a renowned hero is unknown.”
“That’s what the desire for power does.”
Leo raised his teacup.
“That ability is certainly an easy and fast way to get stronger. How many people in the world would choose the difficult path when there’s an easy one?”
“……”
“At first, it must have been the power of fallen comrades on the battlefield. Then, it would have been the power of those who retired from active duty due to age. And at some point, he must have thought.”
‘If only I could have that guy’s power.’
Leo’s red eyes gleamed coldly.
“Wouldn’t it have been a process like this?”
*Tap-*
After taking a sip of tea, Leo set down his teacup.
“I cannot sacrifice others for the sake of one person who possesses this ability. There is no one in this world who can achieve great feats alone. Even great heroes and pioneers cannot do that.”
An ability that allows one to grow stronger quickly by requiring the sacrifice of others inevitably leads the user to be intoxicated by power.
“A power that is easy to fall into temptation and become corrupted. It’s not even a power that can change the tide of battle against Tartarus. In the end, even if it were passed down, it would only create a second Hero Slayer. Therefore, it is right to get rid of it.”
Anias trembled.
Anias clasped his hands together and had an expression of ecstasy.
“Ah, as expected, Lord Leo. To reach such a conclusion with only a few clues! That’s right. The former Shadows thought the disadvantages outweighed the advantages, so they erased this power from the pages of history! Ah, it’s wonderful.”
‘Well, it’s a thought that is thoroughly fitting for a Shadow, or rather, fitting for me.’
No other great hero would think like Leo.
‘They would have seen potential in this ability.’
“So? Did you find out anything about the Hero Slayer’s whereabouts?”
“We’ve managed to find out that he is somewhere in this Lorden Empire.”
“The Lorden Empire?”
Leo furrowed his brow.
“Then shall I help you?”
“No! I cannot let Lord Leo waste his precious vacation on something like this! Please leave this to me!”
“You seem more motivated than before?”
“Thanks to Lord Leo, not only I, but all the Shadows are changing.”
“Because of me? Why?”
“Previously, I… no. Most Shadows were not individuals who took pride in their work.”
If heroes are those who protect the world against external enemies,
Shadows are those who hunt internal enemies.
Sometimes, internal enemies are more fearsome than external ones.
If the rotten flesh is not cut out, the rotten part will inevitably grow larger.
To do this, the Shadows had to move secretly.
Traitors would try to conceal their actions in any way possible.
It was the Shadows’ job to uncover and pursue these secrets.
But naturally, this work was not seen favorably by others.
A necessary task for someone.
But those who are feared or despised by others, even though they do it.
Even Bihhar hid Kyle’s activities as a Shadow, worrying about his mentor’s evaluation.
“No one wants to become a Shadow unless it’s out of necessity, for revenge, or because it’s a duty they were born with. What sustained us was a single belief.”
The belief that it was a necessary task for the world.
“But belief was merely a small lamp in the darkness. And us.”
Anias opened his eyes.
“You proved that we are beings equal to heroes.”
The discovery of the Book of Shadows.
It was light to the Shadows. Not a small lamp like belief, but a great light like a blaze.
Illuminating the dark world of Shadows brilliantly.
“It was salvation. And that’s not all.”
The Shadow’s mission is not just the execution of traitors.
They are beings who protect the backs of heroes in the darkness.
Therefore, Shadows possess the eyes to select heroes.
In Anias’s eyes.
No, not just Anias.
Leo, as seen by the eyes of a Shadow, is truly an ideal hero.
“You possess a brilliant light.”
All Shadows would want to follow Leo.
A Shadow is only complete when there is a hero to protect its back.
The brighter the light, the deeper the shadow becomes.
“But at the same time, you hold a deep darkness that even a Shadow cannot fathom.”
A hero who is nobler than anyone else, and at the same time, a Shadow who is more noble than anyone else.
“You told us that you wanted to create a world where we could be called heroes.”
That became not just salvation, but a goal for the Shadows to pursue.
“I didn’t say it with such grand intentions.”
“Yes. But I have come to desperately want to see such a world.”
Anias smiled faintly.
“Therefore, I vowed to stake my life on you. Though my life may be insignificant, it will have value if I live it for you.”
At those words, Leo rose from his seat.
“Don’t stake your life or anything like that on me.”
Leo said indifferently.
“Live the life you want to live.”
“Ah. As expected, the god of Shadows is so benevolent.”
Anias clasped his hands and wriggled his body.
“If you find the Hero Slayer, let me know. I’m also interested in his abilities.”
“Understood.”
In any case, Leo had never seen anyone other than himself who could use the abilities of multiple classes.
Even if it was incomplete compared to his own, it piqued his interest.
‘Perhaps it’s related to the power of purity.’
***
*Bang-!*
“The Rescentong region! How could Legas have hidden that fact from me! I am furious with betrayal!”
Exgerson’s face contorted with anger.
Exgerson Zerdinzer.
The highest status in the Council of Elders belonged to the Supreme Elder, Legas.
However, Exgerson was the one who effectively held the power of the Council of Elders.
As Legas’s cousin, he was also part of the Zerdinzer collateral line, closest to the direct line.
“If the Rescentong region had been absorbed into Zerdinzer’s territory, we would have proven our superiority over those detestable wizards long ago!”
Sparks flew from Exgerson’s eyes.
“How could the former head of the family! The Supreme Elder not be for Zerdinzer! Do you think this makes sense! Reed!”
At Exgerson’s shout, his son Reed shook his head.
“It doesn’t make sense. A head of a family should dedicate their life to further prospering the clan, but the Supreme Elder doesn’t seem interested in that. The current head, Celd, is the same.”
At Reed’s words, Exgerson snorted.
“Yes. Our Zerdinzer can become stronger. For that, the current system won’t do.”
Exgerson spoke in a low voice.
“Long ago, my grandfather, Arts Zerdinzer, made the wrong choice. My father, Axian Zerdinzer should have become the head of the family!”
It was then.
*Vroom-!*
The crystal ball on Exgerson’s table vibrated.
Seeing that, Exgerson generated an aura.
Looking at the crystal ball with a reddish glow, Exgerson spoke.
“What happened to Rhys Zerdinzer?”
-He’s still alive.
At those words, Exgerson’s eyes twitched.
“Didn’t you say you would eliminate Rhys if I gave you an opportunity?”
-Yes, I did say so. But I found a rather interesting mage. I coveted his mana.
Exgerson gritted his teeth.
“Then you exposed yourself! I warned you several times not to mess up!”
-No way. I withdrew before I was exposed, so don’t worry. That mage won’t wake up from his coma for a while. Well, I didn’t get much out of it either.
Exgerson felt a murderous aura emanating from the muttered words, ‘A magical ability achieved through effort. What a waste of time.’
‘This guy!’
“Rhys will have a difficult time for a while.”
At Reed’s mumbling, Exgerson took a deep breath.
“Leo Froob and Celia Zerdinzer will head to the Rescentong region soon.”
-Leo Froob?
For a moment, the other party’s atmosphere changed.
Exgerson and Reed shivered at the chilling presence felt even from beyond the crystal ball.
With a sound of licking his lips, the Hero Slayer spoke.
-So, we get to taste the main course first, huh.
“Don’t fail this time.”
-Who do you think I am?
With a chilling laugh, the communication was cut off.
***
Under the night sky, a man clenched and unclenched his fists.
“Leo Froob.”
Joy appeared on his face.
“My hunter’s blood is boiling after a long time.”
*Swish-*
The Hero Slayer rose from his seat and curled the corners of his lips.
“Shall we begin the hunt?”