Chapter 601

“The theft of traits?”

“Indeed. That is the distinctive capability that Hero Slayer possessed from birth, which allowed him to slay numerous legendary figures.”

The capacity to seize the techniques of others.

Without a doubt, it is a staggering gift.

‘Such a manifestation of energy did not even occur throughout the Era of Devastation.’

“Is he capable of plundering attributes regardless of their category?”

“That is correct.”

“In that case, does he possess an All-Class nature similar to mine?”

“No, it is not quite like that.”

Anyas gave a negative nod.

“Based on historical accounts, he was never observed employing stolen traits concurrently.”

“So he alternates between them depending on the circumstances? Naturally, there must be a drawback involved.”

Leo rested his jaw upon his hand, turning the matter over in his mind.

If that were the case, the trait certainly carried constraints.

‘Nevertheless, it remains an incredibly potent tool.’

A fundamental counter-dynamic exists between different categories.

Simply possessing the means to bypass that counter-dynamic was extraordinary.

On top of that, it permitted countless unpredictable strategies.

“Why did an attribute so remarkable fail to leave a legacy in the chronicles?”

“Hero Slayer originally claimed the title of a legendary protector. However, following his disappearance from the continent, the Shan Empire alongside the Shadow Lords eradicated his official history.”

“And every piece of documentation associated with him was wiped out during that purge?”

“Correct.”

“The Sovereign of Shan five centuries ago acted with absolute certainty.”

“The nature of Hero Slayer’s gift is undeniably perilous, but should the appropriate individual employ it for righteous ends, it could serve as a monumental benefit. Was it truly wise to halt the inheritance of such potential?”

“True, if it had found an honorable master, that might be the case, but.”

Leo narrowed his gaze.

“On the surface, it appears to be a power that grants boundless advancement, yet its boundaries are distinct. Furthermore, the strength of this gift relies entirely on depriving others of their own essence.”

In the end, anyone who wields such an attribute is fated to lust after the strengths of those around them to fuel their own growth.

“Whether he fell from grace or was corrupted from the beginning, I cannot say. Yet, if he achieved the status of a protector, it implies Hero Slayer initially mimicked a savior with great success.”

Regardless of how erratic the judgments of the deities might be, they never elevate inherently malicious souls to the rank of protectors.

This explains why there are fallen saviors who turned to darkness, but no true protectors who were wicked from their very origin.

“He must have commanded a massive following as a renowned figure. Did he not?”

“Yes. The archives of the Shadows also indicate they were unable to uncover the cause behind the abrupt transformation of a savior so widely esteemed.”

“Such is the allure of absolute dominance.”

Leo raised his teacup.

“That particular trait is unquestionably one that permits an individual to gain power effortlessly and rapidly. How many people across the world would select a grueling path when an effortless one lies before them?”

“……”

“In the beginning, it likely involved the attributes of fallen allies on the field of war. Next, it would have been the strength of veterans stepping away from duty due to advanced age. And at a certain point, the thought must have struck him.”

‘If only I could claim that person’s essence for myself.’

Leo’s crimson eyes flashed with a freezing intensity.

“Could this not describe his descent?”

Clack—

Taking a drink of his beverage, Leo placed the cup back down.

“I cannot permit the exploitation of others for the benefit of a single person wielding this trait. No soul in this realm can accomplish monumental deeds entirely on their own. Not even a Sovereign Savior or a Vanguard of Genesis could manage such a feat.”

A capability that permits rapid advancement by depleting another person is ultimately a power that inevitably intoxicates the person holding it.

“An influence easily corrupted and prone to wickedness. Furthermore, it lacks the true strength required to shift the tides of conflict against Tartarus. Ultimately, even if it were transmitted downward, it would merely breed a duplicate Hero Slayer. Therefore, obliterating it is the correct course of action.”

Anyas’s frame shivered slightly.

With hands folded tightly, Anyas showed a face full of reverence.

“Ah, as one would anticipate from Leo-nim. To deduce such a verdict from a mere handful of indicators. Precisely. The past generation of Shadows determined that the casualties outweighed the benefits, which is why they struck this legacy from existence! Ah, how magnificent.”

‘Though, to be perfectly honest, it is a concept deeply characteristic of the Shadows—or rather, deeply characteristic of myself.’

Among the remaining Sovereign Saviors, none would have shared Leo’s perspective.

‘They would have focused on the utility within that trait.’

“Moving on, have you uncovered any traces regarding Hero Slayer’s current location?”

“We have confirmed that he resides somewhere within the borders of the Rhodren Empire.”

“The Rhodren Empire?”

Leo knit his brows together.

“Should I offer my assistance as well?”

“No! I cannot permit Leo-nim to squander your vital period of rest on an issue of this nature! Kindly permit me to handle this task!”

“You appear far more driven than usual, for some reason?”

“On account of Leo-nim, not just myself but the entirety of the Shadows are undergoing a transformation.”

“On account of me? In what way?”

“Previously, I… no. The majority of Shadows took no pride in their existence.”

If protectors were those who shielded the realm against external perils.

Shadows were those who hunted down internal threats.

At times, internal perils prove far more terrifying than external ones.

If decaying tissue is not severed, the decay will inevitably spread further.

To achieve this, the Shadows had no choice but to operate in absolute secrecy.

For subversives would attempt to shroud their deeds by any available strategy.

It fell to the Shadows to reveal and track those hidden truths.

Yet, naturally, such conduct was never viewed favorably by the public.

It was a duty that required fulfillment.

But executed by individuals whom no one acknowledged, and who were instead feared or detested.

Even Bihal masked Kyle’s deeds as a Shadow, anxious regarding his superior’s perception.

“No one desires to join the Shadows unless driven by destitution, a thirst for vengeance, or an inherited obligation. What kept us going was a solitary belief.”

The belief that our existence was vital for the realm.

“Yet that belief was nothing more than a tiny torch visible within the deep gloom. Such was our state.”

Anyas unclosed her eyes.

“You demonstrated that we are entities equivalent to protectors.”

The uncovering of the Book of Shadows.

To the Shadows, it represented illumination.

Not a tiny torch like belief, but a massive radiance, resembling a magnificent daybreak.

Brightly lighting the dark realm of the Shadows.

“It represented redemption. And that is not the entirety of it.”

The purpose of the Shadows involves more than just purging subversives.

They are entities who guard the vulnerabilities of protectors within the dark.

Consequently, the Shadows possessed the vision to recognize true protectors.

In Anyas’s sight.

No, not merely Anyas.

To the collective vision of the Shadows, Leo represented the quintessential savior.

“You carry a magnificent radiance.”

Every Shadow would desire to walk behind Leo.

For a Shadow achieves true fulfillment only when a savior exists whose vulnerabilities they can shield.

The more magnificent the radiance, the deeper the corresponding shadow grows.

“Yet concurrently, you also harbor a profound darkness that even a Shadow cannot comprehend.”

A savior more noble than any other, and concurrently a Shadow more esteemed than any other.

“An individual such as yourself informed us of a desire to forge a domain where we could be designated as protectors.”

That shifted into an objective for the Shadows to pursue, far surpassing basic redemption.

“I did not intend it in such a monumental fashion.”

“Indeed. Yet I genuinely long to witness such a domain.”

Anyas offered a gentle grin.

“Hence, I pledged to offer my existence to you. Though it is a modest life, it gains significance if lived for your sake.”

Hearing her words, Leo stood up from his place.

“Do not gamble your life or your purpose on me.”

Leo remarked in a detached tone.

“Live your life pursuing your own desires.”

“Ah. As anticipated, the Deity of Shadows is remarkably compassionate.”

Anyas pressed her palms together and shifted her posture.

“If you locate Hero Slayer, inform me. I possess an interest in his unique attribute as well.”

“As you wish.”

Regardless, this marked the first instance Leo had encountered an individual besides himself capable of exploiting attributes from diverse categories.

Even if it remained unrefined next to his own capability, it drew his curiosity.

‘It could potentially bear a connection to the essence of Purity.’

CRASH—!

“The Resentung province! How could Legas conceal that reality from my sight! I am burning with the sting of treachery!”

Aggerson displayed a furious countenance.

Aggerson Zerdinger.

The premier position within the Elder Council belonged to Legas, the Chief Elder.

Yet the true administrative authority within the Elder Council rested with Aggerson.

He was a cousin to Legas and represented the nearest collateral branch of the primary Zerdinger lineage.

“Had the Resentung province been integrated into the Zerdinger domain, we could have established our Zerdinger dominance over those loathsome spellcasters ages ago!”

Gleams of fury darted from Aggerson’s eyes.

“How could someone who previously led the house! Someone who operated as the Chief Elder! Fail to act on behalf of the Zerdingers! Does this strike you as logical, Leid!”

In response to Aggerson’s exclamation, his male heir Leid shook his head.

“It defies logic. A house leader ought to pledge their existence to expanding the prosperity of the lineage, yet the Chief Elder appears utterly detached from such goals. The current patriarch, Sheld, behaves in an identical fashion.”

Hearing Leid’s commentary, Aggerson offered a dismissive grunt.

“Precisely. Our Zerdinger lineage is capable of rising to greater heights. To achieve that, the existing leadership cannot persist.”

Aggerson murmured in a hushed tone.

“Generations ago, the path chosen by my progenitor, Arts Zerdinger, was flawed. My sire, Exian Zerdinger, ought to have ascended as the patriarch!”

Right at that instant.

Woong—!

The scrying orb atop Aggerson’s desk pulsed with energy.

Observing this, Aggerson released a wave of his pressure.

Staring toward the crimson-tinted scrying orb, Aggerson demanded.

“What is the status of Lis Zerdinger?”

—He remains among the living.

Upon hearing this, Aggerson’s gaze flickered with annoyance.

“Did you not state you would eliminate Lis provided the chance arose?”

—Indeed. I absolutely stated that. However, an exceptionally intriguing spellcaster manifested, you see. I found myself drawn to his magical reservoirs.

Aggerson bared his teeth in frustration.

“So you revealed your identity? Have I not instructed you a thousand times to refrain from sabotaging our plans!”

—Hardly. I retreated prior to being detected, so remain calm. That spellcaster will not emerge from his unconscious state for quite some time. Though, I failed to harvest much of significance either.

Aggerson detected a lethal undercurrent filtering through the complaining tone, ‘It was a sorcerous trait forged through sheer toil. I squandered my efforts.’

‘This piece of trash!’

“Lis will face a grueling period ahead.”

At Leid’s quiet remark, Aggerson exhaled deeply to steady himself.

“Shortly, Leo Flove and Celia Zerdinger will journey toward the Resentung province.”

—Leo Flove?

Instantly, the demeanor of the voice on the other end shifted entirely.

Aggerson and Leid shivered slightly from the freezing malice that projected even across the scrying orb.

With an audible smirk, Hero Slayer spoke.

—It appears I shall partake of the primary delicacy ahead of schedule, indeed.

“Do not falter on this occasion.”

—Whom do you imagine you are addressing?

Accaccompanied by a chilling chuckle, the connection dissolved.

Beneath the midnight canopy, a man contracted and relaxed his grip.

“Leo Flove.”

Exhilaration danced across his features.

“My predatory instincts awaken after a lengthy slumber.”

Swish—

Hero Slayer stood up from his position, pulling the edges of his mouth into a grin.

“Shall we commence the pursuit?”