Chapter 227

Chapter 227
## Chapter 227: The One Who Possesses All Hidden Traits

Those who suffer defeat in the Star Expedition Duel are confined within the “Star Prison” for a full day. Even primordial entities like the Heavenly Demon are subject to this forced relocation. This implies that the individual who designed and managed this contest holds a status equal to or perhaps even greater than such beings.

“Without starlight, you are automatically defeated.”

One thing was certain: this was no commonplace competition. One had to accumulate starlight to enhance both offensive power and life force. To lose meant surrendering one’s “most precious possession,” much like the lone sword the Heavenly Demon had been forced to leave behind.

“The Heavenly Demon Blade.”

He felt a coarse resistance in his grip. It was akin to managing a feral horse; merely holding the weapon made his stomach twist. When compared to his own top-tier unique-grade blade, “Winter (Final Twilight),” it did not seem lacking in the slightest.

“So this is the Heavenly Demon’s most valued treasure.”

It was a startling revelation. Out of all the Heavenly Demon’s belongings, why was this specific blade the most significant? It couldn’t be attributed solely to its high-grade status. The Demon was a being who moved among the primordials; by the metrics of grade alone, it would be expected that he owned several artifacts of a similar level.

—Ugh, filthy! Insolent! Can’t you toss this disgusting thing away?

A voice he hadn’t heard in some time reached him. “Winter,” which had remained dormant for a while, finally spoke up. As a sword possessing its own consciousness, she addressed him the moment he took hold of the Heavenly Demon Blade. Her arrogant demeanor was unchanged, but her revulsion toward the other weapon was palpable.

“Filthy and insolent? What exactly did the Heavenly Demon Blade do to you?”

The complaint was confusing. He was simply holding the sword—how could it be considered rude? Isn’t “insolence” a term reserved for specific slights?

—Can’t you hear it? That foul mouth won’t stop whispering. “Discarding and burning away to catch a glimpse of the Asura, only then can one master the ‘Heavenly Demon Divine Art.’ But gathering unadulterated demonic power is a feat impossible through simple human heart techniques…” What on earth is it rambling about?

He heard nothing, yet Winter could perceive it. The words—the curse etched into the very essence of the Heavenly Demon Blade.

“It is an insight.”

The information passed through Winter was staggering. Winter might not comprehend it, but this was a moment of enlightenment. Someone had painstakingly carved their realized wisdom into the sword’s spiritual intent. Furthermore, this knowledge originated from heights far exceeding his current level of understanding!

It wasn’t merely a vague realization; it included specific, detailed methodologies. This was…

“A total windfall.”

It wasn’t just a lucky break or a massive win—it was practically a miracle. He had hit the motherlode. Had he simply claimed the Heavenly Demon Blade for its physical power, he would have remained ignorant. But through Winter, he could sense the profound insight carved upon it. As the proverb suggests, true treasures only sparkle for those capable of perceiving their worth.

“Now I see why the Heavenly Demon valued this sword more than his own life.”

By now, the Demon was likely striking the ground in frustration over his loss, regretting his failure to collect sufficient starlight. Once the day passed, he would undoubtedly come searching for the blade, putting his life on the line.

However, a single day was more than enough time to commit the insight to memory and internalize it. And that wasn’t the end of it. Even when the day concluded, the Heavenly Demon would not be able to overtake him. This “God’s Island” and the Star Expedition were essentially a theater designed specifically for his benefit.

“Eight treasures like this.”

Just the thought caused an uncontrollable shiver of anticipation. It had been a long time since he felt this level of thrill. He was as intensely focused as he had been when he first acquired the primordial armor. His thoughts were a blur of endless simulations for the trials ahead. He considered the famed lords of the abyss and the primordial beings, plotting ways to topple them and claim their most cherished artifacts.

“…What are you supposed to be?”

The old man spoke. Having been brutally beaten by the Heavenly Demon, he pulled himself up and stared at him. His gaze was hostile, yet tempered with caution. Given that the stranger had sent the Heavenly Demon reeling in a single strike, such a reaction was only natural.

“‘The Sunken Emperor’?”

He posed the question. During the clash with the Heavenly Demon, the old man had explicitly muttered the phrase “I sink.” Since “The Sunken Emperor” was listed among the entrants, it was a logical deduction.

“……! You recognize me?”

“It would seem so.”

“There’s no way… Are you working with that wretch?”

“That wretch?”

“‘The Unborn Existence’……!”

The old man shook, momentarily consumed by a fit of temper. Thinking back to the beginning, there was indeed an individual who had triggered the “Star Expedition.”

“The Unborn Existence!”

Could the contest that person started be linked to the Sunken Emperor? He composed his thoughts and spoke.

“I am not in league with him.”

“…You’re not?”

“No. But did you have a confrontation with ‘The Unborn Existence’?”

“The expedition?”

The Sunken Emperor bit his lip and gave a nod. His hostility had diminished slightly, though he maintained his guard. Still, the confirmation that they weren’t allies seemed to alleviate some of his suspicion.

“He triggered some sort of expedition by force. That cursed bastard……!”

“You were defeated, yet you weren’t sent to the Star Prison?”

“…This form is not my actual self.”

That made sense. He had found it strange that the Heavenly Demon had overwhelmed him so easily. It seemed confinement in the Star Prison was a penalty reserved for one’s true body. This was a crucial piece of intelligence.

“I can extract more information from him.”

This was someone who had participated in an expedition duel before he had. Moreover, he likely possessed deeper knowledge regarding the other competitors. He had been waiting for the right moment for the game’s conditions to be met.

“In any case, without your true body, you’re unable to trigger an expedition duel.”

Unlike the encounter with the Heavenly Demon, the starlight held by the old man remained inactive. Either the duel was impossible because it wasn’t his primary body, or he had already suffered a loss and was prohibited from dueling for twenty-four hours.

“This contest revolves around deciphering concealed conditions and regulations.”

It wasn’t merely a matter of collecting starlight. He had to continuously deduce and uncover details like these. After assessing the circumstances, he addressed the Sunken Emperor.

“We might actually make decent companions.”

Let us be allies.

—

【’Lord of the Tomb’ and ‘Randolph’ enter a ‘Star Expedition Duel.’】

【’Lord of the Tomb’s’ attack power and vitality are 0.】

【’Lord of the Tomb’ has been defeated.】

【Expedition successful!】

【’Randolph’ claims ‘Lord of the Tomb’s’ most precious possession.】

【Claimed ‘Child’s Grave.’】

A low rumble echoed. The Lord of the Tomb—an ancient earthen golem—let out a miserable cry.

【The loser is confined to the ‘Star Prison’ for one day.】

It soon faded away, sent to the Star Prison just like the Heavenly Demon. What was left in its place was a solitary, small copper coin. It was a common-looking coin stamped with the image of a grave. To think this was the item the “Lord of the Tomb” held most dear. It didn’t appear to be hiding any deeper secrets.

Regardless, he had secured victories against two titans right at the start. He couldn’t have asked for a better opening.

“…The ‘God’s Flesh Hybrid’ has devised something truly strange.”

The Sunken Emperor remarked as they spent several hours traversing the island together. Though it hadn’t been long, they were more comfortable with each other than at the start. The old man learned much by following him, and he, in turn, gathered plenty of insight from the old man. Was this the essence of a mutually beneficial arrangement?

“Was it the ‘God’s Flesh Hybrid’ who built this ‘God’s Island’?”

At his inquiry, the Sunken Emperor nodded. This section of the abyss was undoubtedly the territory of the “God’s Flesh Hybrid.” However, the Hybrid was nowhere to be found among the active participants, proving it was the overseer and the architect of the event.

“Technically, it didn’t build it. This island… is one of the rare locations in the abyss that remains untainted by corruption. Were you unaware of that?”

The Sunken Emperor seemed to view him as a native of the abyss. He was giving him odd looks for lacking knowledge that should have been common sense. Since the old man was reaching his own conclusions, there was no reason to correct him and invite scrutiny. It was better to use the misunderstanding to his advantage. He gave a casual shrug.

“I rarely venture outside my own territory.”

“A recluse, then… Well, there are many of your kind.”

The monarchs of the abyss were beings who stayed within their own realms. Often, even these rulers didn’t know the full extent of what existed within the abyss. If they never left their borders, there was no communication, so the ignorance was understandable. The Sunken Emperor gave a slight nod and went on.

“I assumed the ‘God’s Flesh Hybrid’ was using the starlight as a pretext to examine the ‘Star Memories’ I carry. But looking at how things are unfolding, it seems there is a different goal in mind.”

“Examining Star Memories… But why use the term ‘stars’?”

Star Memories. All starlight was composed of hidden traits. When he began with 13 hidden traits, organizing the starlight according to that memory unlocked a restricted function, completing the “Star Memories.” So, why did they refer to “hidden traits” as “stars”?

Upon hearing the question, the Sunken Emperor looked at him with sheer bafflement.

“A recluse who truly knows nothing? You are a peculiar fellow.”

He genuinely knew nothing. The abyss was a realm where almost no information was public. Even someone like Ryeiga had only ever hunted there, remaining ignorant of these details. When he offered no rebuttal, the Sunken Emperor continued.

“The 12 stars that initially descended into the abyss. Those stars originate from ‘beyond the gate,’ and the abyss was tainted by the stellar energy spilling through the fractures in that gate. The ‘traits’ you hold are all shaped by those stars.”

……

For a second, his mind raced. Could those 12 stars be the hidden traits? Did the abyss rulers refer to hidden traits as “stars”?

“Where exactly is ‘beyond the gate’?”

“The original 12 stars belonged to those who have already vanished. Therefore, no one can say. However, new ‘gate’ architects have emerged, and I am certainly among them.”

He made the claim with a touch of pride. 12 hidden traits. They were similar to the origins held by “extinct races.” Any hidden traits added later possessed distinct characteristics, such as his “Eternal Randolph” or “God of the Demon Blood Clan.” This meant the Sunken Emperor also held a new hidden trait.

But he had definitely started the game with 13 hidden traits. Why only 12?

“Is there anyone who holds all of the original 12 stars that fell?”

“Haha! As if such an entity could exist.”

The denial was absolute. From the old man’s scoffing tone, it seemed no such person existed even among the lords of the abyss. One who possessed every hidden trait. But the Sunken Emperor wasn’t omniscient regarding the abyss. He might be unaware, but such a being could exist in the shadows.

As that thought crossed his mind, the Sunken Emperor made a clicking sound with his tongue and spoke again.

“However, rumors say ‘Perdition’ is the one who holds them all. That it possesses the 12 stars along with the ‘key.'”

“The key?”

A mention of Perdition—and a key! Burning with curiosity, he pushed for more, and the other man finally spoke.

“The key goes by many titles. The two most prominent are…”

He listened with total concentration. He had heard virtually nothing regarding the true essence of Perdition, much less anything about its traits. Then, the Sunken Emperor gave a crafty smile and finished.

“‘Gate of Truth,’ or ‘Heavenly.'”