Chapter 304

Chapter 304
## Chapter 304

### A Marvelous Change

—

It appeared that Lyca was the one who had successfully transported me to this location after all. However, Lyca’s physical state was significantly more dire than mine had been during my period of unconsciousness. It wouldn’t have been a surprise if he had collapsed and expired at any second. He truly presented the image of a patient in the final, agonizing stages of a terminal illness.

‘Park Hyunmyeong. This is my true self.’

After taking a moment to inspect my physical form, I gave a silent nod of confirmation. At this moment, I was Park Hyunmyeong. To Lyca’s eyes, I looked like the individual he recognized as Adrium’s String. That identity was the sole reason he had sought me out and escorted me back to the Empire.

I inhaled a single, steadying breath.

‘…It was reality, not a fantasy.’

Having triumphed over every ordeal and assisted me in reaching a state of completion, he had finally departed to be with the Goddesses. Consequently, once the manifestation of Wilhelm dissipated, I returned to my original body. Yet, the ‘me’ that existed now was fundamentally different from the person I was previously.

‘The Second Molt.’

As the Creation of Heaven and Earth reconstructed the fabric of existence, the process of the Second Molt had finally commenced, causing me to drift into a profound slumber.

‘What transformations have occurred?’

As that inquiry surfaced, my pulse began to race with anticipation. Upon finishing the First Molt on the Island of the Gods, I had secured the ‘Infinite Vessel.’ Furthermore, my innate recovery speed had surged dramatically, and I had been granted an extraordinary growth trajectory that doubled my experience accumulation. I had established a base that allowed for unparalleled survival and advancement.

Given that the first molt provided such advantages, I was unable to even conceive of the breakthroughs the second molt might deliver. The most immediate sensation was a feeling of weightlessness in my limbs. I was pulsing with a level of life force that was entirely beyond anything I had felt before.

‘Status Window.’

To truly comprehend the extent of these shifts, however, I needed to consult the status window. I began to scan the interface as it materialized, absorbing every specific detail with care.

**[Status Window]**
**Name:** Park Hyunmyeong
**Class:** War God

“…”

Upon reading the very first entry of the status window, I was rendered utterly mute. Class: War God. This was my first time encountering a class designation that actually incorporated the name of a deity. I was aware that roles like a servant or an heir to a specific god were possible, but I had never heard of a situation where the title of a ‘God’ itself was explicitly etched into the class field.

Still, I couldn’t allow myself to be purely joyful.

‘The class has shifted.’

…It contradicted my recollections. When I had accelerated through the main quests to support Wilhelm’s ‘cheering,’ I had also finalized the ‘Acquiring a Class’ process at that point. This meant I should have locked in a hidden class that had been steadily transitioning through the Great Legacy.

‘The class I earned was supposed to be the Rebel of Ruin.’

Archangel Gabriel had made an appearance following my completion of the trials on the Island of the Gods. Gabriel had granted me a blessing and bestowed the ‘Great Legacy,’ which triggered a continuous evolution of hidden classes. I had moved through titles like Destroyer, Warlock, Heavenly Demon, One Who Erases the Holy Brilliance, Destroyer, King of Ruin… and at last, the ‘Rebel of Ruin.’ Every single one of those titles leaned toward a ‘Dark’ or ‘Evil’ path. They were names that held no connection whatsoever to a ‘War God.’

If it had undergone such a radical change, there was only a single explanation.

‘Wilhelm…’

This transformation must have occurred through Wilhelm’s intervention. It suggested that by finishing the Creation of Heaven and Earth and achieving our final, total parting, my internal alignment had been reset. Had it not been for his influence, I would likely have been swallowed by the shadows. From the beginning to the very end, he had provided me with nothing but vital assistance. It proved that despite his tendency to swear and express bitterness toward me as a “dog-like god,” his spirit remained noble and just.

That realization only deepened my regret that our time together had been so brief.

‘I will assist you from this point forward.’

They say every encounter serves a purpose. There would undoubtedly be a way for me to repay him—perhaps by tracing Wilhelm’s path through his memories to finish his quest for redemption. It didn’t matter if I could never actually find him or speak to him again. I simply desired to accomplish something meaningful in Wilhelm’s honor.

I slowly turned my attention back to the screen. The updates were not yet finished.

**[Stats]**
**Level:** 6
**Strength:** 120 (90+30)
**Stamina:** 84
**Agility:** 90
**Intelligence:** 84
**Mana:** 138

My level had climbed by two stages while I was ascending the Tower of the War God. Furthermore, the growth of my statistics remained completely illogical for a Level 6 character. My total points were higher than those of a standard individual who had surpassed Level 10.

‘With these numbers, I should be capable of tackling most of the Seven Great Hidden Quests.’

The Seven Great Hidden Quests—often referred to as the Seven Great Wonders. Because I had successfully cleared one of them while inhabiting Wilhelm’s form, six still remained. These were true miracles that had yet to be conquered by any living soul. I hadn’t even considered attempting them back when I was developing Randolph, but now, it felt as though some of them were within my grasp. The core of the Seven Great Hidden Quests involved overcoming absurd challenges under circumstances so brutal they would drive most to despair. They were feats only achievable if one faced a level restriction or held impossible stats and expertise for their current level—much like the mission to slay the King of Pipul Mountain at Level 1.

‘It is draining, but the potential gains are undeniable.’

Reflecting on that period made my head spin. Even now, I viewed it as a form of insanity. However, the prizes were just as extraordinary.

‘Surpassing Wilhelm.’

That was a goal I was determined to reach for his sake. Additionally, this whole experience had left me with a sharpened sense of caution.

‘…The Demon King who took control of Wilhelm’s vessel.’

It was a cold realization, but after walking in Wilhelm’s shoes, the reality became sharper. I couldn’t even estimate the power level the Demon King must have reached by occupying Wilhelm’s body. Wilhelm himself had cautioned me that I ‘must prepare,’ indicating a high probability that the human race would be annihilated the moment the Demon King made his move.

‘The Demon King is growing powerful at a rate far beyond anything seen before. And the Demonic Realm is being fortified in tandem with his rise.’

This wasn’t mere speculation; it was a certainty. When the other version of Randolph faded away, I had caught a fleeting look at the Gate of Truth. The wisdom stored within it confirmed as much. The Demon King—he was steadily evolving into the concept of ‘Ruin’ itself.

‘I cannot handle this burden entirely on my own.’

That sense of danger brought me to the conclusion that simply getting stronger by myself wouldn’t suffice. All of mankind needed to elevate their strength—both those in Pangenia and those on Earth. While it was vital to scale the Tower of the Rift to break level caps and train Second Awakeners on the Island of the Gods, it also meant that a broad-scale ‘development’ strategy was required. Furthermore, there was no way to predict when a phenomenon like the Tower of the War God might repeat. If Wilhelm hadn’t been there, resolving the current crisis would have been an impossibility.

That was why, alongside my own advancement, the progress of those who would stand by my side became a priority. I hadn’t given this much serious thought before, but it was clearly a challenge that deserved my full focus.

‘…Moving on.’

Pushing those thoughts aside, I resumed my review of the status window.

**[Additional Stats]**
**Natural Regeneration:** 21,200%
**Total Experience Gain Rate:** 300%

**[Specialties]**

1. **Infinite Vessel:** Elimination of stat maximums; removal of all negative effects associated with breaking stat limits.
2. **Molt:** Massive boost to natural recovery; triple experience accumulation speed.
3. **Transcending the Demonic Path:** Total immunity to water and fire; immunity to all toxins; achievement of the Adamantine Indestructible Body.
4. **Succession:** Acquisition of ‘Randolph’s’ statistics relative to current level.
5. **Shared:** Synchronization of experience with ‘Randolph.’ (Current Randolph Level and Experience: Lv 9, 70%)
6. **Natural Realm:** Ability to harness environmental energy; significant boost to all elemental statistics. Magnitude is scaled by natural regeneration.

**[Mastery]**
**Sword Lv 35, Disarmament (Damage +100%)**

**[Activated Hidden Traits]**

* Nothingness
* Dexterity
* All Master
* Weapon Master
* Giant’s Magic Resistance
* Druid’s Nature Affinity
* Heart of the Iron-Blooded Monarch
* Beast Lord
* Golden Grace
* Mutant
* Glutton
* Great Sage
* Celestial
* War God Wilhelm

**[Activated Mysteries]**
**(1) War God – Passive.**
Mastery learning efficiency is boosted by 1,000%; all mastery level caps are extended by +10 Lv; grants the ability to wield any weapon type using the highest available mastery level.

“…”

I was momentarily lost for words. Was this not absolutely mental? Every single addition was as valuable as a rare jewel. My recovery and experience rates had spiked, the Heavenly Demon Divine Art had been replaced by ‘Transcending the Demonic Path,’ and a new specialty called ‘Natural Realm’ had been unlocked.

‘To think my recovery rate would pass 20,000%…’

It was no wonder I felt so revitalized. At this stage, it seemed I could heal even if a limb were severed. I had achieved a level of healing that far surpassed a lizard regrowing its tail.

‘Natural Realm. I can tap into the mana of the world. Just like the Heavenly Demon who absorbed the energy of his surroundings.’

Furthermore, I was now able to utilize mana beyond my internal reserves. Since it was linked to my regeneration, the efficiency would likely be beyond belief. It might actually be possible to maintain a limitless supply of mana. The higher my mana pool grew, the more impossible feats I could perform.

‘It might be wise to pick up at least one top-tier destruction technique.’

Rather than just focusing on Blade Force and Sword Circles, it could be beneficial to master a truly devastating high-grade skill. I used to view such things as impractical due to the massive mana drain, but that logic no longer applied.

However.

‘War God… Wow. This is the most ridiculous part of all.’

The most stunning revelation was the rule-breaking Mystery, ‘War God.’ Boosting mastery efficiency by 1,000% and extending the level cap by 10 was already insane, but the ability to use every weapon based on my highest mastery level was a game-changer!

‘Truly fitting for a War God.’

…This meant I could operate any weapon with the same proficiency as my sword skills. Whether I picked up a bow or a spear, I could wield them with Level 35 expertise. I could also meet the requirements for any weapon that demanded a high mastery level.

War God. It was a power truly worthy of the deity who presided over all forms of combat.

‘All roads eventually meet. Is this what they mean when they say everything becomes one at the peak?’

Even if I focused solely on the sword, there was no longer a need to train with other arms. The sword was now the gateway to every piece of equipment. Honestly, the fact that I lacked skill with other weapons had been a nagging weakness until now. I would be lying if I said I didn’t regret it. However, I never had the time to diversify, as mastering the sword was a full-time endeavor.

‘The remaining Seven Great Hidden Quests. I can certainly beat at least one of them now.’

This gave me an even deeper certainty—a belief that I would finally conquer those incomprehensible challenges. If I were limited to just sword mastery, it would have stayed impossible, but now that the Mystery of the War God allowed for the expert use of all weaponry, there was no reason to fail.

Yet, even this wasn’t the final surprise.

‘The Gloves of Ill-Omen and Ash.’

Items categorized as Primal grade. Although they seemed invisible to Lyca, those two gauntlets were currently equipped on my hands. I examined them silently.

“…Are you in pain? You look quite pale.”

Lyca, observing my expression, spoke up. My face, which rarely showed emotion, had lost its color. While the previous updates were each world-shaking, the reason for my current shock wasn’t just the raw power of the gloves.

‘I can switch forms. Into Randolph.’

It was because a specific function of the gloves had caught my eye. Randolph and I had been merged. We were no longer separate entities but had become a single unit, allowing me to transform whenever I chose. This was the moment I truly understood what the ‘unification’ described by the Gods of Ill-Omen and Ash actually meant. Randolph resided in the Glove of Ill-Omen, and I was in the Glove of Ash.

I kept my eyes fixed on the Glove of Ill-Omen. Then—

**[Status Window]**
**Name:** Randolph
**Class:** Another Ruin

…Randolph’s status window appeared. And it was in a condition that was unrecognizable compared to before.