Demon King
Chapter 78 Qualifications [3]

The moment I realized the truth of this floor, and the pure and dark mana began to radiate out from my heart, the attacks from the tower subsided. But I'm not satisfied with just that. I flapped my new wings, still weak and new to me, and started pouring Predation power into those wings to devour the remaining Jinma mana left in this place. Unlike mana in the world, where in this tower is concentrated. It felt like it was made especially for me, and it helped me reach a new understanding.

[Magic increased 217.]

In disposing of all my mana and forging new mana from my heart, I sacrificed about 500 levels of my magic power. Although the number is less, however, I know the quality is much higher. And, thanks to the mana I absorbed from this place, I was able to recover about half of the lost magic. Now I can produce a stronger effect with the same amount that I used before.

[You have conquered the 6th floor of Jinma Tower.]

[You have obtained one of the qualifications needed to unseal the castle.]

I no longer stood in the dense space with mana, enjoying the vastness of the area around me.

“Will I ever come back here.?” I muttered to anyone in particular, while looking around the tower.

Technically, no. A appeared beside me, responding to me. I wanted to ask what he meant, but he looked at my new black wings with a stern expression.

You qualify, Fate.

“But I'm not ready.” I retaliated, controlling the mana inside my body to retract my wings. The mana that had formed wings flowed back without any resistance. I didn't complete this challenge just to get wings; it was just like a human had arms and legs, or a tiger had a tail, whoever handled where Jinma had it. The only difference is that since they are made of mana, I can pull them back at will.

“Wings are a tool developed to control the amount of power you release and put mana outside your body. It is impossible to generate energy without them. ”

“But if I let go of my wings, I will be found as Jinma. I've heard from Rain that they're not the type to be welcomed by other creatures. ”

“You haven't even reached the end of a path Jinma.”

“…”

As I finish my work here, I already feel the urge to go back and finish the rest of the process. I smiled at A and decided to leave Jinma Tower. It occurred to me that I forgot to ask what he meant by saying ‘technically’ when I entered Nak Park. I guess it doesn't matter; I broke through the Jinma Tower. Now it would be better to finish the fifth game in the Garden of Nak before I go to challenge the dungeon. L was sitting at the table like he always did since the first game, raising his eyes to greet me as he watched my performance.

“You have changed.” I stared at myself at his words, noticing which changes I had brought about a much greater change in my soul than my body. My skin and hair became brighter, but the details of my soul form were also different. I guess it was only natural after I considered it. After all, isn't that what binds the soul to the body? The body produces and manages mana, but the soul holds it. When things change, so does the soul. I felt a bit stupid for not realizing it earlier.

“I'm here to finish our game.”

“You feel confident today.” L's smile deepened, his voice relaxed as he spoke.

“You haven't gone through the fifth game, but if you're stubborn you'll never leave here.”

“We'll see later.” I laughed grimly, putting my hands on the table to signify that I was ready to start.

“Very good.” The heart-warming smile that had filled his face vanished in a second, his cheeks slightly swollen now as if he was disappointed by my attitude. He waved his hand over the table, the table gradually stretched and widened as it followed the movement of his hand. On top of it, the fortifications and walls I had made earlier started to take shape.

“Let's start.” The Garden of Pleasure, the fifth and final game. It focused on filling the gaps in the castle walls, securing their defenses. I'm going to put together small models, and he's going to destroy them. If I can overcome his distractions and finish my work within the time limit, it will be my victory.

“Can't follow?” I had spent thousands of gold in playing this game, but now in the fifth game, he started to show off his skills. Its power fascinated me even though I realized how deadly it was.

“You have let another collapse.” L was wearing a slightly exposed dress, deliberately revealing more as she moved. He tried to seduce me with his unique power, Enchantment, which cannot be called magic.

“It's not possible for you yet. I wish it was possible, but it's a bit disappointing. ” Really sad, but I can't help but look at it. I knew that if I lost his attention, I would lose his attention. It was impolite not to look at her as if to slander her beauty. Even though I have resilience to the highest level, I still cannot control myself against it. The time I spent training since I woke up as a goblin was no problem.

‘Now I know ..’ When I get Mana Jinma; I feel like I've grabbed the edge of strength beyond her area of expertise. I could feel my strength getting better after I emptied myself completely, which power filled my soul and forged a new one. ‘This power ... a power stronger than I have ever encountered before.’ That's too obvious. In order to overcome his strength, I also had to have something outside the realm of skill. For me, it's Predation. I won't be able to eat his strength, it's beyond my ability, but I can choose what I can eat from the parts that make up his abilities.

‘There's one.’ It was impossible before, but now?

“... Hm ..” His expression, which previously looked relaxed, slightly collapsed for the first time. I had broken through the balance of his strength, and I enjoyed the sight of his frustration as he gritted his teeth. My work was done on the windows, roofs, walls, and gates of the castle. I controlled the blocks and stacked them easily with my mana, moving them through the optimal route I imagined.

“Not yet...not enough..”.

“Enough.” It felt like I was cheating to interrupt his movements, but I laughed at him as I finished my work elsewhere and avoided his hand. His interest erupted powerfully for a moment, but I could cover myself with my Predation energy, the power rising to cover my soul as a whole to eat up his attacks. It was unlike mana or even devouring life and death energy, but it felt similar. It feels like the energy associated with Jinma, which means it is possible to eat with Predation now.

“This skill...!” His disturbance in my building gradually slowed as my pace only increased. The castle gate was finished now, as well as the walls and windows. Even the floor tiles were already finished, and his frustration grew with the amount he was now inflating his cheeks.

“It's too fast!”

“I should have realized this when I got mana from Jinma.” It's not as easy as it looks. It was difficult to choose where Jinma was among his various powers. It's also not easy to actually eat it once I find it. The process was not perfect, and it was impossible to absorb abilities, but still, I devoured what I could to give myself strength. I started defeating my opponent now, using all the energy I could to manage my sensing and movement skills. As he tried to read my movements, he was able to capture the moment he lost. In a last-ditch effort, L grabbed my wrist to try and stop me as I finished the top of the last tower.

[You have won the fifth game in the Garden of Nak.]

[You have obtained one of the qualifications needed to unseal the castle.]

His poor expression ensured my victory, but he surprised me by taking off my wrist and shaking my hand. The last part I placed rotated in the air, changing color and light as it was moved to the top floor to finish the final decoration.

“Why...?” That voice left me for a reason I don't know.

Your victory. I ignored my question, answering angrily.

This her?

“You don't know yet.” I checked the finished castle. It was just a toy, but it looks rather realistic and even a little incredible — practical products of meticulous design. I don't mind living in a place like that. “But what does it mean?” There is undoubtedly a hidden meaning to this game that I am not yet aware of, and it will most likely affect me in the future. Maybe this toy castle has some kind of connection to the castle I'm trying to unseal? I don't know, and I don't want to ask L for fear of the answer. I've been used to their secrecy lately.

“It's over now. Go.”

“Good.” Although I agreed, he immediately got up from his chair to stop me from leaving, his expression angry. For a moment I felt he made himself a little troublesome as I sat back down. I still look at me with a rude look.

“I have a little time left, can I stay here for a while?”

“Oh. Are you busy?” His expression relaxed a little as he asked me this.

“Well, if I evolve, I might not be able to return to the Rookie Battlefield, and I need to arrange a few things there before that happens. There is also – ”

“...exit.”

“What? Wait a minute.”

“Confuse!”

I was immediately expelled from Nak Park, unsure of what had just happened. I brushed it off quickly, turning my mind to the Rookie Battlefield. I have to consider when I will go there next.