Chapter 55: Rise in War Capabilities (2)

[Reaching intermediate warfare has increased charisma by one.]

[Reaching intermediate warfare has increased good luck by one.]

Then new messages appeared.

What did that mean?

An increase in charisma and good luck!

So far, those two had been fixed stats and didn’t increase with every level up.

That wasn’t all.

[The efficiency of black magic energy when using Heavenly Cut has risen.]

[The consumption of black magic energy will be reduced to 30 points when casting the skill.]

‘Consumption of black magic energy has decreased?’

Those were very pleasant words.

The skill was powerful but taxing since it consumed 40 points of black magic energy every time.

Of course, 30 points was still a burden but at least it had decreased by 10 points.

Lv.20 (Exp 00.00%)

[War] Intermediate

Health: 570/570

Black Magic Energy: 410/410

Strength: 23 (+5)

Agility: 24 (+5)

Intelligence: 21

Good Luck: 7

Charisma: 9 (+4)

[Additional Effects]

-Military Appointment: Combat power increased by 10%

-Stage 2 Combat Studies: Combat power increased by 20%

-Cloak of the Wind: Decreases the black magic consumption of Aura of the Wind by 20%

-Wyvern Ring: Immune to fear and deception

The status window showed that his black magic energy was full.

More than anything, he was proud of his good luck and charisma.

In addition, his agility, strength and intelligence had also increased due to the level up.

When his level went up, the power of Heaven’s Blood Sword Style, Aura of the Wind and Aura of Earth also rose.

It meant an increase in his combat power!

The difference was immediately apparent. The speed at which Kang-jun got rid of monsters became noticeably faster.

Now it was possible to get rid of a 10 metre tall tentacle monster without using a skill.

Moreover, the consumption of black magic energy for Heavenly Cut was reduced so the battle became easier.

“Wahh! H-help me.”

At that time, a bloody sovereign ran up to Kang-jun. A huge tentacle was attached to him.

"Kukukuk! Kukukukak! Where are you fleeing to?”

Kang-jun immediately used a skill.

‘Heavenly Cut!’

Flash!Chwack -

“Kuooooh!”

The giant monster was sliced in half.

[90 nodes have been gained.]

[One small moonstone has been acquired.]

In fact, no matter how large the tentacles, he didn’t need to waste black magic energy to use Heavenly Cut on them.

Kang-jun was able to deal constant damage.

However, it would take a long time to fight the dozens of tentacles that were flying.

It would be even more hard if he was surrounded by various creatures.

He didn’t want to spend too long against a single opponent.

‘Aura of the Wind!’

In order to avoid the constant tentacles, it was necessary to move faster.

He ran between the tentacles of a five metre tall monster.

This time he swiftly swung his sword without needing a skill.

Chwack!Chwack!Chwaack!

“Kueeeeoh!”

The tentacles were cut off and a large stab wound occurred on the main body. Black blood and organs poured out. It was the end.

[52 nodes have been gained.]

[A low grade black magic energy potion has been obtained.]

‘Huhu, jackpot!’

A potion that recovered 80 points of black magic energy.

Among the items that dropped, these were Kang-jun’s favourite.

The black magic energy potions were often consumed so he could refill his depleted black magic energy.

Furthermore, the amount of money accumulated wasn’t a joke.

Perhaps Keirun was currently looking at it with a wide mouth.

On the other hand, the ones fighting in teams had the money divided depending on their damage contribution.

Money was automatically distributed and placed in the sovereigns’ bases, but the problem was the items.

If an item dropped then the sovereigns had differing opinions about how to divide it.

Some said the person who picked it up first should keep it, whilst others wanted a rotation system.

However, it was impossible to distribute the items equally.

Most of all, the moonstones that gave achievement points were a source of conflict among the sovereigns. None of them were willing to yield the moonstones to each other.

Therefore, some of the sovereigns who originally teamed up withdrew to fight on their own.

Even if it was dangerous, they would fight alone!

Zenith, Hardia and Avia were already fighting alone like Kang-jun.

They were slower than Kang-jun but they could take down 10 metre tall monsters. Each of them had a powerful combat skill.

In the meantime, they had levelled up and their movements became more agile.

Still, they only managed to take down one in the time it took Kang-jun to kill three or four monsters.

Hardis stared at Kang-jun with a complicated expression as he saw it.

‘How is he stronger than me? It is really unbelievable.’

He slowly started to feel fear towards Kang-jun.

Kang-jun ignored him and focused on the battle.

How much time passed?

Before he knew it, the tentacles weren’t visible anymore.

The sovereigns were all safe. However, many of them had been resurrected, treated for injuries or gained little achievements.

However, there were some people who were well off.

Zenith, Hardis and Avia.

They never died and their injuries were treated with potions.

Each of them obtained a few moonstones.

Of course, it was nothing compared to Kang-jun. Kang-jun smiled with satisfaction when he saw the message in front of him.

[As the sovereign with the highest achievements among the 439th army, 50 achievement points will be acquired.]

[Red Moon Achievement Points: 200]

He currently had 200 achievement points. He had 26 moonstones so he could gain an additional 26 points.

The moonstones were unique in that they could be stored together. It was very convenient that all the moonstones could be stored in one place.

Susususu.

At that moment, Heksia appeared again.

Something had happened in the meantime as her body was in a miserably condition.

Her red wings were half torn and tattered while her hair was all tangled. Her whole body was a bloody mess and her face was bruised.

The sovereigns were astonished by her appearance.

Who was Heksia?

She was a commander with a power that was estimated to be equivalent to a dragon.

Who was she fighting that she ended up in a state like this?

Heksia frowned as she noticed the sovereigns’ glances.

"What are you looking at? While you were fighting these inferior things, I was killing their lords! Bah! Do I look that funny?”

The sovereigns flinched and turned their attention away.

"Damn! Why are the lords of the Second Demon King so strong? I nearly died.”

Heksia grumbled as she staggered forward to the resurrection gem.

Hwaaack!

A mysterious red light hit her body and it was restored to its original state.

Her transparent red wings glittered behind her and her blue hair was neatly arranged.

Heksia immediately swept a glance over the sovereigns and said.

"Well done everybody. The first fight has been completed successfully. In the future, the level of the battles will be different so be prepared.”

Kang-jun heard her last words as a hallucination. The space on either side of him was distorted.

[Your time in the world of Hwanmong is over.]

[The door to Hwanmong is closed.]

Hayun smiled at him as Kang-jun opened his eyes.

“You woke up? There is a guest in the living room.”

"A guest? Who?”

It was early morning so why would someone come here?

It was Han Yeon-soo from the Black Dragon Law Firm. She smiled brightly at Kang-jun.

"Hello, Lee Kang-jun.”

"What are you doing here so early?”

The lawyer didn’t need to sleep. She might not sleep because she wasn’t a human. Kang-jun seemed to be in a bad mood as Han Yeon-soo shrugged.

"I was just passing through the area when I remembered Hayun’s ramyun. So I decided to come. I’m sorry if it is too early.”

Kang-jun was dumbfounded. In the end, she just came to eat ramyun. It was 6.30 a.m. It was also a man’s house.

“Hoho! I’m sorry, Hayun. May I have one bowl today?”

Hayun replied with a smile.

"This morning’s menu isn’t ramyun. I hope you don’t mind soybean paste stew.”

“Ah, I really like soybean paste stew.”

"Then that’s great. It will take 30 minutes.”

Hayun walked into the kitchen and started cooking with her assistant Colt.

Kang-jun studied Han Yeon-soo.

"What the hell is going on? Surely you didn’t come just to eat.”

"That's right. I actually have a few things to tell you.”

Han Yeon-soo fiddled with her glasses before continuing.

"Do you want to know about the red moon? The moon is quite significant.”

"Of course."

He had been fighting on the battlefield of the red moon but didn’t know why.

"The same rules apply in this reality. It is wise to consume your battle power fighting against the forces of the Second Demon King.”

Kang-jun nodded.

"The other sovereigns can’t hit me during this time.”

“Yes. But you don’t have to worry about me making a deal with them. In fact, it isn’t easy to meet and negotiate with sovereigns during this period.”

Usually when sovereigns met, negotiating was impossible since there would be a battle soon.

“Another thing, it is better to obtain more red moon achievement points. Only the moonstones should be used wisely.”

"Aren’t moonstones used to gain achievement points?”

“Of course. But it is also possible to make deals with the sovereigns. In addition, our law firm will purchase them. In fact, that is what I came for.”

"So the bottom line is, don’t trade moonstones for achievement points but sell them.”

“Yes. Hoho, you noticed very quickly.”

"So what do I gain?”

"You will get far more rewards than public achievements. Cash or buildings.”

Cash or buildings? Moonstones gained in Hwanmong could be exchanged for real world cash or buildings.

“How is it? Do I have your attention? I'll tell you the conditions at a later date. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.”

“I understand.”

I didn’t know why a neutral force like the Black Dragon Law Firm wanted the moonstones. But there was obviously an important reason.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have used an excuse of a meal to come meet Kang-jun so early.

‘I don’t know if I should keep the moonstones.’

After a while, Han Yeon-soo entered the kitchen to eat the bowl of soybean paste stew that Hayun created. Kang-jun also finished the meal and prepared to go to work.

After getting dressed and grabbing the car keys, he headed to the library.

The study room contained hundreds of thick books in the shelves. He had been spending the last two days in the library looking for books on management and the economy.

'What books should I read today?’

Kang-jun borrowed four books and placed them in his bag.

Of course, he picked these books to read at the market.

At the moment, Kang-jun didn’t do any direct trading.

He periodically used the Draw In Customers skill while his part-time workers sold the merchandise.

He made a minimum of three million profit a day and it could go up to six million.

Thanks to this, Kang-jun already earned more than 30 million even without Jung Kwang-hyeon’s fortune.

Construction workers were currently building the book cafe on the 4th floor of the Dafeng building so he would quit selling underwear when that finished.

Therefore he went to the market today. He drove the Venta S class.

Bururung.

Kang-jun started the car and drove off. Not long ago, he had been riding a bus or subway to work but now a car seemed natural.

It had only been a few days.

Kang-jun drove leisurely and arrived at the market. He parked in the public parking and walked with the bag containing the books.

“Boss-nim! You came?”

"We have put out the underwear.”

“Haha! Have you eaten breakfast? Then please work hard today.”

Kang-jun greeted his part time workers, sat on a chair to the side and opened the book.

Reading in this noisy market?

It was an absurd sight but Kang-jun focused his attention on the book. He was having fun reading.

‘Draw In Customers!’

He used the management skill after he started reading.

How much time passed?

Kang-jun ordered lunch at a nearby restaurant and was reading again when he felt something strange.

It was like someone was staring at him.

It lasted for quite a while.

He ignored it and focused on his reading. But as it continued, he finally looked up.

A man in a high-class suit was standing 20 metres away and staring at him.

'That person?’

The man’s face was somewhat familiar. He had seen the face on the television a few days ago. This was the first time he saw it directly.

'Yoo Seung-hwan?’

It was Yoo Seung-hwan, the wealthy businessman with 100 billion shares in stocks. Yoo Seung-hwan gave a bitter smile and approached Kang-jun.

“Do you have time to talk?”