Above Your Head

The level of humanity as a whole was rising. Humans above Level 3 accounted for less than 0.1% of mankind only three months ago, but it was now possible to easily see Level 5s even if I were to walk down the street. It was not an exaggeration to say that this was a world where even unarmed, elementary school students could overwhelm any tigers that happen to escape from the zoo.

'That's how we, humanity, have been growing as a whole. However...the problem is that the stage is not a test made for the purpose of evolving mankind.' Aside from not being a system designed for the purpose of developing mankind, the stage was actually a test created to kill mankind.

'Is it at least a fortunate thing that the mission system is included in the stage?'

Thanks to the mission system, a considerable amount of the power that was used to make up the Project End went towards developing humans. This was similar to how Zhuge Liang obtained 100,000 arrows from the Wei Dynasty and used them as munitions, but even with such arrangements... The Project End was slowly and gradually progressing towards the destruction of mankind. 

- Warning: 5,854,557,531 battles have not finished.

- 5,501,263 out of 5,910,070,800 examinees have passed. The remaining people have been dealt with Death Procession. 

5.5 million successful examinees was less than 0.1 percent of all the examinees. 'Well, all 99.9 percent are probably not those who have given up… I actually think it is rather exceptional that 0.1 percent of the examinees can solve the stage on their own even without a strategy guide.’

It was currently 7 a.m., and the 5.8 billion latecomers who hid in closets, toilets, or under the desk and passed the first-round test, were either at home before getting to work or school, meetings, and other appointments. And if that were not the case, they went to the nearby square beforehand to familiarize themselves with the videos and documents that the Guide-makers group had created when challenging the second-round tests. 

In fact, if about 1 billion out of 5.8 billion people cleared the stage as much as their life depended on it, there would be nothing more to ask for.

- Stage will be open!

- Level 10. Difficulty is set to intermediate.

- Eliminate the enemies (5 individuals) within 80 hours.

- Stage will begin in 10 seconds.

- 10. 9. 8. 7…

The stage opened and the silence was so heavy that one could even hear the sound of a single blink of the eye. I got out of bed and put my hand on the pad on the wall. Swiskkkkkk! With the sound of the wind, the door opened and the outside of the room was revealed.

"Let's see... This time, it's starting near the supply depot, huh." I was rather familiar with the view that was just revealed. It was a hallway with handles installed, just like a hospital, as well as floors and walls made out of plastic metal. It also had a gravitational force that felt slightly light. That's right. I currently stood within a darkish spaceship that had seemingly lost all power supply. It was the Level 10 stage, Lake Stacy of Silence. 

"Well, I need to moderately get into position and hide." I walked all the way down the hallway. The Lake Stacy of Silence was a concept where participants had to remain silent, but fortunately, there was no need to be scared because the aliens did not regenerate at the starting point. The difficulty level was still intermediate, so there were only five enemies to encounter.

"Kyaaaaaaaaaah!!!"

"...Oh man," I groaned softly. From afar, a thumping sound began to encroach along with a loud screech. After hearing my footsteps and monologue, the aliens started running down the hallway after roaring. "They rarely appear nearby, so this is unlucky." The moment I grumbled, it revealed itself. 

Project End

Level 10

Metal Alien

It was a bipedal monster only slightly over 2 meters tall, but had a long tail and broad shoulders. It was a monster that looked much bigger because of its long hair, which draped forward and back. It also possessed a body that looked more like a machine than a creature. Furthermore, it was actually made of metal. I initially suspected it was a robot, but after ripping it open a few times, I found out that it was not a robot but a kind of metal creature.

"Kyaaaaa!!"

"Hello there, pushover." I waved and the Metal Alien flew towards me without hesitation. However, that ferocious spirit of mine shamelessly shook its body in an instant and… Booooom! The monster, who lost its footing, couldn't attack me properly and rolled around the floor. Of course, it didn't really stumble.

"Why did your body have to be metal of all things?" I was simply a natural enemy to Metal Alien, since I had a strong elemental affinity to metal, and actually had a spiritual energy of the metal attribute and even a metal attribute Aura. That was not all.

Under its bent head, which seemed to be broken, it opened its spine to pull out a long sword with a sharp blade. Whoooong---!!

I smiled in vain at the strangely ringing long sword. "And why must its main weapon be an Ultra-Vibration Blade of all things?"

"Kuwaackkkk--!" With a scream, Metal Alien glided on the floor as if it had slipped. Knowing that the power I wielded could break its balance, it immediately adjusted its center of gravity downwards. It displayed a significant level of combat intelligence, proving it was not just an animal. However, its attempt was useless. 

Thud. Metal Alien, who was charging at me, stiffened its body as I reached out and grabbed its blade that swung down like lightning. Its shock was understandable, because how could it not be flustered when the Ultra-Vibration Blade, which could cut everything into pieces upon contact, was caught by a bare hand? 

Shiiiinggg! My Ultra-Vibration right hand sliced at the neck of Metal Alien, who was charging at me in a fit. Metal Alien's head fell to the floor with a heavy sound. Only then did I lightly fling my left hand, which was red in color, and my right hand, which was in an orange hue, before dispersing the vibration. I laughed, "It was still a Master-class enemy, but I got rid of it in one strike without even needing to use Napoleon's soul energy."

Of course, the level of ability was important, but it was all over in the blink of an eye no matter how bad its intelligence was. Even though it had Herculean strength that could tear apart an Ogre, and an athletic ability that was great enough to cause a sonic boom just by running, it couldn't withstand even a single strike despite having the durability to be fine after being hit by a cannon. 

'My Ultra-Vibration right hand actually borrowed its vibration too.' Although Brilliant Heaven Seven Lights was an ability that dealt with vibrations, the vibrations that I could bring forth was only about 50,000 times per second. It could cut wood or plastic, but there should have been no way I could cut metal in a single stroke. There was still a long way to go.

Is it time to get started?

I nodded at Genie's words and entered one of the warehouses on one side. Inside the spacious warehouse, there was a sturdy looking refrigerator. I nodded. "That's more like it." Just as how most horror games were, the stage had spaces in between that could be used to hide from enemies. These were spaces provided for players so that they could afford to take a breather or avoid the demons, ghosts, or monsters that come chasing. I went into the small and cramped refrigerator and shut the door.

"First-round, Level 10 Intermediate-difficulty. Start the Barracks Test. Genie, how's the reserves looking?"

30 units of Avatar-11. 55 units of Avatar-12. It takes a lot of time to stabilize the characteristics, so production is not that fast. 

"It's okay. It'll take a while for the avatars to break the stage anyway." I closed my eyes as I said that. Then, I awakened my Aura. Oooouhhhhhh--- An Aura of the metal attribute, burning like wildfire, covered my entire body and started to encroach in. I had the idea of the Barracks for a long time, but I only began to properly work towards completing it when I saw 'me' turn into an Adamantium human. 

Genie said, It's the propertization of an element that reached the peak. It goes beyond what a Compléter is capable of, and even Aura practitioners can pass through a needle hole by turning into a strand of wind. 

When an Aura user reached the peak of the elemental-type, they could turn their whole body into that particular element. It was entirely possible to grant the body the characteristics of an element, or transform a part of the body into that particular element even if their level was a little lacking. 

'But propertization of my whole body to an element with my current level will just be suicide.' The other parts didn't matter, but my head was a problem. If the brain was turned into the particular element without sufficient enlightenment about the corresponding element, it would be impossible to return back to being a human. Even if I had enough power remaining, I would never be able to think that 'I have to turn back to my original state' upon losing my ability to even think.

The legendary story of an elemental-type user, who was not completely skilled on elemental affinity, but still transformed into a strand of wind only to no longer return to being a human forever…was definitely not a joke among Aura practitioners. 

Kriekkkkk-! My body began to turn into steel from my fingertips all the way to my toes. Once my whole body finally turned into steel… Thuck. My consciousness was cut off. I murmured, "Hmmm. As expected, it's impossible to maintain my consciousness after propertizating my whole body into a particular element. Furthermore, it still takes me 30 minutes to transform my whole body to steel."

Because you haven't reached the realm of a Compléter yet.

"Well, there's no immediate problem anyway," I commented. My body in the stage turned into an iron statue. If it was another Aura practitioner, this would be the worst situation possible, because this was no different from a death sentence. However, as someone who had another body, I could undo it whatever I wanted to. This was a purposeful situation that I had no intention of undoing. I opened up the stat window. 

Name: Kwan Dae-ha

Class: Spirit Master(1), Blacksmith(1), Strongman(1)

Title: Disaster of Mankind 

Strength: 300 Stamina: 300 Health: 300 Agility: 300

Mana: 300 Magical Power: 300 Magic Resistance: 300

Regeneration: 300 Mana Regeneration: 300 Luck: 300

Available Stat: 50

Condition: Normal

Looking at the stats, which rose by exactly 100 points, it made me laugh in vain. That's right. My...All-stats rose to 300. It happened because 'I' awakened, just like how it had previously been. It was not a result that came from awakening due to anger and losing my rationality, but an outcome that stemmed from starvation. However, ultimately, the next state that I obtained after returning to my original state was the same as it had been. 

'Don't tell me, if I open the door seven more times, my All-stat will become 1000?' Although it was a good thing, I wasn't sure what this indicated. It was weird that my stats increased when I opened the door, and it was also bugging me that all my stats were increased. 'I', who actually opened the door, had my spiritual-type stats swelling up in numbers, but why did everything go up when the door closed again in the end?

'Until now, I thought my body’s just strengthened to match up to my enormous spiritual power. Still, this is very strange. I can't believe all the stats, including Luck, are increased altogether...' Due to the rising stats, I didn't consume a single Experience Potion even though I was earning a huge amount of points. I knew for a fact that there wouldn't be much difference even if I increased my stat points, just like how it was useless whether I trained my body or not.

"I've also got a lot of titles, but...there's no specific reason to change it." There was no way a title that surpassed Disaster of Mankind existed for me, despite obtaining a considerable number of titles during the stage, especially when I defeated the ogres. After all, I could not feel my stats lacking. 

"Well, it's not important right now anyway." I shook off the idle thoughts from my mind and placed my hand on the chest of the steel doll in front of me. 

Oooouhhhhhh-! Avatar-11 was a small-sized Gigas with a relatively short height of 1.5 meters. 'No, technically speaking, it's not right to refer to this as a Gigas. Should I call it an Android or an Automatic Weapon instead?' It weighed 35 kilograms and was lightweight, but it possessed strength and agility that was close to the 200 points figure. It also had exceptional durability, so it had a power output that could surpass the average players. I looked at Avatar-11.

Kwan Dae-ha 

Level 5

Avatar-11

Although the Metal Alien was expectedly nothing short of a pushover for me, it was a formidable enemy for Avatar. To put it nicely, it was just an Avatar that couldn’t make use of my spiritual powers. Not only was it impossible to use Brilliant Heaven Seven Lights, which was a type of Life Energy, but even spiritual powers and elemental power couldn't be used. However, this fact didn't matter.

There is sufficient data. My Battle A.I is the best in the Leonhardt Empire, so trust me and leave it to me. Just like what Genie said, we had injected a sufficient amount of data which was the strategy guide that I made while running on my two feet during the Level 10 Intermediate-difficulty, first-round.

'Of course, data chips that are made out of iron can only contain information. It can't even serve as a battery for spiritual power, let alone an Iron Heart that endlessly produces soul power.' However, targeting the stage with the robot's unique physical abilities was enough. It could be conjectured just by looking at the title of the final strategy of the Iron Mask strategy guide, which I broadcasted over the Internet and on public TV.

- Even the tiger next door is doing it too! Clearing the Level 10 stage at level 3.

To clear the Level 10 stage with Level 3 stats, it was important to know the overall map composition, the monsters’ movement, location and method of activation of the traps, all the farming locations, as well as background knowledge of the stage. Moreover, the playtime would be over 70 hours, but it being a possible feat to achieve was more important.

Of course, there was a little bit of a guilty conscience to have to play the game this way. However, if the game was composed of such shitty hard labor, tweaking with the macro was something that should at least be put up with.

"Gigas Call." As I concentrated and mustered up my Aura, the steel doll standing next to me floated up into the air. The coordinates of my body was shared by my real body in reality and the body here. Hence, I could now recall to the front of the iron statue if I wished for it. It was a similar phenomenon to when I could obtain the items bought from the gacha machine in the stage while I was in the Unique World. "Type. Avatar-11." 

Shiiiiingg! I could see the view of the stage that had disappeared from sight. I saw it not from the body that was in reality as before, but as a reflection from the Udjat which I was wearing. "Genie. Go!"

Connection Checked. Avatar-11. Begin operating.

Avatar-11, which was summoned to the stage, began to operate. After confirming that Avatar-11 started farming for the main equipment, I sat on a large chair which was on one side of the workshop with all kinds of wires connected and all types of spells engraved on it. This was the center of the Barracks, the crystallization of all my manufacturing skills that absorbed my soul power and automatically activated my skills and attributes. It was the Factory Manager's Seat.

Kiikiikiinggg! Chiiikingggg! Wiiiiingggg! If one were to listen carefully, vibrations and metallic sounds could be heard resonating from the huge building that was connected to the chair. The facility designed by Genie and built by me started printing out the Avatar Series as if it was a Barrack that poured out marine soldiers in a game. All sorts of attributes were applied to the bodies of the Avatar Series because it operated by absorbing my soul power.

'Of course, I did not personally make it, so they were only granted 1 level attributes… No, perhaps 2 levels down.' However, it didn't matter. The final product was only Level 5, and high-quality attributes weren't needed for mass-produced products created from a factory.

"And here..." I took out an iron mask and put it on, while feeling my soul power being sucked out of me. 

Shiiiiiiing! The surroundings brightened up in an instant. The Factory Manager's Seat which I sat on turned into a splendidly decorated throne. Fortunately, there was no problem with the functions connected to the factory.

- You are in the Grand Master rank.

As the honorary throne began to operate, the diminished soul power quickly recovered. Moreover, the speed of recovery was relatively faster than the speed of consumption!

"All right, we're ready!" Having said that, I leaned back and raised my left hand. 'Chwareukkk!', along with a sharp metallic sound, the watch-shaped Shadow Stalker reformed to a black glossy pistol. "If a problem surfaces, wake me up."

Have a good night's sleep.

"I asked you to wake me up, but I'm not actually sleeping. If I did sleep, it wouldn’t even feel like a single second of rest,” I answered Genie and pulled the trigger just like that. With the clucking sound, the Time-Space Freeze Shell was activated and...time passed.