CHAPTER 100…………………………………….
Forcing the infamous magic potion—known for its slimy and grotesque texture—down my throat made my skin crawl, but thinking of its effects, I had to endure it.
“If given time, the two of them should be able to adapt to their swapped bodies. Maybe not to 100% of their abilities, but at least up to 70%. The real question is whether I can hold out until then.”
Still, Baek Woo-jin’s body seemed to have no resistance to the potion, as its effects appeared immediately. Yet, I had a gut feeling that my usual combat style would be insufficient to overcome the current situation.
“Maybe I can take advantage of the increased assimilation rate.”
As I saw Baek So-hyuk’s memories in the illusion, my assimilation rate rose unintentionally. Numerically, it reached a level similar to the last time it spiked momentarily from anger.
Back then, I had succeeded in activating a new skill during that surge of rage. But when I tried to use the skill again afterward, I lacked mana, and even forcing it barely triggered any response. Now, though, things might be different.
“When I give the signal, everyone, step back behind me for a moment.”
Ryu Ji-soo, who had been advancing to block the incoming Planarians, stopped abruptly and pulled Kim Jun back with him.
A completely exhausted Lee Ji-ah had already moved behind Kang Kwon-ho, who now had Baek So-hyuk’s form. Then, as if suddenly recalling that their bodies had been swapped, she shivered and kept her distance.
“I’ll handle the Planarians up front all at once.”
“Are you sure you’re okay, Woo-jin?”
Ryu Ji-soo looked at me with worried eyes.
“Bro, once I adapt, I can handle them quickly, so don’t overdo it.”
Baek So-hyuk added a word. Hearing that from Kang Kwon-ho’s expressionless face felt eerily alien.
“If you’re trying anything weird, stop immediately. If you do something that strains your body again, I won’t let it slide.”
There was a knife hidden behind his calm tone. Even someone unaware of the soul swap might guess that it was Kang Kwon-ho speaking.
“Earlier, you were all for me coming out of the illusion…”
I felt a slight happiness, thinking he trusted me now, but seeing this reaction, a subtle feeling of disappointment arose. Although the situation was different from before, I couldn’t understand what standard he was using to judge, so my annoyance didn’t easily fade.
“I won’t do anything dangerous. Just watch for now.”
The Planarians seemed to notice we were onto their schemes, changing direction and approaching us.
Whooosh.
When I swung my sword, the movement came naturally, like flowing water. Back when I first came to this world, even lifting a sword was burdensome, but now it felt like wearing a familiar outfit. Thanks to the increased assimilation rate, the appropriate skills activated automatically in response to my movements, even without focus.
[Skill “Moon Swordsmanship Lv37” activated. The blessing of moonlight envelops your entire body.]
I lifted the sword, buzzing as if urging me to strike, high into the sky. The blue blade shone brilliantly, like a substitute for the sun hidden by the ceiling.
I glanced at Baek So-hyuk, but it was Kang Kwon-ho in his body who met my gaze.
“Don’t forget to be careful.”
He seemed to know I wouldn’t listen if he spoke, so he merely mouthed a warning and didn’t try to stop me further. He even blocked Baek So-hyuk from rushing at me. Honestly, it was a bit embarrassing showing this in front of Baek So-hyuk, but now wasn’t the time for such feelings.
[Skill “Sun Swordsmanship” activated. You do not possess this skill.]
The first attempt failed, but I didn’t get discouraged and closed my eyes. I consciously tried to mimic Baek So-hyuk’s swordsmanship again. The dissonance lasted only a moment.
“This time, it should work.”
At that thought, I felt immense power rising from my core.
[Trait “Pioneer” activated. “Moon Swordsmanship Lv37” merges with “Sun Swordsmanship.” You have reached a completely new level. Skill “Solar Eclipse of the Sword Lv37” fully manifests.]
Unlike last time, this activation was said to be “complete.” I could tell that this wasn’t luck—it was fully powered by my own strength.
I ran toward the zombie-like Planarians with my mana-infused sword.
[Skill “Solar Eclipse of the Sword Lv37” activated. A world of light and shadow unfolds.]
Shadows stretched across the radiant sword energy, like darkness over a sun obscured by the moon. I swung the shadowed blade at the Planarians.
Startled, the Planarians couldn’t escape the skill’s area and disappeared as if swallowed by a black hole.
“Maybe it wasn’t large enough.”
Heavy breaths escaped my mouth. Even after the potion boosted my mana to the max, handling all the Planarians at once was impossible.
“Seems like I took out about ten.”
That was enough to turn the battle’s tide slightly in our favor.
Goo-weh, goo-weh-weh-ek?
Fortunately, the remaining Planarians, intimidated by my strike, stopped attacking and began clustering together. I forced myself to swallow my gasping breaths so they wouldn’t underestimate me.
“Ugh.”
But sheer willpower wasn’t enough. After using such immense power, my legs buckled and knees gave way. I thrust my sword into the ground for support. As I struggled to stay upright, one Planarian I thought was completely defeated slowly began splitting and forming a new body.
“Did it copy the Solar Eclipse of the Sword too? That’s dangerous…”
Fortunately, it was moving as if in slow motion, likely due to the damage it took. The problem was, I had no energy left to deal with it.
Crack.
With a pushing sound, Baek So-hyuk in Kang Kwon-ho’s body sprinted forward. Almost simultaneously, his shield supported me from behind.
Frowning, Baek So-hyuk swung his great sword, finishing the splitting Planarian in one blow.
Kang Kwon-ho used his own shield to back me up without bumping into me, protecting me perfectly.
“I was starting to think even my sword wouldn’t hold… How did he notice?”
Exhausted, I let myself rely on Kang Kwon-ho’s shield.
“I told you not to overdo it.”
His calm, gentle voice drifted down.
“I just used a lot of mana.”
“Stop taking the magic potion for now. Overuse can harm your body.”
Kang Kwon-ho anticipated my plan and stopped me beforehand.
“The levels of the skills on floors 1 and 2 are different, and there are more enemies, so it won’t be easy.”
As Ryu Ji-soo said, six Planarians remained, and their color and size were clearly different from the ones we had defeated. At least, no mental-based special skills were coming our way.
“Then should we abandon the strategy this time and wait for another chance?”
Kang Kwon-ho didn’t look pleased, and Ryu Ji-soo shook his head as well.
“Let’s do as much as we can. You two handle two of them, Baek So-hyuk and Kang Kwon-ho. Woo-jin, stay inside the barrier next to Lee Ji-ah. We should manage the rest ourselves.”
I wondered how Jun had handled the Planarians on floors 1 and 2—this might be a good opportunity.
“Good timing that Ryu Ji-soo gained a new skill.”
Without him, we might have been in a far worse situation.
“Your younger brother is really diligent.”
After Ryu Ji-soo and Kim Jun went forward, Kang Kwon-ho spoke to me. He had been watching Baek So-hyuk fight skillfully up front using one or two skills strategically.
“Kang Kwon-ho, why don’t you go up and fight a bit?”
“I need to protect Woo-jin. Your brother can take out four. My body’s strong.”
Lee Ji-ah, forming the barrier, glared at Kang Kwon-ho as if witnessing nonsense. Since he was using the guild leader’s body, he seemed less imposing than usual.
“Woo-jin, did you know?”
Kang Kwon-ho lowered his voice so only I could hear.
“I wish he wouldn’t make that scheming face in Baek So-hyuk’s body…”
I couldn’t bring myself to say it. They hadn’t swapped souls voluntarily; I had to endure it.
“When souls swap, you can see the skills and traits of the body’s original owner.”
It was unexpected, coming from that sly face.
“Isn’t that bad news for both sides? It’s like laying all your cards in front of a rival.”
Kang Kwon-ho usually hid his skills meticulously, so this would normally be unpleasant. Yet he seemed thrilled, which puzzled me.
“Do you know which trait Baek So-hyuk lost?”
And a completely unexpected question came flying at me.
