Episode 106
106: Shall We Break It?
Moon’s Left Hand.
It seemed to be an effect symmetrical to Sun’s Right Hand. Moreover, as Crown Prince Bellian had said, it would likely be even more effective for learning ‘Refrigeration’.
‘This is exactly the effect I wanted! Surely… the Crown Prince couldn’t have foreseen this too?’
An uneasy thought crept in. But regardless, Gold-Hand’s messages continued to output related information.
[Moon’s Earth Lv.1]
[Active Skill]
Description: Condenses the moon’s power in the left hand to create a frost mist around you, inflicting continuous damage to enemies.
Effect: Total damage equivalent to 1000% of Attack Power as Cold and Purification damage. Continuously applies the ‘Movement Delay’ status ailment to targets within range. (Cooldown: 10 minutes)
Moon’s Earth, the skill corresponding to Sun’s Right Hand’s Sun Strike. Reading its description, Gold-Hand couldn’t hide his smile.
‘Total damage of 1000%! It will be distributed across the range, but still… It’s a shame I didn’t have this skill during the Airtoss Defense.’
It was a skill that could deal damage to an entire area. Meaning, most monsters would freeze before they could even get near Gold-Hand now. Not to mention the purifying power of Moon’s Earth—it was a direct counter to undead monsters.
‘Those cursed beings… will be purified before they can even approach me.’
He liked the skill’s effect. But the effect of the second Divine Whistle Scroll didn’t seem to be over yet.
[The designated target possesses the hidden skill ‘Divine Dexterity.’]
[The hidden skill ‘Divine Dexterity’ and the title ‘Moon’s Left Hand’ create synergy.]
[Additional effect provided to title ‘Moon’s Left Hand.’]
[Additional Effect]
[Moon’s Blacksmith]: When crafting, can cool and refine materials using only the cold energy of the left hand, without a quenching agent. Precision in dexterity-related tasks increases by 50%. Chance of Great Success increases by 10%.
Once again, it created synergy with ‘Divine Dexterity’. The additional effect obtained from it was exactly the crafting skill Geumson had hoped for. That alone would have been enough, but the messages weren’t finished.
[The designated target possesses the fusion skill ‘magic Dominance.’]
[The fusion skill ‘magic Dominance’ detects the opposing attributes of titles ‘Sun’s Right Hand’ and ‘Moon’s Left Hand.’]
[The two opposing attributes attempt fusion through ‘magic Dominance’!]
‘Fusion…?’
He couldn’t help but tense up at the sudden mention of fusion. The sun’s hot energy and the moon’s cold energy began churning wildly inside his body. For a moment, the rising pain almost made him vomit blood, but it was brief. A system message appeared.
[Fusion Successful!]
[A special compound effect has been created.]
[Harmony of Sun and Moon]
Description: The sun and moon, fire and ice, achieve perfect balance.
Effects:
Sun-Swallowing Moon (Solar Eclipse): Can create Cold Fire.
Moon-Swallowing Earth (Lunar Eclipse): Can create Hot Ice.
[Warning: Harmony of Sun and Moon is active only while the ‘magic Dominance’ skill is maintained.]
[Warning: If the balance of the two attributes collapses, an unpredictable explosion may occur.]
[You have become the first being to simultaneously hold the powers of the sun and moon.]
[The system expresses some concern regarding the fused power.]
The messages were dizzying. But the last one caught Gold-Hand’s eye.
‘The system expresses concern?’
It seemed like the system’s委婉 way of telling him to refrain from using it. But that only made him want to use it more. If it was a skill the system was worried about, its destructive power must be beyond imagination.
“Harmony of Sun and Moon.”
He immediately tried to use the effect. At that moment, heat surged from his right hand, and cold began emanating from his left. The force was not insignificant. But.
“What the…?”
Nothing happened. Energy poured from his left and right hands, but nothing occurred. Gold-Hand pondered briefly, then seemed to remember something. He overlapped his hands.
Right hand below, left hand above. He pointed the overlapped hands forward.
“Solar Eclipse.”
Fzztztztztz—
At that moment, a blue flame formed in front of Gold-Hand’s palm. A truly cold flame. The moment it appeared before his eyes, the corner of Gold-Hand’s mouth lifted. But not satisfied, he reversed them.
Right hand above, left hand below. He thrust the overlapped hands forward.
“Lunar Eclipse.”
Crackle-crackle-crackle—
Red ice. Ice hotter than lava was created before Gold-Hand’s eyes. And the moment he created it, Gold-Hand understood instantly why the system had expressed concern.
‘This… if I mess with it wrong, it’ll explode.’
Fire and ice of opposing attributes. Just creating them consumed a significant amount of mana. Yet, their precarious nature sparked Gold-Hand’s curiosity. How powerful would the explosion be?
“Shall we… break it?”
Gold-Hand’s deliberation wasn’t long. A hammer was already in his hand.
“Hmm, Worker! Tia! Fall back!”
“Worker? Wooorker?”
“Tia? Tee-tee-tee-?”
Iron Worker and Tia seemed to tilt their heads in confusion but moved away from Gold-Hand. Once a sufficient distance was created, Gold-Hand looked at the fire and ice before him. Without hesitation, he swung down on them.
Crack—
As the flame scattered and the ice shattered simultaneously—
Bzzzzzzzzzzz—
There was no sound of an explosion. No pain was felt. Only a high-pitched tinnitus ringing as if striking his eardrums. Within that dazzling explosion that seemed to devour even sound, a message appeared before Gold-Hand’s eyes.
[Player Gold-Hand has received fatal damage.]
[The title ‘Reversed Hourglass’ effect ‘Miraculous Recovery’ activates.]
[Life force is restored to 100% due to ‘Miraculous Recovery’ activation.]
“Uh… huh? What? Did I die? For real?”
A bewildered Gold-Hand. He hadn’t died. He had simply recovered 100% of his life force at the moment of death. ‘Miraculous Recovery,’ which could activate only once per day, had triggered, allowing him to narrowly escape death.
“This is… Harmony of Sun and Moon?”
Despite its name, it was a power utterly lacking in harmony. An overwhelming force that laid waste to the surroundings. In the blink of an eye, the surrounding terrain had changed. Centered on Gold-Hand, the landscape appeared swept away as if everything had melted in concentric circles, with ice sprouting like thorns.
‘This… is a bit dangerous.’
Its destructive power was undeniable. But it was too tricky to use. After all, it was a skill that even harmed its user.
“Huh? My equipment… it’s fine?”
With an explosion of this magnitude, his equipped gear should not have been unscathed. Yet, Gold-Hand’s equipment was as clean as new. Meaning, the explosive force of Solar and Lunar Eclipse possessed penetrating power.
‘It ignores equipment effects, then. Was there ever a skill like this…?’
Gold-Hand, who lived through the Age of Ruin, had never seen a single player with such a skill or effect back then. He hadn’t even heard rumors. So, his heart raced.
If handled well, he could create a new playstyle. His own original combat style. Moreover, if he could imbue the power of Solar and Lunar Eclipse into equipment, nothing could be better.
‘If proficiency increases, I should be able to utilize it better….’
Dozens, hundreds of different usage methods were already forming in his mind. And ideas for experiments began to surface. So, a smile merely formed on Gold-Hand’s lips.
Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump—
“Wooooooorker!”
“Tiaaaaaaaat!”
Iron Worker came thumping over, and Tia fluttered down to perch on Gold-Hand’s shoulder, nuzzling his head. They seemed worried about his safety after the explosion.
“Ah. It’s fine, it’s fine.”
Geumson reassured them with a smiling face. Though startled by the unexpected accident, he felt good. He had gained a lot. But then.
“It’s here! Over here!”
“What in the world happened? Did a meteor fall or something?”
“A meteor, my foot—look at the ice sprouting everywhere! Is this a new maze formation?”
Players began flocking to the site of Gold-Hand’s explosion experiment. They, too, seemed unable to hide their astonishment at the devastated terrain. Approaching them cautiously, Geumson asked,
“Excuse me… is the Ice Maze close from here?”
Gold-Hand, with the collar of his Shadow Robe raised. Fortunately, the players didn’t seem to recognize him, as his signature hammer wasn’t visible. But the players looked at him with a different meaning.
“Maze? Why are you looking for that?”
“Yes, I’m on my way to Prellia, and I heard there’s a maze around here. I need to avoid it.”
“So… you want to avoid the maze? Pfft—! Kkhahahahahat!”
“What’s this guy saying? Ah, this kid’s hilarious. Thanks, I haven’t laughed like this in a while.”
The players burst into laughter directed at Gold-Hand. His good mood quickly deflated. As Gold-Hand frowned at their attitude, one of the players spoke up.
“No need to look for the Ice Maze.”
“Huh? What do you mean…?”
“Why would someone already trapped in a maze look for it? We’re all trapped too!”
At the player’s words, Geumson face hardened. Geumson was already trapped within ‘Maze Architect’ Ma Jin-cheol’s Ice Maze. He had been caught without even realizing it.
