Pick Me Up Infinite Gacha! - P.M.U Chapter 246: Demonized Human (1) (Part 2)

I frowned.

It hit right where it hurt.

‘Well, that’s true.’

According to my calculations, the Emperor would appear as the boss on the 80th floor.

But the level of that guy I saw on the 50th floor was 354.

It far exceeded the typical boss level.

‘Damn it.’

Anytng is planning to steadily climb the tower.

The issue was whether I could become strong enough to face him head-on before we reached the 80th floor.

The reduced difficulty was only temporary.

Eventually, that guy would appear as the biggest obstacle in clearing the tower.

‘So, I need to become even stronger.’

“Do you have a way?”

“Gu, gugu!”

Goo Goo Con wiggled its plump bottom.

I made it like this, but I really wish I could change its appearance.

‘The resolve to give up being human… to create a body that can handle power?’

I looked down at Goo Goo Con.

I think I know what it’s suggesting.

‘It’s asking me to change my race.’

In Pick Me Up, there was a rare event where you could change the race of a hero.

Velkist’s procedure from the Assinis family was one example. Of course, this was much rarer than skill awakening or breaking limits.

‘Giving up being human…’

I chuckled.

This kind of event had so many variables, and each case was so unique that I couldn’t research it properly.

“How do I do it? Should I enter an exploration dungeon?”

<No need for that. Just sit in that chair over there and close your eyes.>

Goo Goo Con pointed at a metal chair in the corner of the practice room.

“All I have to do is sit there?”

<Yes.>

…This smells fishy.

I walked over to the chair.

I’d known for a while that this guy had some hidden agenda.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t have tried to take over my body out of the blue.

‘It’s not because it doesn’t want to be trapped here, right?’

That can’t be it.

If that were the case, it wouldn’t be so persistent.

Though I’d taken some precautions, I couldn’t let my guard down.

I took a deep breath and leaned back in the chair.

<Close your eyes.>

I decided to play along and closed my eyes.

Darkness filled my vision. Well, that was obvious, since my eyelids were shut.

“What’s supposed to…”

Suddenly,

The world wrapped in darkness shifted.

I opened my eyes.

The training tools and dummies in the practice room were gone, replaced by a desolate plain. The air was dry, carrying the scent of dead leaves, and the twilight sun shone down on the barren land.

<Thousands of years ago, we made a contract with the Emperor. When a crisis befell Townia, we swore to combine our strengths to save this place. Don’t worry, Han. You’ve met the qualifications.>

In front of me stood a man.

Black flames surrounded him, and three pairs of wings fluttered behind his back.

A pitch-black spear and jet-black armor. I had seen this figure in a descent dungeon before.

“……”

Halkion Syraos.

The true form of Goo Goo Con; one of the four ancient transcendent species in Townia.

<This is the gap between dimensions. It’s also part of your mental world. Your mastery of the Black Dragon’s Blood has grown, allowing it to happen. You’ll be visiting this place more often from now on, so take a good look around.>

“……Ha.”

I thought I’d been through a lot since arriving in Townia, but this was something I couldn’t have imagined.

“So, are you going to make me stronger?”

<Don’t you think it’s time to renew our contract?>

The man grinned.

I sighed.

“What are the terms?”

<Complete Townia’s mission to the end.>

“Townia’s mission… so, I can’t leave this place.”

<If you decide to betray that loyalty…>

Halkion’s eyes gleamed darkly.

<You won’t meet a pleasant fate.>

“……”

<If you accept the contract, I will implant the essence of a dragon within you. I believe you are now capable of withstanding it. Of course, once you accept my power, you won’t be able to revert to your previous state.>

‘So, I won’t be able to undo the engraving?’

Even if I find a more suitable engraving later, I won’t be able to change it.

Moreover, there would likely be conditions attached to using the engraving.

‘Like how Wiryung is bound.’

Just as Wiryung, bound by the Oath, can’t fully utilize her power outside of Muryeon, this contract would bind me to Townia as well.

<It’s your choice, Han. Whether you accept or not is entirely up to you.>

The flames surrounding Halkion’s body surged upward.

His power was beyond anything I had encountered before.

I had known this from the start—after all, even with all the weapons of Niflheimr brought to bear, we couldn’t leave a scratch on him. His power was likely far beyond that of any engraving wielded by the first-party members of Niflheimr.

‘…It might even surpass that.’

I had been growing increasingly aware of the untapped potential within the Black Dragon’s Blood as I used it.

So, this must be why Halkion waited for me to reach 5-star status…

‘It’s a two-slot engraving.’

I had planned on securing a decent engraving, but this outcome far exceeded my expectations.

I shrugged and answered.

“Then let’s get it over with. I need to test it out as soon as I get back.”

<I expected you to answer that way.>

Halkion twisted his lips into a smirk.

<One last question. Are you confident you won’t regret this decision? From this point on, you won’t be able to escape from Townia. You won’t leave until everything is finished.>

“I already made up my mind. Stop with the needless warnings.”

I clenched my fist.

If I had intended to run, I would have gone back to Niflheimr long ago.

But I had already crossed the 50th floor.

Through my mistakes, I had caused the deaths of many heroes, including Eloka and Edis.

Since I had crossed that line, it was my responsibility to see it through.

‘I won’t run.’

Just as El Cid ultimately conquered Dorado, I will achieve the same.

And then I’ll go home.

<I pledge on your heart.>

Halkion pointed the tip of his spear at me.

Crack!

A crimson bolt of lightning leaped from his spear, piercing through the left side of my chest.

Surprisingly, there was no pain.

<Until you reach the end of your destiny, you will be unable to leave Townia. Do you swear to fulfill this contract?>

“And in return?”

<Power.>

This wasn’t just a typical high-risk, high-reward situation.

It was the promise of immense strength in exchange for being bound to this place.

<Should you break your oath, my spear will pierce your heart. But if you keep your promise, we will grant you immeasurable power.>

I narrowed my eyes.

Beyond Halkion’s back, in the endless expanse of the plain, massive shadows were rising.

I could only make out their silhouettes, unable to discern their true forms.

Were they other transcendent species?

They watched me from beyond the shadows.

“You’re really trying to sell it, aren’t you? It’s almost like if I follow your terms, I’ll become invincible.”

<You’re not wrong. If you can fully forge a contract with us.>

So, they expect me to eventually form contracts with all of them.

If each engraving took up two slots, having three engravings would require a minimum of six slots.

Even with a 6-star promotion, I’d only have three available slots. To unlock the full potential of this power, I’d need to reach 7-star status, where there are no slot limitations.

‘…What a sweet-talking salesman.’

I clicked my tongue.

Halkion was staring at me with a clear gaze.

If I accepted his offer, I’d become a true monster. A genuine monster imbued with the power of the Four Great Clans. A transformation far more potent than the procedure Velkist underwent.

So this is what he meant by having the resolve to abandon my humanity.

The only comfort in all of this was that if I ever returned to Earth, all of my skills and engravings would disappear.

I had confirmed that much directly from Iselle.

But if I remained here…

I had no idea what would happen.

I let out a small chuckle and spoke.

Hyung_Otaku

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

•