Chapter 156 – Sixth History Alteration

Rewinding time slightly, right after Pheidippides and half of Lee Hanseong’s consciousness ascended to the Sun Constellation’s true body.

Lee Hanseong, who remained within the stopped time, possessed Rough’s history as originally intended.

Blink.

The point Lee Hanseong possessed was right after Blundell and Rough heard the name of the Mad Blood Duke Mirkala and her seal was completely released.

Since their location was a Void Space adjacent to the progenitor Prometheus’s ancient castle, they needed to leave this place quickly.

Creepy!

“Run!”

Feeling goosebumps rising on the body he possessed, Lee Hanseong started running along the Void Fairy Path without even having time to examine the changes in Rough caused by this possession.

Blundell, whose Formless Sword Demon Armor had vanished, and Mirkala, who had just been released from her seal, seemed to sense a similar ominous premonition as Rough and immediately followed his shout.

It was just as they were running to the position corresponding to the ancient castle’s walls.

[So a little rat has crawled in.]

Prometheus, having noticed the Mad Blood Duke’s seal was broken, stared directly at them and muttered.

An overwhelming pressure that made the Void Fairy Path installed in the Void Space tremble with just his voice!

If not for the experience of confronting an Apostle in reality, one might have unconsciously stopped in their tracks.

However, Mirkala, running at the very back, suddenly stopped and looked behind.

“You mustn’t stop!”

“No, if we continue like this, we’ll be caught. I’ll buy a little time.”

“Mirk…!”

“Shh! You only have one chance to call my name, so save it. And I have no intention of sacrificing myself for the likes of you, so don’t hesitate and run quickly.”

“Understood. Mad Blood Duke.”

As Rough and Blundell left the Mad Blood Duke behind and quickened their pace.

Flash! Whoosh—

A brilliant golden sun, bright enough to dye all the rainbow colors of the Void Fairy Path, rose behind them.

Authority [Solar Blood].

Perhaps due to the paradox of a vampire embracing the sun, the Mad Blood Duke’s Authority, which holds an attribute advantage even against True Ancestors, let alone Nosferatu who have overcome their weakness to the sun, was unleashed.

[Mad Blood Duke…! Did you think you could escape me to this extent? It seems your intelligence has deteriorated while sealed.]

Of course, even this would be nothing more than a flashbang to the Apostle Prometheus.

But conversely, that meant Solar Blood could at least slightly disrupt an Apostle’s senses.

Swish!

As if Mirkala’s words about not intending to sacrifice herself were true, after detonating Solar Blood once, she instantly returned to the side of Rough and Blundell who had run ahead.

“That should have bought us a little time. I leave the rest to you.”

Mirkala looked at Rough and passed on the remaining tasks.

The latter part of her words was directed at Lee Hanseong dwelling within Rough.

Having already reached Quasi-Divine Grade at 6-Star and further enhanced by the Blessing of Transcendence, Lee Hanseong lacked only Authority, making it no exaggeration to call him True God Rank.

That’s why Mirkala used formal speech.

“Of course. If we’ve come this far, there must be a way.”

Thanks to Solar Blood temporarily blocking the Apostle’s pursuit, Rough’s party had already escaped to a point where the Dream Fairy Path created by Nightmares overlapped.

Of course, even if veiled by the Dream Stratum, it wouldn’t be able to deceive an Apostle’s senses.

So here, Lee Hanseong needed to use his power.

Hum.

While the Primordial Chaos Divine Art buffered the strain on Rough’s body.

“Repair Heaven and Earth.”

Using the Nightmare that created the Dream Fairy Path they were on as a medium, all Dream Fairy Paths connected to it through other Nightmares came under Lee Hanseong’s grasp.

Shoooosh!

The Nightmares and Dream Fairy Paths spread out like a spiderweb all converged towards Rough, and dreams piled up layer upon layer over the Void Fairy Path they were on.

With each added layer of dream, the surrounding scenery distorted, and colorful hues spread.

Within a scene reminiscent of Maya’s Dream Chaos Authority.

“Merge into one and become a dream within a dream.”

The moment all Dream Stratums gathered here, superimposed onto Rough’s Void Fairy Path by the Primordial Chaos Divine Art, completed into a single Reverse World with a multi-layered structure.

[Conditions met. <Nightmare Predation: Vein (Legend)> blooms.]

The Feat of devouring Nightmares manifested as the legend of the Vein that devours nightmares, filling both of Rough’s 5-Star Unique Skill Slots.

As vast Dream Threads embraced Rough like clothing, establishing themselves as his Treasure Vessel.

[Feat, ‘Endlessly Continuing Dream within a Dream’ achieved.]

[The Wind Constellation records Rough’s Feat and altered history.]

[Fifth Awakening Skill 《Dream Fantasy World》 blooms.]

.

.

.

Rough’s 5-Star Promotion was also complete.

It was a time less than a minute after the Historical Alteration began.

* * *

“Whew— That’s a relief.”

“To create a space that evades an Apostle’s eyes with just a Myth-level skill… You truly are amazing.”

Once the Dream Fantasy World was complete, perhaps even Prometheus could no longer find them, as quite some time had passed without the Apostle’s pursuit reaching them.

Although, having hidden in a very deep dream, it also became difficult for them to observe reality again.

But that was preferable to facing an Apostle.

“But what do you plan to do now? If you just hide in the dream, it doesn’t seem much different from being sealed.”

“No, it’s different. Because this is a dream.”

Rough grinned in response to Mirkala’s point.

Within the Dream Fantasy World, the things they could do were endless.

“In dreams, time and space become ambiguous, so as long as it’s not the current Arpelgia where the Apostle is targeting us, we can go anywhere else.”

“If that’s the case, I understand.”

Ultimately, if the Constellation’s record where the Historical Alteration occurs is interpreted as a past dream or a future dream, it could connect to the Dream Fantasy World as much as desired.

Activating the Awakening Skill Dream Fantasy World to control the Dream Fantasy World, which had transformed from the Void Fairy Path.

Hum!

The Dream Fantasy World and Rough became one, and his Mental Image and the Dream Fantasy World began to align.

As his core Mental Image, having reached 6-Star, was determined, Body Reformation naturally followed.

Smoothly.

Not a noisy, but a quiet change.

[Conditions met. <Dream Constitution (Unique)> blooms.]

Rough’s new body swayed like an illusion, giving an unreal feeling.

‘Hmm.’

Taking the opportunity of his constitution change, I finished examining Rough’s changes.

Rough, who had completed his 5-Star Promotion, was now 6-Star again with the Blessing of Transcendence applied.

But that wasn’t the full extent of the changes.

It was because the skills Lee Hanseong had preemptively integrated or evolved for Rough were also applied to Rough through Omnipresent Star.

【Rough (★★★★★☆) (Blessing of Transcendence applied)】

Rare Skill: <Sophistry>, <???>

Unique Skill: <Great Fortune>, <Genius>, <Two Fates>, <Dream Constitution>.

Legend Skill: <Nightmare Predation: Vein>.

Legend Awakening Skill: <Causal disturbance>, <Phase Superposition>, <Great Fortune Circulation>, <Void Fairy Path>.

Myth Awakening Skill: <Dream Fantasy World>, 《???》.

<Artisan> evolved into <Genius>, occupying half of a new Unique Skill Slot.

<Divination> and <Dual Identity> were integrated into <Two Fates>.

Moreover, perhaps due to the Soul Imprint included in Lee Hanseong’s Omnipresent Star, all of Rough’s Awakening Skills were now mastered as skills.

But Rough’s Intuition was saying that even more changes could occur here.

The Great Fortune surrounding him inspired him.

Thus began Rough’s sophistry.

“There’s a saying that luck is also a talent. Then, can’t we see Great Fortune and Genius as not being very different?”

Assisted by Lee Hanseong’s Synthesis of Opposites in skill integration.

[<Great Fortune (Unique)> + <Genius (Unique)> = <Heavenly Fortune (Legend)>]

The Heavenly Fortune skill, which originally would have been created by overlapping two Great Fortune skills, was formed through a different combination.

And the very act of utilizing such sophistry became a new Feat, evolving Sophistry itself and filling the remaining skill slot.

[Conditions met. <Sophistry (Rare)> evolves into <Wordplay (Unique)>.]

Thus, all of Rough’s skills became Unique Grade or higher.

In that state, Rough’s gaze turned towards Blundell.

“Mr. Blundell… What’s wrong?”

“I’m… useless here…”

Blundell slumped his shoulders as if he wanted to dig into the ground.

Having risen to Quasi-Divine Grade through the Formless Sword Demon Armor and then fallen back to his original 4-Star level, the discrepancy seemed severe.

As an emergency measure, Lee Hanseong shared his Transcendent Star with Blundell through Omnipresent Star.

Whoosh!

With Second Stage Transcendence applied, Blundell was promoted to 6-Star.

“Is this better?”

“Yes, but… I don’t know what to do from now on.”

His complexion finally brightened a little, but it was still dark.

Checking his status through the Transcendent Star dwelling within Blundell.

【Blundell Violet (★★★★☆☆) (Transcendent Star applied)】

Rare Skill: <Toxicology>, <Path Exploration>.

Unique Skill: <Virtual Degenerate Furnace>, <Poison Blood Qi Art>, <???>, <???>, <???>, <???>.

General Awakening Skill: 《Deadly Poison Zone》, 《Barrier of Solitude》, 《Event Horizon》, 《Spirit Particle Collapse》.

“Hmm.”

Looking at it as a skill tree, Toxicology, Poison Blood Qi Art, and Deadly Poison Zone were one branch.

Virtual Degenerate Furnace, Barrier of Solitude, Event Horizon, and Spirit Particle Collapse were another branch.

The remaining four Unique Skill Slots could be filled with skills to reinforce the existing skill trees or create entirely new branches.

Depending on what history Blundell writes from now on, his final destination will differ, so it was difficult to advise rashly.

“Well… I’ll wish you luck. Since we have someone blessing us, we’ll all end up well in the end.”

Thus, Rough simultaneously activated Great Fortune Circulation and Heavenly Fortune to bless Blundell.

Whoooosh!

A Wind of Heavenly Fortune on a different dimension than before swept through the inside of the Dream Fantasy World.

Click.

[<Great Fortune Circulation (Legend)> + <Heavenly Fortune (Legend)> = <Protagonist (Myth)>]

The Myth Skill born from the overlapping Heavenly Fortune selected Rough as the protagonist of the story called fate.

As the world began to flow as Rough desired.

Mirkala, who had been almost ignoring them, suddenly looked at Blundell.

With a somewhat blank expression, she approached Blundell and said.

“For some reason, I feel like I should help you.”

Plunge.

Mirkala’s finger pierced Blundell’s heart.

“What is this…?”

“I’ll let you experience it just once, so concentrate.”

Keeeeeng!

The True Ancestor’s power of blood dominance interfered with the Poison Blood Qi Art circulating in Blundell’s blood vessels.

“For me too, the sun was once like poison, but now the sun has melted into my blood, raising the level of my blood. For you to also raise the level of your Poison Blood Qi Art, you must contain an even more fatal poison in your blood.”

“……!”

As if realizing something from Mirkala’s words, Blundell closed his eyes and focused inward.

The Virtual Degenerate Furnace fiercely circulating reacted bit by bit with the Poison Blood Qi Art.

But the stabilized Virtual Degenerate Furnace did not easily connect with the Poison Blood Qi Art.

“Break the stability, like when you released my seal. A bird that doesn’t break its egg cannot come into the world.”

Blundell frowned as if pondering for a moment, then began to compress the stabilized Virtual Degenerate Furnace even further.

His starlight flowing from inside the Virtual Degenerate Furnace caused Spirit Particle Collapse.

A transformed, inverse-heaven starlight that could truly be called the power of Annihilation.

Normally, he would have poured this outwards to use as an attack, but Blundell did not pour it out.

Chiiii—

Even though continuing to hold it like this would cause his inner self and body to collapse, he did so.

‘If this too is poison… I accept it.’

Instead, he tried to melt the transformed starlight into the Poison Blood Qi Art.

It was a gamble where even a slight mistake could cost his life, but ever since Rough blessed him, he couldn’t imagine failing at all.

And that premonition was correct.

Because the Virtual Degenerate Furnace and Poison Blood Qi Art created a synergistic effect, each evolving into a higher-tier skill.

Click.

[<Virtual Degenerate Furnace (Unique)> evolves into <Degenerate Core Heart (Legend)>.]

Thumpthumpthumpthump—

The Virtual Degenerate Furnace was no longer virtual but took its place in Blundell’s actual heart, transforming into a Core Heart.

“Good, well done.”

As Mirkala’s finger, which had pierced Blundell’s heart due to the Degenerate Core Heart’s repulsion, was automatically pushed out, she offered praise.

Click.

[<Poison Blood Qi Art (Unique)> evolves into <Void Poison Blood (Legend)>.]

The blood containing poison imbued with the power of Annihilation lost the nature of Internal Energy derived from starlight and transformed into blood with properties that absorb starlight like Hollow Specters or Void Lords.

Chiiii—

“A poison that melts my finger. Helping you was worthwhile.”

The pushed-out finger of Mirkala was melting, flesh dissolving enough to reveal bone.

Of course, her wound was immediately regenerated by Solar Blood.

But such extreme poison flowing within Blundell’s body was a problem.

This was a dangerous state where Blundell could become a Hound of Void.

But conversely, it could also be the key for him to inversely erode the Void outside Providence.

So it was difficult to outright ignore this achievement.

Because his existence could be of great help in the future war against the Void forces.

‘The danger can be somewhat offset by Rough being the Protagonist, so let’s observe for now.’

[Great Feat, ‘Void Usurpation’ achieved.]

And it seemed the Darkness Constellation, peeking into the Dream Fantasy World through the Abyssal darkness existing at the bottom of dreams, felt the same way.

[The Darkness Constellation records Blundell’s Feat and altered history.]

[Fifth Awakening Skill <Gate of the Abyss> blooms.]

……

Seeing that it transferred the authority over the Gate of the Abyss, connected to the Void, to Blundell as an Awakening Skill.

Thus, Blundell’s 5-Star Promotion was complete, but his changes were not yet over.

Was it the influence of the Protagonist or Transcendent Star skill?

Or was it Blundell’s instinct to resist the Void poison?

Click click.

[<Toxicology (Rare)> evolves into <Void Theory (Unique)>.]

[<Path Exploration (Rare)> evolves into <Void Search (Unique)>.]

Blundell’s remaining Rare Skills also evolved in directions related to the Void.

Clank!

And.

The moment the Void contained within Blundell, interpreted through Void Theory, became part of Providence.

Griiind!

“Kuaaaaaah!”

In accordance with the interpreted Void, Blundell’s body also began Body Reformation.

An extreme change where everything seemed twisted backwards, unlike any Body Reformation seen before.

It meant that even the Void interpreted by the wisdom of Void Theory was very distant from ordinary Providence.

Pazuzuzuzu!

As if the world rejected his change, blue sparks flashed around Blundell.

“Ugh! If this continues…!”

Even the fate contained in Rough’s <Protagonist> could only delay the catastrophe.

A new inspiration was needed to gain the ability to break through this situation.

And that would have to be found within the Historical Alterations of other Spirits, currently in progress through the Divine Artifacts sent ahead.

“Dream Fantasy World… Illuminate the future dream!”

At Rough’s Order, the dreamscape surrounding the party changed.

The first dream unfolded was the record of Henrietta, existing in the spacetime closest to the present.