Trait Hoarder

Teaching – Part 1

(TL Note: You thought he was OP before? Witness true OP)

Transcendence?

So what exactly has changed?

Just as I was about to ask, my vision distorted unnaturally.

It was as if the world had been drained of color.

A monochrome world.

Shadows deepened, and the outlines of objects overlapped endlessly with lines.

Unbroken.

All connected as if drawn in one continuous stroke, swiftly etched together.

“Uh…”

What stood out the most was the strange appearance of the goddess before me.

She was clearly smaller than the size of my palm.

And yet, she somehow appeared enormous.

Her shadowed form stretched skyward, piercing even through the Celestial River.

If this were Earth, her head would touch the sky, and her feet would reach the ground.

Just like in her prime—when she was called Anuket.

“Huup!”

It only lasted for the briefest moment.

The world being perceived in black and white, expressed in infinite lines.

The goddess looked into me and gave a gentle smile.

[It’s called the Eye of Fate.]

“The Eye of Fate?”

[Yes. How does it feel to dip your toes into the world as seen by the gods?]

“That was the perspective of a god?”

[Indeed. If you choose, you can see it again whenever you wish. But know this—your mana will be consumed accordingly.]

This isn’t regular mana consumption.

It’s my true mana being drained—the kind that would be called True Inner Energy in martial arts.

“Then I should avoid using it as much as possible.”

[You possess sensory-type psychic abilities, so there’s no real need. And once you get used to it, you can manifest it without mana consumption. Mages and priests are usually more adept in this area.]

No wonder those Level 8s caused such a fuss every time they saw me.

The lines of fate shook every time I changed a trait.

What else have I gained?

I quietly clenched my fist.

It was obvious my physical stats had improved.

But the most significant change lay elsewhere.

I turned my eyes toward the desk in one corner of the private room.

Focused my will.

Crkk, krkk. The desk crumpled with a strange sound.

Almost as if I had used telekinesis.

But I didn’t have telekinesis.

Nor did I equip any psychic ability.

I simply exerted my will, and the mana of the world moved accordingly.

‘So this is the feeling.’

Imposing my will onto the world.

As soon as I set my intent, external mana resonated with it.

That must be what Level 8 is.

Thus, Level 8 easily overwhelms Level 7.

Level 7 uses only their own mana. Level 8 draws on the mana of the natural world.

In martial arts terms, it’s like reaching the realm of the Natural Sword.

No wonder I couldn’t challenge the Saintess back when I was Level 7.

‘But that’s not all.’

Inside my head—

A new mana circuit had formed.

Was it because I’d reflected on myself while replaying the Legion Commander’s memories?

I tried using it.

My consciousness settled down naturally, and I could perceive my entire state—stats, traits, everything.

Acquired the trait: [Insight].

Interesting.

The goddess did tell me to reflect deeply, but I didn’t expect to gain a trait from it.

Still, that’s not what I need to focus on right now.

There’s a more important trait.

[World].

Unlike other traits that end once created, [World] caused an unusual change in my mana circuit.

Originally, it looked like a seed. But now it had sprouted.

From one end, a mana circuit emerged, shyly poking out from my heart.

I used [Insight] to examine it closely.

Then I grasped what [World] could do.

‘Replication…?’

The ability I read from it felt a bit out of left field.

It was the ability to replicate my traits.

Is that correct?

I thought the revelation would align more closely with my identity as [Trait Hoarder Warrior Kim].

Still, might as well test it out.

I focused my consciousness on the [World] trait.

The entire seed began to glow, and power surged into the newly sprouted mana circuit, making it protrude.

After thinking it over, I highlighted [Giant’s Strength].

Something incredible happened.

[Giant’s Strength] [Giant’s Strength]

The [World] trait transformed into [Giant’s Strength], stacking the trait twice.

[Hmm?]

The goddess watched with a curious expression.

[So that’s the psychic power the World Tree gave you? You’re using it in a strange way. That’s not its intended use.]

“Then how is it supposed to be used?”

[I can’t tell you. If I do, your fate would become entangled with mine and locked in place. Figure it out on your own. Still, this method of application seems useful depending on how you use it.]

I walked over to the mirror on one side of the room.

First, I emptied all my traits.

My muscular body slimmed down.

Still lean and defined, now resembling the toned frame of a practical fighter.

[Giant’s Strength]

Equipped just one.

My body expanded, growing into a 2-meter-tall, muscular MMA fighter.

Even this much made me a walking weapon.

What if I applied the double stack?

[Giant’s Strength] [Giant’s Strength]

The result was a 2-meter-40-centimeter giant.

The sheer bulk of muscle made me look more like a monster than a man.

The Star Spawn protective suit was stretched to its absolute limit.

I’d believe it if someone said I was a mini ogre.

‘Triple stacking isn’t possible.’

Two layers is the limit.

But even that is overwhelming.

Just stacking [Giant’s Strength] produced this.

What would happen if I stacked [Master of the Sword]?

Or even more—Mars Swordsmanship, Nephilim Sword, Kalaratri?

‘This can’t be the end.’

[World] still held onto [Giant’s Strength].

I began pouring mana into it.

Pressed it in.

Though it consumed my true mana, it was nothing I couldn’t replenish quickly.

With Nectar, Ambrosia, and Elixirs.

Also using my recovery-type traits, along with [Rehabilitation] and [Repose].

If I managed to create the higher-tier trait [Rapture], I’d be able to restore everything instantly.

“Hah.”

I gave a short laugh while gazing at the glowing trait in my palm.

This was just a branch.

Of all things, it had to be through the Legion Commander’s memories that I reflected on myself—bringing with it a side effect.

Much like Projected Force, I could now replicate my traits and pass them on to others.

It’d be perfect for training disciples and subordinates.

It might not help me directly, but…

‘It’s all just material in the end.’

Maybe, later on, I’ll be able to replicate others’ traits too?

Just like how I inherited the Big Three Sword Arts from Baek Sorin, Janet, and Kali.

Right now, it might just stop at trait transference—but what if it evolves into trait devouring?

That’s for the future.

I absorbed the [Giant’s Strength] trait and all the mana stored in it.

The hollow feeling in my heart was soon brimming again with mana.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

That’s when it happened.

Someone banged violently on the door to the private room.

“Come in.”

With my Inner Sight, I saw it was Baek Sorin.

The door burst open, and she rushed in.

Not just Baek Sorin—Janet, Kali, Seo Woojin, Kim Chulkwon, Kim Mabeob, and Kim Saje all entered one after another.

The spacious private room now felt completely packed.

“Teacher! You’re awake!”

“Huh? Of course. What’s going on?”

“Teacher, do you realize it’s been three days since your awakening began?! Do you know how worried we were?!”

Three days?

I looked to the goddess. She nodded gravely.

[That was quick, actually. Normally, going from Level 7 to Level 8 can take years.]

“Lady Goddess put up a barrier so we couldn’t even get inside!”

[Of course I did. If someone interfered during the awakening, the consequences could be dire. Why would I allow the door to be opened?]

The goddess had protected me.

Even though there was a barrier on the private room, communication lines remained open.

But it seemed even those had been cut.

To ensure nothing disrupted my level-up.

I bowed my head deeply.

“Thank you, Goddess. I feel like I’m always indebted to you.”

[Hah hah. Just keep your promises. I’ll take my leave now.]

The goddess vanished.

Back when I was Level 7, I would’ve only seen a splash or two as she disappeared.

But it was different now that I’d become Level 8.

I could see everything—the goddess slipping into a higher dimension, merging into the pillar connected to the supercomputer, and immersing herself in the main computer’s mana circuit, all as a hazy shadow.

I watched her go, then turned my gaze—and locked eyes with them.

All those hopeful, expectant faces.

Kim Saje was the one to speak first.

“Hyung. So… did you really become Level 8?”

How should I show them?

Ah. Got it.

[Master of the Sword]

I equipped the trait I obtained back at Level 6.

Focused my mind and drew up mana.

A strange heat flickered across my forehead.

The Eye of Fate opened, revealing the infinite lines connecting the world.

I intervened with one of those threads.

Activated [Master of the Sword] and Sword Qi—not from my hand, but from several meters away.

Paaah!

Starlight etched into the air.

In midair.

In a space where neither my sword nor my hand could reach.

A radiant energy like a piece of a fallen star grew—Sword Qi manifesting on its own.

It’s practically useless.

Too weak for real combat, with abysmal mana efficiency.

It’d be more effective to just scatter spatial Sword Qi.

But visually? It’s a shock.

Floating Sword Qi is something an ordinary Swordmaster—a Level 7 superhuman—could never hope to do.

Everyone’s mouths fell open.

“Huh!”

“W-What is that?!”

“Level 8! You really became Level 8!”

“My god.”

“That’s even possible?”

“Of course. He has the Heavenly Demon’s Physique.”

“Hyung! Congratulations!”

“Thanks, everyone.”

Pop! Pop!

Kim Mabeob launched Phoenix Fireworks from his fingers.

His fire magic had come a long way.

For someone who wasn’t even a mage, he wielded mana like one.

Kim Saje wasn’t to be outdone, bursting forth with a golden blessing.

Baek Sorin and Seo Woojin let out bursts of Sword Qi, Janet hurled black-and-white Sword Qi in fireworks form, and Kali threw crimson shadows that exploded like celebratory flares.

Kim Chulkwon beamed with a wide grin.

“Truly, congratulations! Sword Star! You must be one of the world’s top 100 strongest now!”

“If we’re talking Korea alone, the number’s even smaller. There were only six until yesterday.”

“Exactly! Sword Star! Let’s get you back home! Head to the Superhuman Tower, get officially certified, and let the whole country—no, the whole world—know that a new Transcendent has been born!”

“Ah. I can’t do that.”

“…What?”

I swung open the window of the private room.

Beyond the triple-layered magic glass—

A gray, misty space twisted and undulated before my eyes.

This was within the Great Rift.

A realm between dimensions. A place where gravity and time flowed strangely.

I’d secured four mana cores and anchored myself here before challenging Level 8.

“Director Kim. Why do you think I chose to undergo awakening here?”

“Well, because of the Old Father’s Cult, of course! If you did it at your house, there was a chance they’d attack!”

No matter how strong the personal barriers at my estate were, it would’ve been risky.

If it was the Old Father’s Cult—or worse, the Saintess—they could shatter triple-layered barriers and barge in without breaking a sweat.

Even the protection of the River Goddess wouldn’t be enough.

“Exactly. I’d wager that if I became Level 8 anywhere on Earth—at my home or not—the Saintess would’ve known instantly.”

No barrier could hide it.

Now that I’d become Level 8, I understood completely.

Every time I changed traits, the lines of fate around me would tremble violently.

And if someone reaches Level 8?

If a new Transcendent is born?

The Saintess—and every Transcendent on Earth—would immediately sense it.

I clenched my fist tightly.

Zzzkzzk! The sound of mana friction roared through the private room.

Too many senses had awakened with my ascent to Level 8.

My perception was hazy, and my body couldn’t keep up with the speed of my thoughts.

Put simply, I couldn’t yet wield my power as a Level 8 to its full potential.

“I need time. Even if I do return, I’ve got to train a bit first.”

“But you didn’t say that before.”

“This isn’t like before.”

Back then, even if I leveled up, I could just rest a little, train, and adapt.

But now, things were on an entirely different scale.

I’d gone from a superhuman to a demi-god.

I brushed my fingers along the Black Tiger Sword and looked over my disciples—and my subordinates.

“Perfect timing, actually. Let’s take this opportunity to get all of you up a level.”

Baek Sorin’s ears perked up.

“Teacher! I go first, right? Right?”

“Of course. You’re the easiest one. Everyone, to the deck.”

When she joined up with us back in Monster Village, Baek Sorin had already been just shy of Level 7.

And she still was.

Her EXP bar was sitting at 99.99%—like a dam filled to the brim with water, needing just one drop to overflow.

Honestly, I thought she’d naturally hit Level 7 during this expedition.

But she was still stuck at Level 6.

I’d wondered why—until I became Level 8 and could finally see the reason.

“Ooooh!”

Grizzly Bear, who was roaming the deck, let out a cheer when he saw me.

“Our Sword Star Captain! You really hit Level 8? Congratulations from the bottom of my heart!”

Beside him, Skeleton Snake puffed up proudly like she’d hit Level 8 herself.

“See? I told you he’d come out as an 8 in no time!”

“Still, I figured it’d take a month at least! Isn’t he in his early twenties? Even the Heavenly Demon didn’t achieve that in his youth!”

“Didn’t the Heavenly Demon hit Level 8 in his early twenties too? I heard he reached Level 9 before turning thirty.”

“Well, our Sword Star Captain’s gonna surpass even that! He might really make history!”

“He might even become the Heavenly Demon’s disciple.”

“Hah! Who’s becoming whose disciple? If he wants me as a student, the Heavenly Demon better come to Seoul and personally pass on the Heavenly Demon Divine Arts!”

The Heavenly Demon Divine Arts were currently on indefinite hold.

Last I checked the news, the Divine Army General and the Blood King had clashed, only to be suppressed by Mahu and imprisoned in the Chamber of Repentance.

Things over there seemed complicated too.

‘The Chamber of Repentance, huh…’

I wasn’t expecting much to begin with.

The fishmen joined the mutants in throwing their arms up in celebration.

“Hooray! Sword Star!”

“Congratulations!”

“Thanks, everyone. But could you all clear the area for a moment? I need to take a look at Sorin’s sword.”

On the massive deck, as wide as an aircraft carrier—

Baek Sorin and I stood face-to-face.

Everyone watched from a distance.

Not just my disciples and subordinates—but the fishmen, the mutants, all of them.

I didn’t stop them.

If they could pick something up from this, it would only benefit me in the long run.

“Teacher.”

Baek Sorin drew her demon blade, Masamune.

“I’m still Heavenly Killing Star, right?”

“You are.”

“Then why didn’t I level up this time?”

“It’s simple.”

Clang!

I drew the Black Tiger Sword as well.

“You fought too safely.”

“Too safely?”

“Yeah.”

I owed her an explanation.

I pointed my sword into the air.

Sword Qi bloomed, sketching out the world.

The four otherworlds we visited by riding the Celestial River.

“Heavenly Killing Star draws strength from blood and death. You can’t grow at all through regular training. But that’s only up to Level 6. Once you hit Level 7, there’s an extra condition.”

“Don’t tell me… I have to shed my own blood?”

“Correct.”

To be exact, you have to brush past death.

Or die and come back.

But how had Baek Sorin been fighting?

Bravely. Always at the front.

The problem? She hadn’t gotten seriously hurt even once.

If her [Nine Lives] trait had activated a few times, she’d have leveled up. But it hadn’t. So she’d stagnated.

“Let’s go back to how we used to train.”

“You mean… like that time I got bitten by zombies?”

“Yeah. A few neck slashes and heart stabs, and you’ll hit Level 7.”

“That’ll literally kill me!”

“You won’t die.”

Thanks to the Bottomless Pouch, we’ve got Elixirs in excess.

Even if your neck is cut or your heart explodes, as long as your soul doesn’t leave your body, you can be resurrected.

The resurrection elixir.

“Sorin. Remember what I told you before?”

My eyes gleamed like blades.

“I’m Spartan-style.”

–TL Notes–

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