'This is exhausting.'
Ever since the barrier disappeared at the end of Furious Night, Vio had been running nonstop. He kept one eye on the mountain map and the other on the items he'd obtained from the two Chests.
[Obtained: 'Teleport to Eye']
[Obtained: Blueprint 'Adaptive Propulsion Modules']
[Obtained: 80,000 XP]
[Adaptive Propulsion Modules]
A micro-scale propulsion cylinder that can be attached to any part of the body.
Energy Type: Any
EP Cost: Minimum usage: 0,5 per minute / Maximum usage: 10 per minute
Resources Required for Crafting: 34 Plastic, 21 Metal, 4 Steel
Each module cost 10,000,000 coins in the system store, which made Vio's mouth water. Should he craft it or convert it into coins?
From what he understood, the propulsion cylinder was a small device he could attach anywhere on his body, like a miniature rocket booster. It would generate thrust, letting him change direction mid-air, maneuver quickly, or even fly.
'System, how many do I need to actually fly?'
[At least two: on the feet or hands]
[Note: The hero will likely struggle with control. Installing more is recommended.]
What worried him more was the energy cost.
He desperately wanted to save up for the CyborgHeart of pure energy storage, but also needed Energy Conversion Science. The costs were astronomical, both in resources and coins. The mountain situation kept getting worse, to the point where he seriously considered using his resources to upgrade his second heart. But...
[Upgrades]
CyborgHeart – Level 1
Maximum Capacity: 100 Energy Units
CyborgHeart – Level 2
Maximum Capacity: 200 Energy Units
Required Resources: 30 Plastic, 55 Metal, 22 Steel, 1 Battery Cell
'Where in the hell am I supposed to find a Battery Cell?'
So far, he hadn't encountered any missions that rewarded Battery Cells, and of course, the system offered no answers.
As for the previous level up, he gained a new ability:
[Passive Abilities]
Cyborg Blood:
A self-sustaining, adaptive material that integrates and produces various properties based on external additions.
As he moved, Vio looked at his arm and commanded the synthetic skin to retract, revealing the metallic structure beneath. At his command, the metal itself shifted back, letting him examine his new blood.
'Good, it's red. At least if it leaks out, it won't terrify people.'
[With Cyborg Blood, the system can analyze and produce various materials. It is recommended to purchase multiple Cores for simultaneous analyses.]
A new section appeared in the store, containing only one item:
Cores. Strangely, there were no different versions—they were all identical.
[Cores]
Version: Alpha
Purchase Cost: 30,000,000
'Why is there only one version?'
[The version depends on Rank. To upgrade Rank, the hero must level up.]
'If I buy multiple Alpha Cores and my Rank increases, what happens then?'
[They will automatically upgrade.]
To truly understand their value, he needed to test them first. He'd been putting it off because he hadn't found the right time. But knowing that Baniaasif would eventually figure out he was still alive, he decided to give it a shot.
'As far as I understand, Cores are related to analyzing and processing external data.'
[Correct.]
'Alright, scan all available information in external data and give me an organized report on the findings.'
[Processing request…]
[Request logged. Please confirm.]
[Request: Scan all available information and provide a structured report. Yes/No]
[Warning: With only one Core, the system will not be available during this process.]
'What? Wait, are you saying you won't function?'
[The system does not shut down, but responses to the hero's inquiries will be unavailable.]
'Man, you scared me. Just go ahead—it's not like you're particularly helpful anyway.'
[...]
'Come on, what are you waiting for... Ah, I mean, yes.'
[Analyzing…]
[Estimated time: 10 hours]
'Ten hours... That's forever.'
Anyway, he grabbed the Adaptive Propulsion Modules blueprint and crafted it after stopping his run.
'At least it doesn't cost any coins.'
As the blueprint glowed and took shape, Vio noticed something odd.
'Why does the system work like this?'
First, purchasing required system coins. Then a physical blueprint appeared, and only after that could he use resources to craft the item.
'Why doesn't it just work instantly?'
It would make more sense to directly consume coins and resources without the physical blueprint step. Normally, one might assume that's just how it worked, but the system mimicked a game structure. That didn't mean it should adopt unnecessary mechanics. Plus, blueprints weren't exclusive to the store—he could also obtain them from random loot chests.
For now, he put the thought aside and examined the newly crafted item in his hand.
It was small—a tiny cylinder that fit in his palm.
'Where should I attach this thing?'
He crouched and attached it to his foot. It stuck as if magnetized. The moment he thought about activating it, the cylinder opened up, releasing a burst of thrust that lifted his leg off the ground.
'Damn it!'
Lost control, his leg shooting upward while the rest of his body stayed down. In an instant, he was upside-down. He quickly commanded it to stop, and the propulsion cut off, dropping him flat on his back.
Lying there, he let out a deep sigh, realizing he wouldn't be able to use it properly unless he bought another one and got used to controlling them. And that... was something he simply didn't have time for.
'Maybe I should've just converted it into coins…'
Quickly pulling himself up, Vio continued running.
According to the map, the distances between villages were vast. If he wanted to reach one, he couldn't afford to waste time. Knowing the exact path saved him hours.
Before, when he was trying to escape the mountain, he'd relied purely on instinct, choosing any path that seemed to go downhill and changing direction whenever he felt like he was going up.
The mountain's terrain was anything but simple or straightforward. More than once, he'd found himself inexplicably climbing uphill despite clearly following a downward slope. But now, thanks to Shama, he followed the route she'd mapped out for him and never once felt like he was ascending.
What was interesting was that sometimes he doubted the path, especially when it looked like it was going up. But the moment he took it, his doubts vanished.
'System, is this why Shama is called the most valuable soul? Because she helps the hero?'
"…"
He forgot the system was still busy. As usual, people don't realize the value of something until they lose it.
As he kept moving without stopping, he sensed someone in the distance. It wasn't entirely clear due to how far away they were.
'Looks like my Perception has leveled up enough that I can sense someone from this distance.'
He slowed to a walk. Running would only attract attention.
Vio had gained some confidence thanks to Shama's appearance that morning. Right before he left, without saying a word, she had adjusted his clothes for him.
He couldn't help but smile, remembering how her face had turned bright red.
'That girl... even though she was dying of embarrassment, still did what she thought was helpful for me.'
He let out a sigh.
'I just hope she didn't develop deep feelings for me. After all, we won't be seeing each other again.'
As Vio approached, he pushed any emotion from his face.
Up ahead, a muscular, shirtless man appeared. Two steel hooks were embedded in his shoulders, attached to a massive supply cart.
Blood poured from the wounds where the hooks were driven into his flesh, yet the man remained silent, his eyes shut, pulling the cart up a steep slope without a hint of struggle.
Vio couldn't help but feel amazed.
In this harsh weather, wearing nothing, the road up the mountain was incomparably steeper, and he was pulling a heavy cart while losing blood. How was he even alive?
'Is this some kind of punishment... or training?'
It was clear this man wasn't ordinary. As Vio got closer, the man sensed him too and stopped.
Even with his eyes closed, the man had detected Vio's presence.
Vio decided to stay cautious.
The man bowed his head and placed a hand over his heart. Vio responded with the same gesture before walking past him.
The entire time Vio distanced himself, he kept his guard up, glancing back now and then. His instincts didn't settle until the man was completely out of his perception range. Only then did he pick up his pace and start running again.
The man remained standing, blood dripping down his back. Then, after a brief moment, he muttered something, and a horn appeared before him.
He lifted it to his lips and blew.
"BOOOOOOOOBOOOOOOOO"
After that, as if nothing had happened, he simply resumed pulling the cart. Each step struck the ground with tremendous force, yet there was no sign of weakness or hesitation.
Sometime later, a group of soldiers appeared.
"Convicted!" one soldier shouted. "Did you blow the horn?"
The man nodded.
The soldier frowned and ordered his men to follow Vio's tracks. Meanwhile, he glared at the convicted, clearly displeased by how calm he remained.
"Why didn't you stop the rat?" he growled, kicking the man in the stomach.
"BOOM!"
But it was like kicking a stone wall—the man didn't even flinch.
"I am not allowed to stop my punishment until I reach High Mountain," the man replied in a calm, steady voice. "Are... you new?"
"How dare you talk back to me?!" The soldier drew his sword. "Even if I kill you, no one would—"
The man sighed, which only infuriated the soldier more.
Ever since he'd returned to camp after his unit was wiped out by the rat, he'd been constantly reprimanded. And now, seeing this man act so arrogantly, only fueled the rage burning inside him.
Before realized it, he was already swinging at the man's neck.
But at that moment, the man opened his eyes, and the soldier's body froze in place—literally.
"W-What?!" The soldier gritted his teeth, trying to move. Then his eyes locked onto the man's.
"G-Gray eyes?!"
In that instant, he cursed himself.
How could someone with gray eyes be convicted?
That was his last thought before his body shattered into countless pieces, scattering across the ground.
At the same time, the man closed his eyes again and resumed pulling the cart, as if nothing had happened.
"No spirit at all," the man murmured, recalling the strange sensation Vio had given him. "If he hadn't greeted me, I wouldn't have even noticed he was a rat."
Why would a member of Baniaasif greet a convicted?
That meant only one thing.
He was an outsider.
And so, the hunter and prey game began once again.
But this time, there was a difference—Vio was about to understand why they were called the Kings of the Mountain.