Chapter 340: Chapter 340

A heavy thud echoed through the spacious room, filled with various exercise equipment.

It was a large space, big enough for dozens of people to train simultaneously, but there was only one person using it.

It was a private training facility, built exclusively for him.

I set down the custom-made barbell and wiped the sweat from my face with a towel, then reached for a bottle of sports drink.

It was a miraculous effect that would have surprised anyone else, but I was used to it.

It was just a part of my daily routine.

‘World Tree leaves. They’re not just for show, it seems.’

I set down the bottle, its contents made from World Tree leaves, and stretched my limbs.

They were a key ingredient in the highest-grade potions and elixirs created by Elves, their restorative properties undeniable.

‘Of course, I’ve adjusted the concentration for optimal training efficiency.’

Even the best ingredients could be detrimental if relied upon excessively.

It was enough to enhance my 「Sturdiness」 and activate 「Super Recovery」, aiding my physical training.

“This is… quite luxurious.”

A sports drink made from World Tree leaves, a precious and rare ingredient.

If the Elves of the Elven Kingdom knew, they would probably faint.

‘Well, I’ve done a lot for them. They won’t complain about this much.’

If he was being petty, he could have just taken their entire warehouse of World Tree byproducts.

Of course, he was already regularly raiding their stores… so it wasn't that different.

I ignored the imaginary complaints of the World Tree gardeners and looked around my private gym.

This wasn't the only luxury I indulged in for my training.

“Hmm, excellent craftsmanship.”

The numerous exercise machines filling the room, each one a perfect blend of functionality and aesthetics.

They were all custom-made by Howard, the Dwarf.

Based on the principles of modern exercise equipment, he had designed them to perfectly fit my physique, using rare and precious materials, each one meticulously crafted with his own hands.

It was a weightlifter’s paradise.

‘And they’re much more effective than the previous ones.’

I nodded slowly, a satisfied smile on my face.

It wasn't just my imagination.

Howard’s 「Artisan’s Soul」 could enhance an item’s potential to its limits through pure craftsmanship, pushing it into the realm of magic tools.

Naturally, his creations were far superior to any mass-produced product.

“That’s all for today.”

Having completed my daily workout, I stood before a mirror.

My bare chest, covered in sculpted muscles.

Low body fat percentage, each muscle fiber clearly defined, rippling and flexing.

‘Of course, I’m no match for Harley or Heinrich.’

They were exceptions, beyond comparison.

How could a home gym rat compare to a genetically engineered mutant and a paladin who had reached the pinnacle of physical perfection?

But even my physique wasn't something to be scoffed at.

Years of hard training, combined with physical enhancements from Karma points and the regenerative abilities of 「Super Recovery」, had pushed me far beyond the limits of ordinary humans.

And with the added boost from skills like 「Super Strength」 and 「Hypersensitivity」, I could probably take down a low-level returnee with my bare hands.

‘But that’s not enough.’

Returnees weren't just defined by their unique skills. They also carried the accumulated magical energy of their origin worlds.

And since I hadn’t been to another world, I couldn’t use any specific type of energy… but…

A surge of power coursed through my arm.

It wasn’t just physical strength.

A dark red flame, like burning blood, ignited around my fist.

「Bio-Aura」, a supernatural ability that converted biological energy into destructive power.

But I didn’t stop there.

As the crimson flames subsided, a brilliant, platinum-colored holy power enveloped my hand.

And then, a black, abyssal energy, like a heat haze, flickered and danced around it.

A blood-red energy, with a metallic scent, surged forth, followed by a gentle, comforting natural energy, and finally, a heavy, oppressive internal energy.

I nodded with satisfaction, having cycled through various energies in just a few breaths.

The passive enhancement from 「Individual Projection」, combined with consistent training, had paid off.

Of course, it wasn’t as powerful as the avatars themselves wielding those energies… but being able to access them at will was a significant advantage.

And since it wasn’t actual energy stored within my body, no one could detect my true nature as an awakened individual until I unleashed it.

‘And if I combine it with Heinz the Second’s “Existence Denial”, no one will suspect a thing.’

No energy signature, no unusual presence…

Even the Heavenly Demon, with his sharp senses, wouldn’t be able to see through it.

‘And I can always use “Individual Projection” if necessary.’

I wouldn't be in any danger.

Of course, I wouldn’t go anywhere dangerous to begin with.

I took a shower, washing away the sweat, and then settled into the massage chair, as always.

I closed my eyes, enjoying the rhythmic massage, and organized my thoughts.

Things were progressing smoothly in other worlds.

Not just in Auterica, my existing farming ground, but also in Ganghwange, my new project.

My attention shifted to the recently concluded operation.

‘The Demonic Cult is mostly dealt with. There are still some remnants, but now that we control their headquarters, it shouldn’t take long to eliminate them.’

Hans, who had single-handedly attacked the Demonic Cult, had finally succeeded in taking over their base.

A forceful takeover, fueled by his overwhelming power and his mastery of dark magic and abyssal energy.

The Demonic Cult warriors had tried to resist, but they lacked the leadership and organization to effectively counter him.

‘Those who attacked the Shaolin Temple with the Heavenly Demon haven’t returned yet.’

And neither had the other elite units dispatched to capture the Dragon’s Children.

Even the Cult’s second-in-command, Strategist Yalu Huan, was away. It was practically an empty house.

Of course, there were still defensive measures in place, like the demon jiangshi and various formations and spells… but—.

‘They’re only effective against ordinary opponents.’

Unfortunately for them, Hans, the otherworldly Demon King, wasn't an ordinary opponent.

Thanks to that, he had acquired all their assets, including the jiangshi, formations, and spells.

“Hmm, I’ll leave that to Hans. They’re both demons, even if their nature is slightly different.”

Dealing with demons was Hans’s specialty!

He was a veteran Demon King, having ruled the Immortal Army for years.

He would probably eliminate the remaining Demonic Cult forces before they even realized what was happening.

‘And the Golden Island Sect… not bad. They’re actively supporting Horus because of the Demonic Cult’s resurgence.’

Horus’s current focus was harmonizing his Dragon Orb and Dragon Heart.

Using them separately was inefficient.

‘He has more than enough energy. A dual-core system would be the most effective.’

But his understanding of sorcery wasn’t sufficient yet. He needed more knowledge to find a solution.

It was just a matter of time.

‘…Time isn’t a problem. Now that Hans has taken over the Demonic Cult, we have more time than they expected. And securing the Dragon’s Children is our priority anyway.’

As expected, there were no living Dragon’s Children at the Heavenly Demon Cult’s headquarters.

They had been searching for and kidnapping them, but they had been sacrificing them to enhance their own power, as they didn’t want the Dragon Heart to be restored.

That was how the Heavenly Demon had been able to use the Master of Heaven’s Turn Society’s holy power without any significant side effects, and how the Murim warriors’ internal energy had been disrupted.

‘They were destined to restore the Dragon Heart, the greatest mystery of Ganghwange. They were perfect sacrifices.’

I clicked my tongue and frowned.

The situation was more complicated than I had initially thought.

He didn’t know how many Dragon’s Children there were, but it couldn't be many.

‘They’re born weak, so if they were born into poverty, they would have died before reaching adulthood. And with the Demonic Cult hunting them down…’

He didn’t know how many Dragon’s Children were needed for the ritual, but more was always better.

It would be a waste of time and effort if they found a solution but couldn’t implement it due to a lack of sacrifices.

‘I need to be more proactive. Their usual method is to bring them to their headquarters and sacrifice them, but some might try to escape.’

Harley, who was currently enjoying a leisurely sightseeing tour of the Golden Island Sect, would be perfect for this task.

He had been looking for an excuse to… sample the local delicacies… but after his fight with Dool, no one dared to approach him.

He had been rampaging through the forest in his giant form, so it was understandable.

‘It doesn’t matter anymore. I found a large number of demon cores at the Demonic Cult’s lab.’

The Demonic Cult and the Golden Island Sect had been enemies for a long time, constantly hunting each other down.

Naturally, their headquarters was filled with trophies, including body parts from high-ranking demons, even divine beasts.

‘A Black Tortoise shell, a Kirin horn, and even a Dragon Orb… A veritable treasure trove.’

I shifted my focus from Harley to my last avatar in Ganghwange.

Hugo, who had joined the Zhuge Clan on their return journey.

Thanks to Harley clearing the path, their trip had been surprisingly peaceful.

If it wasn’t for him, they would have been constantly ambushed.

“They should be arriving soon.”

It was a bit late, but the information they had would be helpful for tracking the Dragon’s Children.

I briefly focused on that, then turned my attention back to my main task.

Now that he had assessed the situation, there was only one thing left to do.

The most important task.

‘Time to collect my earnings.’

I couldn’t help but grin.

The Karma flow from Auterica was steady, as always… but he had high expectations for Ganghwange, where a series of major events had just occurred.

His Karma balance, after the last ‘random gacha’ that had resulted in 「Mimicry」 and other skills, had been around 3.6 million…

『Karma Owned - 6,212,830』

His new farming ground was… incredibly profitable.