Using the Special Privilege
In the world of Hole Plane, power—specifically, “user information”—is the ultimate currency. Every detail about a person, from their experience and disposition to their abilities and stats, is meticulously evaluated to determine their worth.
Perhaps that’s why I was so on edge. I never expected to be granted a special privilege, and crafting a perfect setup in such a short time seemed impossible. But I had a decade of experience to draw upon.
I wanted to live. And to survive, I needed power. The desire to live quickly transformed into a relentless pursuit of strength. I pondered endlessly over which abilities to enhance and how to grow stronger. Reaching the level of Master with a mere 48 points in magical ability wasn’t something I achieved by chance.
I never imagined my research would be used this way, but the privileges I received were perfectly suited to apply my accumulated knowledge.
The randomly assigned potential abilities didn’t surprise me. As I read the names of the abilities filling the two empty slots, I felt a wave of relief. Now, I had one unique ability slot, one special ability slot, and two potential ability slots left to fill.
After much deliberation, I finally made my choices for the unique, special, and potential abilities, allowing myself a sigh of relief.
“Phew. All done.”
”…”
That’s when I felt a subtle gaze on me. In the summoning room, it was just the two of us. I didn’t need to look to know who was watching me.
My farewell with Seraph was bittersweet. The resentment built over ten years hadn’t completely dissipated. Knowing more about the inner workings now, it was hard to view the angel before me in a favorable light.
I deliberately avoided looking in Seraph’s direction. I feigned disinterest for a while, but eventually, I couldn’t ignore the uncomfortable gaze any longer and decided to speak up.
“What are you looking at?”
I asked with a voice full of feigned irritation, but the gaze only grew more intense. Seraph met my eyes briefly before speaking in a slightly flustered tone.
“User Kim Su-hyun’s stats and the chosen unique, special, and potential abilities. When I combined these settings with the profile of a swordsmanship expert, I came to a certain conclusion.”
“Who gave you permission?”
“The assistant’s prerogative.”
I couldn’t help but feel a bit taken aback by Seraph’s quick retort. Was the angel joking, or was it serious? Perhaps it was a bit of both, but I found myself nodding in agreement.
“Alright. So, what did you find?”
“I sensed a deep understanding of stats and abilities. It feels as if you’ve been in the Hole Plane for a long time.”
“Haha. That’s nonsense.”
A sharp pang hit me inside, but I maintained a calm facade. Seraph slowly shook her head.
“It’s nothing.”
“I admit I have a peculiar personality.”
“I’m not talking about your behavior. The efficiency with which you used your privileges far exceeded the angels’ expectations. Such choices couldn’t be made without firsthand experience in the Hole Plane.”
“Hold on. No take-backs, right?”
“Correct. As I’ve said, there’s no need to worry about the privileges. Angels don’t go back on their word. Anyway, I think I have a rough idea of what you’re aiming for, User Kim Su-hyun. That’s all.”
Seraph’s voice carried genuine admiration, but her words were loaded with meaning. I couldn’t let myself get too smug, as the sharp pang inside reminded me.
Honestly, despite my research, my current target was based on a class once held by a user who had achieved great renown.
Fame aside, I remembered him well because we shared the same name. Jin Su-hyun, the swordsmanship expert. His secret class was so formidable in magical duels that it was considered a nightmare for wizards.
Jin Su-hyun entered the Hole Plane about a year after me. Yet, he closed that gap with sheer effort and surpassed me with his talent. Despite my own efforts, the sense of loss I felt back then still stung.
Anyway, back to the point. Replicating Jin Su-hyun’s information exactly was nearly impossible. We weren’t particularly close, and he wasn’t the type to share his details with others. Even if I inherited the essential elements, it would only account for about 20% of the whole. The remaining 80% would require my own interpretation, building on my ten years of experience and expertise.
“Anyway, stop staring like that.”
When I openly showed my discomfort, Seraph quietly closed her mouth.
“I’ll take the swordsmanship expert.”
Feeling a twinge of guilt, I offered a silent prayer for Jin Su-hyun. I reassured him that he would succeed even if he chose a different class. With that non-prayer concluded, I turned my thoughts to the next privilege.
The fourth privilege.
“4. You may undergo a single body modification procedure.”
Body modification wasn’t anything extraordinary. While some replaced body parts with machinery or summoned beings from other dimensions to substitute parts, those cases were for those who had lost limbs. With a healthy, intact body, I had no desire to sacrifice any part of it. There were plenty of ways to grow stronger without doing so.
What I had in mind was a tattoo procedure. This was a crucial element for completing my plan. Without it, the success rate of my plan would drop below 30%. The item I intended to request with the fifth privilege was that powerful and dangerous.
Having spent considerable time on the third privilege, I decided to request the tattoo procedure immediately.
“Let’s see. Rather than a grand modification, I’d like a simple tattoo.”
“That is possible. I will display the tattoo chart for you. Please wait a moment.”
“Oh, no need. I know the name. Please give me the ‘Mark of the Ancient Priestess’ tattoo.”
“Where would you like the tattoo to be placed?”
With a calm expression, I raised my right hand. As Seraph’s gaze followed my hand, I pointed to my left chest with my finger.
“The heart.”
“The heart…?”
“Why?”
”…”
Seraph’s face remained serene, but I could tell she was calculating at a speed I couldn’t fathom. I felt a bit sorry for her efforts to understand my intentions, but I had no intention of revealing them yet.
Most tattoos are applied to the skin. However, using ancient magic to inscribe a tattoo on the heart seemed unsettling.
The heart and circuits are the organs responsible for the users’ magical power. Inscribing a tattoo that could directly or indirectly affect magical reactions on the heart carried inherent risks.
But the Mark of the Ancient Priestess was different.
If I had requested a typical tattoo, I would have had to argue with Seraph for a while. Typical tattoos, which amplify or influence magical power, had many potential issues.
However, the Mark of the Ancient Priestess was in a league of its own. It had two main functions. First, it stabilized magical power in case of a surge. Second, it helped guide the flow of magical power efficiently.
Given these beneficial functions, Seraph was likely deep in thought. I watched her lips, feeling a bit tense. This procedure was the final key to turning my risky plan into a success. Finally, Seraph’s delicate lips parted.
“Yes.”
Bingo.
“We will accept User Kim Su-hyun’s request. The procedure will take approximately 5 minutes and 7 seconds. We will begin immediately.”
“Okay.”
At that moment, ancient symbols emitting a bright blue light appeared in the air before me, forming an oval and spinning around my body. Simultaneously, I heard the solemn voices of priestesses echoing faintly around me.
Five minutes later, the ancient symbols slowly merged into the area around my heart.
Even though it was the heart, there was no pain. Instead, with each symbol that entered, I felt a surge of vitality. As the last symbol at the end of the line entered, the procedure was complete.
I couldn’t immediately feel any changes. But once I tested my magical power, I would know. I began to assess my magical power.
“Oh.”
I had expected to struggle with the increased magical power, but there was no burden at all. The magical power flowed smoothly through my circuits. The procedure was a success. The unexpectedly satisfying performance left me feeling pleased.
“Not bad. Seraph? How much time do we have left?”
“There are 48 minutes and 39 seconds remaining until the rite of passage.”
48 minutes and 39 seconds. I clicked my tongue slightly. Seraph seemed to think there was plenty of time, but I felt it was tight. The fifth privilege was a gamble, a venture fraught with danger. It was a process I couldn’t avoid, given its necessity. Steeling my wavering resolve, I focused on the fifth privilege.
“5. User Kim Su-hyun may choose one piece of equipment of any type, with the exception of EX-grade equipment.”
In a way, the range of choices was quite extensive. Weapons, armor, potions, accessories, and so on. But if I chose something so ordinary, it would defeat the purpose of receiving the ancient priestess’s tattoo. The fifth privilege was something I absolutely needed.
“I’ll go with the Fire Essence. The fifth privilege will be that.”
“Request from user Kim Su-hyun approved…?”
The Seraph’s voice trailed off, ending in a questioning tone, her brow furrowing slightly.
‘Did she catch on?’
It was likely she understood my intention. Yet, the request seemed to have been processed correctly, as a small, glowing red orb appeared in her right hand.
”…”
”…”
Neither of us spoke. But I could tell from the look in her eyes. She had no intention of handing over the orb. As expected, she wore a stern expression, her gaze almost scolding. Not to be outdone, I hardened my expression and met her eyes head-on.
“User Kim Su-hyun.”
“Tanay.”
“Of course. But this is a different matter. Even for Tanay, if there’s a risk of harm to the user, I can offer advice.”
“Advice disguised as interference, more like. Cut the nonsense and hand it over. I need the Fire Essence. Do you think I went through the trouble of getting the ancient priestess’s tattoo for nothing?”
This is why dealing with the Seraph is frustrating. We often end up arguing, emotions frayed, before finally resolving things. Remembering past encounters, harsh words rose to my throat out of habit. But then, I recalled the way she looked at me with such tenderness before we parted. I closed my mouth and decided to listen, at least for now.
“I must commend your creativity. It’s astonishing that a human thought of this. But that’s all.”
”…”
“User Kim Su-hyun, I’m curious how much you know about the Fire Essence.”
”…Just that it can burn everything?”
“Close enough. Another name for the Fire Essence is the Eternal Flame. It’s said to be as destructive as the hellfire known to be the most powerful fire. This pure collection of flames, the Essence, holds a power comparable to that, meant purely for destruction.”
“I know. That’s why I want it.”
“Durability 92. Magic 90. Estimated success rate 21%. With the ancient priestess’s mark, it rises to 42%. In other words, there’s a 58% chance of failure.”
The Seraph was desperately trying to persuade me. But no matter how hard she tried, the privilege was still at the Tanay level. She might offer advice, but she couldn’t stop my decision. So, I boldly extended my hand, demanding the Essence.
“Success is all that matters.”
Even as I said it, I knew it was a reckless statement. The Seraph was probably fuming inside, having her words fall on deaf ears. She was practically pleading now.
“Failure isn’t the only issue. Even if you succeed, there will be unforeseen consequences. If you fail, you’ll lose everything and be left a shell of yourself.”
“I recall reading that all equipment except EX-grade would be provided. Was the Fire Essence EX-grade?”
“The Fire Essence was originally EX-grade. It exists in the Hall Plain but cannot appear. It was downgraded to S-grade through balancing, but the risk remains…”
This was going nowhere. Feeling exhausted, I raised my hand to stop her. I wanted to hear her out, but time was running short. I suddenly realized she might drag this out until the ritual was over.
“I don’t want to argue anymore.”
“Even with over 90 in durability and magic, your stamina is only 78. I understand your confidence, but you need to be realistic.”
I understood her concerns. Her earnest persuasion would sway most people. But I couldn’t afford to be swayed. I had been waiting for this moment. If I gave up on the Essence now…
“The recovery time is significant. If you delay any longer, you’ll enter the ritual half-dead.”
“User Kim Su-hyun.”
“I won’t say it again. I firmly request the Fire Essence.”
In the end, I spoke coldly. Whether she sensed the seriousness or simply couldn’t refuse Tanay any longer, the Seraph slowly moved her fingers. Her face was still full of discontent, but she finally extended the Essence toward me. However, she didn’t hand it over easily.
“Even if you succeed, there will surely come a day when you regret this.”
“I understand…”
The Fire Essence. A pure collection of flames. The Eternal Flame.
No preparation was needed. I had made up my mind long ago, and with the aftermath considered, there wasn’t much time left.
The Essence traced a thin crimson arc before slipping into my mouth.
Gulp.
At last, I had obtained the Essence. It was finally mine. Controlling the surge of relief and exhilaration, I quickly assessed my internal state.
Gulp.
I felt the round orb slide down my throat.
Now, the real challenge was about to begin.