Chapter 1984: 1982: Distinction

Chapter 1984: Chapter 1982: Distinction

Regarding the coronation, Han Dong had already decided,

He would not proceed with the coronation before completing the full collection of the “Book of Dead Spirit” and achieving “Minor Accomplishment” with all the remnant pages.

Therefore,

Han Dong had long been contemplating how to participate in this game against the ‘full-blown’ Out of control as a “Pseudo-King,”

and how to narrow the gap with the Supreme Beings without undergoing coronation.

While pondering this issue,

The first thing that came to his mind was the scene that he had witnessed with his own eyes, which brought immense inner shock.

In the Skeleton Storage Place on the Zothique Continent,

Professor Morgan, who had no throne, almost killed the Lower-class Old King known then as the “King of Ghoul”-M.O., severing his right arm with his own power, destroying the Skeleton Storage Place and causing the complete submersion of the Zothique Continent.

Later,

Han Dong encountered the “Tooth Emperor” in the Chaos Abyss,

in a similar situation, possessing strength equivalent to the Middle Rank while being a Pseudo-King.

This made Han Dong realize,

that even without the coronation ceremony, an individual still has the potential for growth as a “Pseudo-King.”

However, such growth is certain to be fraught with difficulties, like facing a ‘level barrier’ similar to a world barrier that compresses growth, necessitating a burdensome journey forward.

For Han Dong,

The “Compatibility” of the three puzzles had reached 100%, and the only way to achieve a [qualitative] improvement of these three primary attributes was through coronation.

Thus,

He could only attempt growth and breakthrough from the side,

for instance, attempting to develop secondary or unique attributes unrelated to his primary attributes.

Or training the Body, the most fundamental aspect, striving for a breakthrough on the physical level,

etc., with many angles that could be tried.

But there was an important question,

What effects can growth in these relatively minor ‘traits’ and ‘fundamentals’ bring to the individual?

If it cannot bring about a qualitative change, spending more time is of no use,

therefore, Han Dong must understand his own state and also get to know the foundational essence of how a “Pseudo-King” grows to determine the most effective and correct “side breakthrough.”

…

The Secret Law Association, also known as the world’s highest-level Secret Law Association.

Built in the middle layer of the Black Tower, in the western suburban area.

Only those who master special secret methods, have unique attainments in the magic field, or are themselves a peculiar magical creature, are eligible to apply for membership in the association.

Moreover, the association conducts a magic power review of its members every year.

Members who are complacent and progress slowly will be stripped of various privileges, the right to engage in magical exchanges, and may even be expelled directly.

Similar to a fighting club,

The registered secret law members here are all magic geniuses from various worlds, each one an elite that can be presented to the public.

However, in terms of cohesion, it is far inferior to a fighting club,

these members only regard the association as a mutually beneficial, growth-exchange transit point, unlike those in the Headless group who consider the club to be a true home.

As the Out of control incidents broke out,

most members of the Secret Law Association left to contribute to the defense work of their respective worlds.

When Han Dong arrived at the association’s gate, aside from the normally functioning seal and barrier, there wasn’t a single shadow in sight, desolate and silent.

Even so, no one dared to trespass.

If one has bad luck and encounters the President stationed inside, you wouldn’t even know how you died… and it might even lead to resentment against your world, leading to the extermination of the entire race.

As Han Dong stood at the association’s gate, contemplating how to penetrate the barrier.

Buzz!

A Black Vortex directly formed at the entrance,

an individual like Han Dong, with an ‘activated’ Black Vortex attribute, was immediately drawn in and absorbed.

It felt like being flushed down a toilet.

Pop!

In the next second, he fell into an unknown dark space,

the black ground beneath his feet was also twisted into a whirlpool shape, and any form of perception attempting to spread out was all scrambled by the invisible whirlpool force field.

Even the most basic visual field would be distorted, with effective perception confined within five meters… for some reason, Han Dong could smell a certain inexplicable sense of danger.

Were it not for Mr. M’s suggestion, Han Dong would never have come here proactively.

In the darkness,

W. Walter Sulliven, with a bizarre face paint, slowly floated out from the depths.

The clothing was also undergoing changes,

compared to the peculiar puffy skirt and flower-like collar when breaking through the black tent,

this time he was wearing a set of hellraiser-style spike-studded leather, even more daring in design,

showing the chest, back, and thighs,

connecting multiple places with strip structures,

the black leather underwear wrapping the private parts was also quite aesthetic,

This image left Han Dong momentarily stunned, somehow feeling it comparable to Mr. Francis, with a sort of avant-garde art beyond Han Dong’s understanding aside from the freedom aspect.

“Mr. Walter,

this time I’ve come to seek your advice and to learn about the knowledge system of the [Black Vortex].

I hope to gain strength without the need for coronation,

and preferably achieve a ‘qualitative’ improvement, to narrow the gap with the Out of control… at least let me not look so miserable when facing Goodman.”

Han Dong opened up directly about his thoughts.

However,

Walter did not delve deeply into the coronation matter, saying softly:

“Want to embark on this nearly impossible road? I want to ask you a question first… putting aside the difference in levels, are you clear about the real difference between ‘before and after coronation’?

Or would you say, do you know the essential difference between having a throne and not having a throne?”

“This… I’m not particularly clear.

I just know that the throne can provide an individual with various forms of amplification or auxiliary effects, and the amplification is extremely significant.

Also, it seems that there is a considerable difference in terms of ‘artistic conception.’

“Hmm, it seems you know some things.

Disregarding the level gap,

‘Artistic Conception’ is indeed one of the important differences among them,

A true king who ascends the throne, and a Pseudo-King who is not yet ready, fundamentally have a conceptual gap in artistic conception.

This is very difficult to overcome, as it can only be truly comprehended during the coronation ceremony.

Moreover, this conception will also gradually grow with the time spent as a king, making the gap between the true king and the Pseudo-King larger and larger.

Mento has currently reached a rather high level of ‘artistic conception,’ ranking within the top five among the Supreme Will, which is extremely terrifying.”

“Another point is the direction you can currently strive to ‘narrow the gap,’ which is ‘Purity.’

“Hmm? The Purity explained in the fighting club, is it the same meaning?”

“Sort of…

So, you now have two paths to choose from.

1. Head straight to the fighting club, pursuing the most primal bodily collision to enhance the purity on the bodily level… according to Francis’s theory, you could ultimately reach a state of highly unified purity of body, soul, and consciousness.

He has reached it himself, but I haven’t seen any other members in the club who have achieved it.

2. Come with me.

Use the Black Vortex as the axel tool of your body to accommodate and connect your other ability branches, to gain a ‘Purity Boost’ on the level of abilities.

Francis might be very willing for you to spar there and wouldn’t charge any fees.

However, if you stay here with me and accept my guidance, naturally, there would be conditions…”

“Please tell me, senior, I will try my best to meet them.”

“I need you to join the Secret Law Association and act as my personal secretary. I need you to provide me with S-01 special information… if necessary, I will negotiate with Mento personally to make you the candidate for W.”

“Ah, this.”

“””