Chapter 74

The important thing about Essence is its content.

Even within the same Legendary tier, the value can be divided based on the content.

The Essences Amon opened from the box were rated 2 and 4 out of 10, respectively.

One was Adaptation, and the other was Accelerated Recovery.

Adaptation gradually increases resistance to techniques you’ve been hit by, while Accelerated Recovery boosts all recovery speeds.

The problem is, both Essences have fatal flaws.

First, Adaptation requires you to be hit and take damage to the affected area.

Considering that Essences are applied to clothing, this means you’d have to sew your clothes every time the Essence activates.

Especially in modern society, where the attacks you need to block are bullets, expecting to build resistance by getting shot is insane.

Accelerated Recovery is similar.

It increases the recovery speed of not just wounds but also stamina, magic power, and mental strength—everything except Divine Power.

Its versatility is good.

But there are too many superior alternatives.

Stamina can be recovered much faster through genetic or cyberware procedures, and mental strength can be replaced with stimulants.

Most importantly, recovery isn’t about regenerating lost limbs but about faster止血 (stopping bleeding).

There’s a superior Essence called Regeneration, so there’s no need to use this one.

Above all, both Essences have the drawback of being applied to clothing.

Among Essences for clothing, there are already options like <Heat Resistance>, <Electric Shock Resistance>, and <Invisibility>, so there’s no reason to use these.

But none of these issues applied to Amon.

Amon didn’t hesitate to destroy the Essences.

Just like with Sky Step in the past, the Essences were absorbed into his body, not his clothes.

Sonia and Cash, watching this, expressed their shock in their own ways.

“I’d only heard about it, but it was like this?”

“Ohh… So you can feed him this, and that…”

While Sonia curiously groped Amon’s chest, Cash suddenly started making a list.

Amon forced a smile.

He detached Sonia and tried to calm the rampaging Cash.

After calming them both, Amon checked his condition.

He made a small cut on his hand with a knife.

The wound stopped bleeding in 1 second and healed in 3 seconds.

His recovery speed, already fast due to Divine Power, had now reached inhuman levels thanks to the Essence.

Amon cut his finger again with the same force.

This time, the knife didn’t cut.

It seemed he had already adapted.

Amon nodded with a satisfied expression.

Seeing this, Sonia raised a question.

“I get Adaptation, but why didn’t you go for Regeneration?”

“The best defense is offense.”

As Sonia said, choosing Regeneration would heal wounds faster, but he’d have to give up stamina and mental strength.

For Amon, who had no intention of undergoing any surgeries, these were areas he couldn’t afford to lose.

As for losing limbs… he figured he just wouldn’t get cut.

That’s why he chose Accelerated Recovery over Regeneration.

For a faster tempo.

Once Sonia understood, Cash raised her hand.

“Yes, Cash.”

“You can absorb Essences as much as you want, right? I know it’s wasteful, but is there a reason not to use them?”

Cash tapped her executive nameplate, emphasizing her wealth.

She was already planning to feed Amon every Legendary Essence found in dungeons.

Amon, reading her thoughts, forced a smile.

“It’s not going to work the way you think.”

“Why?”

Amon tapped his head.

“Essences also burden your mental strength.”

Cyberware, genetic modifications, magic engraving procedures.

All kinds of enhancement procedures place a significant burden on mental strength.

Overdoing it can turn you into a cyber-psycho in an instant.

Essences are no exception.

Of course, since Amon doesn’t undergo other procedures, he has plenty of mental strength to spare, but he wants to save it for his final build.

Even after reaching that build, if there’s still room, maybe. But for now, he wants to conserve capacity.

Especially since, unlike clothing that can be removed, absorbed Essences can’t be taken out, so he has to be extra cautious.

“Let’s save Regeneration for later.”

“What a waste.”

Cash erased the entire Essence list she had been writing.

“I thought with your mental strength, you could handle 100 Essences easily.”

“…What made you think that?”

“Faith?”

Sonia nodded in agreement beside her.

Amon could only tilt his head at their reactions.

*

The next day.

Amon and Sonia headed to the dungeon.

<Swamp of Blasphemy>

A place where all kinds of toxic flora and fauna gather, forming an isolated ecosystem, turning the dungeon itself into a jar of poison.

In this swamp, all creatures are equally tainted and cursed, hence the name.

However, despite the dangerous description, this dungeon is considered low-tier.

The reason is that this dungeon has been completely conquered.

This dungeon is very old.

In other words, all its poisons have been analyzed over time.

Occasionally, new mutants appear, but poison works in predictable ways.

With the right combination of antidotes and medicine, it can be treated quickly.

That’s why, with the right preparation, this dungeon is as easy as a walk in the park.

In front of the dungeon, Seminary trainees gathered.

The Narrow-Eyed Priest, their professor, appeared before the orderly groups of trainees.

“Athel, Mingming, Christie…”

After a brief roll call, antidotes were distributed, and safety officers and graders were assigned to each group.

Amon showed his face to the four groups he was in charge of.

“I’m Amon, responsible for your safety. Nice to meet you.”

Amon, wearing a mask and sunglasses, spoke.

The reason Amon wore these was because of Sonia and Cash.

– “Wear it. No excuses.”

After Cash whispered something to Sonia, Sonia, with a fierce expression, handed Amon the mask and sunglasses.

Amon could only smile bitterly, sensing the jealousy underlying their emotions.

Amon was aware of his own looks.

Just looking in the mirror made his faith surge, and Sonia’s thoughts were as clear as day.

Moreover, Amon wasn’t fond of Sonia wearing revealing clothes in public either.

Proud of his own jealousy, Amon obediently followed Sonia’s instructions.

As a result, Amon now looked like a suspicious guy wearing a skull mask and sunglasses.

(For reference, Amon had tried to pass it off with a simple brown sweater mask, but after getting slapped by Sonia and Cash, he switched to this style.)

While Amon introduced himself, the students scanned his equipment and body.

When Amon first joined the Mercenary Agency, his impression was that of a retired ninja.

But now, Amon’s equipment…

‘Isn’t he an active Security Chief???’

The scans came back as impossible.

From his shoes to his pants, coat, and gloves.

Every scan was denied.

Each piece was military-grade, top-tier equipment.

The only ones who could have such gear were black ops from intelligence agencies or managers and above in Megacorp security departments.

Considering that even they could only have a few weapons unscannable, Amon’s level was on par with a Security Chief.

The students, who had initially looked down on Amon as a mere mercenary, straightened their postures.

Respect comes from power.

In their minds, Amon’s title changed from “Hey” to “Sir.”

Jealousy or fear?

Those emotions only arise when there’s something to compare.

Their hearts were filled with awe.

And with that awe came relief.

Someone like that was protecting them.

Even if they encountered Scavengers or gangs in the dungeon, they’d be safe.

The students’ bright eyes turned to Amon.

Amon, with his face covered, turned his head away from the pressure.

Then he met Sonia’s eyes.

She gave a slight smile, and Amon habitually sent a heart with his fingers.

Sonia responded with a bright smile.

The students were shocked.

It wasn’t because they were lovers.

Sonia had already explained before the training, so there was no reason to be surprised.

Of course, the level of her lover, Amon, was surprising, but this time it was for a different reason.

The point of their shock was Sonia’s smile.

– “The Gunpowder Saint smiled!”

– “They’re really lovers!?”

– “Wow…”

Sonia, who only gave slight smiles in front of others, had a radiant smile this time.

Her classmates, used to her reserved smiles, were shocked by her bright expression.

Sonia’s group members also screamed.

– “You sly fox! Smile like that more often!”

– “You’re really something. Are we just business to you?”

– “Lucky you, dating someone like that. Life’s unfair.”

– “Can you ask if he has any single friends?”

They poked Sonia’s sides, teasing her warmly.

Amon realized these were the friends Sonia had talked about at home.

‘She has good friends.’

He had worried they might be imaginary friends, but they were real.

Amon smiled warmly, watching Sonia’s group members.

Sonia, while being teased, gave it back in kind.

It wasn’t just for show—they were real friends.

‘You’ve made good connections too.’

Amon was happy for her as if it were his own achievement.

*

After introductions, the groups Amon was in charge of entered the dungeon.

Amon, with a sword at his side, followed the group slowly.

He kept his tension high, ready to rush in if anything happened.

But the students’ combat prowess made his tension unnecessary.

By mercenary standards, they were mid to high-tier.

‘Well, they’re future Holy Knights.’

To be blunt, mercenaries are of lower quality since anyone can join.

It was unfair to compare them to these elite students.

Moreover, according to the background knowledge Sonia had shared, detoxification was the basics of Divine Magic.

In a department full of Divine Power users, this dungeon wasn’t even a threat.

With the students’ overwhelming performance, Amon had nothing to do.

‘Do they even need me?’

Amon naturally relaxed.

It wasn’t carelessness but a rational judgment.

Staying tense would only tire him out when he was actually needed.

But soon, Amon regretted his choice.

A few hours later.

“Damn it…”

In the center of the devastated dungeon, Amon muttered, dazed.

It wasn’t Scavengers or some dungeon conspiracy.

The students were safe, and no one was hurt.

It was just that Amon had caused a bit of a mess.

“Ah, crap…”

Let me correct that.

It wasn’t a bit—it was a big mess.

All Amon could do was repeatedly wash his face.

With no one to blame, his frustration only grew.

‘Who could’ve known this would happen…’

It started with simple curiosity.

– “Sir, are you interested in Divine Magic?”

A student taught him a beginner Divine Magic.

A basic spell even someone as clueless as Amon could use.

Amon rubbed his temples, recalling the student’s words.

– “It’s a spell called Confession of Faith. Its purification and destructive power scale with your faith.”

In the center of what was once the <Swamp of Blasphemy>, now transformed into something else, Amon pressed his temples.

He was truly wronged.

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