The Game Difficulty Is Crazy
The identity of the heart Glen handed over as Romina’s share.
It was the heart of the Queen of Proliferation, the monster that had given birth to monsters in the Haven Mine.
《Heart of the Queen of Proliferation》
《Grade》 : Hero
《Type》 : Material
: A heart containing the essence of the Queen of Proliferation, the mother of the rat swarm. Foul and filthy demonic energy dwells within it.
“This heart will help you weave your sixth demonic ring.”
“This…?”
“Look closely. Don’t you feel anything from this heart?”
Romina narrowed her eyes and stared hard at the Queen of Proliferation’s heart.
Then her eyes widened like a rabbit’s.
“…Huh? There’s demonic energy in it?”
“Correct. With this heart, you can weave your sixth ring.”
A sly light flickered in Glen’s eyes.
Normally, the Heart of the Queen of Proliferation is used to craft items related to magic that uses demonic energy as its base.
‘But it’s not that useful to me.’
Glen’s current growth path was that of a holy knight based on holy power.
Of course, he did use demonic energy as well, but even that was tied to swordsmanship, so he didn’t have much use for the Queen of Proliferation’s heart.
He had only kept it because it was a hero-grade material, thinking it might be useful someday.
Then he met Romina.
After that, Glen started thinking that maybe this item should be used on her, and today he finally made the decision.
To Glen, the Heart of the Queen of Proliferation was just an average material item.
But to Romina, it was an item closely tied to her growth.
In other words, it would become an elixir of growth.
‘Because of her innate racial predation effect.’
A unique latent ability that grows by absorbing the demonic energy of others and turning it into life—Racial Predation (Cannibalism).
Romina, who had fled to the Papal State to escape the purge of the current Demon King, had grown by absorbing the demonic energy of monsters using this ability.
And as she grew, she absorbed monsters with even stronger demonic energy, eventually reaching her current five-star level.
‘She said she wove her fifth demonic ring two years ago, so she should be pretty close to six stars by now.’
So if Romina consumed the Heart of the Queen of Proliferation, her demonic energy would increase enough to let her immediately weave her sixth demonic ring.
‘No matter how I think about it, this is better.’
Rather than crafting some item he didn’t really need with this material,
It was far more profitable to strengthen Romina, who would be his party member in future dungeon runs.
“So, Romina. Let’s eat this.”
“No.”
Romina waved her hand in disgust.
“Isn’t it gross? Want me to say it your way? It’s seriously disgusting.”
“Hey now, things that are good for your body usually don’t look good.”
“Don’t say things that are hard to understand.”
“So you won’t eat it?”
Romina clicked her tongue, then slightly lifted the corner of her mouth.
“Just kidding. I was planning to eat it from the start. What demon wouldn’t want to get stronger?”
She then accepted the Heart of the Queen of Proliferation from Glen.
“Thanks. I may talk like this, but I’m really grateful to you in many ways.”
“Yeah. Grow nice and strong. You still owe me for saving your life.”
Romina answered with smiling eyes and left the room.
She was probably going to borrow a pot from the village chief to cook the heart.
Left alone, Glen stretched lightly and brought up the system message.
《You have overcome a Lunatic element.》
《A special reward will be granted.》
‘I got rid of a useless item, so it’s only fair I get something new, right?’
Savoring the blue message, Glen opened the next page.
《All stats increase by 2.》
《Lunatic Special Reward》
§ Lunatic Map Chart
§ Staff of Extermination
§ Survivor’s Will
《Select one to immediately receive the reward included in that option.》
“Okay.”
Just like last time, all three selectable rewards were offered with detailed records.
Rubbing his hands together, Glen lightly compared the rewards.
‘First, I’ll pass on the Staff of Extermination.’
It wasn’t a bad artifact.
It just wasn’t something Glen urgently needed right now.
The Staff of Extermination is a narrative-grade artifact that can nullify magic twice per day against designated targets.
‘Once against targets up to seven stars, and once up to five stars, if I remember right.’
It was a solid effect worthy of a Lunatic reward.
‘Considering that the opposing legion commander is Penelope, the head witch, it does seem useful…’
But the Staff of Extermination couldn’t nullify Penelope’s eight-star magic, so it wouldn’t be a decisive help.
The reason an eight-star witch is terrifying is because she uses eight-star magic.
‘Then it’s between the Lunatic Map Chart and Survivor’s Will.’
Honestly, judging by pure effectiveness, Survivor’s Will seemed like the right choice.
But the Lunatic Map Chart…
‘What even is this?’
It was a player authority reward that didn’t exist in the original work.
A map chart is an authority that lets the player use a minimap showing brief information about their current location.
But with the word “Lunatic” attached, it felt extremely ominous.
‘Does it show hidden items, like a map hack?’
But the system message only listed the name, with no detailed description.
‘Ah, like the Lunatic Inventory, it probably has extra features.’
Glen pressed his forehead.
He carefully compared his current state, his situation, and the potential of each reward, endlessly chasing his thoughts.
And in the end—
《You have selected a reward.》
《Lunatic Special Reward granted.》
《You have obtained the unique latent ability “Survivor’s Will.”》
He gave up the Lunatic Map Chart and chose Survivor’s Will.
Glen had now used all the time given to him.
All that remained was to face the decisive battle against the demon legion flooding into the Wordsworth territory.
That was why he couldn’t choose the Lunatic Map Chart, whose abilities were unknown.
‘Even if it has some ridiculous, overpowered feature, it probably isn’t combat-related anyway.’
Player authorities are, at most, convenient functions only the player can use.
On the other hand, Survivor’s Will offered a clear advantage in combat.
‘Also known as nullifying a preemptive strike.’
Survivor’s Will nullifies one attack if any enemy attacks the ability holder first.
It’s useless against enemies Glen attacks first, but conversely, even if the Demon King attacks him, as long as it’s a preemptive strike, he can endure it once.
Of course, against someone as strong as the Demon King, nullifying the first attack might not sound like much.
But that’s not how this ability is meant to be used.
Its true value shines on the battlefield.
In a chaotic battlefield where enemies and allies are tangled together, with arrows and explosives raining down, Survivor’s Will truly shines.
‘At least I won’t die to a stray arrow or explosion.’
It was the last unique latent ability he gained right before the Holy War.
He could only hope it would prove useful.
The next day.
Glen and Romina were leaving Serge Village.
“There’s nowhere else to go now, right?”
Romina asked.
Seeing the intensity in Glen’s eyes, she straightened her own gaze as well.
“Yeah. We’re heading straight to Ovenue Fortress.”
