REAPER SCANS
Monopolizing Skills to the 666th Floor
[Translator – Darkraider 2.0]
[Proofreader – Nine]
Chapter 28 - Random Orb
《Content Warning - The following chapter contains or suggests material that may be harmful or traumatizing to some audiences such as: kidnapping, blackmail, and sexual assault. Reader discretion is strongly advised.》
My eyes widened in surprise.
[Creating a random orb.]
[Congratulations! You have obtained the item ‘Skill Upgrade Orb (B)’.]
I got a skill upgrade orb. Among the various orbs, it was one of the more useful ones. The only caveat was that it was only a B-rank.
‘B-rank is still useful, though.’
I checked the item info.
[Skill Upgrade Orb (B)]
—Category: Consumable
—Effect: It can upgrade a single B-rank skill into A-rank.
—Restriction: Lee Tae-seong (bound item)
—Description: An orb capable of upgrading a B-rank skill, enabling you to become stronger.
A skill’s rank always remained the same. The only way to level it up was to use an upgrade orb.
‘In that regard, upgrade orbs are necessary to grow stronger.’
Honestly, not bad. If I was truly lucky, however, I would have gotten an SSS-rank upgrade orb, but I couldn’t just expect to be handed a free win like that.
Satisfied by the outcome, I opened up my status window.
Right now, I had two B-rank skills in my possession.
▶ Winged Ascent (B)
— Effect: A pair of wings grow on your back. You can flap them to fly.
Winged Ascent was a skill from an acolyte of the Fallen Angel. I copied it because it was essential for obtaining the hidden piece on the 44th floor.
▶ Camouflage (B)
— Effect: You can slightly transform your face. It lowers the chance of someone perceiving you.
The other B-rank skill I had was from an acolyte of the Darkness Sniper. Because it lowered the chance of an enemy perceiving me, it was great for stealth. Also, I could conceal my identity by changing my face.
‘Soon enough, the government is going to start managing the sinkholes and monitoring acolytes.’
In order to keep my identity a secret, Camouflage was crucial.
‘Winged Ascent or Camouflage… Which skill will be better to upgrade?’
They might have been skills I had copied, but upgrading them still worked. Joshua had told me so in my past life. He said that it was fine even after losing the skill because the upgrade would remain even after copying the skill once more.
Even copying the same skill from a different target still produced the upgraded skill. It didn’t matter who you were copying it from.
Taking all of that into account, I didn’t have to worry about the skill being downgraded.
‘Now, which of the two skills do I upgrade…?’
However, after a moment of thinking, I chose to take my time deciding. For now, clearing the 40th floor was my top priority.
I flopped into a lotus position to begin my regular pre-floor ritual: using Crystal Clear Tranquility to remember clear strategies. Once I settled down and closed my eyes, the memories started flowing in.
The clear method had come back to me. The 40th floor was a rescue mission. In order to set a record, I needed to know the location of the rescue target.
Once I recollected the necessary information, I turned my sight elsewhere.
‘What are the people I’ve planted parasites on up to right now?’
Again, I closed my eyes. Then, began to see what the parasitized acolytes were doing.
‘I know spying on people is sketchy, but…’
I had a good reason for peeking into their lives without their consent. I needed them to be well and alive in order to continue using their skills. Therefore, I needed to monitor their activities regularly.
I had to avoid losing their skills at all costs. Their skills were essential to my growth and my goal to kill Amon.
‘I’ll gladly pay for my misdoings after I’ve killed Amon.’
The parasites implanted into their heads relayed various information to me.
“The government is going to start restricting access into the sinkholes? That’s annoying.”
“Hey! Bottoms up till the sun’s up! Drinks are on me tonight!”
“I can’t believe that wasn’t the real Amon. That’s so lame.”
“I’m going to kill the asshole that stole my items…”
“Manager-oppa dropped off some food for me. What a kind man.”
“Jason, let’s spar. Come to my house real quick.”
“Zzz… Zzz…”
One was reading news articles, one was drinking, one was reading Transcendent Net, one was on the phone... Etc., etc.
Everything they experienced was relayed to me. What they were seeing, hearing, saying... All of it. Parasite’s true power was information gathering. Although it had poor visual fidelity, it was still superior to a normal spy cam in many ways, and it was up to the caster whether or not the unfettered surveillance meant developing a guilty conscience.
Of course, I wasn’t monitoring people because I was bored.
‘Every once in a while, some people try to commit crimes with their acolyte powers.’
I was hoping that the guys I copied my skills from wouldn’t be trash like that. Otherwise, it would leave a bad taste in my mouth. I was simply doing my due diligence to make sure these acolytes were morally upright people.
‘Of course, one of them is already failing.’
My vision shifted over to Dopal’s. He was willing to scam people by pretending to be Amon, so there wasn’t much he could do that could surprise me, yet…
‘This guy’s a complete nutjob!’
The moment I saw the nonsense Dopal was up to, I left my seat.
I couldn’t simply stand by and watch.
* * *
Reaper Scans
Translator - Darkraider 2.0
Proofreader - Nine
Join our discord for updates on releases!!
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* * *
Jo Dopal had intermittent explosive disorder (IED), more commonly referred to as having anger management problems. Once he was angry, all reason went right out the window.
As a student, he used to get into a lot of fights. However, as an adult, he was able to restrain himself better.
“I used to be a real menace back in the day. When the Mad Dog passed by, people made way,” Dopal said, lighting a cigarette. He took a puff before continuing. “Do you know why I stopped fighting once I reached adulthood?”
He brought his thumb and index together, making the gesture for money.
“Because it’s hella expensive,” he answered. “I can’t beat people up freely because paying settlement money is a bitch. That’s why money is scary.”
He pulled the bag off a person’s head.
“Mm-mmph!”
A woman with tape over her mouth glanced around in panic. She was surrounded by mountains on all sides. There wasn’t even a single signpost within sight.
The woman’s gaze landed on Dopal. Her eyes pleaded for mercy, but Dopal paid no mind to it as he continued his monologue.
“Once I learned that, I started doing anything and everything for money. I ran every con under the sun, but I specialized in fake stock tips.”
“Mmph! Hmmph!”
“It was fun scamming married women while pretending to be a businessman. I even managed to sate my lust by promising them valuable info, heheh.”
Dopal ripped the tape off.
The woman immediately began to beg. “P-please spa—”
“If you ask me to spare you, I’ll kill you.”
The bloodlust in his eyes quickly shut the woman up.
“Good. Maybe it’s because you’re young, but you catch on quick. And you’ve got a killer body, too…” Dopal licked his lips, eyeing her. “I was pretty rough while transporting you here, right? Sorry ‘bout that. Normally I would’ve lured you in with some sweet talk, but as you can see, I’m an acolyte now. Why bother wasting time with words when I could just use my strength?”
“Wh-why are you doing this? P-please let me go…”
“Why would I bring you all the way here if I was just going to let you go? Huh? Think about it. Think! Why would I stuff you into a trunk just to release you?”
“P-please spa—”
Dopal raised his fist. “I told you I’d kill you if you said that.”
The woman shrieked in fear.
However, he didn’t actually hit her. Despite everything, he didn’t like hitting women. Terrorizing them was another matter entirely, though.
“Consider yourself lucky,” he said. “I’m a gentleman. Especially in bed.”
“Ahh…”
“Don’t worry. There’s no one around, so you can scream as much as you like, hehehe.”
The woman tried to run away as Dopal reached for her, but her efforts were futile. Both her hands and feet were tied up.
“Stay still. I’m trying to untie you. I’m not into bondage. It’s not that fun.”
Dopal undid the knots, giving the woman the chance to escape. However, she carefully looked over at Dopal first.
“You’re not planning on running away, are you?” he asked. “Don’t forget, I’m an acolyte.”
Despair filled the woman’s eyes. Her kidnapper was an acolyte.
Granted powers that transcended human limits, acolytes were meant to be the saviors of humanity.
Or so people had believed.
In reality, it differed from person to person. When great power fell into the hands of criminals, tragedy was inevitable.
The sad truth of the world was dawning on the woman.
“Please spare me, sir. Please. I’m begging you. Please…”
Dopal sighed. “I’m getting real tired of this bullshit. I wasn’t going to kill you. I just want to have some fun for a bit. That’s all. Easy-peasy, right?”
The woman began to sob.
“You need to stop crying. Right now. Service me to the best of your ability. That’ll determine whether I spare you or not.”
Never having dated a woman, this was Dopal’s way of satiating his desire for love.
“Act like you really love me,” he demanded. “That’s your path to survival. Can you do that?”
“...”
“I asked you a question. Can you or can you not do that?” Dopal raised his fist again.
The woman held back her sobs as she shook her head. “N-no. I’ll do it.”
She dared not refuse.
“There we go. You young women seem to be better at understanding the situation. More obedient, too.” Dopal snickered as he set up a tripod.
“Wh-what are you doing?” the woman asked.
“I need insurance of my own. Who knows what you’ll do once I let you go?”
That was the excuse he gave, but it was entirely meant for his personal collection. From the start, Dopal had no intention of letting this woman go free.
‘I'll bury her once I’m done with her,’ he thought.
It wasn’t a coincidence that he chose to do this in the mountains.
Unaware of his true motives, the woman sighed in relief, thinking that she would be spared.
“Okay, now that it’s ready, why don’t we get started? Strip for me,” Dopal ordered.
“What…?”
“I said strip!”
The woman glanced around in fear. There were nothing but trees around her. Not a single soul she could ask for help.
“Don’t keep me waiting.”
She sobbed. She had no choice but to listen to Dopal in order to live.
As she slowly unbuttoned her shirt, a creepy smile crept on Dopal’s face, his skin turning red with excitement.
However, right as the woman was about to take off her top...
“Jo Dopal.”
Dopal flinched at the sound of someone’s voice. With shock in his eyes, he scanned the area, but there was no one else around.
‘What the hell? Did I hear a ghost or something?’
He wondered if he had just imagined it, but to his surprise, he heard the voice again.
“Over here, dumbass.”
‘Is it coming from above?’
When he looked up, Dopal doubted his eyes. ‘What the fuck is that?’
A person was floating above him with white wings spreading from his back.
‘An angel?’
He noticed that the figure had short hair. It was likely a man.
The man landed on the ground.
Dopal couldn’t believe someone could fly, but then he realized he shouldn’t be too surprised. Acolytes could possess a wide variety of abilities.
‘I didn’t even know that there was a flying skill. That’s really surprising.’
However, what surprised him the most was… the man’s face.
Dopal gasped. ‘That’s me!’
The man wearing his face tucked in his wings and walked toward him. “Jo Dopal, it’s time for you to go,” he said.
“What? Go where?” Dopal asked, confused.
“There is only one place meant for a guy like you,” the man answered with a chilling smile. “Hell.”
____
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