Chapter 19: Dawn of Destruction

Extreme joy begets sorrow, sweetness gives way to bitterness—these words perfectly captured Han Feng’s current mood. The Basic Laws of Energy Cultivation had to be arranged without delay!

His previous self had not been a superhuman and had never studied the Basic Laws of Energy Cultivation designed specifically to enhance the energy of superhuman individuals. Only by mastering these laws could he swiftly advance his spiritual energy cultivation and thereby unlock card-related skills.

Though he could only use one passive skill for the moment, Han Feng, upon careful consideration, realized this skill held infinite possibilities.

Mastery over Lightning—the introduction was just a few simple words: “Control lightning energy.” Didn’t this mean he could freely wield lightning, manipulate it at will, perhaps even command the lightning energy of his enemies?

No sooner thought than acted. Han Feng replaced the Kenshin Himura card.

His predecessor had possessed a decent foundation in swordsmanship, and Han Feng himself had a high aptitude for the art. Through several battles, he’d essentially mastered the sword techniques granted by the Kenshin Himura card. Since these were pure swordsmanship skills devoid of any supernatural powers, he’d memorized the methods of exertion and execution. Combined with his own strength and speed, which far surpassed the standard, mastering these techniques had not been difficult.

Upon equipping the newly drawn four-star hero card, Han Feng felt an immediate wave of comfort. The four-star Laxus Dreyar card granted him 500 more base attribute points than the three-star Kenshin Himura card.

He raised his right arm, spreading his palm and curling his fingers slightly. A slender thread of lightning appeared in his palm, crackling. His five fingers danced, and the tiny bolt of lightning twirled gracefully between them; energy that should have been wild and explosive now behaved as docile as a kitten in his hand.

He clenched his palm slightly, channeling more spiritual energy. The thin thread of lightning instantly swelled, forming a sphere of crackling energy. The condensed power altered the surrounding magnetic field, and the most immediate effect was the flickering of the room’s electrical appliances.

A thought crossed Han Feng’s mind, and the lightning sphere shifted, gradually morphing from a sphere into a sharp arrow.

He brought his hands together, clapping them. The lightning arrow dissipated in a puff.

“As expected of mastery over lightning—the control is impeccable.” Han Feng withdrew the energy with satisfaction and sighed in admiration.

Though only this one passive skill was available for now, Han Feng was very pleased. With his ability to control lightning, coupled with his experience from his previous life, he had already thought of countless ways to utilize this power.

As for the other four skills he could not yet activate, in the anime they all belonged to the domain of Dragon Slayer Magic of the Lightning element, which differed from ordinary elemental magic in both might and destructive force. They were especially effective against dragons, able to inflict real harm regardless of the disparity in life level.

Han Feng surmised that because these skills had a damage multiplier against dragon bloodlines, they required a certain threshold of spiritual energy cultivation before they could be unlocked.

As to whether “Mastery over Lightning” could control the enemy’s lightning, he speculated that it would likely counter attacks from superhumans of a lower ability level, but the actual extent would need to be tested in practice. Against those with higher ability levels, it probably would have little effect—otherwise, it would be too overpowered.

Han Feng suddenly realized that when he’d used the Hiei card before, his thinking had been constrained, limiting his use of demon flame to the Evil King’s Fist and the Evil King’s Sword.

Though none of the five skills listed on the Hiei card explicitly included mastery over fire, perhaps he couldn’t control ordinary flames in this world, but that unique black demon flame was his alone to command. Based on his experience, in this alternate world of “Stellar Extremity,” such black fire did not exist.

Once again, Han Feng extended his palm, and a mass of searing black flame appeared in his hand, its shape shifting at his will—confirming his guess.

Perhaps he could even shout, “Fire Style: Grand Fireball Technique!” and unleash a massive black fireball.

But he’d never use such an easily dodged attack!

After experiencing his new abilities, it was time to try out the newly drawn complete equipment card.

Previously, he’d only drawn a few one- or two-star items—cloth armor, short swords, and the like—utterly useless things he hadn’t even bothered to look at. But this time was different; this was his first four-star complete equipment card.

[Greythiel, Dawn of Destruction]

[Type: One-handed Sword]

[Quality: Four-Star]

[Requirements: None]

[Base Attributes: Attack Power 352~395, Durability (Unlimited)]

[Stat Bonus: Strength +257, Constitution +15]

[Additional Attribute: Extra Strength +40]

[Description: Only after destruction comes the dawn!]

Looking at the equipment card, a wave of fond memories washed over Han Feng. This sword was famed as the strongest one-handed sword of the Level 60 era in a certain legendary game, the graduation weapon for many classes, dropped by Kel’Thuzad in the Naxxramas dungeon. Though only a purple item, in some respects it was even more practical than the legendary orange sword, Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker.

Although the card’s stats had been adapted from the original, his delight could not be stifled.

He slotted the equipment card into his personal panel within the card system, and the total bonus of 297 strength was immediately felt in his body.

Could it be that complete equipment cards were only for boosting attributes? Han Feng was doubtful.

Surely, as his golden finger, it should offer more than something so simple. If hero card skills could become his own abilities, could a complete equipment card become his actual equipment?

A single thought, and suddenly his hand felt heavy. Where it had been empty, a long sword materialized in his right hand—the hilt appearing first, then the blade gradually forming out of nothing, as if summoned from another dimension.

The sword’s guard was shaped like a demon’s fangs, its grayish-purple blade covered with intricate runes. The tip was faceted like a gemstone, its silvery edge gleaming coldly, the entire weapon exuding a faint, violet glow.

“Whoa, it can be manifested for real?!” Han Feng stared in surprise at the sword, momentarily stunned. With a gentle swing, he sliced the bedside table in two with a perfectly clean, mirror-smooth cut—proof of the sword’s sharpness.

“A pity there’s no scabbard. I hope I can put it away at will.” Han Feng twirled the sword skillfully, finding the grip exceptionally comfortable.

Another thought, and Greythiel, Dawn of Destruction vanished as abruptly as it had appeared, as if it had never existed. Only the halved nightstand bore witness to its passing.

After several experiments, Han Feng discovered he could summon the sword at any time, making it extremely portable. He even left it in the room and walked away; if he moved more than fifty meters from it, the manifested blade would automatically disappear, completely eliminating the risk of theft.

Fiddling with the sword in his hand, Han Feng was beside himself with joy. The weapon he had never managed to obtain in countless hours of gaming in his previous life was now his in this new world. It was like finally winning the heart of the girl he’d long pursued, just as he was about to give up.

His grin nearly reached his ears, but then his smile froze, his gaze locking onto the ruined bedside table. Would he have to pay for the damage?

Maybe he should slip out at dawn...

But then again, the deposit for the room was probably worth more than the table.

Suddenly, Han Feng felt the world was not so lovely after all.