TLWD 53

Chapter : 53. The Triangle of Weakness

Derivative Skill.

It means a skill that branched off from the original.

In that sense, a derivative skill is a skill transformed and expanded from its original form.

◆ Find Weakness [U]

: When using this skill, it awakens the Predator’s Instinct [S], allowing the player to notice even the smallest changes in the environment and enemies. The player can perceive changes in the enemy’s body temperature, heart rate, attack patterns, and psychological state.

Thus, the player can [detect] the target’s [weak points] and intuitively identify unprotected areas, vulnerable points in armor, and weaknesses caused by factors such as exhaustion or fatigue.

<This skill is a derivative of Predator’s Instinct [S].>

“So this is what a derivative skill is.”

True to its meaning — a skill branched off from its original — it was a skill derived from Predator’s Instinct [S].

Since I used Predator’s Instinct [S] a lot to check Seraphia’s condition, I naturally awakened this skill.

The classification grade was Unique [U].

In other words, it was a unique ability only I possessed.

“Could it be from my experiences and memories from the Allied Forces era?”

It seemed likely.

That’s why, even though it was a power gained from the Lycanthrope, it had developed into a unique skill for me.

Either way, it was an extremely useful skill.

Being able to immediately know an enemy’s weak points could be boldly called ‘broken’ (overpowered).

When I used it on Seraphia, the weak points lit up red, clearly visible at a glance.

The solar plexus where the heart is located.

The head where the brain resides.

All the arteries and veins throughout the body.

These were the weaknesses any human would naturally have, proving Seraphia was currently human and not the Frost Lord.

But there was one thing.

“Why am I…?”

For some reason, my own body was glowing red too.

Like a leaf dyed by autumn, my entire body was shining a bright crimson.

Right then—

Knock, knock.

A knock came from outside the door.

“I’m coming in.”

With a light knock, a man entered the room.

A man who barged in without my permission.

Only one person in the Count’s territory would have the guts to do such a thing.

I was about to scold him but turned my head.

“What…?”

And my face stiffened.

“What are you talking about?”

That was Kai’s question as he looked at me.

Kai looked completely uninjured and clean.

“Why does he look so fine?”

The injury Kai suffered from the Lycanthrope was a fatal wound.

Though five days had passed, even so.

No matter how much immortality he had gained, he needed time to recover his aura.

I expected it would take at least two weeks.

But being completely fine after five days meant…

“Could it be a growth in realm?”

“How can you tell just by looking?”

Kai looked at me with surprised eyes, though I was the one who should be surprised.

It seemed he had some enlightenment from the fight with the Lycanthrope.

We could tell just by how he had perfected the wolf swordsmanship back then…

“Was it really that easy?”

Even considering that, his growth was absurd.

I looked at Kai in disbelief.

◆ Using Derivative Skill, Find Weakness [U]!

Then, words appeared before my eyes, showing Kai’s weak points—

“…None?”

There were no weak points.

No matter how closely I looked, Kai had no weaknesses visible.

“How is that possible?”

This made no sense.

It’s impossible for a living being to have no weaknesses.

No creature without a weak point exists in this world.

There were dragons, and there was Ian.

Even I would die if my head or heart were pierced.

My regeneration [B+] skill could not heal fatal wounds beyond its limits.

I would die if deprived of nutrients.

The ultimate lifeform.

Only beings like Ian, who said he was the ultimate lifeform, had no weak points.

At that point, such beings were no longer life but were rightly called gods.

Even if Kai had growth in his realm—

“Wait, could it be…?”

I nervously activated Predator’s Instinct [S].

Like with Seraphia, clear information about Kai appeared before me.

==<Character Information>==

Name: Kai

Classification: Animalia Mammalia Human

Gender: Male

Age: 20

Traits: Adoptive Muscle Memory [A-], Immortal Link [E]

There were certainly distinctive traits.

First was Adoptive Muscle Memory [A-].

◆ Adoptive Muscle Memory [A-]

: Upon acquiring this skill, muscle cells gain [learning memory ability]. This allows intuitive memory of previously experienced physical activities or training, increasing efficiency by [+1,205%] when relearning.

The connection between brain, nerves, and muscles is amplified by [+2,290%], enabling more efficient use of the body with less energy.

Learning ability for motions is raised to biological limits, but muscle fatigue accumulates [+6,550%] more, and the risk of joint and ligament injuries increases by [+1,430%].

<This is a passive skill permanently applied upon acquisition.>

…It was an overpowered skill.

Considering it was one step below Dragon’s Genetic Ability, Dragon’s Claw [A], it was a talent slightly inferior to a dragon’s.

Kai’s genius swordsmanship talent was probably based on this.

However, it wasn’t without flaws.

Muscle fatigue accumulates excessively, and joint and ligament injuries are much more likely.

Simply put, he tires easily and is prone to injuries.

But then, Kai had another ability.

“Immortal Link?”

When I asked, Predator’s Instinct [S] activated again, showing info about Immortal Link [E].

◆ Immortal Link [E]

: The user fixes their life force to a [specific target] to maintain immortality. As long as the target is alive, the user cannot experience physical death under any circumstances.

However, mental death can occur, and if the body is severely damaged, regeneration may not occur.

The grade was Epic [E].

The same tier as Dragon’s Wrath [E].

And it perfectly counteracted the fatigue and injury penalties from Adoptive Muscle Memory [A-].

Unfortunately, I could not obtain this ability.

It was a power Kai realized through aura manipulation.

Since I cannot manipulate aura, even if I devoured Kai with Predator [S+], I would never gain this ability.

Anyway—

“Fix life force to a specific target?”

It was obvious who Kai had linked his life force to.

My gaze naturally shifted to one side.

As expected,

Seraphia’s entire body was dyed red.

Like a leaf turned crimson, her whole body was stained red.

So,

“Seraphia is Kai’s Life Force Vessel?”

A Life Force Vessel is an object where a lich seals their soul, allowing them immortality.

As long as the vessel exists, the lich can revive infinitely.

In other words,

…This bastard is in the process of becoming a lich.

But it wasn’t full lichdom yet.

Mental death could still occur, and the body might fail to regenerate if severely damaged.

This showed Kai was definitely human.

Unlike in his past life, he was currently human but gaining lich abilities.

Using the absurd power of aura.

However, even if his body was broken, he was basically a ‘zombie’—barely alive.

In some sense, he had surpassed his time as the Frost Legion Commander.

Just as I was surpassing my time as the Predator, Kai was surpassing his era as the Frost Legion Commander.

…Wait, I lost my words.

“Is he sane?”

There was no way he was sane.

Kai had crossed into a level that could no longer be described as merely crazy.

“Is he really sane?”

No matter how I thought about it, the answer was no.

His loyalty to Seraphia had driven him mad beyond reason.

“If this keeps up…”

It had become nearly impossible to kill Kai.

As long as Seraphia lived, Kai maintained immortality.

Of course, killing Seraphia would nullify Kai’s immortality.

So in that sense, if Seraphia died, Kai would be finished.

But the problem was, it was impossible to kill Seraphia in the current situation.

“Ian, this bastard…”

Leaving that kind of remark, it became clear that the solution for Kai and Seraphia’s fate lay with Ian.

“I’d better avoid him.”

Until then, I decided to avoid Kai altogether.

Getting close might drive me crazy too, so it was best not to interact with him at all.

“How is Seraphia?”

Not wanting to speak, I stepped slightly aside to signal Kai to check on her.

Kai stepped forward quickly and checked Seraphia’s condition.

Even in the heat reaching nearly 253 degrees Celsius, Kai showed no sweat.

Kai’s large hand covered Seraphia’s forehead.

And at Seraphia’s icy coldness, Kai’s face hardened as well.

“I will take care of Seraphia from now on.”

“Do so.”

Anyway, I was preparing to ascend to Precehro.

For Seraphia’s treatment.

To find Ian.

And to increase the domain residents’ favorability, I needed to prepare to depart for Precehro.

“Then I’m leaving.”

I immediately left the room.

The main item for sale on this ascent would be monster meat.

I couldn’t sell the monsters Seraphia and Kai had defeated.

I had to personally use Devour [S+] to remove their madness.

Thus, the legion led by the Lycanthrope couldn’t be sold—

“But since I devoured all the monsters that attacked the Count’s territory, the supply was abundant.”

More than abundant.

It was overflowing.

The Count’s castle warehouse couldn’t handle the volume.

So multiple temporary storage facilities were being built.

I had no idea how much this would all be worth.

Even if I sold moderately, it could cover years of running the Count’s territory.

Thanks to the approaching harsh season, long-term storage wasn’t an issue.

Plus, I had fully evolved my abilities.

It was definitely worth the effort of fighting the legion alone.

“Let’s see…”

I sorted priorities for this ascent.

First priority was to investigate Ian’s whereabouts as requested from the merchant guild last time.

Precehro’s merchant guild had powerful capital and great influence in the Free Cities.

If Ian visited any free city on the continent, the merchant guild’s network would catch it.

Given Ian’s personality, he would definitely have caused some trouble, incidents, or commotions.

So, the first thing was to hear their findings from Precehro.

“And…”

Next was buying medicinal herbs to improve Seraphia’s condition.

Securing funds to found the Allied Forces.

Buying daily necessities to increase favorability of domain residents.

Expanding the Predator guild’s influence, and so on.

There was a mountain of tasks.

The guild members and recruited soldiers were swiftly transporting supplies.

“Rex meat here! Alakron over there! Load onto the wagon at the back!”

“Where should we put the Dermexis?”

“Ah! Dermexis goes in this wagon!”

Once the system was set, the guild members and soldiers moved efficiently.

While preparing for the ascent, at that moment—

“Adrian.”

Someone called me.

I turned to see a man with slicked-back hair, dressed neatly, approaching.

The chief butler of the White Wolf Count family, Bernard.

Bernard looked unusually pale up close.

After my father’s death and Seraphia falling ill, Bernard was handling all administrative duties of the Count’s territory.

“What is it?”

I asked, and Bernard immediately spoke.

“It’s nothing serious, but a guest has just arrived at the Count’s territory.”

 My eyes opened wide.