Before challenging the next trial, there was something that needed to be done.
"Pick out the strongest bones, caw."
Caw!
Caw!
Eleven carrion crows descended from the sky and began to search through the giant's bones.
【Lv.6】
The carrion crows, which were level 4 boss monsters, had been upgraded to level 6.
The change occurred as the ordinary carrion crow summoning skill transcended into the advanced carrion crow summoning skill.
However, only the level had changed.
When the carrion crows flapped their wings, two purple hands stained with curses appeared and lifted the large bones.
This indicated that the advanced carrion crows had been granted a new skill.
This rapid skill transcendence was possible thanks to the hidden characteristic 'Handiness.'
'Handiness also raises the level of transcended skills.'
When a skill transcends, its level is reset.
However, this is where the true power of 'Handiness' becomes apparent.
Originally, 'Handiness' had already raised the skill level of the ordinary 'Carrion Crow Summoning' by 1.
When the skill transcended into 'Advanced Carrion Crow Summoning,' it started at level 2, adding another 1 to the level.
This is why the eleven advanced carrion crows were summoned.
'Handiness effectively raised the level to 2.'
Even though it is said to be reset, in reality, it is no different from 'inheritance.'
The skill retains all its pre-transcendence characteristics and raises the maximum level.
Whether this is a system error, a bug, or intentional, the more a skill transcends, the more the power of 'Handiness' grows, like compound interest.
It even amplifies the speed at which proficiency increases.
There is almost no other characteristic with such a good cost-performance ratio.
While the Weapon Master is limited to weapon proficiency, 'Handiness' affects 'all proficiencies.'
Caw!
Thud!
They selected the unbroken and intact bones of the giant and stacked them neatly in front of me.
'They couldn't withstand the low level, but these are all the bones of the giant.'
It's not just that the skeleton soldiers have grown in size.
The giant's characteristic. These bones are genuine, armed with powerful anti-magic properties.
The strength of the bones is harder than steel and would not be scratched by most physical attacks.
The reason for gathering only the intact bones of the giant is simple.
'I will create a single masterpiece using eleven advanced carrion crows.'
I plan to create a 'masterpiece' to prepare for the next trial.
The skill that transcended and transformed was not just the carrion crow summoning.
'The Art of Corpses' transcended into 'Master of Corpse Art.'
Previously, I could stack bones to create a golem-like structure, but becoming a 'Master' increased the utility.
I can now use more materials to create larger and more complex art.
'If the druid characteristic is added in the next trial, it will certainly involve handling nature elementals.'
Druids are a race specialized in nature, capable of handling elementals.
Using elementals, they can easily support the massive body of a giant.
The terrifying aspect of druids is that they can handle all nature elementals.
However, what worries me is an even worse scenario.
'... Void added the light attribute. They might even handle light elementals.'
Light elementals, which are not nature-based.
If such elementals are summoned, it would be impossible to clear the current state.
Therefore, I must prepare thoroughly.
"Connect them properly, caw! There must be no gaps, caw!"
*
The area around the Tower of Mystery was now packed.
The number of monsters gathered from the entire Crandell region had exceeded ten thousand.
Among them were many powerful beings from Crandell.
"Young phoenix, imugi, adult leviathan, minotaur king, multiple ogres, king of carrion crows, truebloods, serpents... "
Monsters wearing red helmets were writing something at the entrance of the Tower of Mystery.
They were confirming the identities of those currently inside the tower.
"Apparently, 100 people are currently inside."
"Among them, there are transcendent beings."
The Tower of Mystery only allows 100 visitors at a time.
Their task was to investigate all 100 visitors inside the tower.
To determine if the beings undergoing the 'Mythical Trials' inside were friendly to Crandell or not.
If friendly, they would be treated accordingly; if not, preparations would be made.
"There are only four with potential."
"Imugi, Leviathan, Truebloods, and Minotaur King."
Even if a species transcends, the foundation must be excellent. It is almost impossible for a lower species to produce a transcendent being.
Thus, only four were selected.
Among them, the imugi and leviathan are mythical beings.
"The Minotaur King is not."
"Sir Gonggi?"
At that moment, Gonggi burst in.
The monsters wearing red management helmets bristled at the sight of Gonggi.
One of the four most influential monsters in Crandell, Gonggi.
One of the four close aides to the White King.
A being known as the 'Third Principal Force.'
He shook his head confidently.
"The Minotaur King is under my command. However, he is not a transcendent being."
"Ah. Then, is it the Minotaur King that was recently born from the Third Principal Force?"
"That's correct."
Swoosh, swoosh.
After crossing off, three remained.
One of the red-helmeted managers said,
"Leviathan is known to be from the dark lake of Aphendel. However, there is no clear information on the imugi and truebloods."
"Does that mean one of them is undergoing the Mythical Trials?"
The tower is closed during the Mythical Trials.
No one can enter or exit.
If someone successfully completes the trials, they must be identified.
Gonggi asked, puzzled,
"Where are the other principal forces? Why are only you here?"
Even the managers of Crandell could not ignore Gonggi's question.
"Medusa is still focused on recovery..."
"The Death King is conducting important research..."
"The Earth Dragon is in hibernation..."
Gonggi frowned at their excuses.
"Are you so calm even after seeing three rings appear? Or rather, you were calm even when dealing with 'that human.' It seems you haven't learned anything since then."
Gonggi shook his head.
Two years ago, the Four Principal Forces were defeated.
They were defeated one by one because they underestimated the human race.
All four were defeated by a single human.
'They didn't kill us to lure out the White King.'
How could he forget that humiliation?
The human was incredibly strong, beyond comprehension.
In the end, the White King had to give up one of his fangs, a catastrophic event.
Since then, the other principal forces seem to have learned nothing.
All the principal forces, including himself, were alive only because of the White King's grace.
If the White King had not given up his fang, all four principal forces would have been killed by a single human.
'Now...'
Gonggi had changed since that day.
He pushed himself harder and grew stronger.
To avoid repeating the same humiliation!
'Now, I won't lose so easily.'
He looked forward to the day he would meet the human again.
He would not lose if they fought again.
He had grown several times stronger since then.
He counted down the days until he would face the human again.
'But, it's time for me to appear now.'
Three rings.
A transcendent being who achieved the same feat as the White King.
It was time for him to appear.
However, the tower did not open no matter how much time passed.
'... Could they be challenging the fourth ring?'
If four rings are completed...
This would be an achievement surpassing the White King.
When that happens, the other principal forces would have to appear in person.
An unprecedented achievement that no one has ever achieved would be a matter of concern even for them.
Gonggi looked up at the top of the tower.
... There were still only three rings.
But if the rings become four...
All the principal forces of Crandell would gather here.
And they would face the unknown transcendent being.
As an ally or an enemy.
*
Unlike the third trial, the fourth trial was a significant increase in difficulty.
Skeleton soldiers with the full druid characteristic.
Using elementals to support and move their massive bodies, they fired light arrows.
The range, which was only 50 meters, increased proportionally with their size.
The destructive power was also the same.
Boom! Bang! Rumble!
The wall shook with intense vibrations.
What I created using the Master of Corpse Art skill was an incredibly thick 'wall.'
A massive wall reaching 10 meters in height.
I installed this wall in the narrowest part of a cliff.
'The light arrows cannot penetrate the giant's anti-magic properties.'
I effectively utilized the giant's characteristic.
The anti-magic properties of their bones prevent the light arrows from penetrating the wall.
To penetrate with physical force, they would need to move violently, but the elementals supporting them cannot provide that much thrust.
Additionally, I installed it in a narrow area to prevent them from crossing.
'The fish farm is complete.'
Literally, a fish farm.
If it were just the ordinary 'Art of Corpses' skill, I wouldn't have dared to attempt it, but as a 'Master of Corpse Art,' the only limit is the amount of power available.
'There was no time limit for when to move on to the next trial.'
I made full use of the given time.
The wall, which was simply cut and pasted bones, was made as sturdy as possible.
I repeated the process countless times to complete this masterpiece.
The skeleton soldiers had to stop in front of the wall made from their own bones.
'All the trials had the same terrain. I spent a lot of time finding the right spot.'
All the trials so far had the same terrain, like a copy-paste.
Therefore, I first searched for a place to install the wall.
I had to create it with no 1 cm error and fit it precisely.
I also installed nine pillars to anchor it to the ground to prevent the wall from falling.
This prevented the skeleton soldiers from entering.
'The problem is the elementals.'
Elementals can materialize.
They can penetrate the wall and target me.
"Endure, and I will win, caw!"
Swoosh.
Swoosh!
As I expected, various elementals appeared, penetrating the wall.
However, elementals are summoned using mana.
They cannot be summoned indefinitely.
When the mana is depleted and the elementals are recalled, the skeleton soldiers will fall.
If I can withstand their attacks, I will win.
If the wall collapses or I cannot withstand them, I will lose.