The Handsomer You Are, the Stronger You Become

Chapter 86

BOOM! CRASH! CRAAAAAANG!

The deafening sounds reverberated through the ice cave.

At the center of the wide cavern, from a hidden passageway, an immense shockwave erupted.

Icicles fell from the ceiling, and the resulting tremors partially collapsed parts of the dungeon. Yet the person at the epicenter, Kang Hyunsoo, remained utterly unperturbed.

“What’s this? Why so slow? Swing faster, you idiot.”

“RAAAAARGH!”

BOOM! SHWEEEEK! CLANG!

The Frost Ogre lunged with its razor-sharp claws and gnashed its yellowed teeth, trying to tear him apart.

But Hyunsoo easily evaded its strikes, springing off the ground while taunting it further.

The one worse for wear was, in fact, the Frost Ogre.

Despite attacking with all it had—claws, teeth, and even its tail—it only received counterattacks in return.

Though the creature was swift in its assaults, Hyunsoo dodged each one with ease, slashing the ogre's body with his twin swords as he moved.

Even its frenzied thrashing was of no use.

“GRAAAAAAHHH!”

CRACKLE!

Enraged, the Frost Ogre opened its massive maw wide and unleashed a freezing breath capable of instantly encasing anything in ice.

But Hyunsoo had already repositioned behind it, out of the attack's range.

In the middle of the vast passageway, it was like a deadly game of tag.

But such games couldn’t last forever.

As the playful chase continued, the ground began to rumble ominously.

RUMBLE-RUMBLE!

The passage threatened to collapse.

“I’d love to keep playing, but time’s up. Let’s finish this, you yellow brute.”

Hyunsoo slashed the ogre’s back with his twin swords.

The Frost Ogre retaliated instantly, swinging its frost-coated tail toward him.

And at that moment—

[100 Combo Evade Achieved!]

[You have perfectly dodged consecutive attacks from your opponent.]

[Attack power, attack speed, and movement speed increased by 100%.]

[Fusion Talent: Beauty Swordsmanship is now available.]@@@@

As Hyunsoo ducked under the tail, a notification appeared: the conditions to activate the Beauty Swordsmanship skill had been met.

An unintentional, yet welcome surprise.

Hyunsoo immediately tore off the metaphorical wrapping paper.

The moment the Fusion Talent became available, he activated it.

【Activate】

[Bloom (SS)]

He unleashed the skill tied to Beauty Swordsmanship.

Both swords glowed with a soft pink hue.

“RAAAAAARRGH!”

The Frost Ogre quickly turned, exhaling a frosty breath.

But Hyunsoo didn’t bother dodging this time.

SWWOOSH! FWHOOOOM!

The pink-hued blades neutralized the icy breath upon contact, dispersing it entirely.

Hyunsoo’s twin swords cut through the frosty attack as if it were nothing, advancing relentlessly until—

SLASH!

[Lv. 405. Contracted Frost Ogre has been slain.]

[You have gained experience points.]

[Level up!]

[Rewards: Strength +4, Agility +1.]

The massive ogre fell, its enormous frame sliced clean through.

THUD!

The colossal creature crumbled helplessly.

As the Frost Ogre’s body turned to dust, Hyunsoo glanced at his glowing twin swords and commented, “Wow... This is just as insane as last time. It even defends me, too.”

“Indeed, Master. The Fusion Talent is exceptionally powerful, and using it with dual swords makes its destructive force twice as potent,” Swallow replied.

The Beauty Swordsmanship, first awakened during the battle with Ji Wonhoon, was a skill Hyunsoo still found awe-inspiring.

Unlike typical talents, which gradually offered stronger skills as their rank increased from F-grade, Beauty Swordsmanship had granted an SS-grade skill right from the start.

Flare (A): Unleashes flames along the blade’s trajectory. Explodes upon impact. Mana cost: 30.Crimson Flame (B): Engulfs the blade in solar flames, dealing fire damage to struck enemies. Mana cost: 20.

[Trait:]Flame Worship (A): A blade devoted to the Sun God. Increases fire damage and fire resistance by 50%.

[Growth Item: Progress unknown.]

[An ancient relic with partially lost information.]

The Flame Sword had ascended to the next tier, transforming into the Radiant Sun Flame Blade.

The sheer might of Aphelion’s presence alone was enough to empower the item.

Now, only one task remained.

‘I’ll have to grab the hilt and withstand the flames.’

The trial was to prove his worthiness by enduring the flames and retrieving the sword from the altar.

This required Hyunsoo to enter the fire, bear its searing heat, and pull the Flame Blade from its slot.

It was a task that demanded immense resolve, as the flames would wrap around his entire body, burning relentlessly.

Though Aphelion assured him that any burns would be healed afterward, the pain of enduring the flames required sheer willpower.

In his previous life, it was a trial he had nearly abandoned halfway through.

“If you wish to claim the Sun God’s power, you must prove your worth. Now, the trial begins...”

“Yeah, yeah, let’s get this over with,” Hyunsoo said, cutting Aphelion off as he stepped into the flames.

But something unexpected happened.

Just as he was about to take a step forward, Aphelion abruptly declared:

“...Though it seems you are already worthy. The trial is unnecessary.”

“Huh?”

Aphelion had announced his success without him even starting.

Confused, Hyunsoo looked up at the phoenix, then glanced at Swallow.

“...?”

Swallow shook his head, just as baffled.

Aphelion, sensing their confusion, elaborated.

“Your appearance radiates with divine blessings. With such splendid beauty, how could you not be worthy?”

Beauty.

Aphelion had judged Hyunsoo’s outward appearance as proof of divine favor and declared him worthy without a trial.

This was a stark contrast to his previous life.

Back then:

“How pitiful. You dare seek the Sun God’s blessing with such a disgraceful form? Begin the trial immediately!”

Aphelion had been enraged by his appearance and made him endure the full trial.

But now, the entity’s attitude was a complete reversal.

The explanation was simple: Hyunsoo’s current appearance.

Swallow glanced between Aphelion and the Flame Blade before commenting, “It must be Master’s Absolute Beauty. Aphelion must have sensed the power of your divine looks and deemed you worthy.”

Not only had Hyunsoo’s appearance played a role, but there was something else.

“Furthermore, you possess an artifact of the Sun God. Your qualifications are flawless. Additional trials are meaningless. I shall now unlock all the power this place holds.”

Upon noticing the artifact around Hyunsoo’s neck, Aphelion dismissed any need for further testing.

FWOOOOOOM!

The flames from the altar surged higher.

[The Radiant Sun Flame Blade has been upgraded to Mythic Grade.]

The sword emitted a brilliant flash, ascending to Mythic rank.

[Exalted Sun Incarnation Blade]

[Grade: Mythic]

[Effect: Attack Power +1,150]

[Skills:]

Sunspot Explosion (SS): Forms a massive orb of solar energy at the blade’s tip, exploding when it reaches critical mass. Mana cost: 1,000.Flare (A): Unleashes flames along the blade’s trajectory. Explodes upon impact. Mana cost: 30.Crimson Flame (B): Engulfs the blade in solar flames, dealing fire damage to struck enemies. Mana cost: 20.

[Trait:]Flame Dominion (S): Embodies the power of the Sun God. Increases fire damage and fire resistance by 90%.

[Maximum growth achieved.]

“Wait... seriously? You’re giving me all this?” Hyunsoo murmured, stunned.

The blade had gone from Legendary to Mythic in mere moments.

In his past life, the Exalted Sun Incarnation Blade had required defeating an S-rank volcano dungeon boss and collecting 10,000 volcanic essences—a grueling ordeal.

Now, it was handed to him instantly.

Dumbfounded, Hyunsoo approached the altar and drew the Incarnation Blade.

His wide-eyed expression betrayed his shock.

But it wasn’t over yet.

The moment Hyunsoo grasped the sword—

FWOOOSH!

Golden light burst from the necklace he had acquired in the temple.

[You have mastered Sun Swordsmanship.]

[The lost ultimate technique has been unlocked.]

The hidden techniques of Sun Swordsmanship, inaccessible until now, were finally revealed.