NOVEL NEXT WORLD Ch 05
Chapter 05
**Snap-**
“Looks solid enough.”
Chang Sik examined his left hand, now covered in a thick layer of rock, turning it around to inspect it.
**[Acquired Skills]**
1. **Rock Arm [ROCK ARM]**
Allows you to generate hardened material on parts of your body.
*Type: Kim Daechun (Rock-like Skin)*
This was the first skill Chang Sik had gained through Trait Modification—*Rock Arm*.
It wasn’t just about turning into rock; the material hardened instantly, almost like cement solidifying in seconds.
“If I use this right, it could be great for restraining opponents.”
He imagined grabbing someone and activating the skill, locking them in place as the hardened rock fused around both of them.
Next, Chang Sik tested out the skill he had just acquired from Goo Chiseong.
**Boom!-**
A small burst of flames flickered from his right hand, followed by a sudden shockwave.
2. **Full Burst [FULL BURST]**
Generates a shockwave that explodes within a confined area.
You can charge the skill to create a stronger shockwave.
*Type: Goo Chiseong (Flame Eater)*
The power to generate explosive shockwaves seemed incredibly versatile, making Chang Sik nod in approval.
“I like it.”
It was clear that the *Trait Modification* system was in a league of its own.
And being able to acquire up to three traits proved that ChangSik’s ability was beyond ordinary.
‘Hah… maybe the system’s right. Maybe a true hero really *is* chosen.’
Having finished testing his skills, Chang Sik made his way down the stairs.
He passed through the first-floor lobby, which still bore the scars of an earlier battle, and stepped outside.
**Fwoosh!-**
The blazing red flames and the acrid stench of sulfur distorted his vision.
“Ahhhh! Help me!”
**BOOM!-**
Screams and explosions echoed from all directions as Chang Sik cautiously moved toward the noise.
“Haaah…”
Walking along the wall of the building, Chang Sik eventually spotted Flame Sucker standing in the academy courtyard. The villain was spewing fire with his back to the building.
Around him, several survivors were sprawled on the ground, moaning in pain.
“Ugh… please, spare me…”
Ignoring their desperate cries, Flame Sucker watched the hellscape he had created with a grotesque grin.
The heat was suffocating.
**Drip.**
Sweat began to pour from Chang Sik’s entire body.
Then, one of the cadets lying on the ground noticed Chang Sik and frantically waved his hand.
“P-please help us!”
Hearing the plea, the other survivors turned to look at Chang Sik with faint glimmers of hope.
But their hope quickly turned into disappointment.
“Damn it… it’s Kim Chang Sik!”
“Kim Chang Sik or whoever, just save us!!”
“Idiot, that guy’s just a non-Awakened loser!”
“No, wait. I saw him use a trait earlier!”
Their frantic whispers caught Flame Sucker’s attention.
He turned around and spotted Chang Sik.
“Hm?”
He tilted his head, as if trying to figure something out.
“Hmm…”
“…”
He scratched his chin, looking like he was on the verge of remembering something.
“Ugh, who the hell is this guy?”
Frustrated, he scratched his head and finally asked outright.
“Who are you?”
“…Kim Chang Sik.”
At that, Flame Sucker pulled out a smartphone-like device and started tapping on the screen.
He glanced back and forth between the screen and Chang Sik’s face a few times before muttering:
“You are not on this site.”
A nameless villain standing nearby approached him and whispered something.
“Do not worry about anyone who is not on the list, sir.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Considering what happened earlier and the fact that the pro heroes might show up soon, we should focus on killing Goo Chiseong and retreating.”
The purpose of the “Seedling Stomp” was to target promising hero cadets.
And Kim Chang Sik’s name wasn’t on the list.
“You heard him. I’ll let you off the hook, so scram.”
Flame Sucker waved his hand dismissively, clearly uninterested.
The survivors, however, reached out toward Chang Sik desperately.
“Take me with you!!”
“Me too, please!!”
Flame Sucker glanced at them and smirked creepily.
“You guys are on the list, so… nope.”
The survivors’ expressions twisted with despair.
That despair soon turned into anger, which they directed at Chang Sik.
“You bastard! Why you?!”
“Don’t just save yourself—take us too!”
Chang Sik stood there silently, watching the scene unfold, then let out a small laugh.
“This is ridiculous.”
Hearing his laughter, Flame Sucker’s gaze snapped back to him.
“Hm?”
“Who are you to tell me whether to run or not?”
Chang Sik’s voice was deep and steady.
His eyes glinted with sharp, dangerous intent as he stared directly at Flame Sucker.
“…What?”
“I’m here to take you down.”
Flame Sucker frowned deeply.
“You crazy bastard… I was gonna let you go, but I can’t ignore that kind of talk.”
He motioned for the other villains to step back.
“Listen, cadet. Being bold is fine, but you should know when to take a chance when it’s given.”
As Flame Sucker puffed up his cheeks, preparing to unleash his flames, Chang Sik smirked and spoke.
“Beomsik, are you still scared of fire?”
“…!!”
Flame Sucker’s puffed cheeks deflated slightly as his face twisted in shock.
His reaction was almost comical.
Grinning, Chang Sik charged forward.
**Thud-thud-thud!-**
He swung his arm at the nearest villain.
“Full Burst!”
A small burst of flame erupted from his hand, followed by a powerful shockwave.
**BOOM!-**
The villain was hit directly, his body flung into the wall of fire behind him.
He melted away instantly.
“Gaaahhh!”
Everyone watching froze in shock.
Chang Sik moved without hesitation.
The physical gap between him and the villains was obvious.
That’s why now—while they were stunned—was his best chance.
Seeing Chang Sik approach rapidly, Flame Sucker pulled back and opened his mouth wide.
**Crackle!-**
The villain spewed out a sticky stream of fire, accompanied by its usual strange sound.
But Chang Sik had already predicted the trajectory.
He dodged it with ease.
Then, firing off multiple Full Burst attacks, he forced the villains to retreat closer to the wall of fire.
“Huff… huff…”
Chang Sik’s breathing grew heavy as he pushed his limits.
Just that short burst of movement had already left him on the verge of exhaustion.
Without wasting any time, he activated Full Burst on his right hand and began charging it for a more powerful attack.
Flame Sucker, watching him struggle to catch his breath, sneered mockingly.
**“You’re already tired after showing off for just a bit?”**
Hearing that, Chang Sik took a deep breath and replied, “Huff…! You sure like to talk, just like always.”
“…Wait, do you actually know who I am?”
Ignoring the question, Chang Sik swung his right hand, releasing the charged-up Full Burst.
**Vwoosh!-**
A sphere, about the size of a soccer ball, shot straight toward Flame Sucker’s face.
It wasn’t particularly fast, so dodging it should’ve been easy for him.
**Swoosh-**
He smoothly dodged the Full Burst and smirked mockingly.
“You idiot. Now it’s over—!”
But before he could finish his sentence, he froze, overwhelmed by the intense heat rising behind him.
“What… What the hell is this!!”
Full Burst had the power to explode the space it hit.
And the fully charged one that Chang Sik had just hurled? It landed directly behind Flame Sucker, into the wall of fire.
**BOOOOM!-**
The result left everyone speechless.
The sticky, flaming barrier erupted in a massive explosion, engulfing Flame Sucker and his minions.
**Fwoosh!!-**
Screams of panic and agony erupted from the villains, caught off guard by the unexpected attack.
“What… what is this!!”
“Ahhh! Help me!!”
The stench of burning flesh mixed with sulfur filled the air, and thick black smoke began to spread.
The surviving cadets, who had been watching in despair, stared at Chang Sik in shock.
“A-amazing…”
“Holy crap… what the hell just happened?”
“I-I knew you could do it!”
As time passed, the loud screams subsided, and the blazing flames began to die down bit by bit.
“Huff…”
Chang Sik’s head started spinning.
“Ugh…”
Feeling something trickling under his nose, he quickly wiped at it.
It was blood.
The price of overusing his abilities was catching up to him.
**Ding!-**
‘Damn it… I can’t collapse yet…’
And then—
**BOOM!!**
A stream of sticky fire burst through the charcoal remains of the inferno.
“…!!”
Still wary that Flame Sucker might have survived, Chang Sik managed to leap to the side just in time to dodge the attack.
“Argh!!”
Flame Sucker emerged from the burning wreckage, his body scorched and smoldering in several places.
“Impressive…”
“Huff… Looks like that wasn’t enough.”
Flame Sucker flashed a twisted grin.
“I don’t know how you figured out my weakness, but it doesn’t matter.”
Raising both hands to shoulder height, he stood firm, showing that he was still capable of fighting.
“By the way, why the hell isn’t your name on the list? Ugh, I swear, the intel department is useless!”
Clearly annoyed, he spat on the ground, his frustration evident.
Then, turning his attention back to Chang Sik, he sneered.
“Doesn’t matter. You’re going to die here, anyway.”
Flame Sucker’s grotesque grin spread wider as he puffed out his cheeks, preparing another attack.
At the same time, Chang Sik tensed, bracing himself.
**KRAAAAAH!!**
A deafening sound suddenly tore through the air, loud enough to make their eardrums ache.
“Huh?”
At the strange noise, Chang Sik quickly looked around.
The blazing walls of fire surrounding the area had started to weaken.
‘What…?’
It was someone Chang Sik hadn’t anticipated.
But seeing this unexpected arrival brought a smirk to his face.
Still oblivious, Flame Sucker glanced around, confused.
“…What was that sound just now?”
“What else? It’s the real trigger for your downfall.”
“…What?”
Flame Sucker’s expression twisted in confusion.
And then—
**BOOM!-**
A figure burst through the flaming wall behind him.
“RAAAAHHH!!”
A man, his entire body glowing red-hot like molten metal, leapt out of the fire.
Goo Chiseong’s fists weren’t just red—they were shining white with heat.
“Damn it… That bastard!!”
Flame Sucker saw him and quickly tried to unleash his flames, but Goo Chiseong was faster.
**WHAM!-**
Goo Chiseong’s blazing white fist slammed into Flame Sucker’s stomach.
“Urgh…!!”
The punch was so powerful that Flame Sucker’s body bent at a sharp 90-degree angle.
Still holding his fist in place, Goo Chiseong roared at the top of his lungs.
“BOOOOM!!”
In an instant, energy gathered at his fist and exploded.
**BOOOOM!!**
The ground shook violently as the explosion echoed across the area.
The force sent Flame Sucker flying backward at an incredible speed, slamming him into the side of a building.
**CRASH!!**
“Ugh, gahh…!!”
Flame Sucker staggered and writhed in pain, his body trembling from the direct hit.
Flame Sucker was known for his ability to unleash incredibly powerful flames and his immunity to fire.
But that immunity only extended to *his own flames*.
And that was Flame Sucker’s first weakness—something only Chang Sik knew about.
—