12 – Exploration and Power-leveling!

A few moments later, my happiness ceased. It was because I remembered that my current strength had limits.

First of all, this power came from this world; if I did something that threatens the survival of this world, surely the world would stop helping me.

This power also only matters in this world. If I moved to another world, my progress would be lost just like what happened to Naofumi in the novel when he was sent to Glass's world.

For your information, Legendary Heroes lost their character progress if they left this world. Only the Vassal Heroes could retain their progress in another world, somewhat. Of course, there were many limitations to this. But still, the point was that Vassal Heroes could keep their power in another world.

I wanted to be able to go to another world without losing my progress, so the power I got right now was meaningless.

(But, I have this unique skill. Does it keep my progress if I move to another world?)

I thought while looking at the [HUD] in my field of vision.

A while later, I decided to stop thinking about this. I would find an answer to this problem in the future. I was sure of this!

I returned to the matter before I was sidetracked. I was planning to recreate Satou's [Sky Drive] to reach the closest unclaimed Dragon Hourglass in the wilderness.

It was far away. It took several days in a slow carriage. Using a fast mount like Filolial or Dragon Horse only cut the travel time by half, but it still took a couple of days. I knew this because [Map] had a feature that reminded me of Go*gle Map in my original world.

I wanted to get to my destination before dusk. I could reach it before dusk if I used my full speed in a straight line. However, countless obstacles like trees slowed down my speed. Hence, I wanted to get there via the sky where no obstacles existed.

However, right now, I had maxed out the level of [Magic Control], [Magic Manipulation], and [Way of Dragon Vein]; I no longer needed Satou's [Sky Drive] technique. The [Teleport Sword] special equip bonus became obsolete as well. I could teleport via my new intimate connection with dragon veins at will, after all.

I prepared myself to teleport to the Dragon Hourglass. I used less than 1 unit of MP to create a connection with the dragon vein deep underground. When I successfully connected my magic with the dragon vein, I felt the night limitless power it contained and circulated underground. It was a humbling experience.

I projected my desire to the dragon vein, and a moment later, I felt the sensation of weightlessness before my feet stood on the hard floor. However, I lost my balance due to the sudden weightlessness.

My eyes opened wide, my body swayed, and my hands flailed for a moment before I regained my balance. I released a sigh, relieved. Then, I inspected my surroundings. I was in the interior of a cave. The lighting was bad before my sight adjusted to the darkness.

[Learned: Night Vision – Level 1]

I maxed out its level and then could see in the dark without problems.

As an aside, I also learned a spell—yes, a spell, not a skill—before learning [Night Vision]. It was simply called [Teleport].

I did not increase the level of [Teleport] because it was a spell of this world's magic system. It was a waste because it wouldn't be useful in another world.

(That is a Dragon Hourglass...)

The massive Hourglass that looked like the one in the Church of the Three Heroes caught my attention. I approached the massive structure and registered the Legendary Sword.

[06:18:48:54]

[...:53]

[...:52]

The timer kept ticking. This area would be hit by the Wave of Calamity in six days.

(I guess I will solo that wave. Since I am this strong, early waves won't be a problem for me.)

I made up my mind. Then, I stared at the Hourglass silently and thought something.

(Since I can teleport around easily, why don't I go to the border, enter the territory of other nations, and use [Full Map Scan] to complete my [Map]?)

A few moments later, I made up my mind and teleported to a forest on the border of Melromarc territory. I stepped out of Melromarc and entered the territory of Shieldfreeden, after which I used the free use of [Full Map Scan].

I repeated that, but this time, I entered Siltvelt territory. I used up all my free [Full Map Scan]. Even so, I did not mind. I had enough MP, and I could refill my MP by absorbing the magic power in the atmosphere and the dragon veins.

Next, I crossed the border of Siltvelt and entered the territory of Q'Ten Lo. I was under [Stealth]; I was being cautious because I remembered the Water Dragon that protected this land.

I did not want to be found by it. I even held back my desire to steal the Sakura of Destiny and all special weapons that could harm Heroes that were produced in this land.

(I'll steal those things later. One step at a time. Be patient. Right now, my goal is to explore the map of this world.)

I reminded myself before casting [Full Map Scan]. MP bar decreased by a little more than a half, but it was a small sacrifice to clear up the map of Q'Ten Lo.

Afterward, I teleported back to the Dragon Hourglass that I claimed to recover my MP. I absorbed the magic in the air and the dragon vein, and in a few moments, my MP was full again. Then, I went to the Melromarc-Zeltoble border, crossed into Zeltoble territory, and cast [Full Map Scan]. Afterward, I refilled my MP and went to Faubrey.

※※※

Finally, all areas in this continent were explored. I returned to my Dragon Hourglass. Then, I had a thought.

(Are there other continents in this world? Even though this continent is big, there must be unexplored continents beyond the ocean encircling this land.)

I wanted to visit the other continents, but I was unaware of the danger there.

(Then, I will do some intensive power-leveling...)

I expanded [Map] to fill my field of vision and then searched for areas with high-level monsters. I marked those areas and prepared myself for what I was going to do.

I connected my magic to the dragon vein. After sensing the outrageous energy it contained, I pulled it into me and used the energy to cast [Meteor Shower] on those areas. The MP bar on [HUD] decreased and refilled alternatingly, but it never went zero.

A few moments later, I sensed a vibration in the ground. Then, I was spammed with notifications.

(Man, today is raining meteors. The natives of this world surely freak out because of this; they probably think that it is doomsday... Hehehe.)

I joked to myself. Behind my indifferent expression, I felt that it was funny.

I turned my attention to [Map] and checked the aftermath. Some targeted areas left no survivors in the aftermath of my long-distance attack. For the area that left survivors, I blessed them with more meteors until no survivors left behind.

After no survivors left behind, I glimpsed my level in [HUD].

[RËÑ ĀMÆKĪ – Level 496]

"Heh, it is only the second day, yet I have surpassed Satou's level. Unfortunately, there are no high-level monster nests left. Even though I can drop meteors on a country, I am not unhinged enough to drop meteors on a populated area and laugh at the destruction it caused."

I stopped my monologue and squinted my eyes. I began thinking loudly.

"However, I can't become complacent. Even though I almost reach level 500, trouble can still follow me. I have to cover all corners, so no troublesome matters will annoy me."

I shook my head to clear up my mind. "Let's find a way to cover that angle after checking my massive haul."

I opened [Storage] and skimmed my loots.

"Whelp... It will take time to sort and process everything."

I released a sigh before working on everything. There were many remains to break down, feed to the Legendary Sword, convert to energy for other things, use for Status Enchantment, and keep aside for later use.

As expected, it took me hours to sort and process everything. It was 6:45 p.m. when I finished. At least, I was satisfied with the results, mostly my upgraded stats that matched the stats of level 700+.

"Now, I can say that I'm the strongest in this world, and it is not an empty boast!"