My SSS-Rank Innate skill: Infinite Adaptation core

Rose answered seriously, ”A beast tide is rushing toward our city to attack. No one knows what triggered it, but whatever caused it forced the surrounding demonic beasts to completely divert their movement toward Frostholme.”

Beast tides were not something unknown in human history. Many records existed of massive hordes of demonic beasts overwhelming cities and completely destroying human settlements. Still, hearing this made something suddenly click inside Nova’s mind.

”What exactly is the difference between the demonic beasts inside dungeons and the beasts found outside?” he asked inwardly toward Liya.

{To be precise, most beasts living outside originally came from dungeons at some point, During rare phenomena known as Dungeon Breaks, monsters escape into the outside world before the dungeon fully collapses or gets destroyed. After adapting to the outside environment, they reproduce naturally and increase their numbers through mating.}

”Hm...” Nova nodded slightly after understanding the explanation. Then he looked back toward Rose and calmly asked another important question.

”How much time do we have left?”

Rose herself didn’t understand why she kept answering every single one of Nova’s questions so seriously. Normally, she wouldn’t waste this much time explaining things to a newly awakened Copper-rank adventurer. Even if he was handsome, that alone wasn’t enough to make her this patient.

Yet something about Nova’s presence felt strangely overwhelming and hard to ignore.

Compared to yesterday, his aura had changed completely. It wasn’t obvious or oppressive, but there was an indescribable pressure hidden beneath his calm appearance that unconsciously made people pay attention to him.

Of course, Rose had no idea that Nova’s Monarch’s Mask skill was constantly active. The skill was not only hiding his true strength and stats, but also suppressing the traces of demonic aura leaking from his evolved body.

Even so small remnants of that overwhelming presence still unconsciously escaped him, subtly affecting the people around him.

And because of that, despite believing Nova was still just a recently awakened Copper-rank adventurer, Rose found herself unable to ignore him or refuse his questions naturally.

”The city’s mana defensive formations can hold the beast tide back for around one day at most. Until then, every adventurer guild, Duke Frost’s army, and the Duke himself will participate in defending the city.”

”He’s a high-level swordsman, so his presence alone greatly increases our chances.”

Nova silently processed the situation.

To think all the major powers of Frostholme would unite together for this battle...

Still, hearing that they had at least one full day before the real attack began relaxed him slightly. That was more than enough time for him to visit the library first and then head back toward his village.

With his current speed, traveling that distance had become extremely easy.

And unlike before Nova wasn’t panicking.

Even though he still didn’t fully understand how dangerous this beast tide truly was, after surviving fifteen days inside that hellish dungeon while endlessly fighting thousands of demonic beasts nonstop, his mentality had changed drastically.

Combined with how much his Intelligence attribute had increased, Nova could now remain calm and think rationally even in extreme situations.

After discussing the beast tide for a while, Nova calmly took out several Wolfang cores and sharp fangs from his inventory before placing them onto the counter.

”Can you confirm these as proof for the C-rank dungeon quest we accepted and give us the reward?” Nova asked politely while gesturing toward himself and Rieka with a small smile.

Rose looked visibly surprised.

In a situation where the entire city was preparing for an incoming beast tide, this man was calmly standing here asking for quest rewards as though nothing serious was happening.

But what shocked her even more was hearing him mention a C-rank dungeon quest.

Didn’t she specifically warn him yesterday to start from weaker quests first?

Even if he had a companion with him, attempting a C-rank dungeon right after awakening was practically suicidal for a Copper-rank adventurer.

Did this man simply not fear death?

What Rose didn’t know, however, was that Nova genuinely needed money right now. Otherwise, he honestly wouldn’t have bothered bringing all those materials and collect the reward in the first place.

As for the rest of the monster materials and weapons stored inside his inventory he had no intention of selling them yet because Liya had already advised him otherwise.

{Don’t sell them, Host~}

{With your Fusion skill, you can create a decent weapon for yourself later by combining those materials together.}

{And if you fuse those daggers and lower-grade weapons properly, you could easily sell the improved versions later for a much higher price.}

Nova completely understood her point.

Although he still hadn’t tested Fusion skill personally yet, just from reading the description alone, he already understood one thing very clearly—the skill was absurdly overpowered.

Meanwhile, Rose silently checked the materials Nova handed over before eventually confirming the quest completion. Without saying much else, she handed over the reward.

Eight silver coins.

Along with that, Nova’s and Rieka’s guild contribution also increased slightly. After collecting the reward, Nova and Rieka quietly left the guild hall together.

It was still early morning, and Nova quickly noticed that the public wasn’t in complete panic yet. The streets still looked relatively normal, with only a few adventurers and guards moving around more seriously than usual. Clearly, the news about the incoming beast tide hadn’t spread throughout the entire city yet.

And honestly that was probably the right decision.

If the information spread too early, the whole of Frostholme would likely descend into complete chaos before the beasts even arrived. After thinking for a moment, Nova turned toward Rieka and asked softly,

”I’m heading toward the Grand Library first, and after that I’ll go back to my village.”

”Will you come with me?”

Rieka’s ears lowered slightly before she shook her head with a faint sad expression.

”I wish I could...”

”But I need to warn my grandfather and the others in my tribe about the beast tide. Our houses are near the city borders, so they need to know about the danger before it’s too late.”

Even though her voice remained calm, Nova could clearly sense the disappointment hidden within it. It was obvious she genuinely wanted to stay with him longer.

Seeing her gloomy expression, Nova’s gaze softened immediately. He gently raised his hand and caressed her cheek warmly before speaking in a comforting voice.

”Don’t worry, honey.”

”I’ll be back by evening.”

”We’ll meet again at the city square.”

”And be careful, alright?”

Honestly, Nova wasn’t too worried about her safety anymore. After all, they still had nearly one full day before the beast tide truly reached the city.

Besides—

he would return before she even realized how fast time passed. Thinking that, Nova leaned forward slightly before softly kissing her lips.

”Take care.”

Rieka’s beautiful eyes softened instantly.

”You too... husband,” she replied quietly.

Then, after one final look toward each other. the two slowly walked away in different directions.

Nova asked a few people for directions toward the library before heading there calmly. At this point, almost every goal he had for coming to Frostholme had already been completed—except one.

Knowledge.

He still knew far too little about this world, its powers, major kingdoms, races, political forces, and the dangers hidden beyond human settlements.

And since it was still early morning, he decided this was the perfect time to gather information before heading back toward his village. With his current speed, he would still have more than enough time to return before evening.

This time, Nova didn’t bother using Lightning Steps or any movement skill because the library was surprisingly close to his current location. Within only a few minutes, he finally arrived before a massive ancient-looking structure.

The building resembled an enormous medieval Roman hall built from white stone, carrying an old and scholarly atmosphere around it. Large pillars stood at the entrance while bold golden words were carved above the gates.

”GRAND LIBRARY.”

Nova quietly walked inside.

The moment he entered, his eyes widened slightly.

The library was enormous.

It stretched across four massive floors filled endlessly with towering bookshelves. From every direction, all he could see were books upon books upon books.

It genuinely felt like standing in the middle of an ocean of knowledge.

”...How the fuck am I supposed to find the exact books I need in this place?” Nova muttered helplessly under his breath.

After glancing around for a moment, he decided to look for a librarian instead.

Soon, his attention landed on a beautiful middle-aged woman sitting behind a long wooden counter nearby. She looked to be somewhere in her early forties and possessed a mature voluptuous figure along with elegant features.

At the moment, however she was dozing off lazily at her desk. Nova walked toward her before lightly tapping the wooden counter.

Knock. Knock.

”Ah—! Who is it?” the woman suddenly woke up in surprise, her sleepy voice echoing lightly through the quiet library hall. She quickly lifted her head and looked toward the person standing before her counter.

The moment her eyes landed on Nova, she paused slightly.

A tall young man with an unreal handsome face stood calmly before her. His dark hair, abyss-like eyes, sharp features, and composed aura instantly drew attention even without him trying. Combined with his mature physique and calm expression, he looked far more eye-catching than most adventurers she usually saw entering the library.

For a brief moment, the woman blanked out slightly.

What a handsome young man...

Still, being an experienced librarian, she quickly r

egained her composure before lazily leaning back in her chair while adjusting her glasses.

”What do you want, kid?” she asked while rubbing her sleepy eyes tiredly.

Thanks for reading....