My SSS-Rank Innate skill: Infinite Adaptation core

Ding!

[System Quest: The Fall of Frostholme]

Objective:

* Prevent the destruction of Frostholme City.

* Slay all three A-Rank Demonic Beasts.

[Hidden Quest: Destroy the Blood Moon Cult’s Conspiracy]

Rewards:

* 200,000 Evolution Points

* +5 Luck

* Class Level +1

[Hidden quest Reward: ???]

”Hmm... what the hell? I understand the part about saving Frostholme, but what is this hidden quest... Blood Moon Conspiracy? What does that even mean? Aren’t we fighting a beast tide here?”

Nova frowned as he stared at the quest notification. The hidden quest felt far too vague, giving him almost nothing to work with. However, a moment later, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

Could it be...

Does this mean all of this was planned by the Blood Moon Cult?

{Well... my job is only to give you the quest. I’ve already given you what I was supposed to. I can’t tell you more than that, or it wouldn’t be much of a quest. Besides, you’re not getting 200,000 EPs for nothing.}

{For now, focus on killing those three beasts. Maybe you’ll find a clue and their is also hidden reward now work hard!}

Liya said, her words as cryptic as ever.

”Fine... but how the hell am I supposed to fight those three beasts with so many people around? And I can’t let anyone know my identity until I’m strong enough. Otherwise, my enemies will come after my family.”

Nova voiced his concern without hesitation. It wasn’t paranoia—it was simply the truth. If he revealed his true strength now, he would instantly become the center of attention. After all, someone who had only recently awakened yet had already crossed the First Evolution was practically unheard of.

Such monstrous growth would inevitably attract the interest of powerful individuals and organizations alike. More importantly, it wouldn’t just put him in danger; it would also endanger the people closest to him, especially his family.

{You can buy a disguise from the System Store.}

Nova’s eyes lit up slightly at the suggestion. Without wasting any time, he opened the store and purchased one. The item cost him 1,000 EP.

{This mask is special. It will conceal your face completely and can even alter your clothes according to your preference. Not only that, but it will also hide your true strength from others. Unless someone far surpasses a certain level, they won’t be able to see through the disguise.}

Nova immediately understood its value.

The moment he learned its effects, the loss of 1,000 EP no longer bothered him in the slightest. Compared to the 200,000 EP waiting at the end of the quest, it was a tiny price to pay. Not to mention, there was still a hidden reward he knew nothing about. Thinking about it that way, the purchase felt more like an investment than an expense.

Now, however, he faced another problem.

He needed an excuse to separate himself from Rieka.

Before he could come up with one or say anything to her, the massive mana barrier that had protected Frostholme until now suddenly cracked.

CRACK!

The sound echoed across the battlefield.

Countless fractures spread across the shimmering barrier like a spiderweb before the entire structure shattered into thousands of glowing fragments, scattering through the air like shattered glass.

The moment the barrier fell, the demonic beasts waiting outside surged forward like a tidal wave that had finally broken free of its restraints.

The battle had begun.

The war drums thundered across the battlefield.

DUM—DUM—DUM!

DUM—DUM—DUM!

The rhythmic beats shook the very air, causing countless warriors to tighten their grips on their weapons.

At the same moment, the leading commanders stationed across the defensive lines raised their voices and shouted in unison.

”HOLD YOUR POSITIONS! THE BEASTS ARE COMING! PREPARE FOR BATTLE!”

BOOOOM! BOOOOM! BOOOOM!

The mana cannons fired almost instantly.

Brilliant blasts of mana streaked across the battlefield before crashing into the incoming beast horde with devastating force. Explosions erupted one after another, tearing through the front lines of the tide.

The weaker beasts were blown apart on impact, their bodies reduced to bloody fragments.

The stronger ones survived the bombardment, but even they weren’t unharmed. Limbs were torn away, flesh was ripped open, and massive wounds covered their bodies.

However, the warriors gave them no opportunity to regenerate.

With deafening battle cries, countless fighters charged forward to meet the advancing horde.

”WAAAAAHHHH!”

”LET’S GOOO!”

”BUTCHER THESE BASTARDS!”

The battlefield instantly descended into chaos.

At the very front stood the leaders and high-level warriors, personally leading the charge rather than hiding behind their troops.

The army defending Frostholme had been divided into three major forces.

At the center stood the Duke’s Knight Squadron alongside the City Guards. This was the strongest defensive force on the battlefield, commanded directly by Duke Frost—the legendary Swordmaster himself. His mere presence greatly boosted the morale of the soldiers around him.

The left flank was occupied by adventurers from all three guilds within the city, accompanied by numerous mercenaries who had gathered for the battle. They were led by the three guild masters, each of whom possessed considerable strength and battlefield experience.

Meanwhile, the right flank consisted of the Holy Knights of the Light Temple Order along with several elite warriors from the Beastfolk Tribes. Leading them were Maria Light and Tharuk Vargirth, both powerful figures whose reputations were well known throughout the region.

Coming back to Nova, he turned toward Rieka and looked directly into her eyes. His expression became unusually serious as he spoke.

”Listen to me, Rieka... they won’t be able to hold them off for long. There are three powerful beasts standing behind the horde, waiting for the right moment to strike.”

”And my father is still out there fighting. I have to protect him, so I’ll have to go now. The rear end is much safer for the time being, so you’ll be safe here.”

Nova used his father as an excuse. In reality, his true objective was to leave the battlefield formation and hunt down the three Rank A beasts himself.

Rieka listened quietly before responding.

”I know you’ve become far stronger than I could have ever imagined... maybe even stronger than the guild leader himself. But it’s still dangerous out there.”

She paused for a moment before continuing.

”This is what I wanted to say... but I won’t stop you. You’re powerful now, and I can’t stop you from trying to save your father.”

A small smile appeared on her face, but it failed to hide the concern lingering in her eyes. Beneath her calm expression was a trace of sadness and worry that she couldn’t completely suppress.

”Promise me one thing...” Rieka said softly.

”You’ll return safely.”

Nova’s expression softened.

”I’ll definitely return to you before you know it.”

Without waiting for a response, he gently leaned forward and kissed her on the lips before placing another kiss on her forehead.

For a brief moment, Rieka froze completely.

Nova then shifted his gaze toward Asia, who had been silently listening to their conversation the entire time. Her expression was hidden behind the mask covering her face, making it impossible to tell what she was thinking.

”You stay here too. Don’t move forward.”

His tone turned serious once more. ”You all are the last line of defense. If any beasts manage to break through the front lines, it’s your job to stop them.”

Asia simply nodded.

The next moment—

WHOOSH!

Nova disappeared from his spot in a blur of motion. The sudden burst of speed shocked both girls. By the time they realized what had happened, he was already gone.

Rieka and Asia instinctively turned toward one another, both seeing the surprise reflected in the other’s eyes.

A considerable distance away from his original position, Nova finally came to a stop.

The sounds of battle echoed all around him as countless warriors clashed against the advancing beast tide.

Nova glanced at the mask in his hand.

Without hesitation, he put it on.

It was a black full-face mask with a frightening human-like visage carved into its surface. The expression on the mask looked unnaturally twisted, giving it an eerie and intimidating appearance.

The moment he wore it, the disguise activated , a faint ripple of energy spread across his body.

His clothes instantly transformed.

The armor and outfit he had been wearing disappeared, replaced by a long black robe decorated with dark purple outlines. Combined with the sinister mask, his entire appearance became mysterious and unsettling.

Nova looked down at his new attire and grinned beneath the mask.

”Hahaha... now I can finally let loose.”

The moment those words left his mouth, he stopped suppressing his presence.

BOOM!

A powerful aura erupted from his body.It wasn’t merely his own aura. Mixed within it was a trace of demonic aura and carnage aura he had acquired, creating a terrifying pressure that felt both powerful and sinister.

The nearby adventurers immediately felt their bodies stiffen.At the same time, several demonic beasts in the vicinity instinctively halted their movements.

A chill ran down the spines of both friend and foe alike.

For a brief moment, everyone who sensed that aura felt as though a dangerous predator had suddenly stepped onto the battlefield.

”Moonclaw, go and hide inside Rieka’s shadow without letting her know. Protect her from any deadly situation.”

As soon as the command was given, the Deadborn emerged from Nova’s body like a dark wisp of smoke. Without making a sound, it swiftly moved toward Rieka’s location, faithfully carrying out its monarch’s order.

Nova watched it disappear into the distance before turning his gaze toward the front lines.

The battlefield was already engulfed in chaos.

Countless warriors clas

hed against the endless beast tide, while explosions, battle cries, and roars echoed across the land.

Behind his eerie mask, a faint smile appeared on Nova’s face.

”The real battle begins now.”

Thanks for reading...