Chapter 48 : Chapter 48
Chapter 48. The Unobserved Fifth Force
Hyunwoo searched the ground thoroughly, looking for Anesta's seed.
It wasn't that difficult to track the traces of the creature that had turned into a seed.
The land that held enough energy for Anesta's seed to germinate was limited.
‘The place where the first seed germinated, near the underground water of the tunnel.’
It was a place not far from Gert Castle.
Finally, he found land that was even more murky and black in that vicinity.
After digging through that trace, he was able to face the seed before him.
Gurgle―!
As if its will still remained, the seed wriggled and dug into the ground.
The trembling seed of Anesta looked as if it were screaming.
Hyunwoo grabbed the seed with his hand and pulled it out.
It looked like a durian fruit covered in sharp thorns.
The seed held in his hand was the size of a human head.
Hyunwoo placed the seed on the ground and immediately raised Cheonbyeondo.
Cheonbyeondo ignited with black flames.
⌜Abyssal Ether⌟
Fwoosh―!
There was no way Anesta, having lost all its power, could withstand the power of the black flame.
Fwoosh―!
The seed was instantly covered in black flames.
Hyunwoo's sword came down upon it.
⌜Po Dienda Swordsmanship (2-Star)―100%(M)⌟
Crack―!
The seed left by Anesta was split in half.
Kieeeeee……!
A chilling scream drifted away with the wind, and black fluid shot out in all directions from the split seed.
A final, desperate act filled with malice.
Crack―!
⌜Poison Dragon of Lerajah⌟
However, as the last jewel on the ring shattered, the desperate act ended meaninglessly.
Hyunwoo took off the now-useless artifact and grinned―.
A moment later, he could confirm her death with certainty through the newly appeared scenario quest window.
⌜Scenario Quest Complete!
You have successfully defeated ‘Anesta’, the ‘Calamity that gnaws at the Demon World’.
A reward will be given.
Reward: Title Acquired⌟
⌜Title: Calamity Hunter
One who has succeeded in hunting a Calamity.
The Calamity Hunter is a being who finds the calamities that occur throughout the Demon World and eliminates their cause.
Effect: All stats increased by 15%⌟
Sizzle―
“Ugh….”
A burning sensation was felt from the emblem that was slowly being engraved on the back of his hand.
Transparent yet faintly glowing lines intricately tangled together, forming one complete shape.
It was reminiscent of a constellation in the night sky.
The Calamity constellation.
Hyunwoo examined one particularly bright star among the constellation.
It was the place that signified the Calamity, Anesta.
Hoo―
Hyunwoo looked at the back of his hand once and took a deep breath.
‘One down.’
Whatever the next Calamity he would face, he would be able to solve it by preparing step by step like this.
Moreover, the effect gained from the title ‘Calamity Hunter’.
Feeling the power that filled his body, he felt a faint but definite change.
All stats increased by 15%.
It felt a bit weak for a reward for dealing with a ‘Calamity’ of the Demon World, but the true effect of this title would shine as he progressed into the later stages.
‘An increase in all stats means it affects literally every part, from physique to mind, mana, and resistance.’
It was clear that as he filled each star in the constellation on the back of his hand, a tremendous change would occur.
Hyunwoo tore his gaze away from the back of his hand and looked inside the seed.
The inside of the seed was hollowed out.
Inside it was another seed, the size of a fingernail.
⌜Primordial Mana Seed
The primordial seed that will bring about the ruin of the Demon World.
Eating it will grant the ‘Circulating Mana Core’.⌟
Hyunwoo, recalling the ability of the small seed, clenched it tightly in his hand.
The pulsation in his hand felt as if it were alive.
Finally, he had it in his hands.
Hyunwoo raised his clenched fist above his head and,
Gulp―
Swallowed it in one go.
“Ugh… this feels weird.”
Soon, a burning pain that felt like being branded by fire was felt in a part that started below his navel.
The small, seed-sized pain soon passed his navel, headed for his dantian, and then spread to every corner of his body.
A faint pain was felt.
It wasn't a great pain.
So, he could savor the change in his senses that expanded with the pain.
The expanded senses allowed him to feel mana.
When Hyunwoo placed his hand on his stomach, he could feel the pulsating mana core.
It wasn't actually situated in his body like a real organ, but the pumping of the mana core was delivering mana to every part of Hyunwoo’s body.
Hyunwoo looked at the status window with a flushed expression.
⌜Name: Kim Hyunwoo
Title: Super Rookie, Calamity Hunter (New!)
Skills: ■Crux (3-Star)―0%, ■Skirma Swordsmanship (2-Star)―100%(M), □
Unique Traits: Swordsmanship Synthesis, Master of Copy, Swordsmanship Genius, Pain Tolerance, Oxygen Tank, Mana Circulation (New!)
General Traits: Physique I, Swiftness I, Balance I, Mana I (New!)⌟
⌜Unique Trait: Mana Circulation
Description: ‘To return is a new birth.’
The mana in the atmosphere and the mana in the body achieve a balance and circulate.
The endlessly continuing circulation naturally creates a conversion of power.⌟
⌜Trait: Mana I
Description: ‘Gravity, electromagnetism, the strong force, the weak force, and mana.’
The unobserved fifth force, this is the introductory stage of mana.
You can slightly deviate from the laws of physics.⌟
Through the trait ‘Mana Circulation’ obtained from Anesta's seed, he was able to naturally obtain Mana I as well.
I wanted to find out more about this new power, but I didn't have the luxury.
A voice was heard from behind.
“I was wondering where you went.
What are you doing over there?”
When I turned my head, the knight Noctis had come to find me himself.
Hyunwoo roughly rubbed the spot where Anesta's seed had been with his foot― and caressed his stomach.
“Ah, I suddenly had a stomachache….”
“Come quickly.
We need to return to the castle.”
Hyunwoo, with his hand on his stomach, nodded his head.
Following him, he bowed his head and grinned―.
‘Mana.
I finally got my hands on it.’
I was itching to use this power as soon as possible.
Hyunwoo’s footsteps were light as he followed the knight.
***
The subjugation force, including Hyunwoo, headed straight for Gert Castle.
After walking for a long time through the blackened earth and forest, the sight of Gert Castle was revealed.
The remaining forces in the castle also confirmed the sight of the subjugation force from beyond the horizon.
Without anyone ordering them to, the forces that saw the subjugation force let out a great cheer.
Waaaaaaaaaah―!
The Anesta hunt had taken place overnight.
By the time the subjugation force returned, it was time for the sun to rise.
The closer they got to the castle, the more the miserable sight of the dawn-lit castle walls was gradually revealed.
Light came through the collapsed parts of the wall here and there.
The black, corrupting fluid from the Lafre bodies had filled the surroundings.
The moat in front of the castle walls was filled with Lafre corpses and seemed to be non-functional.
Most of the corpses piled up around were Lafre, but there were also many corpses of soldiers covered in the black water.
The soldiers on the castle walls were in the middle of clearing the corpses.
It wasn't just the subjugation force that had suffered all night, but everyone in Sylvester.
However, the faces of most of the soldiers were bright.
‘Because we survived.’
Waaaaaaaaaah―!
Even as the subjugation force passed through the castle gate, the cheers of the soldiers did not cease.
Lord Bation raised his clenched fist.
“This is our victory.”
It was a short and concise statement, but the meaning was conveyed to everyone.
With Lord Bation's declaration of the end of the war, the battle here had come to a complete end.
***
It was the second day after hunting Anesta and returning to Gert Castle.
The Lafre, having lost Anesta, were no longer threatening, and all that was left was the post-war cleanup.
Bation gave an order to the subjugation force, who were about to move for the post-war cleanup.
‘Those who participated in the subjugation force will be given a separate reward, so rest comfortably.’
Thanks to that, Hyunwoo was able to rest soundly in the barracks.
It didn't matter which side had suffered more, the subjugation force or the defense force.
What was important to a ruler was differential treatment according to meritorious service.
Hyunwoo, thinking that Lord Bation was a true ruler, lay comfortably in the barracks.
Then he placed his hand on his stomach.
Woong―
It wasn't a real sound, just an image, but he could feel the seed of Anesta that had settled inside his body.
‘Mana.’
The power of mana, which had become familiar at some point, was circulating inside Hyunwoo’s body according to his will.
He wasn't used to releasing it externally yet, but he had certainly mastered controlling the energy within his body.
He could now emit a power on a completely different level from before.
However, even this ‘mana’ was nothing more than a by-product compared to ‘Mana Circulation’.
‘The real gain this time is Mana Circulation.’
Swordsmanship of 3-star or higher required mana.
Each swordsmanship style had a different technique for handling mana.
The ‘Mana Circulation’ Hyunwoo had obtained could freely change the flow of mana, no matter what swordsmanship he used.
It was a trait that would be a great power for him, who planned to continue learning new swordsmanship styles in the future.
Hyunwoo felt the mana moving at his will and smiled a pleasant smile.
Just then, he felt a presence approaching the barracks.
Pant pant―
Gasping for breath, Pierre burst into the barracks.
These days, an aggrieved expression was attached to Pierre’s face like a passive skill.
He approached me, made a tearful face, and looked at me.
“When on earth… can we go back to the arena?”
“If you've received a request, you have to do the post-war cleanup before you go.
AS.
Don't you know after-sales service?”
“Af… what?
No, in the first place, why does a merchant like me have to do something like cleaning up corpses….”
He had been doing what he was told quietly for a while, but it seemed the effect had worn off.
Tsk tsk―
Hyunwoo clicked his tongue and looked at Pierre’s shabby appearance.
Covered in black soot all over, he looked like a mine worker who would call out ‘Big brother!’.
“I told you to just hide quietly in the barracks, why did you wander around.”
“I was planning to sneak out quietly….”
“So?
Did you sneak out quietly and well?
Is the Goblin I'm talking to now your brother?”
“……”
Pierre shut his mouth as if at a loss for words.
It was his own fault for wandering outside and getting caught by the soldiers, so he had nothing to say.
Moreover, it was Hyunwoo who had saved Pierre just before he was interrogated.
It was a secret that Hyunwoo had made Pierre participate in the Sylvester restoration work and had received a small amount of Mana Stones in return for his labor, though.
In any case, Pierre's plan to sneak away had failed in an instant.
The price was unpaid labor.
Sniffle―
Moisture began to well up in Pierre’s eyes, saddened by his own situation.
Worried someone might see that pathetic sight, Hyunwoo hurriedly opened his mouth.
“No, why are you about to cry again.”
“Mr. Hyunwoo….”
“I told you, once this is all over, only good things will remain, right?”
“…Really?”
“Of course.
Why else would I still be in Sylvester.”
“……”
“Do you think Lord Bation will just give the heroes who saved the castle their commission fee and be done with it?
Won't he give us something extra?”
The lord would give some kind of reward.
Pierre's sniffling voice was captivated by the interesting story, but his interest quickly faded.
“…I didn't even participate in the battle, isn't this irrelevant to me?”
“Hey, I'll talk to him and get your share separately.”
“Really…?”
Only then, as if his interest was piqued, Pierre leaned his body closer to Hyunwoo.
I didn't particularly want a man's attention.
I naturally pushed Pierre away with my palm, got up, and opened the tent door for him.
“So you have to be working hard, right?”
“Yes―!”
“Then go back to work.”
Pierre, motivated, regained his vitality and walked out of the barracks energetically.
The harder Pierre worked, the more Mana Stones would return to Hyunwoo.
Hyunwoo chuckled― and, since he was already up, picked up Cheonbyeondo.
Handling mana had now become natural.
He guided the mana, which was freely floating inside his body, to his arm.
The gathered mana flowed down his wrist and into Cheonbyeondo.
Woong―!
The energy of the mana contained in the sword was felt.
He slowly raised the sword.
From left to right.
From top to bottom.
As the two simple movements unfolded in succession, a blue light flashed from the sword for a moment.
[Crux Swordsmanship (3-Star)―3%]
Crack―!
Sword ki embroidered the empty air.
Since it was the first 3-star swordsmanship he had learned and he had spent time understanding mana, the rate at which his proficiency increased was slow.
However, Hyunwoo smiled a satisfied smile.
‘Done.
Now, with a little more, I should be able to use it in a real battle.’
Handling the unknown power of mana was strangely addictive.
Hyunwoo raised Cheonbyeondo again and was about to use his swordsmanship, but someone opened the tent door.
The knight Noctis had come to visit.
“What were you doing?”
“Nothing.”
“Then follow me.
The lord is looking for you.”
Now that the post-war cleanup was somewhat finished, it seemed Bation had finally called for me.
‘Swordsmanship training is good, but.’
Rewards were even better.
Hyunwoo, smiling as brightly as the open tent, followed behind Noctis.