Chapter 67 - Pohang (8)
The horde of the Wycon tribe, which had stormed Haesinjeon, finally retreated.
Confirming that Lascael's presence had completely vanished, Kim Sun-woo leaned back against the castle wall and slid down to sit.
"...Hoo."
It had been a short but ferocious battle.
Against Gahwa-ryong, the sheer difference in their leagues had felt overwhelming, but this time, it was pure overwhelming might that pressed down on him.
And that wasn't even Lascael going all out. To possess this much power without unleashing his full strength...
"Sun-woo Gong. Are you alright?"
Jin Hae-don, who had been gripping his harpoon and scanning the battlefield from atop the wall until then, extended a fin.
Kim Sun-woo hesitated for a moment on where to grab, then took hold of the tip of the fin and pulled himself up.
"I truly owe you one. If you hadn't taken down that beast, this wall would have crumbled for sure."
"...Has Haesinjeon ever been attacked like this before?"
"First time. At least while I've been here."
Jin Hae-don let out a short sigh.
"Far in the past, back when we still had dealings with the Gold Realm, we did host banquets here inviting a few Baekje kings. But letting in an uninvited guest like this? It's a first. Guess it means the age of chaos is upon us."
"...Does Haesinjeon wish to advance into the Gold Realm too?"
"We seek symbiosis with the Gold Realm. That's why we've settled deep in the East Sea, quietly ruling these waters all this time. If we had other intentions..."
The dolphin flashed a grin, as if to reassure him.
"We would've conquered the Korean Peninsula long ago."
"...True. There wouldn't have been hunters back then."
These beings had taken root here since ancient, unfathomable times.
If they'd wanted, devouring this land wouldn't have been hard.
"Ah, not quite. There were folks with powers like hunters back then too, just called by different names."
"...What?"
"Baekje had their Ssaulabi, Silla their Hwarang. Other kingdoms had similar ones. We called them superhuman monsters and spirits back in the day, including ourselves."
Jin Hae-don wiped under his nose with a fin, reminiscing fondly.
"Oppa!"
At that moment, the hunters waiting outside the battlefield climbed up to the wall.
The first to arrive was Chae Eun-seo, still maintaining her field in case of any surprises.
"We reported up the chain and came as fast as we could."
"Perfect timing. Seriously saved our asses."
Kim Sun-woo gave her a thumbs-up.
Without them, pressuring Lascael would've been tough.
With Jin Hae-don and himself tying down its legs, a flank attack would've put them in a dire spot.
Their support had been impeccably timed.
"Jin-uk oppa's with Su-ah getting treated. Luckily nothing critical, so he should be good to move right after."
"Good to hear."
Kim Sun-woo gave a wry smile.
Not critical even after wounds like that.
There was a limit to how tough you could be.
Still, being mobile soon was welcome news.
"Sun-woo Gong. His Majesty the Dragon King wishes to see you briefly, if that's alright."
"Sure."
Kim Sun-woo nodded.
With party leader Gu Jin-uk out, someone had to step up.
He was the least banged up, so it made sense.
He re-entered Haesinjeon with Jin Hae-don.
Climbing onto a clamshell and waiting, it carried them automatically to the Dragon King's grand hall, just like before.
"......"
On the way, Kim Sun-woo surveyed the surroundings.
The Wycon invasion had been brief, but the scars left on Haesinjeon were far from light.
Fish that had once swum proudly now bore grave wounds, receiving treatment one by one.
Even Ok Jang-gun guarding the hall entrance had lost half its limbs, hinting at the battle's ferocity.
'Looks like they had it rough over there too.'
They arrived before Donghae Yongwang.
Having weathered a ordeal, he gazed at Kim Sun-woo with an even more weary expression than before.
-I offer my deepest gratitude for your devotion in defending Haesinjeon, even without a peace treaty.
A turtle attendant stepped forward from beside him, carrying two small boxes on its shell.
-These are humble tokens of thanks for you all. One symbolizes peace and the restoration of ties with the Gold Realm. The other...
The turtle reached out and opened the box's lid.
A clear, ethereal fragrance wafted out, making Kim Sun-woo's eyes widen.
-Is specially prepared for you.
Donghae Yongwang lowered his head, meeting Kim Sun-woo's eyes directly.
-In every era, certain figures rise to prominence. Back then, it was a young Kim Yu-sin. This will surely aid your path greatly.
"...This is."
-White Sea Pill. Essence from the deep sea condensed into crystalline form, refined into a pill.
Donghae Yongwang coughed and extended a hand, urging him to consume it.
-Passed down through Baekje kings and their trusted generals. Names you might know, like Gyebaek and Heukchi Sangji, took it too. Consume it now. On my name as Donghae Yongwang, I'll guide your energy.
He was offering to perform Jin Gi Do In.
Kim Sun-woo looked up at Donghae Yongwang for a moment.
If this was a karmic encounter, it certainly was.
He soon nodded and picked up the White Sea Pill.
"I'll gratefully accept your kindness."
-No need. It's yours by right, guided by fate.
Even exposed to the air, the pure fragrance lingered.
Kim Sun-woo exhaled shortly and swallowed it in one gulp.
Srulk.
Slightly salty, like condensed sea essence.
Something grainy caught in his throat, like tiny beads inside.
He moved to sit cross-legged, but before he could, immense power enveloped his body.
Tzzzzz.
Warm yet refreshing.
The vast energy surged through him, spreading slowly under Donghae Yongwang's guidance.
'...This.'
Kim Sun-woo desperately suppressed his quickening breath.
A spirit pill consumed by Baekje kings and famed generals.
He'd guessed it was extraordinary, but not this much.
'More internal energy than everything I've built up so far.'
At least one gapja's worth.
From what he knew, even the Central Plains' prized Daehwan Dan granted this much at best.
-...Impressive. You haven't reached that realm yet your spirit is open. Craving my spiritual energy over the massive natural qi flooding you? Quite the glutton.
Laughter colored Donghae Yongwang's voice.
He got the gist.
All his senses fixated not on the incoming energy, but on the Dragon King's enveloping power.
The realm ahead, yet to be attained.
The Dragon King's power transmitted fierce inspiration related to it.
"......"
Kim Sun-woo clenched his teeth, desperately committing every sensation to memory.
With perfect Jin Gi Do In underway, even fragments recalled could yield great insights later—his instincts screamed it.
When it finally ended, Kim Sun-woo opened his tightly shut eyes.
"...Hoo."
A deep sigh escaped naturally.
The sudden gapja of internal energy was one thing, but the profound fulfillment flooding his mind made his fingertips tremble with euphoria.
A first since learning martial arts.
An omnipotent surge, like he could do anything, electrified his body and elevated his mood.
-This is as far as I can aid. The rest is yours to choose.
"...My thanks for your help."
Kim Sun-woo offered a po-gwan, bowing deeply in gratitude.
Donghae Yongwang watched contentedly, then spoke.
-Once your party's recovered, leave this place. We'll seal the entrance and regroup for a while.
"...What about the portal to the outside?"
-The phenomenon you call dungeon break will subside soon. Can't risk this path to the Gold Realm lightly. We'll come to you when ready. Until then.
"Understood."
Kim Sun-woo nodded.
Other monsters aside, Donghae Yongwang and Haesinjeon were Earth-friendly for sure.
A solid ally gained—not bad at all.
Exiting the meeting, he found the hunters waiting.
They too seemed done talking; injured Gu Jin-uk led preparations to leave Haesinjeon.
"Sorry to drag you down like that."
Gu Jin-uk, wrapped head to toe in bandages, gave an awkward look.
Without his help, it'd have been a goner.
"Let's head out first. As you heard, they're sealing the path to Earth, closing the doors."
"Yeah. But what's that?"
"Ah."
Kim Sun-woo opened the box from Donghae Yongwang, showing the hunters.
"Whoa."
"Gems?"
"Spirit pills too?"
The hunters' eyes lit up instantly.
Evidently treasures of extraordinary value.
"Tokens of alliance. Rewards for fighting together. Oh, this one's for you, Jin-uk hyung."
Kim Sun-woo handed one wooden box to Gu Jin-uk.
Not the White Sea Pill, but a reward for holding off Lascael at the cost of his life.
Clack.
Opening it released a pure fragrance.
Gu Jin-uk gulped at the clearly potent spirit pill; the others looked envious.
"Makes my body ache worse. Should've stayed."
Kim Han-young smacked his lips regretfully.
It screamed priceless value.
"What about you, oppa? Anything else besides that?"
"Even guided the absorption. Made a real breakthrough."
Kim Sun-woo extended a hand into the air.
Woooong—!
First time manifesting qi since absorbing the White Sea Pill.
A light exertion, yet White Flow Divine Art qi erupted like a waterfall, rippling the surroundings.
The profound, utterly changed resonance stunned everyone staring at him.
"......"
He was just as shocked.
'This much change from one gapja?'
No more worrying about running dry on sword gang now.
Maneuvering Full Moon forms or the rest of White Flow Divine Art would be far easier.
The prepared hunters soon left Haesinjeon behind, exiting the dungeon. Thus ended the long Pohang journey.