Chapter 436
Chapter 436
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 436
Chapter Title: Water Spirit Undine
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I'd been mulling over the enchantments nonstop, but damn if it wasn't the hardest decision ever.
It was like being told to pick any one of a bunch of great options at random. And yet, having all these choices made it even tougher.
Whichever one I went for, I'd just end up regretting not taking the others.
"Fuck."
I decided to skip Salrist's core for now.
I'm the kind of guy who can start a fire anywhere. I always carry fire-starting gear anyway, so it'd be convenient, sure, but not exactly essential.
That left me with Latras's core, the light spirit, or Undine's core. A handy flashlight for dark places or a water purifier for desperate situations—both were way too useful to choose between.
Normally, when you head into dark spots like dungeons or caves, you need torches or lamps.
No one's got ultravision or anything; if it's dark, you can't see shit.
So securing lighting is a must for enclosed underground dungeons. And you need a fair amount of it. Torches add weight to your load, and even lamps mean hauling extra oil.
Worse, using any of that ties up one hand.
You have to hold the damn thing.
Mages have it easy with light spells, but a pure warrior like me? No such luxury.
Just go with Latras and call it a day?
Of course, the moment I lean that way, Undine starts looking tempting.
The ability to purify contaminated water. I usually fill my canteen to the brim and prioritize streams when moving through mountains.
People die without water.
Clean water on tap? Can't beat that.
But a purifier... you only need it when shit's hit the fan hard—no drinking water in sight, just polluted crap everywhere.
That's exactly when it shines: surrounded by nothing but tainted water.
...When the hell does that even happen?
The natural environment around here is pretty pristine; even stream water's safe to drink straight. If you're paranoid, boil it. Starting a fire's no big deal for me.
And if water's scarce altogether? Purifier's useless then too.
Ah, fuck, still feels like it'd be nice to have.
"Screwed."
This dilemma rattled around in my head all morning. Even while sluggishly whipping up some Kim Katt special Korean stew and eating it with Cloudy and Winia. Even during the pleasant time after.
"Hey, darky, what's got you so lost in thought?"
It was a truly peaceful, lazy midday.
Winia, with the magic book from Lady Lisha open, was sketching various magic circles on some paper she'd laid out, and she glanced over at me.
"These cores are messing with my head."
"What about 'em? Figuring out how much to sell for? Hold onto 'em. We'll go out together later."
"Nah, Lady Lisha said she'd fuse 'em with the fairy necklace into an artifact."
"An artifact?"
I explained the morning chat with Lady Lisha to her.
About how the fairy necklace was made to store a single spell, so it could take a core for enchantment.
"That's why I'm agonizing over which one."
"Hm... Go with Undine then. I can handle light. Can't do purification."
Winia said it like it was no big deal and went back to her magic circles.
Looks like she's using them to boost her magic skills. Just like I train my body daily, Winia's diligent with her studies.
"Hmph."
Fucking agonizing.
This is why you don't give people good choices.
Humans are greedy bastards at heart. Hand 'em something good, and they think, "Fuck, give me something better." Offer options, and they want it all.
That's why Santa ditched this world.
Even kids have adult-level greed. Hell, kids are worse—no restraint, just tantrums. Proof right there.
I vaguely recall some study saying unrestrained kids grow up to be criminals more often.
Not that I'm some conscienceless prick.
Let's think this through slow and steady.
I grabbed my sword and headed to the backyard.
Time for sword practice and conditioning.
Having a backyard makes it way easier. In the dorm, I could only do indoor muscle work—no room for sword forms. Super inconvenient.
"Right."
A warrior getting hung up on some fancy gadget from the start? Wrong mindset. My power comes from honed steel-like muscles, killer techniques, innate mana, grit, and Fusion Confucianism doctrine.
—Pa-pa-pat!
I unleashed Siljang Fist Technique and Heavenly Demon Divine Art for barehand combat drills, then chained into endurance training. Repeat.
Topless in shorts, sweat started spraying everywhere midway. I had no doubt this sweat would one day flow as the blood of imperialists. My sweat was justice's gasoline to burn sugarcane fields. Add a spark of grit, and exploitation sites go up in flames.
—Bwoong-tzuh-bwoong-tzuh!
Fists, palms, kicks—all packed manly, macho power beyond compare. Handstand pushups? Piece of cake.
Time flew by in the intense session.
I chugged from my canteen, then gripped the handle of my black iron longsword leaning against the wall.
Sword time now.
—Kyaak!
—Shiiik!
Started with basic forms to warm up, then shadow-swording against imaginary foes, slashing the air.
—Chwajak!
Fighting humans versus monsters? Night and day.
Humans: Watch their weapons and style. Predictable enough since we're all human. Know proper techniques, and killing's easy.
Monsters: All about adaptability. I know humans inside out, but monsters? Totally alien. Different builds mean surprise attacks.
Like dodging hidden weapons, but worse—can't predict 'em. No tells.
Whatever, point is.
Shadow-swording factors it all in: Siljang Step Technique and Heavenly Demon Supremacy for max realism.
Finally, finisher time—
"—Siljang Slashhh!!!"
I roared, unleashing my secret ultimate: Siljang Slash.
Mana drained from my muscles, and the blade cleaved the air with inhuman power and speed. My strongest move right now—power off the charts.
My dynamic vision barely tracked the trajectory, but no enemy could. The attack ended before I even finished saying "Sil-".
"Hoo!"
Fueled by training heat, Siljang Slash surged my courage and grit. Confidence overflowed in my lightened body.
Good, keep it going—
"—Siljang Incisionnn!!!"
Recalling the Alraune slice, I tried Siljang Incision.
But the raging mana dispersed inward, yielding nothing. Just a normal swing.
Still no dice, huh.
I reset, refined mana, packed explosive feel into my grip, and tried again.
"Fuck, Siljang Incision!!!"
—Bwoong-tzuh-bwoong-tzuh!
"Siljang Incision Slashhh!!!"
Of course, no hit. No garden-slicing horror power.
—Hah, hah.
Breath exploded out.
Pretty intense workout.
Suddenly craving meat.
"Mommy."
I stabbed the sword tip into the weedy ground.
Then, like possessed, stretched my arm toward the sun.
"Heavenly Demon Death Beam."
—Mommy fuck.
Nothing happened. Duh—the pinnacle martial art isn't some kid's toy.
My physical stats, combat power, skills—all grown. Proven against tough foes.
Mana control? No real progress.
"Siljang Slash!"
—Kyaak!
Second Siljang Slash sucked out remaining mana, dizziness hit.
Mana pool's bigger now, though—no collapse.
Two slashes, and I still feel mana clinging to bones and muscles. Normally, I'd be out cold. Now? Standing firm.
A bit more growth, and three's possible.
Mana capacity up, sure.
But.
"Sword Aura!"
—Tszzt!
Tried manifesting sword aura. Mana gathered at fingertips but wouldn't coat the blade.
Fuck all.
No feel for it.
Tried everything—mana won't pierce skin. Fingers buzz like it's gonna burst out, but nope.
"Aura—Blade!!!"
Squeezed harder,
"Sword Expert Kim Katt!!"
Even wild release—nope. Mana stayed yolk-trapped in the shell.
"Siljang Sword Aura, hoo!!"
—Fail.
Training ends here.
No gains on aura.
Snapped to: about two hours gone.
—Clap clap clap.
Turning to head in, there was Cloudy, smiling wide, clapping as she approached gracefully.
"Hehe, Katt. You're soaked in sweat. Ma-ma's so happy seeing you train this hard."
She traced my abs and chest with a finger. Slippery from sweat. How long was she watching?
"Heh heh, gotta put in the work. But seriously, since when?"
"From the 'Heavenly Demon Death Beam' mystery shout?"
"Not long then."
—Fondle fondle.
Cloudy switched to full palm massages on my muscles. Kept saying how firm, totally immersed.
She really digs my body.
Her constant praise for this build keeps me hitting high-intensity daily. The ticklish feel started stiffening me up.
"Katt, you want sword aura, right?"
Letting her grope away, she spoke up.
Obviously. Every swordsman's dream realm. True powerhouse path starts there.
—Cutting steel with a sword.
Easier, faster kills. Plate infantry, armored monsters— one-shot.
All swordsmen crave it.
But for me, more about showing Cloudy visible proof of my growth. Aura's straightforward.
"Hell yeah. Tried today—nothing. Fuck, no aura, Cloudy. Show me how quick."
"Uh, y-yeah?"
"Demo, now."
"Hehe, got it."
Handed her my sword.
She spun the two-hander one-handed effortlessly,
—Patszzt!
Instant aura burst. Sharp mana surged along the blade, coating it. She flicked it off and returned the sword.
...Still no clue.
How the fuck.
Tried again—nada.
"Why won't it work."
Kill stack's plenty. Body's prime.
In-body mana control? Mastered it.
But only inside.
Mana won't breach skin. What's missing? Some inhuman killer insight? Fusion Confucianism's too perfect for new epiphanies.
Only way: endless real combat.
"Katt, bummed out?"
"Kinda."
"No rush. You'll get it. You've grown blindingly fast already. Just time. I know you best."
"Teeeng."
Gonna cry.
"Still, maybe hardship speeds it up?"
"Hardship... yeah."
People grow overcoming adversity.
Right, growth.
Enchant the fairy necklace with a spirit core, and I'll get even stronger.