Can You Feel the Difference in Power?
I received the Manager Suit next. This time, I didn't change in the military factory. I hadn't thought much of it before, but now that I knew Sasha had feelings for me, it felt off.
"You can change here, Manager."
"Nah, I'll handle it myself."
"Tch."
Sasha clicked her tongue and erased her avatar.
Pfht.
"……?"
Why was an AI reacting like that? Feeling a vague unease, I left the military factory.
Next up was grabbing a meal with Section Chief Lee Jun-yeol and preparing for my spar with Lee Gun.
On my way to the training grounds, I stopped by the bathroom. All the while, I'd been deep in thought.
Until today, I'd never shown Zhuque me using divine power. If I suddenly brought it up, he'd definitely think it was strange. What should I do? Did I need to reveal my secret as a reincarnator?
If I did, Angelica would inevitably find out too. But how long could I keep hiding it?
I had no idea how many more reincarnations lay ahead. From Angelica and Zhuque's perspective, our time together was short, but not for me. If I kept reincarnating, that gap would only widen.
What if one day I casually used info from a past life to pull off something big? Or if I returned after eating the Fire Spirit Divine Crystal and gaining some power, only to die again? If Angelica or Zhuque noticed and asked about it...
I couldn't keep making excuses forever. Even so, could I fully trust these two?
For now, they were sealed, so they couldn't blab my secret. Still, the idea of anyone knowing my biggest secret rubbed me the wrong way.
I closed my eyes and reflected on my past life. The times with Angelica and Zhuque. They'd always told me the truth.
Zhuque's warning about the Fire Spirit Divine Crystal wasn't just selfish greed. It was genuine.
"Alright."
After wrestling with it, I finally reached a decision. If I couldn't trust them, we'd never fully trust each other.
I spoke to the Sealed Sword.
"Zhuque."
-Hm?
"How do you use divine power, exactly?"
-What's this nonsense out of nowhere, Master?
"Truth is, I've got divine power."
-......Looks like that horned girl drained too much blood from you yesterday, Master.
"I'm perfectly sane right now. I'll explain later—just answer the question."
-......
Zhuque paused for a moment before speaking.
-Divine power isn't something you gather and store in your dantian like internal energy. That's why you don't draw it out from inside your body like human martial artists do.
"Then?"
-It's the measure of one's spiritual flesh. Those born with a god's rank instinctively know how to use their innate divine power.
"What about someone who acquires it later?"
-Master.
"Yeah?"
-Can you explain to someone how to breathe?
"Inhale, exhale...... Hmm."
No one learns to breathe—it's just there from birth. Divine power seemed the same.
Did that mean there was no method? But this divine power was definitely affecting me somehow.
As I pondered, Zhuque spoke up.
-There's one thing I do know. Some human sorcerers researched ways to acquire divine power. They might have the answer.
Sorcerers. Maybe Director Seon Ga-hee knew something? The thought crossed my mind, but I dismissed it—her sorcery wasn't that advanced.
Then Zhuque continued.
-But...... it's definitely odd.
"What is?"
-I sense an energy from you remarkably similar to mine. I thought it was just mine until now, but after you mentioned it, it's clear. Who would've thought? What the hell happened?
Zhuque sounded genuinely flustered. A sudden idea hit me, and I told him.
"Zhuque. Lend me your power."
-Got it, Master.
Whoosh!
The blade soon glowed crimson, and a warm energy flowed through my hand.
"Huh?"
It was warm?
-Not hot?
"Not at all."
-I see...... So it really is true. But how?
I almost asked him to pour in full four-star power but held back.
"I'll explain later."
Someone was about to enter the bathroom soon.
* * *
I easily won three spars against Lee Gun. In the process, I was shocked by an unexpected change.
Lee Gun mainly used the Sevenfold Plum Blossom Sword to create illusions, then attacked with the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Techniques.
But his blade, which should have looked like multiple petals, was crystal clear to me at a glance.
Clang!
"A-a master......"
When I casually deflected his blade, Lee Gun even looked at me with awe.
"You're no match at all. Kim Jeongha. Did you perhaps consume some legendary elixir?"
He was even speaking differently from my past life.
"An elixir? Yeah, I've had a few."
The Jade Legged Blood Hand's inner core and the Fire Spirit Divine Crystal.
Lee Gun asked again.
"Have you reached Super Apex?"
I uncrossed my arms.
"Why do you think that?"
"The Sevenfold Plum Blossom Sword has a major flaw. It doesn't work at all against foes with far superior insight or internal energy."
"You mean like me?"
Lee Gun nodded emphatically.
"Our sect leader would shatter it just by emitting profound energy, or point out the real blade at a glance."
He continued gravely.
"Director Seon Ga-hee doesn't even give you a chance to use it...... Facing you felt just like facing the sect leader, Kim Jeongha."
"Hmm......"
What should I say? I knew something had changed in me, but it hadn't fully sunk in.
This divine power didn't register in my senses. If I had to compare, it was like air—always around me, but impossible to grasp.
"Young Kim. Pick up your sword again."
Gwak Do-cheol, who'd been listening nearby, approached and drew his own blade.
"A spar?"
"No. Infuse your sword with as much internal energy as possible. Like this."
He focused on his sword and steadily channeled his qi.
Hummm......
The mirror-smooth blade soon cloaked in pitch-black qi, as if it had always been that color. The darkness melded seamlessly, without a hint of instability.
"Oh......"
Lee Gun let out a groan too.
Unless one reached true Peak, sword qi was inherently unstable. I'd seen it plenty in spars with Gwak Do-cheol, so I wondered why he was showing this now.
Shing.
He dispersed the qi and said to me.
"Young Kim. Care to try the same?"
"The same."
I was puzzled but followed suit—Gwak Do-cheol had never steered me wrong.
Humm.
My sword qi rippled like waves, as always.
"Good. Try more."
"This is my limit."
My limit, even borrowing the Manager Suit Set effect. It could dent steel but not cut it.
"Just try."
"Alright, got it."
Usually, pushing more qi scattered it instantly.
Hummm.
"Huh......?"
But somehow, the qi kept flowing into the blade. Then something incredible happened.
"Ooh."
"Hmm......"
"......!"
It sharpened just like Gwak Do-cheol's—clinging perfectly to the edge, unmoving.
But the change didn't stop there.
Hummm!
"Th-this is!"
"Wha......!"
"What?"
Suddenly, the dark sword qi surged wildly, leading to the unbelievable.
Fwoosh!
The qi ignited like roaring flames.
"S-Sword Flame Realm!"
"Ho. Impressive, young Kim."
"Wh-what happened?"
I'd done it myself, but I had no idea how.
I asked Lee Gun.
"Sword Flame Realm?"
He nodded and explained.
"I've only heard of it. It happens when someone with profound energy brute-forces massive qi into their sword......"
Cling!
Then Gwak Do-cheol drew his blade.
"Young Kim. Strike my sword."
"With a Black Moon Tyrant Sword form?"
"Anything goes. Thrust, slash, whatever. I'll block it—don't worry."
"If you say so."
That was doable. I nodded and unleashed a crescent slash.
"Hiyah!"
The blades clashed, resounding with metallic harmony.
Craaaang!
"......Hup!"
"......!"
Gwak Do-cheol was instantly pushed back hard. He quickly steadied with footwork.
"Impressive."
He sounded genuinely shocked. So was I.
Gwak Do-cheol sheathed his sword and said something unexpected.
"Young Kim, do you know why fire manifests?"
Fire wasn't gas, liquid, or solid—just pure energy.
"Intense heat density visualized, right?"
"Exactly. Your sword qi just took that form."
"......?"
"Qi itself...... Hmm, no. Better ask Director Seon Ga-hee when you can. She knows swords better than I."
"Sure."
He trailed off, leaving me unsatisfied. But he was right—no one in the company matched her swordsmanship.
Gwak Do-cheol spoke forlornly.
"You're truly a once-in-a-generation prodigy, young Kim. Soon I may have nothing left to teach."
"Don't say that. I've got tons to learn. Footwork, for one."
Gwak Do-cheol chuckled at my words.
"Haha. Sneakily trying to milk every Black Moon technique, eh?"
"Teach me."
"Footwork needs no separate lesson. It's all in the Black Moon Tyrant Sword forms."
"Ah."
Forms weren't just swings. They included stance, advance, foot placement—everything.
"Beginners start with footwork, but we skipped it for you."
"Then lightness skills."
"Fine. But lightness takes time—come find me after your dispatch."
I nodded.
"Got it."
I left the training grounds. In hindsight, rescuing Gwak Do-cheol from Underground Floor 10 was pure luck.
* * *
Standing before the central pillar with the Health and Welfare staff. I rummaged in my pocket and pulled out the wooden box.
"Good. Both capsules are here."
In my past life, I'd used both fighting the Iron Wire Princess and wielding the Feather Fan. Coming back to find them intact felt like a freebie—or payment for my life.
Either way, my plan was to snag the Feather Fan from Floor 15 again, then hit Floor 14 for the Fire Spirit Divine Crystal.
This time, I'd feed it to Zhuque for sure. I'd chosen him as my companion through endless lives. Same for Angelica.
"Entering!"
Stella's chief researcher plunged into the gate, followed by the staff.
Entered 15th Floor Stage Cannibal Village.
The alert came with humid heat. Strangely, it didn't feel unpleasant. Probably the Fire Spirit Divine Crystal's effect.
Come to think of it, this heat was from Fire Mountain. It was west on the map—not visible yet. We'd need to cover distance, making lightness skills crucial.
Anyway, after meeting the village chief and securing lodging in the fairy village. Night fell, and with Kim Hansu, I killed the stray ghost rakshasa Gong So-hun and looted the grain warehouse.
I wondered if I really needed Kim Hansu again, but I wanted to minimize variables. Besides, he was reliable as a comrade, if not always as a human.
"Ooh, Brother Jeongha. You came locked and loaded today, huh?"
The reason Kim Hansu said something new from my past life? I'd stuffed the entire warehouse's grain into the hand mirror with ruthless intent.
"Damn right. We're taking it all."
I didn't want to get caught off-guard by the Iron Wire Princess again. So, I'd offer all the tributes first to win her favor.
Just as the grain hit bottom.
"Huh?"
"Yeah? What's up, bro?"
"There's a door here?"
"Where? Lemme see. Whoa, for real."
A floor door hidden behind the sacks. Locked tight with chains and a padlock.
"Super suspicious door. Heh heh heh. Can't *not* check it out now."
"I'll go alone—keep watch."
"......Heh, heh heh heh."
Bringing Kim Hansu was the right call.